Camping in Loire, Brittany and St Malo

Two-week self-drive camping holiday in France finished on last Sunday. Three of us all had great time, Daniel enjoyed all the campsites, sightseeing, beach very much. Compare to skiing or sailing, camping didn't appeal to me that much in the past before Daniel was born. I had Eurocamp holiday with Terry and girls 7 years ago in Holland, last time we stayed in mobile home therefore it shouldn't be 'camping' in the real sense. This time we stayed in tents. Terry expected that I wouldn't enjoyed tent, but I did and enjoyed it very much. I rated it was the most relaxing and child-centered holiday we had so far. Daniel had both of us attention all the time, no wonder Daniel wouldn't want to come back England.

We camped in Loire valley for 4 days, the campsite in between Orleans and Blois. Liore Valley concentrated the most famous French chateaux, it is also called the garden of France and the cradle of French language due to its history and architectures heritage and the landscape. After 4-days in Loire, we drove to Benedict in Brittany, west coast of France, spend 4 days there for beach, then drove to St Malo, stayed a big campsites there. We went to St Malo and Mount St Michel for day trips. Then spent Friday whole day for Ferry crossing. The Brittany Ferry was really good. It has three nice restaurants, children play area. Children disco, magic shown. Daniel really enjoyed his big boat experience. last two day holiday were spent in Southampton in a 5-star hotel. After two weeks staying tent, we would think five-start hotel would be a bit luxury, but it proved to be a disappointment. i enjoyed tent much better than the 5-start hotel.

Flowers in the garden and on the window sill

Summer Holiday Soon!

Terry's 3-months contract is near the end, which mean he is not working away anymore, which mean no more screaming for Daddy from Daniel during the week anymore. Being parents to a T2 toddler is tough enough, I'm lucky enough to have another go of being single parent with work and home to juggle on my own during the week. However, we are surviving! We tend to go out a lot over the weekends. Recent outings includes Chatsworth House, Winter garden, The Deep Sea Life Center etc. Daniel enjoys outing so much that his favorite sentence now is 'shall we go somewhere, mummy?' That's why our life is so hectic! Luckily In one week time we will be going on holiday to France for two weeks. Hopefully get a bit rest!

The Deep Sea Life Center

Chatsworth House May bank holiday

Mother Shipton's Cave

We made most of the day yesterday as it was sunny. We took Daniel to Knaesborough , a beautiful historical market town north of Harrogate.

Before we set off, we told Daniel we were going to see the Petrifying Teddy at Mother Shipton's Cave. Daniel didn't understand much. Then we told him that we were going to have fish and chips afterwards. What Daniel remembered most after 1 hour car journey was Fish and Chips.

The famous Petrifying Well, a unique geological phenomenon. The waters extremely high mineral content means that everything in it’s path is turned into stone. people had hanged their toy teddy, hat etc were all turned into stone. The Petrifying Well is England’s Oldest Visitor Attraction, first opening its gates in 1630! Over the years millions of people have come to see for themselves the amazing powers of The Petrifying Well. We've been there quite a few times before Daniel was born, we've house-hunted in Harrogate area before but didn't successful.

We had lunch in the bear garden of a pub overlooking the River. The sun was so shinny and the blossoming cherry tree in their garden covered whole yard. It felt so nice! I ordered Chili Rice, obviously Daniel ordered Fish Chips, but he got fish fingers with peas and chips instead. He likes his food and he sat there with his giraffe and at them all up...

Daniel's Garden Activities

neighbourhood

eating noodles like this!

i finally got interest in this toy

Picking out daisy is fun

I got lots lots... daisy

sitting in the tent is one of my favourite activities

shut the tent please!

