A few weeks ago, Belle and I went on a mini break. Mini breaks have previously ranked amongst our top hobbies, alongside going for drives, escape rooms and trying to get the dog to do dance routines. Over the last few years, what with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis, they’ve got fewer and farther between, so we were really looking forward to this one.

This mini break was going to be two nights at Tractors And Cream glamping site.

I say ‘was going to be’ as though some elaborate chain of events meant that we ended up accidentally going to New Zealand for three months to volunteer in a goat rehabilitation centre. We didn’t, we actually went to Tractors And Cream, it was just poor sentence construction.

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For many single parents, travelling alone with kids can be overwhelming, especially if it means going overseas. But taking your child on an international trip as a single mom does not need to be terrifying. The key is in choosing the right destination. Thankfully, the world has many incredible places to make your holiday more enjoyable. From exploring the medieval walled town of Dubrovnik to a fun-filled getaway in Lake Garda and a relaxing beach holiday in Nice, here are the best places to visit in Europe for single-mum families.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a mesmerising city along the Dalmatian Coast, and a favourite among families visiting Croatia, especially those with kids who are big fans of the Game of Thrones, as the city has become the filming location for the popular TV show. It is a fun place to explore with the kids, where they can run around the Old Walls while admiring the views of the Adriatic Sea from the top. 

Riding the Dubrovnik Cable Car is a fun activity to do with the little ones. The scenic 4-minute ride takes you on a picturesque journey towards the peak of Mount Srd. You’ll love looking at your kids’ excited faces as they marvel at the panoramic views to the top. When you arrive at the peak, take the time to soak up the sights, visit the souvenir shop, and dine at the restaurant. 

Apart from its luxurious villas, Croatia is famous for its delightful beaches. Some of these are in Dubrovnik. For fun days at the beach, take the kids to Lapad Beach. It’s a protected bay boasting shallow turquoise water, safe for kids to paddle in. While your kids play, find a spot to relax in one of the umbrellas and sun loungers as you watch over them.

Menorca, Spain

Menorca is an ideal place to take your kids, whether on a quick getaway or a week-long holiday. Plus, its laidback atmosphere allows for that much-deserved relaxation. Since the island is relatively small, you can easily explore and stay in beautiful rentals in Menorca without dealing with tedious car journeys. In addition, Menorca is a safe and quiet island, full of places to explore and things to do.

You’ll love spending quality time with kids at Menorca’s stunning beaches. The island has 200 km of coastline dotted with beaches of all sizes and shapes, suitable for all kinds of families. If you prefer unspoilt beaches, almost free from the tourist crowd, head to Cala Mitjana on the island’s south coast. But if you have small kids and want a well-established beach with children’s facilities, visit the spectacular Cala Galdana. It has a kid’s playground, numerous restaurants, and other amenities for a more enjoyable time with your little ones.

Visit one of the Menorcan farms for a time away from the beach. Some of these farms allow visitors to see their animals, something to delight your little ones. Others will even demonstrate how they make certain products, a great learning experience for you and your kids. Your kids will love seeing their favourite animals up close, from cows to chickens, pigs, and goats!

Lake Garda, Italy

Exploring Lake Garda with your kids guarantees a fun adventure. Besides, the scenic lake offers a fabulous destination for a short weekend trip or an extended holiday in any season. It’s easy to reach by plane from almost anywhere in Europe and close to several major Italian cities like Milan. Thus, it’s ideal for single parents who don’t want to take long-haul flights with kids.

On the southern shore of Lake Garda, you’ll find some of Italy’s largest theme parks, like Gardaland, offering a perfect spot to bond with your kids. It’s a massive place, offering fun and entertainment for kids of all ages. From spectacular kiddie shows to exhilarating rides, you can easily spend the entire day here and still not see everything.

Visit the famous tourist town of Bardolino. Nestled on the lake’s eastern shores, along the stretch of coast where the lake goes from wide to narrow, Bardolino is a charming town with family-friendly attractions and activities. Its friendly and relaxed atmosphere offers a perfect place to unwind while spending quality time with your little ones. You’ll love walking around its panoramic streets filled with shops, cafes, and outdoor restaurants. The path along the lake is well-paved and stroller-friendly, so it’s great if you’ve got small kids.

Lisbon, Portugal

Lisbon is the perfect destination for families seeking a child-friendly city break. It’s very welcoming to families with kids, with numerous attractions and activities suitable for all ages. From a modern zoo to fantastic museums and colourful trams, Lisbon makes for an enjoyable family holiday. You will also discover some excellent villas to rent in Portugal, perfect for families looking for somewhere to stay whilst visiting here. 

