Queen Elizabeth II Country Park Walk

An easy pushchair and dog-friendly circular walk in Northumberland. 

The Queen Elizabeth II Country Park is located next to Woodhorn Museum  just off the A189 between Blyth and Ashington. There is ample free parking (use postcode NE63 9AT) and the area is a lovely spot for a family walk. 

Finding Joy in your Local Area & Community

As I type this, the UK has been in some kind of lockdown for around 10 weeks. We have not experienced full lockdown like some countries and being able to explore our local area has been an option for those who are not self-isolating/shielding throughout the entire time. 

As somebody who is always out and about, I thought I may struggle with just staying local but actually, the opposite has been true. Lockdown has definitely provided me with a new appreciation of our immediate local area and now that I could go a little further, I am a little hesitant to at the moment and exploring places that are just a short drive/walk for us at quieter times is something we will be taking advantage of for a while yet. 

East Cramlington Nature Reserve Trail

We decided to explore somewhere on our doorstep this week - East Cramlington Nature Reserve. We have visited a few times in the past when the kids were teeny and I used to sometimes visit with my friend when I was younger but it has been a good few years since our last visit. 

There is a small free car park at the entrance along the B1326 from Cramlington to Seaton Delaval. If you are travelling from Cramlington hospital towards Seaton Delaval it is just before you get to the bend in the road. Use postcode NE23 6XF and continue driving along the road past Astor Court Care Home - the car park is on the left just before the bend. 

Fish & Chips from Colmans Seafood Temple : A Review

Colmans Seafood Temple is somewhere I have wanted to visit for ages. We were finally able to make the trip on a sunny Sunday in February when working on a different campaign with the Tyne Tunnel (who kindly organised/covered the cost of our meal). 

Holiday Memories : Making Pretzels at Home

Welcome to another post from our Holiday Memories series.  Today I take us back to Florida in the summer of 2017 where I tasted the best ever Pretzels at Busch Gardens.

Now I know Pretzels are German (and I have yet to experience a true German Pretzel) but Americans really know how to make a brilliant Pretzel too and for me, they were a real taste sensation.

15+ Things To Do In South Shields

Disclosure - I have worked with some of the attractions mentioned in this post in the past but nobody has asked/paid to be included in this round-up. 

We absolutely love South Shields. It is around a 25 minute drive from our home in Northumberland and as we drive through the tunnel, it always feels like a proper day out.

I still remember my first visit to South Shields - it was a day trip organised by our local Sure Start Centre (RIP) when the kids were under 5. I took my mam and we had such a good day out - I could not believe all of this traditional fun was right here on our doorstep.

Nelson's at the Park, Swarland

A lovely cafe by a fantastic play park serving delicious homemade food.

Nelson's at the Park is an absolutely gorgeous cafe overlooking Swarland village park serving delicious homemade food. 

15+ Easy Star Wars Activities to Enjoy at Home (No Printer Required)

My kids are obsessed with Star Wars. They suggested the idea of a Star Wars themed day at home for May 4th. Their idea was to binge-watch Star Wars movies on Disney+ all day but I wanted to make it a little more fun / educational so at the last minute, I researched a few easy activities we could do at home.

8 Easy Ways to Have Fun in your Garden this Summer

This is an advertising feature. Whilst enjoying your garden, please follow current Government guidelines re: social distancing. 

I have never been a keen gardener. We usually cut the grass, plant new flowers in Spring and that's about it. However, during this extended period at home, I have really discovered a new appreciation for our garden and as the sun has been shining, we have thoroughly enjoyed and been thankful for our outdoor space.