A Day At The Lake Part 2

Saturday afternoon we were lucky enough to dodge the rain showers and bask in glorious sunshine at the cultural Rudyard Lake arts festival "A day at the lake".

As mentioned in my previous post, A Day At The Lake is a weekend celebrating 100 years at Rudyard Lake, Staffordshire.

As soon as we arrived we were greeted by the sight of a gigantic retro style helter skelter, swing boats and children (and even a few adults) having a go at hula hooping.  As we carried on past the lake the mister spotted a real ale bar converted out of the back of a vintage van and couldn't resist a cheeky pint of chocolate stout, whilst I headed straight to the street food area.  Here I was spoilt for choice and if you're a big foodie like I am, could have quite happily spent the whole day grazing.  From paella to hog roast, pizza to crepes, to hot dogs, toast and popcorn!  There's something for all ages.

After lunch we headed up to the treacle market, which had traveled over from Macclesfield.  The marquee was filled with stalls selling locally produced artisan goods and vintage homeware.  I'd like to give a special mention to Bonkers Clutterbucks and their unique, intricate dioramas.  If you get a chance please check out their page

After the Treacle Market we grabbed a coffee and took in some of the performances.  The jugglers and a live performance from Gaby Young & Other Animals were our favourite acts and judging by reactions certainly put a smile on everyone's faces.  Unfortunately we didn't get to see the tightrope walk act but we heard it was very good!

All in all we really enjoyed the day.  If you're planning on visiting the event I would recommend you check the timetable in case there's a particular act you'd like to see.  We would have really liked to have seen the tightrope walk but we'd just missed it by an hour and the next show wasn't for another four hours.  Also it's worth noting that although this is an outdoor event dogs are not permitted.  As dog owners ourselves we found this a little disappointing, however with large crowds and lots of small children we can see why the decision was made.  If you're planning on visiting we hope you enjoy A Day At The Lake as much as we did and we've got our fingers crossed the sun makes an appearance,

A Day At The Lake

A Day At The Lake is is a major outdoor event 30 April – 2 May 2016 taking place at Rudyard Lake, (near Leek on the Cheshire / Staffordshire border).

What used to be known as a cultural destination back in the late 1800s up to 20,000 day trippers would descend upon Rudyard Lake to take in the spectacular outdoor arts of the age.  

Now a sleepy beauty spot Rudyard Lake was once known as “the Blackpool of the Potteries”  and “the Geneva of the UK” and was one of the first examples of mass daytripping to rural beauty spots in the UK.  We're lucky enough to live just a 5 minute drive from Rudyard Lake and had no idea it was such a popular tourist destination of that time.

A Day At The Lake will include the recreation of the famous “African Blondin” tightrope walk (drawing huge crowds just 30 years after the abolition of slavery) and mark the other feats that took place there including Captain Webb’s aquatic fete, fresh from swimming the channel. It was on a trip to this beauty spot that Kipling’s parents met and took inspiration for their future son’s name. 

It is the first event of this scale to be held at the lake for over 100 years and as a regular visitor to the lake I'm pretty excited about what's on offer

From dry land synchronised swimmers, tightrope walkers across the lake, real life mermaids, helter skelters and swingboats, street food, brass bands, story telling, row boats and upping sticks from Macclesfield, is the fantastic treacle market featuring crafts and vintage finds. There really is something for everyone and is set to be a great event for all the family.

So if you live in the area or even fancy a daytrip out this bank holiday weekend, a visit to the historic Rudyard Lake will be well worth a visit.

For more information about what's on visit A Day At The Lake and why not purchase your tickets online whilst you're there.

What are you up to this bank holiday weekend? Are you planning a daytrip somewhere or thinking of visiting Rudyard Lake?  I would love to hear what you have planned.

 

Blackpool Dungeons

Recently I was offered two tickets to the Blackpool Dungeons.  Now you know I love a day trip and as our 4 year anniversary was approaching me and the mister asked ourselves, what better way to celebrate our love for one another than a trip to a medieval dungeon! So, we  jumped in the car and headed over to Blackpool.

If you haven't been to Blackpool before then prepare yourself, it can be insane!  The summer months are filled with families on holiday visiting the beach, promenade and theme park whilst the weekends are packed out with stag and hen parties. The winter months tend to be a little quieter although the Blackpool Illuminations from August 30th to November 10th have been drawing in the crowds in since 1879 and well worth a visit.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the Blackpool Dungeons.  Their website describes it as a thrill filled journey with 10 live shows, screaming, theatre, jokes, and special effects.

From the moment we got there the Blackpool Dungeons actors kept us entertained as you queued up inside a dark gloomy medieval street set.  As you got to the front of the queue a wench took a photo of you holding an axe to your loved one.  As they're about to lose their head she insists they give a loud scream, much to the amusement of the other people in the queue.  It all adds to the overall effect and gets everyone in the mood for what was about to come.

