holiday Archives : Me, Annie Bee.

Tips For Getting Holiday Ready.

Anna — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 12:34:09 +0000

It’s never to early to start thinking about your next holiday – Covid permitting. Getting ready for your next adventure is always exciting and once something is booked the planning can start. If you’re anything like me this will entail a LOT of overthinking. What shall I wear to travel in? Should I take lounging about clothes, going out clothes, being active clothes or all of them? How many pairs of shoes is too many? Do I need my WHOLE haircare routine? It can become a bit all consuming very quickly. Luckily, I have a few top holiday beauty tips to ensure that you are Instagram ready while travelling. Ultimately a holiday isn’t about looking good, it’s about relaxing and having fun but some of us do feel the need to try and maintain our usual ‘self’ in order to be able to do that… Without further ado: Plait Your Hair If you’re heading on a long holiday, it can be a very good idea to pre-emptively plait your hair. This will not only be easier to maintain, but will help you protect against environmental and weather-based wear and tear during your daily explorations. It’s also a beautiful style that doesn’t date. Not only that but wearing your hair in tight plaits will allow you to forget styling it every morning on top of your makeup schedule. This can be great if you’re journeying from place to place, or if you simply want to spend the most time possible on the beach. No one could argue that would be anything other than perfectly reasonable. Sometimes, a great tan is king. Pack A Travelling Make-Up Bag We all understand the importance of a make up bag but it’s likely that your standard makeup case might not do well with travelling thousands of miles and being handled more than usual. Consider this an opportunity to pick up a new makeup bag, one that’s more resistant to the wear and tear of an active holiday. Your make-up will thank you. Be sure to utlilise this moment to throw away your old and out of date make up and take only the essentials. Stock Up On Party Wear Stocking up on party wear is never a bad idea. If you’re on holiday, it’s likely that you have a few exciting events planned that should only be attended while wearing the most beautiful of party dresses. There is nothing worse than getting ready for a holiday night out and realising you have only packed beach and browsing attire! Not only do you want to feel good partying on holiday but you might just find yourself having a Shirley Valentine moment – Never say never! Just be sure that the dresses are appropriate for the location you are attending and that you have a variety to choose from on the night or impromptu nights you might schedule as a consequence. Moisturize Moisturizing is as important a tactic as any to keep on top of your skin health and smoothness, but this goes double during those heatwave-laden foreign locales we love to visit so much. Remember it is about looking after the whole body from head to toe. We often overlook our feet when they do a lot of the hard graft on holiday, click here to see how to look after them too. Moisturizing will allow you to keep a radiant look and will help prevent your skin from cracking. It can even help sooth budding sunburn if you’ve been unlucky enough to catch it. Stock Up On Protective Clothing Even if you’re travelling to the most radiant of sun-blessed locales, there’s always a chance that the weather might take a turn for the worse, however that can be defined. If you’re unprepared, you might suffer these adverse weather conditions more than you need to. Make sure you pack a lightweight raincoat, cardigan or simple scarf to ensure you look fab and stay warm if a chill kicks in. Especially if you are travelling late in the season. Don’t Be Afraid To Simplify While it might be tempting to wear all the clothes you have ever owned on your holiday; sometimes it’s not too wise. Don’t be afraid to simply and wear practical items during your travelling or down days. Consider the clothes that make you feel good and how much of it you will realistically wear. Also don’t go over the top with accessories – some simple silver jewellery, as found on this website, will compliment every outfit you wear. These days we all carry smart phones and so all have a camera on us at all times, it is totally worth taking a moment to learn more about the old-school, disposable cameras and consider taking one with you. This means you aren’t tempted to check your phone every time you whip it out to take a photo and you can truly unwind while away. It not only provides your images an individual touch that will never go out of style but it also encourages you to be present. This is especially the case when it comes to adventures in places like Colombia where you may want to immerse yourself fully into the vibrancy of cultures and vistas without any hindrance. Because what more suspense is there, than to not know how your pictures look until you get back home and develop them? Beyond dreaming, it is also a good idea to address realities such as “Whats the best way to send money to Colombia” Setting up a system you can count on is one way to smooth the bumps of travel, making sure you are better prepared for any curveballs that come your way. With these practical tips, you will be able to traverse any distant locale with beauty, reliability and a relatively low-maintenance attitude, freeing you up much more time you can employ crafting amazing memories for yourself and everyone involved. This is a collaboration.

