So it’s nearly time to head to Kenya with The Big Cat Sanctuary. So to celebrate I am running a competition to for one of you and a guest to become a ranger for the day.
To win this fantastic prize all you have to do is make a donation to my just giving page by 24th September 2022, all proceeds go straight to The Big Cat Sanctuary. For every £1 donated one entry will be entered, a random winner will be selected and announced online whilst I am in Kenya. Please note the winner will be announced online with details of how to claim, please do not accept any emails or messages contact me directly if you have any questions. Please ensure you leave your name in the comments section of your donation so I ensure you are entered.
The voucher will give you and one guest the opportunity to work alongside one of the keepers and help them tend to their beautiful cats. You will possibly assist with the cat feeding routines, possibly help providing enrichment items and hopefully leave with some fabulous photos of the day spent with some of the most awesome cats on the planet. A light buffet lunch will be included. Your day will finish with the opportunity to hand feed one of the big cats. No travel or accommodation is provided in this prize.
Please share with friends and family so that we can raise as much money as we can.
Later this month I am off to work with The Big Cat Sanctuary’s conservation partners at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya where I will learn more about the work that they undertake and support them in completing daily tasks.
Follow me to keep updated with the trip, win some fabulous prizes and take part in Q&A sessions.
Whitstable Castle and Gardens are nestled to the side of the main town and are a fantastic free to visit morning or afternoon out.
The Castle Gardens had a renovation completed in September 2010 when extensive work was undertaken on the grounds to achieve a stunning tranquil setting. The gardens have won numerous Green Flag awards with the latest in 2020 and I’m sure they will be awarded another one soon.
The Orangery Tearoom is open daily from 10 am until 5 pm with a great selection of food and drinks. They also offer afternoon tea, but you will need to book at least 24 hours before you visit.
There is a lovely pirate ship play area and the paths in the gardens are easy for pushchairs and wheelchairs to use. A great place to visit all year around with the scenery constantly changing as the plants and trees change with the seasons. The castle gardens and play area is open 8am until 6pm daily, there is a car park but note the gate is locked at 6pm.
They have a calendar packed with events on all year round, some highlights coming up in August include nature detective week and mummy mania. The castle can be hired for weddings, business events and more.
We got our first family dog a beautiful Siberian Husky we named Kojak in November 2020. I knew that he would change our lives and the way we travel and explore. We have been away without him and been lucky enough to have had excellent care for him whilst we were away. But we would like Kojak to also come away and enjoy travelling with us.
One thing that we consider when looking to go away is – will we spend lots of time with Kojak?
Our first trip abroad with Kojak and we have took him out every day finding dog friendly places to visit and eat. This time in France we have not left him at all, however we would leave him if we wanted to eat out at a restaurant, go food shopping or for a couple of hours max to do an activity he could not do. My rule would be at least one night before we would leave him somewhere new on his own – this is to make him know he is safe, secure and knows we will come back in a strange place.
I was worried as this was the first time abroad with a dog but I need not have worried the Le Shuttle was great and had excellent processes in place. The time in the train was quick and Kojak wasn’t fazed one bit.
There will be times that Kojak will not come away with us but knowing it’s an option is great as he is a wonderful part of our family.
My travel checklist for Kojak:
Insurance
Check vaccinations are all up to date
Animal Health Certificate
Return journey – appointment at the vets for tapeworm treatment administered 1-5 days before travel back to the UK. Treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours (1 day) and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before the dog’s scheduled arrival time in the UK. Treatment date and time must be recorded by the vet in the pet’s documentation.
Food – what can we take and what we can’t
Water
Teddies and Toys
Dog leads
Check the rules around dogs for the European country you are travelling in.
Kojak’s Travel Bag
Kojak has a travel bag that we can pick up at any moment and go with him, with many hotels dog friendly they can enjoy a mini break too.
Puppy Pads – these are excellent if your dog becomes unwell or if you want to use as a door mat for muddy paws.
Hair Brush
Spare Leads
Treats
Small teddy
Towel
Collapsible Drinking Bowl
Food Bowl
Poo Bags
Bottle of water
Please note this is my travel list for a dog travelling into Europe using Le Shuttle and you will need to ensure that you have fully checked what is required for your pet to travel.
Animal Health Certificates (AHC) replaced Pet Passports and to be honest they are a pain and you have to get one each time you travel. I advise you speak with your vet to find out if they do them or if you need to get one from another vet. My vet does not do the AHC but provided me with somewhere that could Animal Health Certificates Online I filled in the form paid and then took Kojak to collect it on the agreed date.
The certificate can be used to enter the EU & NI for up to 10 days from the date of issue.
Once inside the EU a pet can travel within the boundaries of the territory for up to four months.
Once the pet exits the EU a new Animal Health Certificate is required to re-enter the EU as the AHC is single use.
Set in the Yorkshire Dales National Park Ingleton Waterfalls Trail is a great place to get outside and explore.
As we hit April 1st the trail is now open later into the evening (9am – 7pm) so you have even more time to get outside and explore this wonderful trail where you will find 6 wonderful waterfalls.
The trail is 7km (4.3 miles) and should take between 2 and 4 hours to complete depending on your pace and if you take a picnic break. Please note the trail is currently running a one way system and remember to respect social distancing, there are some narrow parts of the trail and everyone would like to enjoy the views.
Unfortunately the path is not suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs due to the close proximity to rivers and large number of steps.
There is a cafe and toilets at the car park entrance but then not a lot for a long way so I would take plenty of food and drink. We did come across a ice cream van after the mid point snack shop (unfortunately had not been open). Please remember to take your rubbish home with you; respect, protect and enjoy.
There is parking included in the entry price, parking does get busy but some people will come and go during the day however some will spend the day there. All payments are required to be completed by card.
Past times exploring has given me so many special memories, this one seems so apt right now too far for me to reach and hold you my darling husband.
The children and I have grand plans for our lives and hold you in every thought.
St Michael’s Mount had been on our list for so long and so glad that we made it. With something a little special planned soon tied in with this beautiful place.
Love is holding on to the memories only the heart can see. 💙 I can remember so much of our road trips, from working out what budget I had to play with to planning what we could do when we got there. I will never change that, making memories so we can remember with laughter when things didn’t go so right or when we ordered food that we didn’t really know what it was or the stunning scenery and so much more. My heart hurts so much that I now don’t have the other half of me but I have the wonderful children to continue to explore the world with. 🌍 We have some great trips planned so I’m hoping that most of them can go ahead with the ever changing world around us.
My Jones Life 