First in the February half term ideas is a train ride. Great for all weather a train ride in Kent or Sussex it’s an excellent day trip out exploring the hidden gems off the roads.
Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway the famous one third full size steam and diesel locomotives take you on a 13½ mile journey along the Kent coast and countryside ending at the only desert in Britain that is Dungeness; classified Britain’s only desert due to its dryness and spectacular lack of surface vegetation.
Bluebell Railway heritage railway runs through eleven miles of the stunning Sussex countryside boasting vintage steam locomotives and carriages. With so many amazing trips available from the roaming rover or the pullman dining packages. There is also half term ice skating sessions available – 12 – 27 February 2022 at Sheffield Park Station.
East Kent Railway a once industrial line the four mile round trip through the lovely scenic Kent villages of Shepherdswell and Eythorne is a relaxing fun journey for all. Note that trains only operate on Sundays. Update: trains aren’t running until Easter however the cafe is open Wednesdays Fridays & weekends.
Kent & East Sussex Railway is a 10½ mile light railway that whistles you through the stunning countryside and also onto the beautiful Bodiam Castle so you could also have a castle visit too. Half term fun celebrates Waterbirds in the Wealden countryside and free children’s onboard activities.
With so many more train journeys to be discovered in Kent, Sussex and across the UK I can’t fit them all here so I will share some more with you soon.
Burns Night is a celebration of the life of Robert Burns, born in Ayrshire in 1759, Robert Burns is Scotland’s national bard (poet).
Auld Lang Syne is perhaps Burns’ most famous work and is one of the most widely sung songs of the English language, with many of us singing Auld Lang Syne on Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve).
Burns Night celebrations range in formality some much more relaxed than others but main parts would include:
Piping in the guests – to bagpipes or traditional music
Reciting of the Selkirk Grace – recited after the guests have entered the room and are seated at the table and before the haggis is piped to the table.
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
And sae the Lord be thankit.
Piping in the haggis – guests stand to welcome the haggis to the table!
Toast to the haggis – honouring the most important ingredient of the meal
Time to enjoy the Burns Night meal
The ‘immortal memory’ – an account of the life of Robbie Burns, followed by Burns’s songs and poems often read by guests around the table.
Toast to the lassies – a traditional thank you to the women involved in the preparations (and a light-hearted homage to Burns’s love of women).
Finale is singing Auld Lang Syne.
And how about a traditional Burns Night Meal? This would include, Cullen skink, Haggis, neeps and tatties followed by Clootie dumpling. Why not try making your own Burns Night meal by using the these recipes. I think I will try making the Clootie dumpling this year.
I get asked a lot about how I travel to London so here are some tips for you if you’re going for a day trip to London.
Having used the train on many occasions and experiencing the rising costs I wanted to share with you alternative ways to that you can travel to London (I travel from Canterbury in Kent).
Drive, Park and Uber Boat – Park & Glide
This is a cost efficient way to take the family. You can purchase a ticket online for parking at the O2 car park 3 and the Uber Boat from Greenwich Pier. Included in the price is the River Roamer Ticket to hop on and off all day across all of the Thames Clipper Piers. It’s a great way to start exploring London along the River Thames – keep your eyes open for iconic landmarks.
Parking at the O2 is something that I have done many times, I normally used the Station Car Park but currently this is closed or was the last time I went a couple of weeks ago. You can still park in the O2 car parks they will just direct you to an alternative car park often the Car Park for events is used in the day. You will get a ticket as you enter the car park and pay on exit.
Parking at the O2 – non-event parking charges detailed at the bottom of the page.
A short walk to North Greenwich tube station where you can get your tube to anywhere you wish. Tube Map available here.
I use the Tube Map app to plan my journeys when I am in London.
There is now a emissions charge for vehicles that don’t meet the required standards to drive in London and surrounding areas (the area keeps expanding). So you will need to check if your vehicle meets emissions and safety standards required to drive in London, or if you need to pay a daily charge. The zone have extended and I would recommend checking each time you visit to avoid being caught out and receiving a penalty. Check your vehicle.