If your kids are fascinated with history, take them to São Jorge Castle, a historic castle with ancient fortifications dating back thousands of years. The Pavilhão do Conhecimento is also a must-visit for families. It’s a child-oriented science centre offering various hands-on interactive exhibitions. 

For a relaxing day at the beach, visit Praia da Figueirinha, a stunning beach with brilliant blue waters. It’s situated on a sandbar, forming a sheltered lagoon. Thus, your little ones can safely swim around and not worry about rip currents or giant waves.

Nice, France

Nice is a child-friendly town, home to beautiful parks, gardens, and the stunning Promenade des Anglais, a perfect spot to take scenic walks with your little ones. 

If you’ve got active kids, take them to the Musée National du Sport, a fun museum showcasing the history of French sports. From here, take the kids for a picnic at Park Castel des Deux Rois, a gorgeous green space with a playground where kids can play and run around. 

Of course, no visit to Nice is complete without heading to one of its beautiful beaches. Check out Le Voilier Plage, a vast stretch of sand with abundant space for your kids to play around. It also has gentle slopes, making it popular for families with small kids. Moreover, the well-equipped beach has toilets and cool showers for you and your little ones to rinse off after a swim.

At the beginning of the month Belle and I ticked off one more item of my list of 50 things to do before 50 when we spent the night on Burgh Island.

That makes it sound a bit like we are Famous Five wannabees, and rowed over to a deserted island to sleep in a cave and watch for smugglers, but it was about as far away from cave camping as you can get. Burgh Island is cut off from the mainland at high tide, but it’s also home to a luxury hotel. Less ginger beer, ham and tomatoes and more champagne on arrival and smoked salmon open sandwiches.

Staying at the Burgh Island Hotel was on my list for multiple reasons. Firstly, it’s a gorgeous art deco building, with lots of original features and furnishings, and that’s one of my favourite periods for architecture.

More exciting though is the Agatha Christie connection. Christie came to Burgh Island regularly to write, and two of her most famous crime novels are set here – And Then There Were None and Evil Under The Sun. The ITV version of Evil Under The Sun is filmed here too, so you can wander around saying things like ‘Oooh this is where they met on the stairs’ and ‘this is the restaurant where Poirot and Hastings have dinner’. It doesn’t get much more exciting than that. View Post

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This weekend I took a train up to Bristol to make some tapas. It might feel like quite a way to go when I have a perfectly good kitchen at home, but this was a special event being hosted by Jet2 Holidays to promote the fact that they are expanding their range of flights from Bristol airport. Plus I was promised free wine. I’ll go a long way for free wine.

The event was a tapas cooking class at Little Kitchen, which is a really lovely space in Totterdown, within walking distance of the station. They do a lot of private events, but loads of open cookery classes too, so if you like trying new things then definitely have a look. I’m seriously considering a scotch egg masterclass.

The aim of our cookery lesson was to recreate some of the Jet2 Holidays winter sun vibe that you would normally get by flying off to the Canary Islands. I have never been to the Canary Islands or had a winter sun holiday or even been on any kind of package holiday at all. I’m not sure why exactly – I guess money, as a young, single parent, and possibly just never having done it before, not being sure how it would work with kids on my own? That said, a week in a caravan in Cornwall is probably MORE expensive nowadays. Plus travelling abroad is so much simpler and more affordable, and there are places like Sims Direct to make sure you’ve got your phone prepared to travel too.

Lately though, now that Belle is older and I don’t have ‘children’ anymore, I’ve quite often found myself browsing package holiday sites like Jet2 Holidays and imagining how wonderful it might actually be to just lie in the sun and drink cocktails and not have to pack all the self-catering paraphernalia like tea towels and tea bags. Does any holiday ever feel like a real break when you have to pack tea towels??

There I am then, browsing the all inclusives, and into my inbox drops this event invitation, with the promise of wine and cooking and a quiz, where the winner would get a Canary Islands mini-break. Food, drink and competition – all of my favourite things.

The universe had provided. I had to say yes.

Yes please manchego cheese

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We’ve just come back from a few days in Looe on the Cornish coast, and honestly, it was just beautiful. You could see the sea from our AirBnB garden, and what better way to spend an evening than looking at the waves, listening to the seagulls, and drinking a glass of wine?

We had the dog with us, so we spent a lot of the time on walks (or eating – like here at the River Shack), and many of our walks were on the beaches or coastal paths. I must admit that before I got a dog, I wouldn’t necessarily have thought to do a coastal walk, which is surprising given the stunning and diverse coastline we have in the UK.

