Hopton-On-Sea

As a family, we have very little time all together, so I therefore took it upon myself to book a short break away with The Sun Holidays with Haven.

I love Great Yarmouth, a coastal town in Norfolk so decided we would book somewhere there. Hopton-On-Sea it was!

So we set off on the Friday evening, traffic was kind to us, thankfully, but still took us nearly 4 hours to get there!.. We were aware that we may arrive after the reception office closed, so a call before leaving, to ask what we were to do on our arrival is what I did. The staff were in fact very help full and told us not to worry, but to go to security at the main Entertainment door and they would help us.

On our travels, I admired the views of fields, upon fields, watching the animals and dreaming of life by the sea or out in the country. My dreams are to live in a very dual area surrounded by wildlife. On our arrival, we were greeted by a real cheery guy, who gave us our pack and keys and gave clear directions to our caravan. The van was very clean, but basic for a luxury caravan, however we were only using it for a base. So off to the club to have a quick look around before finding the local convenience store to grab some milk (I had packed everything else but milk… der…) 

Our first full day on the site was a great day, we took a walk through the park to the sandy beach. Maisie can not go anywhere, without practising her dance routines and being on the sandy beach, wasn't going to stop her either. 

We were there for a couple of hours before heading back to the site as it kept clouding over and getting chilly. We walked along to the entertainment hub and gave the kids money for the arcades, which they loved and won many little treasures. 

                    

We decided to stay on site and have lunch at the sites restaurant which was a winner with us all, and the prices weren't too bad either!.. The girls made kites to fly, so went off flying them 

whilst Hubster and I had a cuppa in the van before going for a mooch around the grounds of the park, with the girls having a go on the bouncy castle, crazy golf and watching others who had booked to do a water sport activity in the pool. Around 7pm we decided to head back to the van and have a chilled evening as the girls didn't want to go over to the club house.

Sunday, the weather was truly rubbish, but then again this is one downside of Great Yarmouth. The weather is either fantastic or rubbish. However this didn't put us off heading to the sea front for the famous arcades called 'The Flamingo' where the girls love to win their treasures, and ride on the machines.  After an hour, the weather stopped so we took a stroll along the breach, which was deserted, but looked fantastic! 

Along the sea front in Great Yarmouth they do Horse and carriage taxi rides and Amelia spotted Cinderellas Coach…

We decided just as it began to rain again, to head home. Saying our Goodbyes we all got back into the car and headed home for our long journey back. Arriving home in good time meant there was time to open the case and start the washing machine.

Have you ever been to Great Yarmouth? What are your views on it??

Arts & Crafts

Recently I have joined up with Toucan Box, to gain a few more ideas for crafts. the added bonus with Toucan box is that they provide you with everything that you would need for each craft that they post out to you.

We are slowly gaining a collection of these boxes ready to have craft days during the summer holidays and set themes! Each box arrives and with excitement we open it to see what the activity is. It is then that we have to restrain ourselves by having to tuck it away for a few more weeks - However each one has given us great ideas for theme days which both the girls are going to love….

Keep your eyes peeled for each craft that we do, as we are going to be blogging about each one and doing our own reviews (not paid for) just so other parents, like you, can see what fun these boxes are and just how affordable they are!

What things do you have planned for the summer holidays?

Herne Bay

Sunday 5th April

Herne Bay

After being indoors all morning ironing, we decided to get ready and take the girls to the beach for a few hours and a bite to eat. So off we went to Herne Bay, Thanet.

Althou it was a little windy, it wasn’t cold out, which made a change. First stop (traditionally) was the beach itself, so we could throw stones in to the sea, seeing who’s go’s the furthest. Leaving both the girls to have fun on the shore, the hubster and I took a  seat and watched them.  The sun was bright making it a really lovely evening, it was a little busy but nothing too much. 

We walked along the front, before turning back and going in to the arcades for the ‘good ole 2p machines’. All four kids love these 2p machines, mind you they are a hit with Dave and I too.

We decided on our way back to the car to find the Beefeater, just outside of Herne bay for a bite to eat, but in fact ended up at The Oyster Bed (A Marston’s). This was obviously a new establishment due to all its fresh garden area and overall look of the place. Inside was rather impressive too. Plenty of staff available also which was nice, as usually you always have to hang around waiting for someone to come over to seat you, not this time! We were told that we could have a seat, but within the last 10 minutes they had seated quite a few people so there may be a longer than usual wait for our food.. I found this to be very useful and considerate of the deputy manager who was showing us to our seats. 

Once seated, we were informed that it was total table service (always a added bonus when you have kids with you!). We placed our drinks order with the once again very friendly waitress (Louise), who then asked if we had been before and because we hadn't she explained it all to us, and they left both the girls with colouring.

Our orders were placed and we were expecting this longer wait, however within 20 mins our food which was all freshly cooked was served to us pipping hot! Dave had Yee-ha Burger with chunky chips and homemade coleslaw, both Maisie and I had the Classic burger also served with Chunky chips and homemade coleslaw and onion rings and Amelia had the kids menu of Birds Eye Chicken Dippers, Mini waffles and sweet corn. These  portions were very generous indeed and each and everyone of us cleared our plates!

The food was amazing. The burgers were made of pure steak, and tasted amazing. The staff and deputy manager were always popping over for a chat, making sure everything was ok and generally being friendly!

After our mains, we decided to try the dessert menu... Ooh lala, they were out of this world! Maisie and I had the Melt in the Middle Chocolate Cake with ice cream, whilst Dave had Sticky Toffee Doughnut cake with custard, Amelia decided she couldn’t eat anymore and didn’t have a dessert. 

Well my eyes were certainly bigger than my belly, as I could only eat half of my dessert, however Dave had no problem polishing it off hehe!

So 4 soft drinks, 1 alcohol drink, 4 main courses (all containing steak) and 3 desserts all came in at £60... Impressed?

We certainly were, especially with the added fantastic service, which in todays day and age is alway a added bonus!

Definitely worth going along during the day too, as they have a small inside area for under 5s whilst they also have an outside area for under 12s. the seating areas out side also look good, obviously we didn’t use these as it was heading towards 6.30pm when we arrived, but on our departure all the outside area was lit up with fairy lights making it look rather special!

The Oyster Bed by night

Have you ever found yourself in a restaurant that gave you a service that woo'd you?

Bored??? No reason to be now!

Thursday 2nd April 2015

Half- Term Activities

Well now that the Easter holidays are upon us, I am determined to not hear the kids moan that they are bored… Optimistic I know!!!

Searching my Pinterest board, I found that I had pinned a previous pin by A Diary of a Frugal Family, so we have today made our own...

With both the girls we have coloured in lolly sticks and written ideas down of what to do if they become bored..  We have things from going to the park, museum to making something from recycling, writing a story, cooking and even having a pamper day!!!

What do you have planned for this half-term??...