'To do' lists! {Camp Bestival}

The bags are packed and the hallway is full.
The children, and me, are counting the days - one and a bit to go.
Last minute lists have been made.
Importantly we have lists of things to do.
One for me and one for the children.

 

With a bit of give and take we will all be happy!

x x x

 

Disclaimer: I am receiving family Camp Bestival 2014 tickets in return for previews and reviews of this year's festival. As always, views and opinions are my own.

Dyrham Park {National Trust}

 

Sunday was a day for me to unwind and blow away the cobwebs with the children at the National Trust's Dyrham Park.

Deer were spotted and I got some time to relax.
We kicked off our shoes and felt the ground beneath our feet.
The boy ticked off no.2 from the 50 things to do... list - twice.
The bees were out and about enjoying the sunshine and the alliums.
And what better way to treat yourself after the walk back up the hill than a Marshfield Farm sorbet?

x x x

365 #30 {Summer anticipation}

So the first week of the summer holiday is upon us and we are headlong into our preparation for Camp Bestival.
As a result the house is currently a dangerous mix of excitement and tiredness.
In the meantime life goes on.

365 #30

Day 201
Shoe pick up from Waitrose today for the upcoming wedding of my niece. The girl is a bridesmaid and we're hoping the laid back bride will be happy with her choice of white and silver Converse.
Day 202
I have recently discovered tofu and make an awesome chilli and coconut curry with it.
Day 203
A rare spot of time for just me and the husband. We drove into Bath for tea and coffee at the Society Café and sat listening to the buskers out in the sun filled square. Just wish we could do it more often.
Day 204
Last day of school for me! I met the husband and kiddies at a local farm shop for a drink and spotted these lovely sweet peas.
Day 205
The final few hours to myself before the children finished for the summer. I popped to work to meet a new colleague then pottered in the garden where the poppies have finished but the sunflowers are carrying on.
Day 206
We decided to practise putting the tent up today ready for Camp Bestival. I say we, it ended up being a solo effort. Pretty impressed with myself though.
Day 207
A morning cup of tea was needed after a sleep out with the children in the tent checking the air beds still work. They do. Just about.

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

x x x

Garden Camping

In preparation for the fast approaching Camp Bestival we decided to give the tent an airing and have a garden campout.
The children had also put this on our Summer 2014 Bucket List so nothing like killing two birds with one stone. I'm a multi-tasker me.
I did myself proud and erected the tent in solo style - all good preparation as we are leaving the man of the house behind.
The children sat helplessly, partially due to the narrowness of my pitch space, whilst I swore under my breath that one year I will go full glamping style in a pre-erected yurt.
For now though this will have to do.



The tent is a perfect size for the three of us and once we add on the front tunnel porch there is plenty of space to unwind.
We picnicked in the sunshine and I discovered what a perfect footstool a six year old makes. Bunting was added in true festival camping style and after some bat watching and ukulele playing we settled down for the night. A freshly delivered cup of tea from the house the next morning definitely beats having to roll off the air bed and make it yourself.
Despite the luxury of garden camping we cannot wait for our trip down to Lulworth in just 5 days time. Just need this sun to keep on shining.

x x x

 

For all our Camp Bestival experiences from past years click here.

 

 

Disclaimer: I am receiving family tickets for Camp Bestival 2014 in return for previews and reviews of this year's festival. As always, views and opinions are my own.



Summer 2014 Bucket List

School is nearly out for the summer and it is time to make some plans!



 

Last year we made our first Summer Bucket List and crammed it with a mountain of things to do - maybe a few too many!?

 

Armed with our glittery card we set to work making this year's poster. We went for a pictorial look this time to represent our wishes and ended up with far less on the list than last year - some of which are already planned so cheating a little bit there! We still have a bit of a challenge though to make sure the rest of the things happen.

 

Maybe this time we will tick them all off.

Watch this space!

