There’s nothing I love more than heading off on a new adventure. But sometimes it’s good to be at home, reflect, enjoy each other’s company and to plan for future trips. That’s what February was all about.
We didn’t travel (well, not as a family) but I still have lots of fond memories and feel ready for our next set of adventures. Watch this space and my social media for stories from our upcoming trips to Somerset, East Devon and Cornwall.
Here’s what we got up to at home, away and on the blog in February:
Travel
- Right at the beginning of the month I hitched a ride to London with Mr Tin Box. His ever changing job in the Royal Navy has meant he has been working just outside the city for the past three months. I had a digital writing course to run there for work so we car pooled from Devon. The Tin Box girls were left in the care of their grandparents while I spent a night and day in the big smoke. I found a great little apartment just across the road from the Charles Dickens Museum – the house where the famous Victorian author wrote Oliver Twist. Sadly didn’t have time to visit. Next time maybe!
- Mr Tin Box spent a few days in North Africa in the last week of February. This marked the end of the job he’s being doing in London so we didn’t mind him being away for the weekend. From the pictures he sent me it didn’t look like his trip was all work. There may have been some poolside lounging going on too. At least one of us saw some sun in February!
Home
- February is a big month for birthdays in our house which also meant lots of visits from the grandparents. The Tin Box girls loved being spoilt and I enjoyed having a few extra pairs of hands around the house.
- Once all the excitement of birthdays and visitors had passed we had a few weekends to recharge at home and see friends locally.
- Tin Box went in for a service this month ahead of our 2017 caravan adventures. She passed all tests with flying colours – phew! We’re now looking forward to getting her on the road at Easter. Top tip: always locate the locking wheel nut before you put a car or caravan into a workshop. It saves hours of rummaging around in the garage…
Adventures
- The grandparents visiting is always a good excuse to go to Saltram House – one of our closest National Trust properties. We took a walk down to the River Plym, returned to the house for a saunter around the gardens and treated ourselves to tea and cake in the newly refurbished Chapel Tea Room. Delicious!
- We also took the grandparents for walks at Berry Head near Brixham, Blackpool Sands near Stoke Fleming and Gara Rock near Kingsbridge.
- We finished the month with a visit to Woodlands Family Theme Park, which, like many Devon attractions, has low season entrance prices at the moment so is a bit of a bargain day out. Even better, you can also return the next day it is open for £1. We’re off there again next weekend!
Blogging
- In the last week of February I travelled to Devon’s capital, Exeter, for a meet up with other parent bloggers in the county. While there’s a core group of us that see each other regularly at press events, this was one of the first times I’ve been to a blogger organised event. It was a great opportunity to catch up with everyone and chat about our online lives. It was also lovely to wander around Exeter city centre afterwards.
- My most popular post of the past month was 8 reasons why you should choose Devon for a family holiday.
- I’ve shared reviews of ODE restaurant in Teignmouth, RHS Wisley in Surrey, Three Bags Full children’s clothing, Crealy Great Adventure Park near Exeter, and cycling at Alice Holt Forest in Surrey.
- I’ve teamed up with some brands too to share travel tips and information that I hope you find useful including: our reasons why Bosinver Farm Cottages are a great place to holiday with toddlers, what vacations are like with Al Fresco Holidays, research from Booking.com about why holidays make us so happy, my packing tips for mums, and historic sights that families will love in Barcelona.
- As well as writing here, I’ve also contributed to: the Britmums France travel roundup, Trips100 with a post about press trips, a roundup of family activities in Norfolk and Suffolk for Pigeon Pair & Me; Britmums hacks for spending more quality family time on holiday, and reasons why Swansea Bay is a great family destination for Visit Swansea Bay.
Catch pop with my January 2017 round up or skip ahead to March 2017.
As ever, thank you so much for reading! I love hearing what people think about my blog so feel free to leave a comment below or browse around. You can also find me on Bloglovin’, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube and LinkedIn.
Cathy (Mummytravels)
Sunday 5th of March 2017
Wish I had had some African sun too - closest we came was following in your footsteps in the Gower. So lovely there.