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The 9 Most Family-Friendly Holiday Destinations in Europe

Anna — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 17:20:54 +0000

While some destinations are beautiful or educational, not all of them are suitable for a family trip. Many destinations cater to young adults travelling and have few amenities and attractions you could take your children to visit. Some countries and cultures might also be less accommodating to children and you might end up feeling unwelcome there. In this article, we’re going to showcase nine of the most family-friendly holiday destinations in Europe, so you can narrow down your selection. Lisbon Lisbon, Portugal is an ancient city that your family can enjoy year-round. It is not cold in the winter or too hot in the summer. Your children can safely explore the medieval streets and a rather different culture. Nowhere in Portugal is very far from the sea, so you can take a day trip to the beach at any point during your trip. Or you can visit the castles of Sintra if your family wants to see more than the St. George Castle located in the city itself. Malta If you want to try something out of the ordinary, then you should consider taking your family to Malta on your next holiday. The country is picturesque, full of rich history, and tons of great monuments to visit with the whole family. It’s also one of the most family-friendly countries in the Mediterranean and very affordable when compared with its neighbours. Whether you want to take a look at some of Valetta’s hidden treasures or go on a hike on beautiful Gozo island, Malta has everything you’d want in a family destination and more. Not to mention that the country enjoys beautiful weather all year round and has miles upon miles of pristine beaches. Malta is also known for its dedication to eco-tourism, and the town of Mellieha was even crowned by the European Commission as a destination of excellence for its sustainable tourism initiatives. All in all, Malta is as close to a perfect family-friendly destination you can get. Vienna Vienna is a world-class city, and it stands out for winning awards for the quality of life for families. And if you’re grooming a future musical virtuoso, Vienna is the place to visit. The city hosts over 15,000 concerts a year, many of them specifically for children. If you want to introduce your children to Mozart’s work, you should consider catching a special performance of “The Magic Flute” at Schönbrunn Palace’s marionette theatre. The play is performed by marionettes and is sure to dazzle your whole family. Between coffee houses, historic sights and museums, you’ll have a number of child-friendly activities to try every day. Tenerife Tenerife is an amazing Spanish island. The many beaches make it an excellent destination for a week on the shore, while the clear seas are suitable for swimmers at all levels. Costa Adeje has one of the best waterparks in the world. Loro Parque Zoo is world-class. And best of all, it is great value for your money. Another great thing about Tenerife is how close it is to the UK. The flight from Luton airport to Tenerife is only about four hours long, so you won’t go insane trying to keep kids busy on an all-day flight. You could also save yourself a lot of trouble by booking parking at Luton airport if you’re leaving from there. By opting for airport parking, you’ll have much more control over the logistics and have your car right there waiting for you once you get back. And it’s much cheaper than many might think. Check out a service like www.lutonparking.com, which allows you to get the best prices possible for Luton airport parking. Make sure that you view some of the deals they have to offer and see if that could be a good option for you and your family. Majorca Majorca is another Spanish destination that could make for a great family holiday. The trips to Majorca are also very short and affordable and there are tons of family-friendly accommodations around the island. The island also has some of the most beautiful beaches the Mediterranean has to offer and a very rich culture as well. If you’re looking for a quiet retreat, you could give resorts like Cala Bona or Alcúdia a try. You could also decide to go to Palma Nova and visit the beautiful waterpark they have here. Stockholm Stockholm is a surprisingly family-friendly destination. You can walk right past their royal palace. The Pippi Longstocking museum is a must-see for fans of the books and movies. You can visit the island districts and wander the bridges that link them or take the ferries that connect them. It’s also a great city to visit if you love winter sports or are nature lovers in general. If you aren’t familiar with skiing, you and your family could go for a cross-country skiing trip first to test the ropes. And don’t be put off by the seemingly stoic appearance of the Swedes, they absolutely love children and will do everything in their power to show you a good time if you’re with your family while you’re there. Munich There’s more to Munich than Oktoberfest, and a lot of it is quite family-friendly. Take your children to the Toy Museum and the many stores selling handcrafted toys. Or go to the Deutsches Museum, notable for being both the largest and oldest science museum in the world. They have plenty of exhibits geared toward children. Neuschwanstein Castle, the inspiration for castles in many Disney movies, is located near here. And if you do decide to hit one of their beer gardens, know that children are welcome to tag along. Reykjavik If your family is seeking outdoor adventures, it is hard to do better than Reykjavik. The city is so safe that babies can sleep outside in their prams while parents shop. There’s a fair chance you could see the famous Northern Lights. The thermal hot springs are open year-round, and many have children’s sections. Hiking, whale-watching, horseback riding, and boating are all available to everyone. This is the ideal place if you enjoy open spaces and don’t want to deal with the hustle and bustle of bigger cities. However, note that life isn’t cheap in Reykjavik, so make sure you get prepared for the eventual sticker shock before you get there. Rome Rome is without a doubt one of the best family-friendly cities in the world and a must-see for any family. Whether you want to go on a foodie tour and sample some of the country’s final meals and desserts, take a stroll down the cobbled stone streets, visit one of the many free museums in the city, or see major tourist attractions like the Coliseum, the possibilities are virtually endless. But if Rome isn’t your speed, Italy as a whole is full of hidden gems. If you want to get away from the crowds, Tuscany is another great choice for a family holiday. The locals love kids and are even more accommodating than in Rome, so this is an excellent plan B if you want to go for something more unique and laid back. Conclusion We’ve provided a number of recommendations for your next family holiday. Take the time to do your research so you can decide which destination is right for you and begin finding deals on your next family trip. This is a collaboration

