Episode 32 - The New Zealand tea room

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Well folks, here we are, beside the hot springs of New Zealand.

The tea room (with the customary distressed chintz sofa) overlooks the steaming, bubbling lake. For the bold and sporty, hiking, biking and sky-diving are on offer. Personally, I'm not planning to leave the spa.

Please come and join us for a celebratory drink and conversation ranging from the profound to the profoundly silly. The cardinal rule remains: no fisticuffs.

I'm sure that MC would LOVE that adventure place - I think that there are some similar around the country but run by other companies. Currently working our way up to what I hope will be the last 'big' birthday party. Have entertainment, venue, plates etc for it so far (and the plates have been approved as acceptable too!). I think party bags might be mainly easter egg type things and cake and a balloon - we don't really like all the plastic tat so don't feel like putting it in bags to mess up other people's houses either.

There is "go ap"e near Exeter, minimum age is 10 so we have a few years to wait...

We have a Go Ape in Thetford. I've been to that one and one in the New Forest somewhere. I'm taking my Seniors to Thetford later in the school year for a climb & swing. I think MrScout wants to take Toddler to the new 4+ bit in two years.

UniS - based on the link, they've increased their age range and Boy would be perfectly able to do some bits now.

Over-tired toddlers are wonderful beings.

sadly Haldon ( our nearest Go Ape) don't do the treetop junior stuff yet. Which is why we are off to "Clip n Climb" on Saturday.
Haldon is good spot for cycling tho, nice MTB trails, an MTB "skills park" and a very easy family bike ride loop.

Hurrah, I've finished work for teh week ( till Sunday) just realised. I have a full school day tomorrow to myself. A jobs list an arm long and a birthday cake to make.
Vanilla sponge, purple jamin teh middle and purple icing with sweets on.

Hurrah! for UniS's school day to herself.

We're meeting up with friends in the morning to go to soft play. Toddler's face lit up this evening when I told him he needed a "really good night's sleep" to go to "City" (what Toddler calls this particular place) to see his friends P and O. He kept talking about "side" (slide) and P & O (since they're a bit bigger/older than him they take him down the big slide because he's still a little afraid to go by himself.

MrScout's still several hours from being home. I'm having a RL cocktail but feel pathetic drinking alone -- will anyone join me in a Thursday evening ?

pass a then lass. I'm transcribing notes from a walk I did teh other day, making them into clues for a treasure hunt type thing. I hate typing. Hoping DH will offer to type to my dictation when he gets home from choir.

I'm chatting with my Mom online (well, I was until she went quiet which means she has work to do seeing as she's at work), watching cheesy American singing and doing jobs like toy tidying, washing up (less the slow cooker and MrScout's plate, etc., taking the trash out to the bin, etc. Not very exciting.

Cheers, UniS!

I'll join you for a ! Cheers!

Go Ape looks fab. I mentioned it to Mr Bean last night and we might try to find a way to get to the Thetford one over the summer as Small Bean would love it. I really like the look of the Segway forest trails .

Oh my long and caring post a couple of days didn't make it! Grrr mn deciding to police me for failing regularly to post!

JM so sorry for your news but enjoy California
Welcome new people and woo hoo Tea good to see you my dear

All fine here. Oxbloke off Limpopo way again and we're just gently rocking on..

You take all these exploits very calmly

Friday! Soon to be weekend!!!

::Adds to the general bosom-clasping and the admiration of Oxeye's stiff upper lip::

Birthday cake baked, not iced yet. Tomorrow I become custodian of a 6 yr old!!!

Eek ! 6 ! How time flies.

Mwah ! Mwah! Oxeye. How lovely to see you

Flight back from US was full. However, after 3 very full and somewhat stressy days in the office, I slept very well

Is it too early for the and chocolate?

never too early for chocolate. Would you like bowl of my home made dark chocolate crunch n fluff ice cream ( with dime bar and marshmallows in ).

It was Yum indeed.

Birthday cake made and iced. vanilla sponge, purple jam, light purple icing , 6 written in Maltessers and a little model racing cyclist.

MC is VERY envious of gears on boy's bike UniS. I have pointed out its a GOOD thing because it means we know that he should be able to cope with gears when we get his next bike. Birthday wishes for tomorrow!

I'm going to have to hurry things along upstairs - he's still not in bed as we've just got home from a very successful meet up in a restaurant where the 4 onlies proved that they can get along and share with other children very nicely thank you very much.

It took a few months before boy was able to change gear easily on his own. twist shift, he had to get used to it an develop a bit of grip, still struggles in thick gloves . But MC is older so should "get it" quicker.

He's got big hands too which can't hurt.

Your icecream was commented on - I think TW might try to head in your direction on one of her flying visits

GOSH, did I inflict ice cream on you and MC at our indoor picnic? Fancy you remembering that. I DO remember the rocket ship rolls.

Yes - very nice it was too - had merangue in it for one thing.

Based on the day, an indoor picnic was ideal. An outdoor picnic would have been decidedly soggy. More soggy than our 'wet day' picnic last summer.