Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool - A Slightly Different Perspective

I can't actually believe I've had a conversation today about my plans for the October half term holiday - I mean, I know I'm on maternity leave now but it really seems as though the summer holidays have only just been and gone.

Surely it can't be time to be making plans for the next school holidays yet..?

Time really does fly doesn't it.

So anyway, as I'm talking "making plans" where is it we'll be taking a trip to during these said holidays then?

Well, we know for certain that we will be heading back to the Sandcastle Waterpark in Blackpool.

Now anyone who has read my blog for a while will know that we actually went there for the first time last year and took a few of my son's friends for his birthday

(Find my review here)

It was brilliant and lucky for us, we also had an opportunity to visit again during this years six week holidays too, but it was just the three of us this time, and it was so much fun - I can definitely see it becoming one of our regular family holiday outings.

My nine year old blooming loves the place.

The visit this year was a little different for me though - last time I was on all of the rides, was in and out of the water - it was amazing - but through a combination of having a Baby Baker filled tum and feeling a tad unwell, I didn't actually get in the water on our most recent trip.

~ Sad times ~

But it did mean that I had an opportunity to have a delve into the different aspects of the Sandcastle that I didn't even entertain last time around.

Now taking photographs inside of the pool is a really difficult task - and as it should be too - for safeguarding reasons.

Lifeguards constantly challenge you if they spot you with a camera or electronic device on the pool side and as much as this hindered me being able to photograph the slides or the resturants, in a situation like this, with children and swimwear clad people all over, I think it is brilliant.

You really can never be too careful - which is why this post is photo lacking I'm afraid.

Anyway, as we entered the Sandcastle it was clear to see that half of Blackpool's population had decided to head there that day too - it was jam-packed - but fortunately for us, we were allowed to pop in first and managed to avoid the wait.

And so the boys headed to the pool, myself to find a spot, pool-side, to sit myself down for the day.

Once I was seated I was soon approached by a lifeguard who asked if I could possibly move seats as I wasn't allowed in the area I had parked myself (typical!) but then upon seeing my rather large, pregnant state he suggested I would be better sitting upstairs anyway as it was quite close to the exit so I could escape if it became too hot for me to cope with.

So that's what I did - I moved and I sat - and for a while I read a magazine and then attempted a few blog posts - although the wifi wasn't being my friend I must say - but then before too long, that horrid humidity really did get the better of me - I just couldn't stand it any longer.

~ Who knew sitting poolside would be such sweaty work ~

So the boys came back, thinking of their stomachs as usual and ordered lunch from one of the snack bars whilst I popped outside for a little fresh air - the staff on reception were very understanding and stamped my hand so I could enter and leave as often as I needed to.

Once I was all cool and relaxed I headed back inside to eat some food and find out every little detail about each and every slide my son had already managed to get himself on...

 (photograph used with permission - taken from the Sandcastle Waterpark website)

~ the wild, crazy, often dark Aztec Falls was "brilliant" and was the clear winner of the day

~ the Master Blaster caused an almost embarrassing "loose your shorts" moment

and

~ the River Creek held hours of fun as he was pulled around the currents, playing pranks on his Dad

He didn't stop grinning the whole way through and couldn't wait to eat so he could get himself back into the water.

And that's exactly what they did - retreated back into the pool as soon as they possibly could, so I decided that I would go and take in a few of Blackpool's sights and I went to sit outside of the waterpark for a while.

It was actually really nice and peaceful...well, as peaceful as Blackpool can be...and I think I must have just sat, relaxing, for well over an hour - staff members kept popping out for their breaks themselves and were really friendly and chatty which was a lovely touch.

Before I headed poolside again, I decided I needed a little refreshment pitt-stop, so into the reception area cafe I went where I noticed their bargainous cuppa and a cake "deal of the day"...

...well, it was a deal - it would have been rude to refuse the cake...

...so I didn't...
(obviously!)

Service was fast and I plonked myself down, watching the world go by.

Now even at this point in the day, the queue of people still wanting to get into the pool was long and hectic and there were more than a few restless young kiddies stood about.

Naturally staff were used to this and I watched how they walked up and down the line with jugs of juice and cups in hand, offering them - free of charge - to people who were waiting, obviously making sure everyone stayed as hydrated as possible.