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The longhaul destinations you need to see in your lifetime!

Anna — Mon, 22 Oct 2018 10:56:48 +0000

When it comes to holidays we can all be a little guilty of sticking with our usual European or not so long haul destinations, am I right? Perhaps citing long haul as too expensive, or perhaps feeling like you don’t have enough time to plan the right locations or excursions you might want to do while you are there. But on the flip side, I think many of us have a bucket list of some sort, so when will you ever start ticking the destinations off? Sometimes it is good to step out of your comfort zone and if long haul travel is not normally something you would do why not make the change now? I wanted to share with you some of the long haul destinations you must see at some point in your life. Hopefully it gives you the inspiration you need for your next holiday away. Australia Let’s go to one of the furthest destinations and that is Australia. Australia is one of those countries that I imagine to be on many bucket lists and for good reason. However, it is one of those destinations that you just can’t go to for that one week break. Even two weeks may not feel long enough. There is so much to see and do that I thought I would work my way through some of the most popular destinations in Australia that you may want to consider visiting and even living. Let’s start with one of the most iconic cities and probably the most popular destination to be on your bucket list, that is Sydney. Sydney is really well known for the famous harbour bridge and that one picture of the famous opera house will have you install recognise the place. Of course, like May locations there is often more to the eye, and with beautiful Botanical gardens and Bondi beach, it is easy to see why. However, there are some other fabulous city locations in Australia. One other popular place would be Melbourne. Melbourne is famed for its coffee culture and vibrant city life. Even the suburban towns have flare to them. Other cities that you may want to add to your hit list would be Perth in Western Australia, Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns. Asia When it comes to Asia you have to think about some of the very different types of holidays you can get from this huge continent. There will be holidays that you can take to relax, holidays where you wish to explore, and holidays where you feel like you need another break the moment you get home. But, that is what makes it fabulous. Let’s start with some of the iconic cities and locations in Asia. Singapore is one of the most well known places, famed for its big influence in the financial sector, skyscraper buildings and humidity, it is one of those places that you could go on holiday to, stay for an extended break and work and make a decent life for yourself. You could look at a stylish HDB for rent to start off with. If it is just the holiday you are after then this city will still not disappoint. Other cities on your hit list might be Tokyo in Japan. You may have the impression that you will be rubbing shoulders with the AI of the future, but that isn’t necessarily the case. You may have a toilet that sings to you, but the experience is possibly an unforgettable one. Other places to consider would be the likes of Hong Kong and even Shanghai and Beijing in China. New Delhi is also an up and coming city in India and the like of Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta are making the mark as well. If you want relaxation, Asia can still offer you some of the most unspoiled and picturesque destinations. White sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, ocean and palm trees, the absolute works. Bali in Indonesia is possibly one of the popular destinations to consider for holidays like this as well as Thailand. Although Thailand is really favoured by students taking a gap year, you can still enjoy the wonder of some of the most beautiful islands on offer. Finally, let’s not forget some of the other magical beach locations that include Mauritius and The Maldives. Heading further east will also give your The Philippines, with them being a collection of 7,000 islands you are bound to find some unspoilt beauty spot there. Africa Africa is the second most largest continent in the world, and is also the second most populous in the world. Crazily it covers a whole 20% of the world lands masse. Bit of fact there for you. Africa, unless you are wanting to consider a safari, which we will possibly mention later one, you might not necessarily see it as a destination for a holiday. But it may surprise you. First of all, let’s discuss the popular safari option. So many people have this sort of thing on their bucket list and Africa is one of the best destinations to do it in. Getting to see the animals in their natural habitat is potentially an experience like no other. With several different countries to experience in Africa you are actually more spoilt for choice than you think. South Africa is possibly one of the most popular places to go to and thanks to cities like Johannesburg you really have a lot to see and do there. One of the most popular things to do in South Africa, believe it or not, is to go swimming with sharks. It is definitely one for the Adrenalin junkies amongst you. There is no hiding from the fact that Africa isn’t one of the most richest countries and in some regions poverty is the norm. With so many humanitarian and charity missions out there, you could choose to join one and actually do something worthwhile with the time you do have in that country. Before you commit to a long haul trip, don’t forget sites like Britainreviews offer reviews from real travellers. Let’s hope celebrating some of these wonderful places gives you to inspiration and motivation you need to go long haul for your next holiday away.