Christmas at Blenheim Palace is something not to be missed. This was my first visit to Blenheim Palace and it out did all my expectations.
It was extremely well organised and they had good covid19 measures in place.
On arrival we took a look around the Christmas market; a selection of businesses set in the classic wooden huts selling their wares. We brought some delicious cheese which even though its November will keep, making them ideal Christmas presents. We also picked up some chutneys, preserves and loose tea. We then grabbed a beef pitta and rosemary fries to eat which was delicious.
Before we started our Christmas experience we went off to take a look around the grounds of Blenheim in the daylight. The grounds are extensive and have many hidden gems not only the collection of ancient trees dotted around 2000 acres but the, formal gardens and the walled garden containing the maze, play area, butterfly house and more.
We then set out to explore each room of Blenheim Palace where the rooms had been beautifully set out as scenes from the Nutcracker. It was so very magical walking through the rooms, it felt like we were in a real life fairy tale.
As we left the palace, we picked up a drink and started our walk through the ‘After Dark Illuminated Trail’. With over a million glittering lights and lasers lighting the trail it’s truly spectacular, the colour changing roses, the atmospheric fire lanterns and festive sound tracks. Festive bars dotted are around to enjoy a drink and a stunning fire pit to toast marshmallows, they have thought of so many beautiful touches creating ever lasting memories for you and your family, I know we have created wonderful memories from their Christmas experience.
LLangollen is a fantastic area to take in the Welsh atmosphere, stunning scenery and the beautiful River Dee.
You can take a trip on the train, have a picnic by the river, take a walk with nature and look in the many independent shops in the small town.
There is an 11-mile canal corridor from Horseshoe Falls in Llangollen to Gledrid in Shropshire that crosses aqueducts, goes through tunnels and along viaducts and sits across two countries (Wales and England) with World Heritage status and mostly located in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Standing at 39m high The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site is only a short distance from Llangollen. The aqueduct took 10 years to construct (1795 – 1805) at a cost of £38,499. With 18 tapering stone piers and 19 arches it is a truly beautiful piece of engineering. Holding 1.5 million litres of water the aqueduct holds enough to fill 8,572 bath tubs!
‘Pontcysyllte’ pronounced Pont – ker – sulth – tay, is the Welsh name for ‘the bridge that connects’
Walks
The Old Railway Walk at Trevor is a gentle 2-mile stroll in the Dee Valley taking in sites such as the natural rising spring Fynnon Oerog renowned for its ‘healing powers’.
Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail runs adjacent to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct. At 177 miles passing through 8 counties and crossing the boarder between England and Wales over 20 times, Offa’s Dyke Path is a unique journey. Why not head on up and take a short walk along a section of the path, taking in the beautiful views.
Walk the LLangollen canal, easy to follow and plenty of beautiful views and nature to see. There is a selection of places along the canal where you can get a drink and an ice cream or if you’re looking for a meal you won’t have to venture far from the canal. Check out the Canal and River Trust website for more information on the Llangollen Canal Walk.
The Anglo Welsh have a delightful round trip across the 126 feet high Pontcysyllte Aqueduct with spectacular views across the Dee Valley.
Boat Hire
Maybe you would like to captain your own boat, with many companies offering reasonable hire rates this is a great way to explore the canals. A few hire boat options are:
Have your own paddleboard or kayak? Then head to Horseshoe Falls for a trip along the canal. Check out the Pontcysyllte Paddle the Right Way Leaflet for all the information you need.
Food & Drink
There is a lovely local selection of places to eat for all tastes and budgets:
So why not get planning your trip now, I know that I will be making another visit again this year, why not follow my Instagram account to follow my travels.
The fantastic Canterbury Festival runs from 16th – 30th October. With a great selection of Music, Performances, Talks, History, Science, Walks and more there is something for everyone of all ages.
The Kingdom Choir are performing in Canterbury Cathedral and it’s going to be spectacular, performing old favourites including Stand By Me in their gospel sound that will lift your heart and soul. Saturday 23rd October 7:30pm.