What a fab thing to do.

And so, whilst I may not have experienced the water this time around I still had a brilliant time and was able to witness a whole lot of helpful, friendly staff members and consume some really nice refreshments.

And it goes without saying that the amazing pool and crazy-scary slides never fail to impress my boys - and if you do want to know my thoughts on things, check out my review from last time

We will certainly be seeing you again soon Sandcastle

*tickets provided free of charge - thoughts, words all my own, as are pictures unless stated.

Kacao Chocolaterie, Richmond

People love chocolate, right?

Well, most people do anyway...I certainly know that I do that's for sure.

Some days I can't get enough of the blooming stuff.

So when I was very kindly invited along to Harrogate's Foodies Festival I was secretly hoping - OK I'll admit it - I was actually praying that I would find some fabulous sweet-treaty goodness all waiting to tantalise my taste buds amongst those many fabulous stalls.

And I was not disappointed in the slightest.

It was here, situated slap bang in the centre of the event that I made the all important discovery that was local chocolaterie Kacao and their amazingly talented (and very friendly) founder Kelsey.

Now Kelsey began her chocolate-filled journey with an overwhelming love for the stuff (which I can very much relate to) and after spending time in Central and South America (lucky thing!) she discovered the cacao bean, the plantations in which it is grown and the communities which source it.

As well as wanting top notch quality chocolate, Kelsey understood a need to help such communities through Fair Trade and so, after spending time securing a degree and then gaining retail experience, Kacao was eventually born.

And I for one am very pleased about this.

The Foodie's Festival display I stumbled across showcased a great deal of Kelsey's handiwork and everything was just mouthwateringly pretty...

Myself and the kiddies I was with just didn't know where to look first.

Kelsey then very kindly picked out a few of the lovely items for me to take away from the festival - what an amazing lady she is - and I must admit, I did really enjoy them...

...Every.  Last.  One...

The beautiful, ribbon adorned box was filled with an assortment of luxuriously rich truffles and between myself and my son we devoured the lot...

I'm not totally sure if I can even pin-point a favourite - there were certainly a few amazing ones tucked away in there - but I think if I did have to choose, the one I would say that just pipped the others to the post had to be the yummy white chocolate, lemon and passion fruit truffles.

I really didn't want to share those with anyone.

~ Amazing ~

Another part of my fab little goody-bag which I almost very nearly didn't even manage to sample (my son loved them that much) were these, again very beautifully presented, bags of chocolate thins.

We were given a white chocolate and strawberry combination and they totally won over the taste buds of my nine year old...well, of all of us really...they were simply amazing and he very much adored them.

They were (obviously) a very thin chocolate treat, but were still really creamy and packed full of amazing flavour and didn't fail to give that all important chocolate hit, but they did so without being too much...

...and that naturally meant that we practically munched our way through the entire bag in one sitting...

~ Oops ~

They really are that fantastic though.

Now, something that I actually did manage to keep the majority of all to myself was this chunky bar of salted caramel milk chocolate....

...which was again presented so beautifully.

The chocolate followed the rest and was amazing quality and so beautiful and creamy tasting - it was crammed with small, chunky, chewy caramel pieces too.

~ Yum ~

But what I loved the most was that the salted element of this came not from the flavour being incorporated within the caramel itself, the salt was actually distributed onto the chocolate bar - I could physically see it, dusted across the chocolate.

This was a really unique find for me and it made the saltiness initially very intense and prominent before the sweetness took over - and I blooming loved it.

It really helped set the chocolate apart from the rest I've tried that's for sure.

And I very much intend to treat myself to more...perhaps once Baby Baker is here...

(I mean, why not eh!)

Kacao chocolate - I'm more than overjoyed to have discovered you.

High quality, amazing taste, lovely founder and a local business to boot - what is not to love!?!

Make sure you give Kacao a try and let me know which flavour was your favourite

*chocolate treats gifted in exchange for an honest review. Words, thoughts, images all my own

A Fabulous Day, With Fabulous People - The #HBAlPorto Meet, Hull

I never forget just how lucky I am to have the honour of being invited along to some really fabulous places where I have the chance to meet amazing people, all through the power of my blog.