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Top tips for a holiday in Provence Cote d’Azur

Anna — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 13:17:49 +0000

We have just returned from a glorious 10 days in the South of France – Provence Cote d’Azur. Holidaying in the Cote d’Azur splits firmly into two camps – those who are ridiculously rich and regular people. Obviously, we fall onto the latter category but sometimes, when we are pootling along in our hire car with the kids bickering in the back, I do take a moment to imagine how the other half are experiencing that very same area. Flying in on a private jet rather than using budget airways. Days spent lounging on a yacht that costs more than one can comprehend and is bigger than my house. Dining at exclusive beach restaurants or vineyards. Second homes that are sprawling villas overlooking the sea without the fear of their excitable yet clumsy children breaking a plate and losing the €1000 deposit. Heck, I bet their kids aren’t even there! They’ll be off with a nanny so the adults can experience the decadence the area has to offer. Can you even imagine!? **Here’s where everyone goes ‘Ahhh but you wouldn’t change a thing’ – sorry, but for 48 hours I totally would** I digress. Provence Cote d’Azur is an amazing place to visit with a young family. The coastline is extensive and stunning. In the height of summer the main beaches are busy from 10am but, if you’ve hired a car (which I would strongly recommend) you can always find a quieter bay somewhere along the way. The weather is warm and the food is good. What’s not to love? If you’re planning a trip to the South of France, here are my top tips! Accommodation There are an ABUNDANCE of campsites in the area. If you are one of those proper ‘at one with nature’ sorts then grab your tent and get pitched. If, like me, you’re less ‘outdoorsy’ you can get a decent, basic mobile home through places like Canvas or Eurocamp or even look to hire them privately. This year we spent the first 4 days in a mobile home, and as the great thinker Karl Pilkington once said: “I’d rather live in a cave with a view of a palace than live in a palace with a view of a cave” He would have probably appreciated the place more than we did… We have realised over the years that in high season, if you’re willing to stay a little further inland you can get a nice size house for the same price as a mobile home. It’s usually a lot more peaceful, has a lot more space and lets you live like a local. Transport The bus service in the area is decent, cheap and covers all of the main touristy areas you might want to see. However, the main coast road can get busy and you’ll get no where fast – the idea of that with kids in tow is not appealing so we choose to hire a car. It means we can change direction on a whim if the traffic is bad, whack up the air conditioning and pop on some tunes. It also makes the airport transfers a lot easier. You do need to take into consideration the extra expense of parking and tolls (if you use the motorway) but it’s worth remembering that in most places, parking is free from 12-2pm so if you plan your time well you can get a few hours parking for under a Euro! Food Being on the Mediterranean coastline the food tends to veer toward seafood but you can still get your mouth around good French cuisine, pasta and pizza. It’s all terribly good quality. Many of the restaurants are child friendly and offer pasta, steak hache or moules as standard children’s menu. La Moules Joyeuse in Frejus is our absolute favourite place to eat. VERY well priced and lots of choice, especially if you’re a moules frites kinda person. Most restaurants in France offer a Menu du jour – a set menu of two courses and a drink – between 12-2pm. They are generally pretty well priced and offer a nice choice of items. If you have self catering accommodation you can save money by hitting the Provencal markets and supermarkets and cooking at ‘home’. I say save money, but if you’re anything like me and get unnecessarily giddy in a French supermarket it might be cheaper to eat out. Wine So. Much, Wine. It’s what they do and they do it well. If you eat out then get a carafe of local wine rather than a bottle from elsewhere. It’s not only cheaper but so much better. Be warned, they will probably serve your red wine chilled – IT’S OK, it totally works. Rose wine here is more like a good white rather than the sweet crap we’re used to buying. If you go to the supermarket, check out the local wines there and stock up – they’re usually under five euros a bottle and you’ve probably seen where it was made too! What to do What’s NOT to do? There are so many things to do in the Cote D’Azur you can absolutely fill your time as a family in this region. If your children are willing, you can explore small, medieval villages and potter around galleries. If your children are more like mine you will find yourself at the beach and eating ice cream at least once a day. Bateaux Verts offer boat excursions and run a regular boat service from Sainte-Maxime, Les Issambres and Port Grimaud to Saint-Tropez. It’s an ideal way to visit without having to sit in traffic for ages. It also provides the perfect chance to stare slack-jawed at the yachts and wonder who the owner is and whether their bank account is based in the Cayman Islands. Heading inland you will find vineyards, olive groves, lavender fields and pine forests. Many glorious walks are to be had in the hills, and lakes to be paddled in. Some lake areas will hire peddle boats and kayaks, others may charge you to use the facilities for half a day but will include various activities in the price. If the great outdoors becomes a bit much there are loads of water parks, fun fairs and shows to visit. Whether you like Country & Western or Hard Rock; Film or Jazz; Fireworks or food there is always something being celebrated somewhere in the region. Things to consider High season is the most expensive and busiest time of year to visit. If you can take your holiday before mid July or after the last weekend in August you will find better deals and the weather is still beautiful. We’ve visited in October and it’s been warm enough to spend a day at the beach. There are lots of bitey critters, if you’re tasty like me take repellent and antihistamine. If you’re hiring a car, bear in mind a lot of moped drivers ‘drive like they stole it’ (in shorts & vests FFS – think of the grazes!) be alert, they’ll come flying down the wrong lane whilst you’re mid-turn. If you’ve not seen a moped rider being dusted off by the police you’ve not even holidayed. Bonnes Vacances!