 



What's on your 'to do' list this summer?

x x x

365 #29 {Sun & rain}

British summer showed its true colours this week.
Glorious sunny days, cloudy days when I still managed to get sunburnt and then the rain.
Boy oh boy did it rain.

365 #29

 

Day 194

A new recent purchase is assisting me in my consumption of fruit and is producing some rather delicious smoothies. I need to get my hand on a juicer now.

Day 195

Presents wrapped for the soon to be eight year old.

Day 196

Eight today! Apparently the age to develop teenage attitude already. Fun.

Day 197

A bit of cloud, drizzle and apparently sunshine as I managed to get sunburn on a picnic in the park with our September school starters.

Day 198

Illness hit me today so I spent the day recuperating and when the children came back from school we did a bit of looming.

Day 199

Still not right today so no work. I got some fresh air in the garden and couldn't believe how overgrown it is. One lone surviving sunflower was standing tall and proud.

Day 200

The rain came back today, a hangover from the past two night's storms, and I realised just how great Saltwater sandals are in this weather.

 

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

 

x x x

365 #28 {Counting the days}

I am ready for the summer holidays now.
The kiddies are ready for the summer holidays now.
We all just need to stop for a bit and have one big lie in.
Just hope the sun keeps on shining.

365 #28

Day 187
Gorgeous weather again for a Sunday. Once the weekend chores were done I sat in the garden with a cup of Earl Grey and a magazine. The children left me to it. Thankfully.
Day 188
Some blogging catching up to do today. Camp Bestival posts published. Now I need to get planning.
Day 189
The sunflowers and wildflowers at the bottom of the garden are really coming on now.
Day 190
Another reminder to catch up with some #postcircle mail. A lovely postcard came through the letterbox today.
Day 191
Finally the passports arrived following a few phone calls, errors by the post office and a bit of worry. Today they landed safely on my doormat today.
Day 192
This mug always makes me chuckle and it was a nice Happy Friday snap for the #IGTeaClub.
Day 193
We went to the Cotswold Wildlife Park today for an early birthday treat for the girl. It was set to be a lovely day but we can't seem to win with her at the moment. Anyway I found my favourite alliums, albeit past their best but still looking beautiful. 

How has your week been?

Linking up with The Boy and Me...

 

x x x

Growing up with Camp Bestival {Camp Bestival 2014}

This summer sees our fifth trip down to Lulworth to experience Camp Bestival.
The children love it, the adults love it.
Year on year the festival develops and grows and I just love to see the changes in my children too.
It has helped with their confidence, their independence, their life skills... - I am sure they could put the tent up without me this year.
But, importantly to me, it has provided everlasting memories.

Top ten extras to bring {Camp Bestival 2014}

It's less than four weeks to go until Camp Bestival 2014 begins.
Time to start making those lists.
I have blogged a lot in the past about camping with children and have prepared a tried and trusted packing list here.
But what about those Camp Bestival specific 'extras'?
Well look no further.
Here are my top ten extras to bring list!

365 #27 {Summer countdown}

I have been counting the days to the summer holidays this week.
Everyone is winding down and tiredness is hitting everyone.
Relaxation was needed.

365 #27

Day 180
A lazy Sunday finished with a game of Pass the Pigs. This move may have been fixed.
Day 181
The children have taken to coming home from school and playing with Lego rather than going straight for the television. This makes me happy.
Day 182
A chilled out day for me and I settled down with the latest edition of The Simple Things - if you haven't seen it I recommend a look.
Day 183
I met the family after work in a local pub for a quick summer drink. The kiddies occupied themselves on the rather ageing fussball table.
Day 184
The husband brought home sunflowers today after he misunderstood a text I sent - he thought I was low. Love him.
Day 185
It's Friday, I'm tired and I needed this.
Day 186
Summer fair for the children's school today then we popped out to a pub I hadn't been to before. The views were lovely.

Linking up as always to The Boy and Me...

 

x x x