It has got to be one of the best things that deciding to write down all of my rambling thoughts has introduced to my life.

~ I just love it ~

And a few weekends ago I was presented with yet another of these fabulous opportunities when I was asked along to Hull, where I would be able to mingle with lots of lovely Hull-based bloggers at the #HBAlPorto meet up.

Obviously I jumped at the chance, which is why I found myself at the amazing event venue that was Al Porto within Hull's lovely marina.

We - as in myself, Carl and Kelly - arrived together, but were a little later than anticipated - eek.

However the lovely organisers Alex, Kat and Jenny held on for us - and then didn't even shout or look in the slightest bit annoyed as we hurried through the door quite a while after everybody else it would seem...

~ Ooops ~

(sorry ladies!)

But no tellings off at all for us, I was instead presented immediately with a smile, a glass of water and a seat.

Marvellous

And I have to say that I've never felt so well looked after - the girls were fantastic and constantly checked to see if myself and Baby Baker were doing OK - which of course, we were.

How could we not be?

~ The amazing Al Porto nibbles were constantly being brought around the room for us to snaffle

~ The people in attendance were so friendly and chatty

~ And the fabulous brands dotted around the room were so informative, helpful and really blooming generous too

My eyes instantly hit the Lush table - oh how I do love me a little bit of Lush - and I was immediately drawn in...

The new products on offer were simply calling out to me to be taken home and in the end I had to resist temptation and bought just the one bath bomb - an amazingly colourful "The Experimenter" - but not for me to enjoy unfortunately - oh no - this was for my bath-bomb addicted nine year old son

Lush has to be the only non-toy shop that I can take him in and there are no complaints at all.

And so after a Lush-filled chat and an amazing hand massage I was handed a fabulous goody bag of Lush filled treats to enjoy at home - so lucky I know.

As I was plodding away I then bumped into the very friendly Viridian spokesperson...

A lot of the other bloggers were trying a range of the different health products he had on show and they all appeared really surprised with how their previous expectations of health related supplements differed so much from the actual truth.

Things such as the realisation that supplements can actually taste nice...

Anyway, my little group of people certainly appeared impressed and all seemed very keen to make a few lifestyle changes to allow them to incorporate some of the products into their daily routines.

And even myself, in my "with child" state, wasn't left out either - I was given my own health care, pregnancy friendly treats too.

I mean how fab is that - specially catered for at an event - very fancy, eh.

My nose then got the better of me and I simply had to venture over to the Weleda products and have a little delve into the offerings I found there...

I think my favourite product on the table was the green labelled Citrus Deodorant as it had such a strong yet very beautiful scent.

I was also very keen to find out more about their all natural baby product range, so I nabbed the brochure and popped it in my bag...
(I asked permission first!)

And so, it was soon time to move onto a huge and very exciting part of the event - the amazing raffle.

The amount of prizes on offer was just ridiculously brilliant - I think everyone in the room had their eyes on something - the mega-pretty jewellery pieces from Joshua James were high on the "I want" lists of many (I know they were on mine anyway!) - and collectively we managed to raise £227 for the fabulous charity the Eve Appeal...

The fab - and very humorous - Lewis-Duncan Weedon was in attendance and took on the role of our talented raffle host and he had everyone crying with laughter in no time...

It really was so much fun.

Unfortunately, some other lucky ladies walked away with the jewellery pieces, but that's not to say I didn't do well myself, because oh indeed, I did...

I walked away with a brilliant stash of goodies - but more on a lot of those a little later.

And then to finish the day off - as if we could cram anymore brilliance in - we were each presented with not one, not two but t-h-r-e-e full to bursting goody bags each...

It was unbelievable the amount of amazingness we had under our arms as we left and I shall (of course!) be telling you all about my favourite pieces in future posts...

Even Baby Baker found an appropriate gift to claim...

The whole day was just outstanding and I feel so pleased that the lovely Hull Bloggers invited me along and included me, so warmly, in such a fab event.

Fingers crossed I can schmooze my way into the next one too...

After all, Hull Blogger events are simply NOT to be missed

A Pool & Pizza Night Courtesy Of Slate NQ, Leeds

It's a really rare occasion these days if myself and the Hubby manage to get ourselves out on anything that could remotely be described as a "date night".