So why are coastal walks so underrated? One reason could be that people just aren’t sure which are the best coastal walks to choose, or perhaps they’re worried that it will involve climbing or don’t know what to expect in terms of difficulty. With the internet, though, there are plenty of opportunities to research precisely what a walk involves, and as long as you have a good pair of walking boots, a decent coat, and a well-thought-out tech survival kit, you shouldn’t have any problems.

To get you feeling inspired about the potential of coastal walks in the UK, I’ve picked out a few ideas to get you started:

The South West Coast Path

Living in the South West I am biassed, but I think the coastal walks around Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, and Somerset are some of the most spectacular in the UK. The South West Coast Path is the longest waymarked footpath in the UK and stretches for 630 miles. You can dip in and out along the path wherever it takes your fancy. I recommend walking around Lyme Regis on the Jurassic Coast – one of my favourite coastal spots.

Burg on the Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, just off Scotland’s west coast. This walk isn’t for beginners, but if you like a hike that rewards you with spectacular views and a real sense of perspective, then this is well worth a go.

Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland

It’s hard to conjure up a coastal walk quite as unique as the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland. The National Trust looks after this stunning stretch of coastline and manages several walking trails of varying difficulty levels, or you can take part in a five-mile guided cliff hike.

Formby Point in Merseyside

When we think of Liverpool, your first thought probably isn’t coastal walks. Yet not far from Liverpool sits Formby point, part of the Liverpool Bay area. Formby Point is a glorious expanse of open beaches and dunes – as much fresh air as you could wish for and all within reach of the city.

Whitehaven in Cumbria

Cumbria is famous for its lakes, but would you consider exploring the coast of Cumbria? One of the most stunning stretches of the Cumbrian coastline is the walk between Whitehaven and St Bees, both beautiful places in their own right. Look out for wildlife – you may be lucky enough to see puffins!

If these coastal walk ideas have excited you about your next holiday, why not take a look at them in more detail and start planning your next break now?

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What are you really scared of?

I like to think that generally I’m pretty confident. I’m not scared of a lot of big stuff like being a single parent, being self-employed and the only breadwinner, driving massive motorhomes by myself, going on stage in front of hundreds of people and trying to be funny, zip wiring off the end of a pier across the sea – all of these I’m good with.

Stepping out onto a bridge made of planks though, high above the ground, with just a couple of carabiner clips to reassure me – THAT I am scared of.

It’s probably not surprising then that the weeks leading up to visiting Zip World in the Rhigos mountains in South Wales were a little on the anxious side. Especially not when you consider their brand new family attraction – Tower Climber.

Umm…

Right??

Tower Climber is the newest addition to Zip World in South Wales, joining Tower Flyer, Tower Coaster and Phoenix – the fastest seated zip wire in the whole world. (We did this while we were there and LOVED it – definitely recommend.)

While I can get on board with zip wires, as you really just have to sit there, there is something about the high ropes and having to physically make yourself step out onto an obstacle that I find really tough. Still, I’m always up for a challenge, so I engaged the ‘act now think later’ part of my brain, said YES and off we went to the site of the old Tower Colliery for some wholesome family fun. View Post

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Bristol is a fantastic, vibrant city with so much on. It’s a blessing and a curse – there’s always something exciting to get stuck into, but so much on you might not even know where to begin.

If you’ve been wondering what’s on in Bristol, especially with the holidays coming up, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find thrilling, educational, and exciting family events. But also events for those moments when you need to let your hair down and indulge in some well-deserved me-time. Let’s have a look…

The Outdoor Cinema in Clifton Downs

When: Friday 5th – Sunday 7th August

Where: Clifton Downs, BS9 1FG, Bristol

As the sun sets on the stunning Clifton Downs, leaving the sky a pastel pink, nothing will beat the feeling of a great film starting as you tuck into a hot snack, sip a glass of wine, and cuddle with the kids under a blanket. Or you could go alone, your shout.

This August, The Downs will see showings of classic films such as Encanto, Rocketman, Mamma Mia!, Pulp Fiction, and West Side Story. Complete with a food and drinks bar, camping chairs, and a specially curated playlist of songs to get you pumped for the film, this outdoor cinema experience will naturally go down a treat.