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Visiting Tuscany with children.

Anna — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 17:40:04 +0000

I have found only two downsides to getting married in secret. The lack of hen do. The lack of honeymoon. Obviously, neither of these are important at all but both would have been nice. I may have recently spent a little self-indulgent time researching a fake honeymoon – judge away – and I have found myself drawn to the idea of renting a beautiful little villa in Tuscany. I imagine Rory and I visiting vineyards, learning about how the wine is made and then, obviously, drinking it. We would spend time meandering around Florence, taking in the architecture. Given that the region is considered the birth place of Italian Renaissance, it would be entirely rude not to see Michelangelo’s ‘David’ in The Galleria dell’Accademia or visit the Uffizi Gallery, the home to Da Vinci, Botticelli, Caravaggio, Bellini and Uccello. It’s a former art students idea of heaven! We could then climb the 414 steps to Giotto’s bell tower, or drink coffee and people watch at Piazzo Santo Spirito. The conversation would be quiet and uninterrupted, we would visit Cascate del Mulino to bask in the thermal baths and spend our evenings sitting on the terrace drinking wine that we saw made and purchased locally. It would be perfect. Unfortunately, we have children and so any honeymoon, or trip to Tuscany, would unfortunately no doubt include them too. Our holiday requirements, as a couple or a family, are simple. A nice place to stay, some good views, a bit of culture and food & wine in abundance is all we ask. Would visiting Tuscany with children be an option? Accommodation I’ve mentioned previously, that we prefer to holiday self catering whether the children are with us or not. Nothing makes me shudder as much as the idea of us all sharing one room for a week. I prefer our own place with our own pool, pretending to live like locals. I mean who doesn’t love perusing markets in small medieval towns? A trip to a foreign supermarket fills me with more joy than it probably should. Luckily, there are an abundance of rental options in the region. Whether you are looking for a small serviced apartment or a family villa with a private pool, somewhere coastal or somewhere rural. There is something for everyone. Food Tuscany is renowned for its inexpensive, good quality, simple foods. Local delicacies include Papa al Pomodoro, Ribollita and Lampredotto. However, if your kids, like mine, are adverse to munching on the fourth stomach of a cow (yes, really) many places offer pizza and pasta galore. In this region it seems that most eateries are very family friendly. Wine here includes Montepulciano, Montalcino and Chianti but, as with most wine-producing regions, you really can’t go wrong ordering a bottle of local ‘house’ wine. It’s usually considerably cheaper but no less tasty. What to do Whether you favour coast or mountain, it seems almost impossible to get bored in Tuscany, with or without children. With seven UNESCO world heritage sites, a vast and colourful cultural history, good food and wine in abundance, it ticks all the boxes. Florence offers more astounding architecture, art galleries and museums than you can shake a stick at. Many of these offer interactive exhibits and workshops for children. It’s also a compact city, meaning that there’s no need to rely on public transport to get around. At Pisa you can climb the leaning tower (or just take one of those hilarious ‘stop it toppling’ photos), visit the botanical gardens, stroll along the Arno and see medieval palaces. Visit the port city of Livorno with its canals, cobbled streets and, of course, Terrazza Mascagini. Built in the 1920s, 34,800 black and white tiles create the iconic checkerboard seafront boulevard. Where better to enjoy gelato before hitting the beach? Festivals As if all that wasn’t quite enough, the villages, towns and cities throughout Tuscany are often celebrating something with festivals all through the year. In March, Sagra delle fritelle is celebrated in Montefioralle, a weekend dedicated to the humble fried rice cake. Radda nel Bicchiere in May is a wine festival offering tastings of the best wines of Radda in Chianti. June sees Calcio Storico which is, as I understand it, is a hybrid of football and boxing that dates back to the 1500s. Monteriggioni Festa Medievale takes place in July, celebrating and re-enacting medieval events of the area. These are just a handful of the many festivals that take place. They celebrate EVERYTHING. Without a doubt, Tuscany looks to be the ideal place to immerse ourselves in culture and soak up local life and tradition on a honeymoon or as a family. That is hands down more interesting than sitting by a pool for a week. This post is written in collaboration with To Tuscany.

