Bowood House

A trip to Bowood House with family was wicked. We all left for the park around the same time but we thought we would arrive at different times. As it happens we all arrived at exactly the same time!

It was the day of the Royal Wedding and I was recording it to watch later, but everyone else was at home watching it and the park was very empty. It was great.

We bought our tickets, set up camp by a bench and the kids ran off and played. I sat feeding for ages but luckily there was enough adults to go around.

Ellis was ace. After recently going to parks with high climbing frames etc, there was no stopping him this time and he was right up the top following his cousin Chloe with no problem. Rob and I couldn't believe it.

They played on the pirate ship for ages.

Had their first go on a boat swing.

There was a playground for under 7's that we had a quick look at.

I then asked Mum to take a family picture of us. We got ready, then I realised that we weren't all there! Silly me!

Leo sniffing the flowers.

We had an ice-cream break.

Then messed around on the trampolines.

Next up was a walk around the gardens and lake. We couldn't go though until I had finished feeding Oscar and he was taking ages! Thankfully everyone was understanding and patient.

I found the perfect spot to actually take a family picture but it took a lot of attempts to get a half decent picture. I love them though.

Just us. My sister thought I was crazy. Actually I think she always thinks I'm crazy.

After the gardens was a big ditch which obviously had to be jumped. If I wasn't still recovering I probably would have given it go too.

We then walked for ages down to the lake.

After the lake we went to take a look at the waterfall. Unfortunately the buggies wouldn't fit down the path so Rob and Grandad Rennolds went a different way and we ended up getting split up.

At the top of the falls is a tunnel that runs through to the other side. Now, when I say it is pitch black, I mean pitch black. You literally cannot see your hand in front of your face. I tried to use my camera as a bit of light but it made no difference. The ceiling is low, there are 2 bends in it, it has a slight downward slope and the rocks stick out making the walkway quite narrow. So, of course my sister and I, with Leo and Chloe, decided to give it go. It was horrid. I banged Leo's head on the wall and we pretty much just shuffled through with our hands in front of us. Well actually my sister was hanging off my back and I was leading the way. It was really funny and we made so much noise! We of course had to go back through it but luckily Alex had his phone so we had a bit of light for the return journey.

Uncle Craig and his buddy Ellis spent quite a bit of time together. They are so cute. Craig took him through the tunnel to see the other side of the waterfall and he wasn't scared at all. Craig always had a way of making me feel safe when I was kid so I'm sure he helped Ellis to feel the same.

Kate, Leo and I then tried to catch up with everyone thinking they had walked on. We soon realised that they hadn't and we were on our own.

We walked back around and met up with everyone. Chloe now had an injury on her knee though after falling over.

We all walked back around the way we had just been but that was fine. The kids had walked and walked and were starting to feel tired.

Top Flumps

Mum and I messed around taking pictures and videos of everyone and we spent quite a lot of time this side of the lake.

We stared our walk back and Kate realised that a bug bite/spot was bleeding under her top and had made a smiley face!

We then did another long walk back to the park. I think it was my suggestion that we went back and had another play for a bit before going home as I needed to feed Oscar again before going anyway. Everyone seemed to agree anyway.

As the park was still so quiet and the supervisors were busy shutting up shops etc, Kate and I saw our chance to have a go on the death slide. I hadn't been on one in years but I loved it. We ran around 3 times!

Then it was Grandad's turn but on a different slide.

The kids, even the big kids, played and played some more.

We then all agreed to stop for food on the way home.

We found a pub that could fit us all in but they didn't like all the kids in the pub so we were put in the garden until our food was ready and they called us in. The garden was lovely though and the kids carried on playing. I have no idea where they got their energy from.

The food was really really nice and the staff tried hard to keep us happy. We were put out in the conservatory away from the main restaurant as we were rather noisy. Ellis was cute though when he said, "now this is a family dinner". How lush is that!?

The boys went to sleep on the way home obviously. Leo was changed and went to bed but Ellis woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep! I couldn't believe it. He was still awake at 10:30pm

The following morning I spent ages clearing up the kitchen while Oscar had some Daddy time.

In the afternoon we went to Lucy, Craig, Shauna and Ashlee's house for a barbeque. We had a lovely time out in the garden snacking all afternoon.

The boys were really good going to bed that night, even Oscar was in bed by 9pm.