Between our working hours, training sessions, childcare and our sons various sporting pursuits there never seems to be a moment spare...and then when this free time does happen to pop up we'd much rather slob out with feet up, cuppas in hand and catch up on some TV.

Oh, how Rock & Roll we are

However there are times that we decide venturing out of the house is a good idea.

I mean a few hours of "us time" is really nice every now and again.

So recently, when I was invited along to Slate NQ - an all new pizza and pool bar situated in an amazing building in Leeds, how could I say no?!

Well - I didn't - we jumped at the chance and when we arrived a lovely young lady showed us straight upstairs where we pritty much had the whole floor to ourselves - which was just as well really because a heavily pregnant woman attempting to play pool could get quite humorous...

Saying that though I personally think I did OK, especially to say that I haven't played a game in such a looong time.

Anyway, we laughed and joked our way through our first game...

...breaking off halfway through to check out the food and drinks menus...

Service was fast and our beverage choices were with us in no time.

The Hubby opted for a rather strong smelling Northern Heights vodka based cocktail whilst my fruity little number was a lovely Berry Blast mocktail which was so refreshing that I could have polished off a whole jug full with no problem at all...

With drinks on the go, we carried on our game and even popped a little Periscope video up - luckily for me I was captured actually potting a ball - hurrah!

And then our food arrived - two absolutely massive pizzas and a portion of cracked pepper chips...

The Hubby opted for a Spicy Pork Sausage pizza whilst I decided - eventually - to go for a pizza too, a BBQ Pulled Pork one.

It was so tough deciding on one dish though as there were so many amazing sounding things on offer - I ideally wanted to sample the lot...
(Yes - I really am that greedy)

We sat down and tucked in, naturally swapping a few slices between us, and oh-my-word, the spicy pork sausage was so blooming hot, and that's coming from a person who really loves spicy food...

I know it was the sausage that packed the most punch - I needed water to cool off after a bite it's that intense - but as the toppings weren't overflowing on the pizza (they really didn't need to be) the sauce around the sausage played it's part and was also a tad crazy-hot too.

Don't get me wrong though, I really enjoyed what I was eating but I don't think I could have managed a full one to myself.

My own choice however was a lot tamer - the pulled pork was plentiful, very succulent and juicy and perhaps a little sweet tasting and it was complimented perfectly by the yummy buffalo mozzarella...

The bases on both pizzas were thin, crispy and cooked perfectly.

~ Yum ~

But saying this I still couldn't finish everything - the pizza was just too huge and this was certainly an occasion where I was very guilty of having eyes bigger than my belly

(if that is even possible right now!)

And as I mentioned, we also ordered a portion of cracked pepper chips to share between the both of us...

 ...well, what a classic error this was - what we really should have done is order a portion each because they were blooming amazing and I had a little sulk because the Hubby ate way more of them than I did...

~ So unfair ~

But once I had recovered from my "chip strop" and we had cleared our plates, we lazily played another few games of pool before saying our goodbyes and heading home.

I really enjoyed my "evening off" and found Slate NQ - sister bar to the ever popular Roxy Lanes and Roxy Ballrooms - another fabulously laid back, chilled out venue to really get the most out of a little bit of free time.

Chilled, fun, relaxed with good food and good drink - I mean, what more do you need.

Thanks for having us Slate NQ

*Food, drink & pool provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review - words, opinions & pictures all my own

Baby Baker Friday - I Really Wish I'd Remembered...

So as you know, I decided that Friday's on the blog would be dedicated to my now end-nearing pregnancy status.

I know it's not something everyone wants to read about but it is something I really wanted to do - so I'm doing it - after all, being pregnant and having a new baby is a huge thing to be happening in my life and I really wanted to share bits and pieces of what is going on amongst these pages.

So here we go

~ Baby Baker Friday ~

So I've been out of the blogging game for about a week now (again!) but I was sat, slobbing out (as usual) last night and found myself thinking just how lovely this pregnancy has been.

I know, I know - you wouldn't think it with the amount of moaning I've been doing lately but it has actually been a really amazing time.

And lets be honest, pregnant or not, we do all love a good moan every so often now don't we...

