Holiday 2010

At long last I'm blogging some of the photos from our holiday - we came back last Saturday after a glorious week in Ilfracombe, North Devon.

Again (for the fourth year!) we stayed at Watermouth Castle in one of the apartments and this was the view on Saturday evening from our bedroom window across the front of the castle grounds and to the bay.

By staying in one of the six apartments in the Castle, we have unlimited access to the grounds and theme park where they sell ice-cream which Jacob thoroughly enjoyed!

We also have use of an indoor swimming pool. Last year Samuel would not get his face wet - this year he can do handstands in the water!!
On Monday we visited Exmoor Zoo - as we have on the last two years. Samuel was brave enough to stroke an Alpaca
And then we participated in Guinea Pig Fishing (yes, honestly! A fishing rod made from a stick and wire with a peg on the end holding a cabbage leaf. Dangle it into the enclosure and you are Guinea Pig Fishing!) The Keeper was most amused when Samuel asked "How long do they last for?" meaning, how long do they live!
Jacob managed to stroke a snake too.
On Tuesday we visited the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway which is a narrow gauge train with approx a mile or so of track.
After an impromptu change of clothes for both boys (hastily bought a full change for each from Tescos) following an unfortunate incident for Samuel with Jacob caught in the cross-fire, we visited Arlington Court, a National Trust property where we joined the NT.

There were a number of sculptures around the grounds where the boys enjoyed copying what the statues were doing....

The boys and Simon took a horse drawn carriage ride around the grounds - I'm highly allergic to horses and was suffering even this far away!
This is the view on Woolacombe beach - the boys are paddling in the sea. Which turned into another full change of clothes. But I was prepared this time!

And Friday we visited another National Trust property - Dunster Castle. The Crypt is haunted and no word of a lie, when I went in and had a look around, the two drinks bottles I had in my shoulder bag spontaneously vibrated. And I was stood still with no-one (that I could see) near me. A huge shiver went up my spine. So I hastily went out into the sunshine!
As you can see, the weather all week was glorious! Then it rained whilst we were travelling home. A great week and we met some lovely people who we hope to see again next year!

Holiday

Well we are back, and if Mr Blogger is playing nicely, I shall be able to show you a few photos from the holiday!!

On the way to Ilfracombe we stopped off at Slimbridge so the boys could have a run around, plus it was not much of a detour for us. We set off back on our way only to find that all the traffic was at a standstill and telephone wires and such like were being taken down. We then realised that a large load was coming our way. And this is it:

Yes, that is a Micra and a Transit Van, dwarfed by the big things (we didn't actually know what they were!)

Watermouth Castle was once again (for the third year!) wonderful! The boys enjoyed all the rides and the times in the pool (virtually twice a day every day!) And the weather was not too bad - it did pour down a few times in the morning but by early afternoon, the sun came out. The rainbow photo is taken from our apartment window, looking out over Watermouth Bay.

The gardens were as well kept and beautiful as ever.

So onto the black eyes. Jacob fell onto a ride on car when in a play room and caught the corner of his eye. This was Monday evening - and the ice cream photo was taken Tuesday afternoon. Nice big black eye!

Then Wednesday evening when in the pool, he needed to go to the toilet, which is situated just outside the pool in its own enclosed cubical. However the floor was tiled and wet, and I just didn't manage to catch him before his head connected with the toilet bowl.


So cut above the eye and a bigger black eye than before. Fortunately it was the same eye, otherwise he'd have looked a right mess! Any other discolouring you see around nose and mouth area is purely food or snot related!

We visited Exmoor Zoo again for the day and met the Alpaca and fed the Wallabies. And I must say that the sandwiches in the cafe were freshly made and were excellent!




Thursday afternoon was really warm, and kids plus water equals water fights and getting soaking! So Batman and Superman along with their new friend Ben (he was in the apartment next to us and a similar age to Samuel, so they got on really well) got soaked! Luckily we are only a 2 minute walk back up the path so they didn't have to stay wet for ages!
No holiday is complete without a visit to a beach. On Friday we went to Hele which is just between the Castle and Ilfracombe. The beach is quite rocky and not at all sandy, but armed with spades, buckets and fishing nets (the boys were adamant they were going to catch some fish) we spent a few hours exploring. And digging. And finding two dead crabs and a dead jellyfish.
For the more observant of you, yes this crab is upside down. The right way looked boring!

And Jacob loved the pool this year and managed to do quite a bit of swimming whilst ordering us around. If I manage it, I'll add a video of Jacob jumping into the pool. That's if technology lets me....

And Boo Bear from nursery came with us again. Great. Cos its me that has to write its diary every day.....

So that was our holiday! I think we will be going again next year!

Holiday part 2

Final lot of pictures from our holiday, and in no particular order!

We visited Exmoor Zoo which was not far from Ilfracombe. Its only a small Zoo and quite compact without the larger animals such as elephants etc. However we were given a map and a list of all the activities and talks scheduled for the day. The first was feeding the otters and a talk. Didn't get any photos. Sorry!


The second talk was a meet the Alpacas. Samuel and Jacob were sort of keen to meet the black one with its new haircut! We were all given the opportunity to touch its neck and was able to spend a few minutes with it. Quite surprised I managed to get this photo as both boys wouldn't really get that close to it!

We then had a bug talk. And were able to touch (oh yes!) a millipede, stick insect and a cockroach. Didn't get any photos you'll be pleased to note! I cannot stand stick insects. A brother of one of my old school friends used to keep them in a tank in his bedroom. And I was scared witless that they'd get out!!

We fed the wallabies also. Jacob was most indignant as he insisted that they snatched and shouted at them!

Rock pools at Combe Martin. Fortunately neither child fell in although there were a few moments when we thought Jacob might do!

Outside the front of the Castle. You can just make out one of the windows from our apartment.

And Ilfracombe from the sea. We went on the Ilfracombe Princess last year (quite choppy going out of the harbour last year but I kept hold of my breakfast!) and decided to do the Exmoor Coast and Waterfall tour. We saw the Castle, much to the boy's delight!

The airplane ride - a firm favourite with Jacob! He loved it! 5 rides in one go was the record!

The staff were fantastic and really nice - a credit to the place! In fact we enjoyed it so much again (it was our second year!) that we've booked again for next year!!