We rounded the corner and met the rest of the victims we'd be spending the next hour with in the Dungeons. Our 'tour guide' also known as the Lift Jester filled us in on some medieval torture history and gave us a brief idea of what to expect.  You'll learn about the plague, witches, torturers, smugglers, enter a labyrinth and leave your stomach behind after experiencing their gravity drop ride.

I really don't want to give too much more away, as the element of surprise is half the fun.  Overall the Blackpool Dungeons is well worth a visit, even more so now that Halloween is approaching. I screamed, laughed, clung to a strangers arm and got locked in a cage!   What more do you want?  This interactive show is suitable for all ages and perfect for families, friends or couples like us celebrating their 4 year anniversary, which believe it or not we weren't the only ones!

We finished off our day with fish and chips and a walk down the promenade to look at the Illuminations.  The perfect end to our day.

Enjoying myself far too much!

Have you been to the Blackpool Dungeons or anywhere similar?



Manchester's Calling

Ages ago I bought the boyf  two tickets to see the Kings of Leon for his birthday. Obviously I insisted one of those tickets was for me, haha.  It felt like the event was never going to arrive!  I'm not sure who was more excited, me or him!

Anyway last Monday we caught the train to Manchester.  We checked into our hotel, did a little shopping in the Northern Quarter, for those who don't know that's the vintage/indie area, a LOT of eating, responsible drinking and then a night at the Manchester Arena. The Kings of Leon were AMAZING!  I actually forgot how many awesome songs they have.  I prefer their earlier stuff before they became insanely famous.  There's something special about loving a band before EVERYBODY and their mother's heard of them.  

1. Love this window display.  2. I learnt that polenta is NOT Italian for potato and is in fact cheese!  3.  Vintage Heaven in Pop Boutique.  4.  Excited on the train.  5.  Mmmm figs and mascapone cheese.  6.  OMG Bunty!!  7.  The pizza I wish I'd ordered.  8.  Cool sign.  9.  New skirt from Pop Boutique.

Normally when I go to gigs I prefer to stand.  I always think the atmosphere is generally better and you get to dance or in my case jump around like a loony, etc.

I could only get seated tickets this time round but I can honestly say I was NOT disappointed!  Even though we were right the other end of the arena we still had a good view and everyone sitting around us was really nice and friendly, etc. Which reminds me, how 's this for a random moment?  We were actually seated next to a couple who were in the queue in front of us at Burger King, four hours earlier! What are the chances of that!?  I love it when things like that happen!

Have you been to any gigs lately?  Who's your favourite band?  Do random things happen to you?!  Tell me!  I wanna know!

P.S  I'm now on Instagram if you want to follow me

London Tourist - Part 2

Last year I blogged about a family daytrip I made to London whilst the Paralympics were on - click here if you fancy having a nosey.

For those of you who don't know, I'm originally from London but have lived up North for quite a few years. I love going back to catch up with friends and family but just lately, when we visit, we've been making more of an effort to do some 'touristy things'.

When you live in a city it's easy to take the sights for granted.  In fact you're more likely to avoid tourist attractions because of how busy it gets!  Now that I don't live in London I definitely appreciate so many things it has to offer.  Tourist attractions now being one of them!!!

This particular weekend the Boyf and Little Man were busy which meant I got to spend some time with my Dada.

Normally we visit family, go out for dinner etc so he was surprised that I fancied going into town. In fact as someone who has to drive around London on a regular basis he wasn't exactly thrilled at the prospect!  However, us daughters have a way of talking our dads round and we were soon on the tube heading to our location.....The London Aquarium!

A few Twitter friends suggested the London Aquarium and I can't believe I hadn't thought of it!  It was perfect.  Somewhere neither of us had been before and could chat whilst looking at some amazing fish!

If you haven't been before then get your backsides down there !  We literately spent hours there!  Here are a few pics I took on my phone.  I wish I'd taken my 'big' camera because it really is a great photo opportunity although my dad might not have appreciated me spending hours snapping away!!

All in all it was a great day and I really enjoyed spending some quality time with my dad.

Next time you're in London you should really try and visit.  It's great for families, outings with friends, first dates etc.

Have you done anything touristy lately?

London Tourist

A couple of weeks ago I wangled a day off work and went on a daytrip with the family.

Woo commence extreme excitement because the daytrip was to LONDON!!  Being from London you'd think I wouldn't get that excited about it but a day off work, spending time with the family, visiting the olympic park, going on a London Duck Tour and squeezing in a trip to Westfields is right up my street!

As soon as I stepped off the train I turned into some kind of crazy photo taking tourist.  My London friends would most likely have walked off and left me, but I didn't care and besides, they were all at work!!

Anyway I thought I'd post a few of my pics so you could share my excitement. Oh and by the way, did I mention I met Patrick Anderson, the worlds greatest wheelchair basketball player AND he let my son wear his jacket!!! SWOON!!

Did any of you get Paralympic Fever??  Where was your last daytrip?

Big Ben, London Duck Tours, Olympic Stadium (made out of lego), Little Ben

My purchase from Bershka

Patrick Anderson (Team Canada), Being Tourists, The Orbit, London Eye