The location was picked because it was a good central point to family we wanted to see and friends we were long over due visiting. We also wanted time for ourselves to do our own thing as well, so didn't want to be intruding on people with the intention of not being 100% social.
Monday was a travel day. Its a 4 hour drive for us, and we have to break regularly for Missy. We were being extra cautious after her bad stomach at the weekend and stopped more frequently than usual. She was absolutely fine, which is a relief. We had scoped out all the nearby vets as a matter of precaution but thankfully it wasn't needed. We arrived in good time though and, after checking into our Airbnb, had enough time to scope out the local bakeries and supermarket.
Tuesday was a family day. My sister and brother in law managed a sneaky day away (in what we have playfully now dubbed as "doing an Alton Towers") and they came down from Manchester on the motorbike to hang out. It was a mooch about and hang out kinda day, in which we all ate way too many sweets and snacks. All the school groups were out and we watched them in the Roman Amphitheatre attack each other with plastic swords and shields. I don't remember history being that exciting at school, if it was, I might have pursued it sooner.
Tuesday was a family day. My sister and brother in law managed a sneaky day away (in what we have playfully now dubbed as "doing an Alton Towers") and they came down from Manchester on the motorbike to hang out. It was a mooch about and hang out kinda day, in which we all ate way too many sweets and snacks. All the school groups were out and we watched them in the Roman Amphitheatre attack each other with plastic swords and shields. I don't remember history being that exciting at school, if it was, I might have pursued it sooner.
We ate at the Lock Keeper, and my BIL found the pub cat who was blissfully unaware of the dog on the premises. A really good day, it's nice to just hang out sometimes!
I also managed to pass on my latest sewing project: sandwich wraps (v2) and treat pouches, each in a fabric Specifically chosen for a member of the family.
I'll just share my nephews tractor and digger set, the rest will be on my Instagram!
Wednesday was another day where we met a resident cat, the super dog friendly Hack Green Nuclear Bunker had the chilled out Goulash and there was a scent hound training day, so we met some very excited spaniels too!
The nuclear bunker is pretty much what it says on the tin; an old, declassified bunker used during the Cold War. It was very interesting, although we felt an audio tour would help as the giant humming and clicking computers soon blend into one another. For the kids, they have an "atomic mouse" game where you look for and find all the brightly coloured mice.
It was an interesting day as its obviously something our parents grew up in fear about. Reds under beds is a joking comment I hear often from my MIL when she's talking about her childhood, and when looking at all the propaganda, it's a grim thought for a childhood. Over well brewed tea from the NAFFI we discussed the liklihood of a nuclear event, and the convoluted politics of the Cold War. Missy was disinterested in such deep talk and flirted with the scent hound trainers instead.
To shake off the remnants of the Cold War, we went to the nearby Wynbunbury Tower. Apart from its lopsided appearance, and the supposed woodland walk around it (read peat bog, thank goodness Missy is wipe clean), we mostly went because my hubby thinks the name is hysterical.
On the drive back to the Airbnb, I spotted a giant bee sculpture in a field. Pointing it out, I then spotted a sign for Snugbury Ice Cream. Well, if we can go to a tower because the hubby thinks a names funny, we can certainly get ice cream on the same pretence. The straw sculpture is because they are raising money for save the bees. Straw sculptures seem an odd hobby when you make ice cream, but admiring the photos of past sculptures including a giant dalek and a meerkat, it certainly seems to be one they are good at!
The ice cream did not disappoint, and we ate it whilst admiring the 40ft bee. Missy managed to coax us into sharing the cones with her, so she was very pleased with herself.
I'm aware this is becoming a very long post, so will share our day out in Liverpool later in the week. See you all then!
It sounds action packed already! Was great to see you all and give Missy cuddles - though I am jealous of you guys doing the bunker, shame it was closed on Tuesdays!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love how Missy flirted whilst you had deep discussions of a potentially grim future, the innocence of youth, eh?