Daniel really enjoys playing in the garden, even on a rainy day. Now that the summer has arrived here, Daniel demands to go garden to play all the time. On my weekend, the first thing Daniel wants to do when he wakes up is ' Shall we go garden, mummy?' he likes running around in the garden shouting 'I'm busy, I'm busy...' he likes to copy his Day to push a lawn mower. he would push his toy wheel burrow and pretended that it is his law mower. We bought his a toddler gardening set with little buckets, toddler garden gloves and little spade. He would use it to dig the mud. He rides motor bike in the garden, sitting in the tent or sit on his tiger deck chair eating and drinking and demands to eat dinner in the garden all the time. The trouble is it could be a bit cold in the evening in the garden still, but he insists...

Planting Seeds

I always think planting is a great toddler activity as it teach toddler about growing, about faith, and patience, and waiting. Daniel plant some sunflower seeds and strawberry seeds with his daddy last weekend.

The sunflowers seeds grew just over a week. I think Daniel was very excited to see the seeds he palnted growing.

The Sun Got His Hat On

We took Daniel to see The Sun Got His Hat On, a puppy show in the new Civic Center. The Theatre Room locates in a newly-refurbished 19 century stone building with a modern interior. The show is about the comical tales and colourful animal puppets from land, sea and sky in a sway-along, bounce-along, sing-along romp of musical storytelling. All inspired by tales and rhythms of the Caribbean. Aimed at the twos to fives. We walked to the Civic Center and Daniel fell asleep in the buggy. Daniel wanted to go playground last minute before we went, I took him to the local playground, and we ended up arriving theatre a bit late, the show was just about to start. While I was worrying that Daniel would wake up screaming in the theatre, it turned out he was OK. He sat there watching the show and other children, enjoying and participating when people sang along, sway along and pat hands along. It was a bit experience for him..

Daniel's Fashion Sense

Tuesday morning, having had his breakfast in the kitchen Daniel rushed into lounge, Terry just turned on Telly to watch Breakfast news. The lady presenter on Telly that morning was wearing a white Chiffon blouse with a black jumper outside. The blouse has some beautiful bold frills at collar, with the contrast of the black jumper, it looks very exaggerating. Daniel gave a glimpse on the Telly, uttered a sentence like this ' people silly... got bib on...' then ran away, I can't help bursting into laugh. That presenter had been criticised for bad dress sense before, as for her outfit that morning, Daniel said exactly what i felt that moment. Haha...

I don't know where Daniel got all these fashion ideas from, I certainly never talk about fashion in front of him.

Daniel was sitting in the bed watching nursery rhythms on my laptop while i was doing my make-up in front of mirror. I tried on a red shirt and a mini skirt, both are very skinny type, which I don't normally wear as they hug my body tight. Daniel raised his head from laptop giving me a quick glimpse, said 'Mummy pretty!', which is a bit unusual and fresh. I had never asked him this sort of question like 'is mummy pretty?'. It was a bit surprise to hear Daniel make such a comment. Hearing this, Terry didn't want be left out, he dive into the conversation and asked Daniel: 'Is Daddy pretty then?' Daniel said loudly and firmly 'No!' .... we can't help to laugh...

More Easter Photos

Wentworth Garden Center and Farm was fully packed today. People everywhere, kids everywhere. We didn't bother the tea and coffee as there was a long queue in the coffee house. The scene is pretty much similar the ones in China during the major public holidays. We went there trying to buy a cherry tree and also let Daniel to play in the farm and playground. Daniel just too busy with all the toys on offer in the farm to look the animals.

Easter Update

Daniel's Easter Friday spent at Jolly Tots, a local soft play place. Jolly Tots is a bit better than Jelly Bean in terms of interior design and toys. Daniel enjoyed playing Jolly Tots, I played with him on Slides for a bit, he was giggling and laughing with a little girls. Then he got on play on his own, leaving us relaxing with coffees and magazines. That's why I like to take Daniel to soft play.

Saturday I went down gym and Daniel went to shopping with Daddy in the morning. Afternoon I took him to the local Playground. Daniel hunted Easter eggs at home after playground. Chocolates certainly made his day.

More Chocolate eggs today. And we went to Lord Nelson, a pub the other side of town for lunch. I shared vegetable lasagna with Daniel, which he enjoyed very much. Terry had Lord Nelson pie. Afternoon, playground again at Daniel's request.