Tanya's Visit: 27th - 30th July 2010

The last time Tanya and I were in London together we discussed her bringing the boys down to spend some time with us during the Summer Holiday and coincide it with Nicholas's 2nd birthday.

Tuesday afternoon a very tired little family completed their 4.5 hour journey and arrived at Haywards Heath station. It was lovely to have my dear friend and her kiddies in our home from the first minute and it was off to our beautiful playground in Lindfield to let the boys stretch their legs after such a long trip on the trains.


Wednesday morning dawned with blue skies and Brighton seemed the obvious choice for the day. As Sam and Tom are seasoned walkers it was a quick stroll down to the station (+-15mins) and then onto the train for the trip to the city. The ability of English kiddies (and now mine) to walk never ceases to amaze me and after arriving in Brighton we all completed the 10 or so minute walk down to the beach and then another 10 minutes along the beach front before catching a little electric train down to the Marina for our picnic.

First view of a pebble beach

Enjoying the toys along the beach front

Waiting for the train - take note when it was established....nothing like that kind of history (click to enlarge)

It was during this picnic that I finally came to appreciate the benefit of a pebble beach. Yes you have to wear shoes the ENTIRE time, and sitting can be painful if you aren't prepared (deck chairs are available to hire for £2 for 2 for the day so easy to prepare) BUT there is no sand for 2 year olds to drop their food in, when the wind blows it doesn't sting and it never gets too hot to walk on.....not to mention the entertainment value skimming stones has :0)

Picnic complete we caught our little train back to the half way station which has a great park with some water spouts for the children to run under and lovely jungle gyms for them to climb on - unfortunately due to the children in swimming costumes photography is prohibited so no shots for me but all 5 children had an absolute ball and Megan proved to be an angel with Nicholas thereby allowing me an hour to just sit and relax. Finally another 20 minute walk back to the bus stop (the hill back up to the station is bus worthy) and home on the train after such a stunning day out.

No trip to Brighton is complete without a ride on the Carousel

On arrival in Haywards Heath Tanya and I decided that nearly 60 minutes of walking was probably about the limit for a 5 year old and we caught another bus back to Lindfield. Happily for us we caught the wrong bus and ended up right outside The Witch (our local) which has the most amazing playground so again the kiddies played and we got to sit in the gardens and enjoy a pint in the late afternoon sunshine. I have to say that watching all our children playing together gave me a very deep sense of satisfaction....Tanya and I have been best friends since our teens and it just seems right that our own children are now developing a close friendship of their own despite the age differences.


Thursday was an early start due to Nick Nick's birthday party and I was AMAZED by Tanya's supermom powers and ability to get her almost 3 year old and almost 6 year old up, fed, dressed and ready to leave the house by 9.30 with not so much as a cross or frustrated word :0). Nick's party at Washbrooks was a wonderful day (details in a post all of it's own) and we ended up remaining at the venue until 2pm when Nick finally fell asleep during the tractor ride. In the late afternoon Tanya took Phil and Sam through our local wood to find the "fort" and I stayed home with Megs and the little ones - the children have ALL played so so well together through the 3 days and I know the Robertson family are going to miss our visitors very very much when they finally catch the train home on Friday morning.

Together at Nick's party

Counting the sleeps till we go and visit them in October half term - thanks for coming to see us my friend and bringing your gorgeous boys with you, know the loooooong trip was exhausting!