The Henge Family Show

When: Sunday 30th October

Where: Lost Horizon HQ, BS2 9EH, Bristol

Stick a sieve on your littluns head, paint them green and wrap them in tin foil, because alien fancy dress is essential at The Henge Family Show. Amusing and fun in equal measures, this alien electronic/rock crossover band have extensive experience touring and has captivated audiences far and wide on many festival stages. Running from 2 ‘til 4 pm, it’s a superb afternoon out that’ll get you home in time for bathtime and your favourite show.

The Gin To My Tonic Festival

When: Saturday 3rd September

Where: St George’s Hall, Great George St, BS1 5RR, Bristol

Here’s one for when the kids are with a friend. In September, St George’s Hall will be filled with over 120 gins, including classic G&T, and luscious berry and perky citrus infusions. Drinks will be served in measures of 35ml (more than the standard 25ml) because… well, you deserve it!

Your ticket will also include a gin glass, a stainless steel straw, a gin guide, Fever-Tree mixers, live entertainment, access to rum and vodka, and so much more – a cracking deal. And with two types of tickets – one for the afternoon and the other for the evening – it’s flexible and perfect for busy mums!

Funderworld Theme Park 

When: Friday 8th – Sunday 31st July

Where: Hengrove Park, BS14 0BZ, Bristol

You just can’t go wrong with a theme park, can you? Expect the classics, such as bungee trampolines, dodgems, waltzers, and a funhouse. And what would a theme park be without staple snacks such as hot dogs, slush puppies, and doughnuts? We’ve barely even touched on half the rides that’ll be coming to Hengrove Park, and as UK’s largest mobile theme park, there’s enough to keep you and the kids busy for hours.

Bristol Harbour Festival

When: Friday 15th – Sunday 17th July

Where: Bristol Harbourside

Back for its 50th anniversary, the Bristol Harbour Festival has lots on over three days and is completely free! The range of entertainment on offer that weekend includes live music from a huge range of genres, dance, poetry, activism and more. Celebrating the various cultures of the city, the Bristol Harbour Festival is a cracking day out and a great way to celebrate our differences and learn more about each other.

Bristol International Balloon Fiesta

When: Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th August

Where: Ashton Court, Bristol

“What’s on in Bristol”, you wonder. Well, only Europe’s largest annual meeting of hot air balloons! If you think watching hot air balloons drift through the sky isn’t your idea of fun, we get it, it’s somewhat of an acquired taste. But don’t let that put you off because there will also be five bars, over 100 street food stalls and trader stands, live entertainment and family activities to get stuck into. And in the evening, there’ll be fireworks! It’s a solid weekend full of fun for you and the family. Oh, and it’s completely free!

Waste Not Want Not! Future Leap’s Sustainable Food and Drink Evening

When: Tuesday 19th July

Where: Future Leap Bishopston, Gloucester Road, BS7 8AA, Bristol

It’s never a bad time to learn how to be more sustainable and taste test a few delicious foods and drinks! This early evening event opens with drinks, music, and some product testing before moving on to a panel discussion and ending on a high with more drinks, music and product testing.

Answering questions such as “how can bread make chocolate?” and “how can local community groups and food stores work together?”, this event will not only leave your stomach full of tasty treats but teach you how to live more sustainably.

Peppa Pig: My First Concert

When: Monday 25th – Tuesday 26th July

Where: St George’s Hall, Great George St, BS1 5RR, Bristol

What better way to kick off the holidays than with an interactive concert that both you and the kids can enjoy? This Peppa-themed concert will feature songs from the show as well as pieces by Beethoven, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. Educational too, the concert will teach the littluns about different instruments and how they sound. Finally, the kiddos will be encouraged to join in and make their own music. You might find out you have a little virtuoso on your hands!

Bristol Comedy Cabaret

When: Multiple dates spanning Saturday 9th July – Saturday 24th September

Where: Pryzm, Bristol

If you’re in need of a relaxing night out alone, with your other half, or with the girls, the Bristol Comedy Cabaret is a brilliant choice. Laughter is the best medicine, as they say! At least three top comedians will take to the stage, leaving you laughing so hard you’ll be clapping your hands like an excited seal. As you leave with a new six-pack from constant laughter, you’ll wonder why you didn’t give it a go sooner. And with multiple Saturday dates to choose from, it’s easy to fit into your schedule.

Velociraptor Show

When: Monday 8th August

Where: Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol

Can you go wrong with dinosaurs? (The answer’s “no”, by the way.) Effortlessly combining entertainment and education, The Velociraptor Show teaches audiences about the lives of dinosaurs, one of Earth’s most fascinating creatures. With effects, music, a dino booklet, and a dino meet and greet, learning has never been more fun or engaging. Whatsmore, the show has proven to be popular among adults who often leave having learned a thing or two! And thanks to multiple showtimes, you can choose the slot that best suits you.

