Mumsnetters in north west?

[Hilary]

Just out of interest, are there any other mumsnetters in the north west. We have just moved to Lancashire.

KMG Liverpool museum has a section on fossils, they also have a skeleton of a huge stag/moose. There's an childrens educational centre where they can draw, handle and talk about fossils. The museum is currently undergoing refurbishment at the moment so some exhibits may not be on show. On a more gruesome note they also have some egyptian mummies.

You lot are very close with your guesses. From just what I'd said you mentioned Bolton/Wigan area which is right. One of you even mentioned Pennington Flash at Leigh which was closest of all as I live in Leigh!

Thanks to all of you for all your suggestions of things to do. I plan to do them all but when we are all better again. Only my dh remains well in our house at the mo!

Where are the farms you mention, Scuba? A couple of people here have asked me if there are any round here (like I'd know!) and I'd like to find one for my boys.

Thanks for your offer of sending me some info Janh, I'll be in touch soon.

Hilary, try this site for starters - while you're all being poorly (hope you're better soon!):

www.thisislancashire.co.uk/lancashire/leigh/

It has a contact-us link for the local paper and an internet team, so you could get lots of specific information from there, and there is "places to go" etc information too. Isn't the internet wonderful!

There is Farmer Parr's Animal Farm in Fleetwood which is supposed to be quite good. And there is Windmill Farm in Burscough near Preston which is excellent! They have goats running freely about, rabbits, hens, minature ponies, deer, pigs, sheep, etc, all of which the children can touch, apart from the deer. There is a little steam train. A brilliant indoor play area which has a completely seperate area for children under 5 - I always like to see that! And a very good outdoor one. It does get busy at the weekends, but it's great value for money and you could quite happily spend all day there.

Oooh, Rhubarb, my children go there very often when we stay with my parents (in Southport). Maybe we've met, and don't realise!

Windmill Farm, that is

Thanks Scuba and Janh.

Hi Rhubarb - where exactly is Burscough in relation to Preston town, oh...er I mean, city??!!
I fancy going a bit further out next time I visit dd's Nan. Still hope we can meet for coffee at some point too

Can I come too?

Hilary, I am very close to you as I am in Wigan! If you want a farm, Cedar Farm which is on the way to Mawdesley is wonderful. It has animals to feed, a small playground, a few shops and a cafe which does the most sensational brown sugar meringues! Yum!

I am in Manchester bur born in Liverpool grew up in Southport

It's not grim up north it's fab!

I too am in Manchester and born in Liverpool.

Burscough is near Ormskirk and Scarisbrick.

Does anyone else feel the need for a Christmas meet up coming on?

Zoe, whereabouts in S'port? What school did you go to? Do I know you?
Sorry, just never found someone who I may know on here before (apart from my sister, who's a dedicated lurker)

It would be nice to meet up at Christmas - but scary.

yes, I do have mental pictures of everyone, all lovely btw!!

Emsiewill - maybe we have! If you saw a little girl in an orange coat getting eaten by a donkey whilst her mother was too busy with the baby goats to notice, that will have been us!!! She's still scared of donkeys!! Lilibet, my dh's folks come from Mawdesley but I am ashamed to say that I have never been to Cedar Farm, is it nice then?

Hi Lizzer - I can't tell you where Burscough is as I'm crap at directions and usually just sit in the passenger seat oblivious to where we are going! But erm... if you go through Penwortham, follow the main road right past some other places too (told you I was crap!), but stick to the main road I think, and you'll probably come across signs for Burscough. Not far really, about 20 minutes in the car. They have a big car boot there every Sunday which is great! We went last Sunday and came back with loads of stuff, including a complete big red bus for dd! Sorry, off the beaten track again, I'll shut up now!

Rhubarb, yes, go, It's lovely, a few really nice shops, play area, and I have just realised that I am repeating myself from earlier! shut up you fool!

Hilary Glad to be of assistance. I think the others have beaten me to it you've got the names of the main farms in the area. There are another 2 farms near Cedar Farm Gallery but I can't remember the names of them. If you find the signposts for Cedar farm the other 2 are indicated. If you fancy venturing in to Cheshire or Wales there are even more farms to explore. It's probably a bit far but I know someone who owns a lovely farm in Anglesey (next door to Seaworld) called Foel Farm. As well as all the usual animals, eatery and special foods (homemade choclates and sheeps milk icecream) etc. He also arranges large events throughout the year for families. The really nice thing about it is that the farm itself overlooks the Menai Straits so the view there and at the farm is absolutely stunning.

Lilibet agree about meringes at Cedar. However I've found somewhere that definately rivals those meringes it's Brimstage Hall in the Wirral. They also do some very nice traditional home made cakes.

Emsiewill

I am 30, I went to CTK as a secondary school, left in 1990.

Do you know me? I use my real name, so you're mosre likely to know first...

Hi, I live in North Cheshire but have quite a few friends in Lancs. Quite fancy a Christmas meet up, or how about January? Might be easier to get a free weekend then & give us something to look forward to. I've missed all the other meet ups for one reason or another.

Hi Berries I live in Liverpool and never managed to go on the last meet I wouldn't mind a Northwest meet if anyone else is interested.

Funnily enough Rhubarb I know exactly which road you mean with your description of driving through Penwortham and carry on!! Definitely fancy going there now...
Yes, everyone should meet up at some point. I'm in South Lakes but its only an hour to Preston...

Yep - I'm really disappointed I can't make the Christmas meet-up, so would love to have another North-West one. There seems to be quite a few of us this time! How about in the New Year when the works to the railways have finished and Christmas is over with?

KMG - I am moving to Barrow next month from Cheshire am originally from there but have been away for about 6 years. I know what you mean when you say 'people telling you straight and being blunt'. You will get use to it. Have you any family or friends there? I am moving back with my DH and DS and am expecting another baby in Feb. Would be nice to meet up sometime as it will take me a while to adapt again. Just an idea, don't want to sound to pushy. Have you been to the animal park? I haven't but heard it to be ok.