The Hogswallops a family full of fun and jokes will be showcasing their unusual and thrilling circus skills performed by Lost in Translation Circus. Tuesday 26th 7pm and Wednesday 27th October 2pm and 7pm.
If you’re wanting to find out more about Canterbury’s architecture and future plans for the city, then book to attend the Canterbury Take Care! Talk. Tuesday 19th October 8pm.
Zoologist Megan McCubbin will be sharing her passion in Living Wild, Weird and Wonderful Lecture discussing her passions of the natural world and sharing some of her own personal field stories. Monday 18th October, 8:30pm.
This is a very small selection that is available during the festival, head over to the Canterbury Festival Website to find the full programme.
Why not stay in Canterbury? With a great selection of hotels, B&B’s and Airbnb’s you can take a little extra time to explore this beautiful city steeped in history.
Today I spent walking on the North Downs Way with a group of fellow ambassadors training and sharing knowledge.
It was such a lovely day with everyone really supporting each other in every way. So watch out as we are going to share with you some of the amazing hidden gems of the North Downs Way.
You can explore the North Downs Way yourself with many self guided walks available from Explore Kent or the National Trails website. If you’re looking for an ambassador guided walk I will share them as they become available across the whole North Downs Way network.
It has become an autumn hit to go pumpkin picking there are several places that offer pumpkin picking in Kent including:
Felderland Farm PYO Sandwich, Deal – October picking dates: 9th, 10th, 15th and 31st.
They have been growing thousands of pumpkins and squashes in lots of shapes and sizes, so there’s a perfect pumpkin for everyone. There will be hot catering, a straw bale fun zone and a family photo station.
Entry to the patch will be by pre-booked ticket only, these can be bought online and are scanned on entry, tickets costs are: £2 for all visitors over 12, £1 for 3-12 abd Under 3s free.
This family run farm shop and pick your own site is a home gown Kent gem. Pumpkins are available for pick you own open every day from from Saturday 23rd October with no need to book.
With a variety of pumpkin sizes and colours a scarecrow trail, tea, cake and facev painting on offer you will be sure to have a great time this autumn. Open from Sunday 24th October – Sunday 31st Oct 10am – 4pm. Entry will be by TICKET ONLY.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are £1 (+ 75p booking fee) per Vehicle.
Each ticket admits one vehicle and its occupants all pumpkins to be purchased in addition to the entry ticket.
Pumpkins will be sold on the day with the price depending on size, ranging from £2-£10.
A variety of pumpkins and squashes await you at Hewitt’s Farm pick your own and will be available from the 1st October.
There is no need to book, no entry fee, just turn up. With a large free hard standing car park with cash & card both accepted.
Pay for what you pick prices, Pumpkins are 88p per kg and Squashes range from 88p-£1.76per kg.
Embrace the Autumn Fun
Each location has individual booking policies so please check out your local site to avoid disappointment.
Also please be aware pumpkin fields are that a field, they can become muddy and wet. Take welly boots and a raincoat encase it rains, maybe even some spare clothes. The autumn weather can be all part of the fun if you are prepared and embrace it.
Pick your own is not just for pumpkins you can get apples, pears, plumbs, sweetcorn and much more depending on the time of year so please support your local producers and pick or buy form them where you can.
If you know of any other sites offering PYO Pumpkins in Kent please leave them in the comments below.
As the sun sets on today tomorrow will bring the start of autumn. 🍂🍁🥮
Interesting fact: The astronomical calendar determines the seasons due to the 23.5 degrees of tilt of the Earth’s rotational axis in relation to its orbit around the Sun. Against that of the meteorological seasons that consist of splitting the seasons into four periods made up of three months each. By the meteorological calendar, the first day of autumn is always 1 September; ending on 30 November. The astronomical autumn calendar starts Wednesday, the 22nd September and ends Tuesday, the 21st December. 🥮🍂🍁
My Jones Life 