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Holiday wardrobe wish list (of a dreamer)

Anna — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 05:00:08 +0000

Via Love The Sales Last week I told you how we’d booked our holiday and was getting ready to begin the arduous and predictable task of buying holiday clothes. Well, as anticipated, it has thus far been as fruitless and soul destroying a task as I had anticipated. All the beautiful clothes are for beautiful people. All the clothes for me (aside from the poplin trousers) are boxy and vast, if they meet my strict requirements at all! I have simple wants: A swimsuit A skirt A dress A pair of nice sandals A top Or a number of each of these items. It should be easy right? I think part of my problem is I never look much further than supermarket clothes (which are OK). I’ve belittled myself into a corner where I won’t even look at ‘nice’ places as they probably won’t make fat clothes and besides, my income is very little nothing so I don’t look at pricier stuff. I know, I know, tiny violins. Now is the time of year when bloggers are going summer wardrobe mad. It’s all ‘The summer capsule wardrobe’ or ‘How to get summer ready’ or ‘the most fantastic sandals ever’ or ‘Summer wish lists’. So I decided to make myself feel better (or utterly destroy myself) I would make my own ‘wish list’ but it will be the wish list of me if I were 10 years younger, 4 stone lighter, half a foot taller, beautiful and employed. So here is *drumroll* The Holiday wish list of a middle-aged mum dreamer. Given that I am ‘long term girlfriend’ to an accountant, his frugal ways have rubbed off on me and so I decided to see what bargains were to be had in the sales. Just because fantasy me had a job I’m not going to fritter all my money on clothes! The first thing I found was a swimsuit for £6, WINNER. What could be wrong with it? Well, even fantasy me draws the line at ridiculous tan lines. That can’t even be comfortable can it ? CAN IT? Unless you have no soft at all you’d be seeping through all the gaps. It’s just not even practical, or pretty. Fantasy me has a slightly bigger budget! Because fantasy me likes the retro vibe, the even tan and absolutely does not need any boob or tummy support. Everything is absolutely where it should be and stays there. Because fantasy me has children who don’t wipe their faces all over my clothes and so can wear white without worrying about messes. Because fantasy me could totally glide around looking elegant in this. She has long enough legs that she won’t trip herself over and she has £200 to spend on a dress!?! Because fantasy me loves this retro pattern and could walk in these no problem, even after a vin rouge or two! In fact, real life me really likes these too. It’s my birthday soon. #justsaying Because fantasy me has a quirky side along with abs of steel. If you’ve got ’em flaunt ’em. Besides, who doesn’t want to spend £71 on a t-shirt? It’s made of cotton, not gold! I did think that compiling this list would be easy as a skinnier, younger me but it wasn’t. It seems what’s fashionable just isn’t for me! This is probably going to be my actual holiday look this year, just a little less Emma Thompson facially.