As always, Bristol is overflowing with cracking events that are perfect for that all-important “me time” but also for fun days out with the family.

Visit Skiddle for more Bristol events, event guides, and inspiration for how to spend that precious free time.

When travelling, whether it’s individually or as a group, there will be times when unexpected costs or excursions will burn a hole in your budget, causing you to cut back more than you had expected.

Fortunately, there are some small changes you can make to help reduce your expenditure and ensure you’re able to travel more comfortably rather than having to scrape by.

Choose your destinations carefully 

As with anywhere you go, you could be in the UK or Thailand, there will be some locations that are more expensive than others, especially if you go to the tourist spots.

One of the easiest ways to save some additional money is to choose the less popular areas. However, you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere when you’re travelling, so do some research before you go. You might be able to find a happy medium where things aren’t as expensive but there are other travellers about.

Keep track 

If budgeting is required – which will be the case for most who are travelling – you need to ensure you stay on track. You will need to keep tabs on your spending so you don’t go over your budget on anything, be that food, travel or accommodation. One really simple way to do this is to get a budgeting app and set up categories for your spending so that you can track it and see where you’re going over budget. There are loads of budgeting apps available in the UK, including plenty of free ones.

Get the right cover 

It will cost some additional money upfront, but travel insurance is an absolute must because it will protect you if anything goes wrong and you have to pay for something like medical treatment or to replace lost, stolen or damaged items.

Before you go, make sure you research the different types of travel insurance available and pick the one that is best for you. Don’t go cheap and cheerful as it usually means they cover a lot less and the excess is a lot more!

Work when available 

What you can also do if you’re travelling on a budget is look at getting a job or working when you need to. If you don’t need to work all year round, try to pick the times that work best for you. There are plenty of jobs available once you get travelling, whether it’s working in a hostel, behind a bar or at a restaurant.

If you’d rather not work for someone else, you could look into ways to make some additional money via the internet.

Trading is becoming increasingly popular among travellers as some of the tools that make it easier to track and follow trades, such as MT4 web, have become much more accessible. If you’d rather not spend time learning something new, you could use the skills you already have and teach online, complete surveys or blog. There are plenty of ways to make money, so find what’s best for you!

Make sure you research and come up with a plan before travelling so your budget goes as far as possible and you get the most out of your experience.

Do you remember back in January when I wrote about five things I wanted to do after lockdown?

No me neither to be honest, but one of them was apparently to go to the theatre, (which does sound like something I’d say), and I was reminded of it recently when I was invited to make the theatre dream come true with a trip to London to see The Prince of Egypt at the Dominion Theatre.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been to see a proper musical, and needless to say I was excited. I was excited more generally too for going to London and doing fun things like having lunch in a restaurant in Covent Garden that I’d seen in a magazine. I wouldn’t want to live in London, but there is something magical about a day out there. I really felt that last weekend. People travel hundreds and thousands of miles to visit London, and here I am able to pop there for the day on the train. I really am very lucky.

 

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It was particularly magical visiting at Christmas and getting to see all of the Christmas lights and soak up some ‘Christmas in the capital’ vibes with a trip to see The Prince of Egypt.

Here I am, posing for a not at all awkward selfie before the start of the show: View Post

It’s been two weeks now since we got the new puppy and honestly time has warped into this sort of new baby speed, where individual days seem to take weeks to pass but you’re not sure what day it is or when you last ate. What I do know is that it’s three weeks now since we went away for the weekend in a motorhome from Goboony and it’s about time I told you about it.

Our motorhome weekend was designed to be a last hoorah before the puppy arrived, a final slurp at the cup of freedom, before we realised exactly what we’d done to our lives i.e. changed them completely forever.

It was brilliant, as we expected it to be, because we love motorhome holidays – they make me want to sell the house and train the cats to sleep in bunk beds and take to the road. We’ve done two motorhome holidays before, both longer trips and both with loans from Bailey. For the first one we went around the UK ticking off all the counties I’ve never visited before and the second was a tour of Ireland. (Some parts more interesting than others.)

This was only a short break – three nights – but it still felt like an adventure. I was nervous beforehand as the motorhome we’d chosen was seven metres long, but I also knew that once I got behind the wheel I’d feel like a badass bitch and want to become a truck driver. Honestly, driving anything sizable makes me feel so powerful. I especially love it when you get surprised looks from men. ‘A woman? Driving something larger than a Fiat Punto? Whatever is the world coming to?’

What is Goboony?

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