Actually, I remember feeling the same about my first pregnancy too - it was so nice - and I'm sure these feelings have a lot to do with me being quite pregnancy lucky really.

I've had no real morning sickness apart from perhaps the odd week of queasiness, I have had no major stretch marks develop with either pregnancy and I just love, love, love feeling baby having a little wriggle about inside my tummy

It really is amazing.

However, I do wish I remembered a few things from the first time around, things which could have prepared me a little more for my time carrying Baby Baker.

But it would seem having ten years between children causes a whole lot of important stuff to be forgotten - both the good and the not so good...

So here's my little list of some of the positives and some of the negatives that I really wish I had remembered...

~ "Holy Hell...I'm having a baby...!" ~

And by this I don't mean the initial - yet very welcome - shock of first finding out I was expecting, I mean how that now, even at almost 36 weeks pregnant I still can't quite get my head around the fact that there will be this new little human living in our home soon.

It's such a crazy notion.

Obviously I have the bump and yes, I feel the kicks and OK, my current view is filled with baby-related items...

...but do I really believe this is happening?

Can I genuinely imagine having my own new, little baby to hold and cuddle?

No, I really cant, not yet anyway.

Does that make me strange?

~ Those first baby flutters really melt your heart ~

...well, they do when you finally realise they're not just wind that is...

And what an amazing, magical feeling they are, like tiny little butterflies having a flutter about, all delicate and magical.

Simply amazing

~ You loose all signs of ever having had ankles of any sort ~

Obviously this is going to happen - it's a known pregnancy fact.

Your legs naturally have a lot more weight than usual to be transporting around, but seriously, to actually properly loose all signs of ever having owned an ankle bone is something I tried hard to get my head around.

I really do have legs which resemble an elephant right now you know.

~ Hours can pass by as you re-plan family photo prints and decide where best to go to get lovely photographs taken which include new baby ~

I have four lovely canvas prints in my living room at the moment, all from my wedding four years ago and all obviously of just the three of us...

I really don't want to take them down because I love them so much but I can't add others around them - my house is too small, but I want some "family of four" shots too...

What am I going to do...?

And yes, I realise just how trivial this "dilema" is, but nonetheless I've certainly spent some time pondering over it...

~ Buying pregnancy outfits for fancy occasions doesn't always run smoothly ~

Especially when you spend hours - and I literally mean hours - looking through every page of every on-line store you can find, searching out a perfect make-my-bump-look-pretty frock.

And then you spot it

The "pregnant" model wearing it looks amazing, the dress fits her perfectly and the heels she has donned accentuate her figure perfectly - she looks fabulous and it's something I could really do with right now.

And so the full outfit - shoes and all - is added to basket, paid for with next day delivery thrown in for good measure, all in the blink of an eye.

That wedding perfect outfit needs to be in my hands as soon as it possibly can be.

...that is until it arrives...

That "perfect" little black skater dress with the off the shoulder neckline makes me look nothing like the amazing model on the web-page.

It accentuates my bingo-wings, highlights my tree-trunk sized thighs and what about those heels?

Heels?

Why did I choose barley there heels of all things in the first place?

The "barely there" bit barely fastens around my newly formed cankles and then that heel - why just why??

I can't even walk in bare feet at the moment never mind anything with a bit of height to it.

So I return the lot and have a sulk.

Moral of this story then is that it's probably best to venture into a shop and opt for comfort when heavily pregnant, picking things that remain within your usual clothing choices.

And by doing this I realised that a £3 maxi skirt teamed with a £1.50 vest from Primark and a £17.99 New Look sale jacket plus old, comfortable flat sandals were the right way to go...

~ There is no longer such a thing as personal space ~ 

I love taking about my bump and really don't mind people wanting to touch it - it fascinates me so why would I expect anyone else to feel any different.

But...

...sometimes a little "can I touch it" or "oooh what does it feel like?" wouldn't go amiss before a hand shoots out unexpectedly to give my tummy a little stroke.

~ There will be a whole lot of love for baby - even before baby is here ~

Every kick, every hiccup, every turn and twist really gets me every time.

I think I fall in love a little more every time I feel one

Feeling Baby Baker moving has to be one of the best things about pregnancy and it's certainly going to be one of the things I will miss the most once she is actually here.