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

Anna — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 15:04:26 +0000

Christmas is my favourite time of year, definitely my hap-happiest season of all. I watch too many made for TV Christmas films and aspire to romance that doesn’t exist that way, to live in a lovely lodge type home in Perfectville USA where everyone knows everyone and it snows at Christmas. To have garlands round the open fire, a Christmas tree in every room and throw amazing Christmas parties. Oh a girl can dream. We may not have parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting or caroling out in the snow. Aside from our dying tree (it looks OK from afar, like outside) we are Christmas ready. Our bakes have been baked and our makes made. Gifts have been sent to the big man to see if we’re good enough to get them back. Aoife has broken up from school and both children are getting suitably giddy. Trev the turkey will arrive tomorrow, as will my parents, Rory will be off work and we will start a fun few festive days with lovely events, friends, family and good cheer. Hearts will be glowing as loved ones will be near. As I will be busy with all these holiday greetings and gay happy meetings when friends come to call, and wine, my little blog will be taking a break until New Year. But before I smother myself in eggnog and dive into a vat of rum (let the festivities begin!!) I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you. This year has been one of parenting ups and downs, mountains – ups and downs, running – ups and downs. It’s been an up and down kind of year and yet you’re still here. Although I’ve been at this for 11 months my blog still feels pretty new and I feel like a total noob, despite that, folk have still been reading and, for the most part, enjoying so thank you for taking the time out of your life and bothering to read what I write. My family and I wish you the most Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year. I hope yours is a time filled with good company, peace, joy, love and wine (or whatever it is that makes you truly happy). See you in 2017!

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It’s a tough job but someone has to do it. With pleasure.

Anna — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 09:17:00 +0000

The summer break is over. After a glorious week on the Cote D’Azur Rory is back at work, Aoife has just started Year 1 and it’s back to reality (booooo). There’s no other job, yes I referred to parenting as a job – If a job doesn’t get done, things go tits up and things fall apart. If parenting doesn’t get done things go tits up and things fall apart, though to be fair things generally go tits up when I’m on shift anyway. Anyway, I digress. There’s no other job where I would put up with my boss physically attacking me, screaming in my face, throwing my stuff, throwing everyone else’s stuff (I’m thinking dinner plates at the villa we rented last week) and making impossible demands. There’s certainly no other job where I would do it all for free on a 24 hr shift pattern. If most people were at work and their boss called them to the office and said Read this to me they might think Hmmm OK, this is a little odd but what the hey If the boss then stopped them mid-sentence and said NO, I need you to read these sections in a French accent, this bit sounding like a boy and this bit here like Woody from Toy Story They’d reply Heck no and start updating their CV. The CEO The President There’s only so much shit you can clean up from your toddlers back. So many headbutts you can handle. So many times your glasses can be ripped from your face or your hair can be pulled or you can be scratched. There’s only so much food you can have thrown at you or scrape from the walls or floor. There’s only so many times you can retrieve broken pieces of items you rather liked. There’s only so many times you can be summoned at 4 am to replace covers that are well within reach, or find teddies that are *right* there. There’s only so much you can handle before you ask yourself Why on earth did parenthood seem a good idea? Then I think about it and I realise there’s only so long I’ll be needed to do these things. There’s only so long a bedtime story will be required. There’s only so long a hand will need holding or a booboo need kissing. There’s only so long that I’ll be considered the fountain of all knowledge and the fixer of all things. There’s only so long a Mummy cuddle will make things better. There’s only so long that a trip to the cinema with me will seem like fun. There’s only so long they’ll want to holiday as a family. There’s only so long before they’ll feel they’re too old to need me. There’s only so long. My contract is temporary, I’ll be made redundant one day. And so I’ll remember this when I’m up to my eyes in one mess or another, when I feel like I’m just there to serve not as a human. I’ll remember that one day I’ll not be needed for anything, big or small. I’ll remember that although now I may feel insignificant sometimes, these jobs need doing and these processes need playing out and I actually AM of importance in my workplace. One day I’m going to be very sad to have retired. On a lighter note, we just spent a week in France. One evening we’d got Seth down to sleep at a reasonable time so went to sit outside. Aoife came out in her pyjamas and sat next to me. This is what it’s about. Sitting here, relaxing in the sun, enjoying the peace and chatting I tried hard not to laugh What would you like to chat about? Ummm the view? Those trees down there are lovely aren’t they? She’s perfect. Relaxing in the sun.

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“It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves”

