We went to Wales last week with some friends. Going to slap up a few pics and a quick write-up while I have a small window of time.
Our first stop was Weston-super-mare, a little town on England's east coast. We stayed the night and had a quick visit to the beach. Our hotel had a pool and a sauna. Honestly, we could probably have skipped this step (and saved money) but it was fun to do.
It wouldn't be England without gray skies!
The kids enjoyed a short donkey ride, a trip on the Ferris Wheel, and a jaunt down the pier. You had to pay a quid to get into the pier, which I found off-putting. Especially since, when I put the pound into the automated machine, it didn't work. I climbed over the barrier only to have a man run over and shout at me. So why have automated machines in the first place? Inside, most things cost an arm and a leg, so we didn't stay. Outside, there was a sand sculpture area, but you had to pay to get in, so we skipped that as well. Weston-super-mare: "Traditional" seaside, but expensive. Done it once, will skip in the future.
In the morning, we had breakfast, checked out, and drove to Pembroke Castle. This place was well worth a visit!
Outside the castle, in commemorative wooden seats that celebrated the birth of the latest Prince Henry. (Henry Tudor was born at Pembroke Castle.)
Exploring and surveying.
Lots of places to climb/explore here!
We climbed to the very top of the tallest tower...
...then to the very bottom, where there was a cavern once lived in by Stone Age people. Stereotypical bat squeaks, drips from the ceiling, birds roosting... this place was very cool.
Our next stop was Bluestone in Wales, where we let the kids roam around with our friends' kids of similar ages. There was a great indoor play area with mini golf, plus an indoor swimming complex and a nice "town center" with a playground. Here, E is golfing a bit, with swimming trunks on under his clothes in preparation for a midmorning swim after hole 9 or so.
E drove his sister around a 4x4 "safari track" and is pictured here with the remnants of face paint from their morning's "buccaneer party" which gave the adults two hours of free time.
We also hiked, of course. There was a great Iron Age Fort site nearby.
C did "messy play" with her friend H while the three older kids, including E, did "the Big Four" which included "The Drop," "The Swing" (pictured), high-wires with zipline (below), and climbing.
All in all, it was a wonderful vacation! The kids had a lot of free range fun, made even better by friends being there, too.
We're off to Greece in a few weeks. Home education continues to go well. Everything is just very busy.