~ Time flies ~

Oh my goodness how true this is.

Although it seems like we found out about this pregnancy a very long time ago I really can't believe just how quickly the time has passed and now, well now, we have four weeks to go...

Just four short weeks...

Baby Baker Friday - A Lovely Little Collection Of Goodies

So as you know, I decided that Friday's on the blog would be dedicated to my now end-nearing pregnancy status.

I know it's not something everyone wants to read about but it is something I really wanted to do - so I'm doing it - after all, being pregnant and having a new baby is a huge thing to be happening in my life and I really wanted to share bits and pieces of what is going on amongst these pages.

So here we go

~ Baby Baker Friday ~

I don't think I've made any secret this week of how totally shattered I am.

Everyone in ear shot has had my boring, moaning, droning voice in their ear, huffing and puffing my way through the day.

I hate being such a whinge-bag but I just can't help it.

I only have seven working days to battle my way through now though - granted they will be seven working days filled with incidents and patrolling corridors, meaning I am literally on my feet for around 8 hours a day - but I'm going to cope.

(I'm going to have to!)

I have made the decision to bring my maternity leave forward by two weeks you see, so I'm going to keep this thought in my head, the thought that I now have fourteen days less to work than was originally on "the plan".

So I'm thanking my lucky stars really...

...just moaning whilst I'm doing it...

Anyway, in aid of my tiredness, Baby Baker Friday is going to be a nice easy post this week, probably nothing too long or detailed, but this laziness does tie in really well with the fact that I wanted to show you a few lovely things I have had sent through for Baby Baker anyway.

Obviously when she is here I'll be able to form more detailed opinions on the items and will write separate posts in more depth, but for now, well I thought a quick intro into them would be quite a nice way to go.

First up then we have a very interesting piece of technology which comes from The Gro Company - The Gro-hush - which is a portable baby calmer, designed to emit soothing white noise directly into baby's ear, helping to relax and calm them...

I was oblivious to such things even existing if I'm honest, and whilst I was very intrigued my first instinct was to make sure that this would be safe enough to use on Baby Baker's tiny ears.

I did a little research and found that the sound emitted will only reach a level of 75 decibels which can not be increased and the white noise sound choices are either heart-beat, falling rain or ocean waves.

I think I'd actually be asleep in minutes myself if I had these chilled out sounds played to me, so here's hoping they will help with Baby Baker's diva style strops.

The Gro-hush retails at £25.99 and is described as "being set to be the next 'must have' baby product".

And once I've road-tested mine fully  in a few weeks time (eek - so soon!) I'll be sure to let you know my verdict.

Next up, we have a really cute little knitted set that I actually won in a Twitter competition...

~ Lucky me eh ~

They are this fab pair of knitted baby booties in pink and white (obviously!) from Bacon Flavoured Jam...

And whilst these are super cute, if I'm honest, I was never really a huge fan of knitted baby clothes - I always thought they were quite old-fashioned and dated...

...but my opinion on this has now certainly changed.

There's nothing dated about these little shoesies - I love them.

The bright vibrant colours and softness of them is just great - I'm even going to invest in the matching knitted blanket too.

Well, I may as well have a cute knitted set hadn't I.

And then we have the newest Baby Baker product to fall into my lap, which is this rather cute looking bath turtle...

Now the turtle does have a functional purpose apart from being all sweet looking - it is in fact a bath thermometer and helps to take the guess work out of whether baby's bath water is the perfect temperature or not...

Useful, practical and fun - what more could I want.

Last but by no means least then, we have this fabulous baby bean bag chair which was given to me by Baby Baker's Auntie and Uncle as a gift...

It is from Bean Bag Planet and I totally love it.

It is soft, comfortable and the colour and design are spot on (no pun intended!) with what I wanted.

I love how it can be used from birth all the way up to eight years of age simply by changing the top lining cover from one with a harness attached to a simple plain one - both of which are included.

Best of all - it looks totally girly and very pretty and is currently sat making my bedroom look all Princessy as it waits patiently for Baby Baker to make her appearance.

A fab little collection of goodies if I do say so myself.

See you all next week

* three of the four items were sent for review (one was a family gift) - words & images all my own