Anna — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 18:21:00 +0000

I ONLY FLIPPING DID IT!!! Seriously, I did it. It took 6 hours 20 minutes, (EDIT Rory’s fancy watch tells us we did it in just over 5 hours!) one almost panic attack, one cry, one toilet break, a banana, a cereal bar, water, chipped nail varnish, a lot of “sorry”, “shit” and “Whoaaaa ‘king hell” and one massive “SHIT ON IT” But I did it. Firstly, I would like to advise anyone planning a jaunt up Snowdon that 7am is NOT early enough to get a parking space. Despite my best laid plans, that mountain was flipping busy at that time and the car park was full! Climbing folk are a REALLY eager bunch. I barely slept the night before, I was proper awake from 5am, clearly VERY excited to get my PE kit on (the most uncomfortable outfit I’ve ever worn). I got up, put on my super glittery shoes and was ready to rock. It was these laces that got me through. We decided to follow the Miner’s track, I was sure I had read this was an easier route. That wasn’t the case! It started beautifully, a gradual incline, past a couple of lakes. We could take in the views across the valley. There was a pretty waterfall. Perfect! Then I noticed some people up there, WAAAAAAYYYYYY up there. “Is that where we’re meant to go?” “Yes” ‘Hmmmmm’ I wondered ‘How will we get up there? Maybe the path swoops round and up or something’. No. There was no swooping. The track stops at the bottom and it becomes “a hard climb over scree” (wish I’d read the Internet properly before) I don’t know what scree is, I’m guessing it means ‘lots of rocks and difficult stuff’. Now I knew it was going to be hard but I think I had convinced myself it would be a tough uphill walk on uneven terrain, I don’t think I’d realised I’d have to do actual climbing on actual rocks. The worse thing is they just let anyone pootle on up and try. I’m sure that’s a health and safety issue or something. I’m not a big fan of heights, I couldn’t look up to where we were headed as it made me start to fall over backwards (no idea WHAT that’s about, it’s this weird thing that happens when I look up at high things) so I just had to focus and push on. All the while Rory was super patient and brilliant. After a few hair raising moments I made it to the top and…… It was misty. I couldn’t see a sodding thing. I didn’t feel a sense of elation. I don’t know what I expected, I think it was such a big deal to me that maybe I hoped the clouds would part, sunlight would stream down onto me and choirs of Angels would sing Alleluia. I’ll be honest, I REALLY thought Rory would propose to me once I’d made it to the top. He’d be so proud of me he’d just have to marry me! Instead it was grey, cold and wet and I was petrified as I didn’t know how I was going to get down. I have this thing where I can get into a loft or up a tree just fine but I can’t get back down once I realise how high up I am. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do the scramble down if I could see how high up I was so I did what any self respecting, middle aged woman would do. I cried a minute then rang my mum (bizarrely the best mobile reception I had in Wales was atop that mountain) then I pulled myself together, or rather Rory presented me with a badge and spoke to me in his ‘serious’ voice. The badge I didn’t go to the actual summit (it’s like a stone staircase to a nubbin on top of the mountain) as it was very small and I was sure I’d fall off. I was also really pissed off that the summit was full of people in white trousers, sun hats and Birkenstock’s who had taken the train to the top and were taking victorious pictures on the summit as if they’d actually climbed the sodding mountain. I’d done blood, sweat and tears. They’d got a train. Theirs was a victory of LIES. Me at the bottom of the summit whilst those who got the train took photos of fake glory. #notbitter After some encouragement from Rory, I made it back down the mountain in one piece and even managed a chuckle to myself when I realised that on the way up I was all “Ohh look at the lovely lake” and on the way back I was all “FUCKSAKE HOW BIG DOES A LAKE NEED TO BE?” But I was a bit sad because I didn’t feel proud of myself. I felt cross with myself for being scared. I felt cross with myself for crying. I felt cross with myself for not thinking the (cloud obscured) view was worth it. I felt cross with myself for not doing it faster. But I didn’t feel pride. It was done, the thing I had been fretting about and looking forward to and dreading was done and I felt nothing but tired. On Sunday I told anyone who asked that I hated it, it was the worst thing I’d ever done and I’d never do it again. I think I even declared it worse than the 31 hours labour with Aoife (and that was a pretty shitty time). We went for a self congratulatory meal and well deserved beer, then continued our minibreak in the way that normal people do. Celebration drink, I discovered Snowdon Craft Lager and fell in love. A ride on a steam train, talking about the children, talking to the children and looking at pictures of the children. As we came home today, Rory drove past Snowdon, we couldn’t see it for the mist but it happened. I felt a twinge of pride. “BLOODY HELL I CLIMBED A MOUNTAIN!” It suddenly washed over me, I was proud of myself and I had the right to be proud of myself. It wasn’t a cure for cancer. It wasn’t a selfless act that helped thousands of other people. It was something that many other people have done. But it was my challenge and I overcame it and now I was proud. I even caught myself saying to Rory “Next time we do it I’ll…….” I walked from the hill at the far right of the picture, Past the lake, Yes that is MILES. Unfortunately, this pride seems to be manifesting itself in me pointing at ANY peak, within England and Wales, and saying “You see that? I climbed higher than that”. It’ll get boring quick. For everyone else. Not me I climbed right up that. RIGHT UP IT

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