Here is the final week that we spent in Leyland, Lancashire with Grandma Jeanette, Grandad Harry and Auntie Marilla. We had a wonderful two day trip to Beamish open air museum in County Durham with a nearby overnight stay. Beamish is divided into areas recreated in the style of particular eras including Victorian town, 1940s farm and 1900s mining.
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| Carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders |
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| Our first stop was for fish and chips cooked in traditional beef dripping |
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| One of the many old trams which carried visitors between eras |
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| Mummy and Daddy enjoyed a trip on top of a tram whilst the children and grandparents preferred downstairs |
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| The old mining village was fascinating to explore |
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| Tahlia wonders if she can fit inside |
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| Too much already! |
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| A ride on the wagon way at a jaw dropping 5mph - Grandad Harry couldn't watch! |
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| A happy ride |
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| The church in this picture was moved brick by brick to this museum |
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| Playing in soot-laden puddles |
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| An interestingly shaped building at the wagon way station |
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| Riding on an old bus |
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| More fun on the buses |
We stayed overnight in an apartment in South Shields (near Newcastle), then returned to Beamish for a second day as there was so much still to see.
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| Playground by the sea at South Shields |
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| Jory climbs over the top of the fireman's pole |
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| Our apartment |
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| Feeding the geese the following morning |
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| Back at Beamish, gazing into the Victorian confectioners |
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| Kneading the bread dough in the Victorian bakery |
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| Time for a packed lunch |
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| Grandma Jeanette bought the children some Empire biscuits: two biscuits sandwiched together with jam and topped with icing and a cherry - delicious! |
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| Exploring some ornate Victorian houses |
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| The old steam train was worth a ride |
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| Fun on the train |
Next, we headed to the 1940s rural setting:
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| Hiding in a pill box |
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| Found you! |
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| Playing with a popular playground toy at the 1940s school |
Mummy and Daddy also enjoyed going out on a date whilst staying in Leyland this summer...
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| Delicious curry - reminds us of our old local, Blue Garlic, in Cardiff |
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| Visiting a nearby ice cream parlour for a special treat! |
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| Warm peanut butter brownie |
Here we are at the Great British Food Festival at Stonyhurst College...
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| Having a go at some circus skills... |
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| He may have needed a slightly smaller hula hoop |
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| Keeping well balanced |
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| Mummy shows off her juggling skills |
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| Zachary couldn't resist the bucket stilts |
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| An unusual dessert of popped waffles and ice cream |
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| They all entered the cabbage throwing competition |
We also enjoyed meeting up with Great Auntie Eileen and Great Uncle Mike for a trip to Wray Castle in the Lake District, run by the National Trust.
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| Stepping across the logs with lots of help from Auntie Eileen |
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| Holding on tight to the tyre swing |
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| Clambering to the top |
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| Lake Windermere creates a stunning backdrop |
Wray Castle had a floor dedicated to an amazing Peter Rabbit display which kept the children happy for a very long time...
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| Cuddles in the corner of Peter Rabbit's house |
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| Ptolemy wears Tahlia's crown |
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| Tahlia waters the garden... |
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| ...and harvests the vegetables |
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| Ptolemy liked the clockwork designs |
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| Tahlia dressing up as Lily Bobtail |
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| Jory couldn't resist dressing as a knight and playing in the castle |
Another exciting trip involved visiting Hadrian's Wall; Zachary enjoyed learning facts about Hadrian and his wall before the visit and was testing everyone with his Hadrian's wall quiz. We travelled to Housesteads Roman Fort in Northumberland to explore the wall and surrounding Roman ruins.
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| A perfect day for a walk |
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| Jory dresses as a Roman soldier |
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| Stunning Northumberland views |
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| Climbing on the ruined fort was a huge highlight for the kids... |
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| ...in particular, the old underfloor heating made great stepping stones |
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| Tahlia traverses the stone assault course with the help of Auntie Marilla |
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| These stones were a little too far apart to step between, but they found another way |
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| Hadrian's wall itself; the building work began in AD 122 |
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| Jory and Auntie Marilla soak up the sun sitting on Hadrian's wall |
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| Ptolemy and Jory climb on the wall |
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| Zachary reaches the top of Hadrian's wall |
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| Only 10% of Hadrian's wall remains; Tahlia found it an easy climb |
Here we are visiting the Botanic gardens in Southport. The flowers are always in beautiful bloom and there is a lot for the children to enjoy.
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| Visiting the caged birds - many unusual varieties of parrot, pheasant and chicken |
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| Ptolemy watches the ducks swimming in the river below |
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| Zachary goes for a hole in one at the crazy golf course |
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| Zachary and Tahlia both love having a go |
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| Bouncing on the tyres at Farington playground in Leyland |
We had a fantastic summer in Leyland and the surrounding areas. Thank you very much to Grandma Jeanette and Grandad Harry for accommodating us for so long and keeping us all entertained with so many wonderful things to see and do.
