herts – Mediocre Mum

Camel Racing for Herts Air Ambulance

Things to do near St Albans, Herts on May Bank Holiday Monday

“It’s not every day that you see camels in the Hertfordshire countryside!’

We were looking for something a bit different to do on the Bank Holiday as a family, when someone in my timeline mentioned Camel Racing. I love stuff that is a bit unusual and this really grabbed my attention. The weather forecast was poor but we decided to suit up in our rain gear and brave the elements as it was for a good cause.

Camel Racing for Herts Air Amb — What a great day out albeit surreal!

This is the 3rd year that the event has taken place and is the brainchild of the Herts Air Ambulance Service. The Herts Air Ambulance Service receives no government funding and solely relies on public donations. It costs £130,000 a month to run.

It’s approximately 25 minutes from St Albans, Herts at Northaw Point to Point Racecouse, near Cuffley Down the A1000 (Post Code EN6 4NT). Entry was £10 per adult which we didn’t mind as it supports what I feel is an essential service. Hopefully, we will never have to use it but glad to know it’s there in case we ever do.

Free Parking
Children under 14 Free
People encouraged to bring their dogs to have a go at the timed agility course
Ferret Racing
Other Pony races including, Shetland ponies.
Fairground Rides (Helter Skelter, Rope Swings, Big Wheel) , Food Stalls and a Beer and Wine Tent
Bookie so you can bet on the races

Next year we hope to get a group together and bring a Gazebo with a few disposable BBQs. Fingers crossed they do it again next year as it’s a wonderfully bizarre day out. Keep an eye out for it!

Not your typical kid’s photo shoot!

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a strong aversion to putting kids on stage, TV or modelling.

Michael Jackson, Drew Barrymore, Macauly Culkin, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears….

Need I say more?

I just feel that that environment is far too grown up for kids and they don’t have the maturity or confidence to be there. Hence why they tend to go off the rails.

On the other hand, if my daughter was lacking in confidence, luckily she doesn’t, I would consider enrolling her in a drama course.

Not your typical kid’s Photo Shoot

However, on the weekend I had a chance to have some photos of her done by the lovely Jeanette Lendon near Berkhamstead.

Jeanette ‘doesn’t do cute and sweet photos -but hard-core (pre) teenage angst!!!! Think catalogue modelling.’

I absolutely love the end result and she looks a bit too much of a natural for my liking.

Girls Black Fluffy Embellished Shrug by River Island

Aya Naya Dark Grey J Skirt by Little Beau Chic (£25)

Girls Reversible Jacket by Muddle Puddles

Girl’s Blue Star Printed Jeans by Debenham’s

Do you know any teens who could use a boost in self-confidence?

Jeanette has vouchers available for Christmas. £95 for an hour shoot which includes three High Res images and for an additional £30 an artist will do hair and age appropriate make-up. For the pre-teens this would just be lip-gloss. She is fab with kids and puts them at ease and her studio is set in beautiful surroundings.

Jeanette@jeanettelendonphotography.co.uk

079000 84147

How to beat the heat!

Summer Activity Camps for Kids Near St Albans

Even though we love to moan about the weather in the UK we have to admit that we’ve had a pretty good summer so far.

When we had the mini heat wave a few weeks ago, it was challenging trying to think of things to keep my daughter cool during the first part of the school holidays. You couldn’t pay me enough to go to the local Splash Park as it’s always heaving and I’d end up having an altercation with another parent! We’re lucky as we have access to the local Dive Club Swimming pool.

But what about ice-skating or sledging?

Bet you didn’t think of that.

Two weeks ago we were invited to the SnoZone in Milton Keyes which is an indoor ski slope, which always intrigues me being Canadian. The Snozone is less than an hour from St Albans. This is the first time that the SnoZone is offering Summer Fun Activities, to keep kids active and entertained. There is a great balance of on and off the slopes activities (e.g wacky races, dodgeball, sledging, ultimate Frisbee, dance classes, junk music, arts & crafts) for kids aged 5+.

As you can see our daughter had a great time and so did her pal.

Children can do either a half day (£24.99) or full day (£34.99) which includes snacks and refreshments. Parents can drop kids off, sit in the cafe and watch or possibly hit the slopes themselves. All you’ll need is some warm clothing and water proof gloves.

My daughters pink padded jacket with reflective piping was courtesy of Aldi’s Back to School Range

Activities for Kids Over Easter 2013, near St Albans, Herts

Just having my pre school holiday panic! We don’t have any built in playmates for our 5 year old except the cats and us and we can only take so much so I do try and arrange a few things for her over half-term. As an only child we really like her to socialize with other kids and to be active.

On my travels around the net I found the following activities and thought you may find them useful. We haven’t signed her up to all of them we do like to set aside a couple of days to chill.

Westminster Lodge is running Activity Camps over the holidays. It’s a bargain at £20 a day!

Ashridge Easter Egg trail – We are huge fans of Ashridge Forest and have been on the Easter Egg Trail before. We have plans to go on the Sunday possibly followed by lunch at The Red Lion in Lower Dagnall.

Butterfly World Looks like they have lots on. I like the sound of Easter Art on Easter Sunday

Stockwood Discovery Centre (Luton) another one of our favourites, also looks like they have a lot on during the holidays. It’s free to get in but then you just pay a couple of quid for craft activities. If it’s a nice day bring a picnic and a blanket, alternatively there is a cafe.

Down in the Woods – I’m absolutely gutted that I’ve already booked our daughter into something on the 2nd of April as I love the sound of their play scheme. Children spend either a full day or half a day the in the woods playing woodland games, camp building, natural crafts and cooking on an open fire. (scroll down the page for the description)

Fine Art 4 Kids – Are running a series of 2 hour workshops for kids. They learn about an artist then make their own work of art. I’m still undecided as I’m not sure if it’s too old for our daughter.

I’d really like to find something that involves dance or drama. If you of anything please do leave a comment below!

My Friday Five: Local Parks (Herts)

With Half-Term looming, remind me to get loads of wine in, I thought I’d share some of our favourite parks to visit. For the most part they’re free; however there is a chance you’ll be fleeced when you get there.

The weather isn’t looking promising so you’ll need to wrap up!

As the Comedian, Billy Connolly once said

‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little’.

In no particular order here are 5 of our favourite Local Parks:

Stockwood Discovery Centre in Luton, technically it’s not a park but it’s free to go in there is an amazing outdoor play area, grab a latte in the cafe and watch your kids play, the children’s menu is reasonable and they have seasonal exhibits, currently they have DinoMites, which my daughter really enjoyed but it costs extra.

Cassiobury Park in Watford, parking is a nightmare but they have a fantastic play area, something St Albans should aspire to, there is a Mini Steam Train, hot dog stand and make sure you make the effort to wander down to the canal and see the Locks.

Aldenham County Park – one of our all time favourites, it’s free to go in but you have to pay to get out of the car park, if I remember correctly it’s about a fiver and take change. However, there is a great adventure playground, Winnie the Pooh’s 100 Akre Wood and a few Nature Walks. Back in the day it was all free but sadly they’ve gone a bit commercial and now you can pay for the Rare Breeds Animal Farm, Pony Rides and Tree Climbing.

Ashridge Estate – Fancy getting the kids outside to blow off some steam? Then this is for you. We love it. There is a cafe where you can get lunch, loads of trees to climb, kick a ball around the foot of the monument or they have organised activities during half-term (Halloween Madness and Skeleton and Skulls).

Knebworth Gardens and Dinsosaur Trail – sadly their Pumpkin Trail is sold out, but it’s a great day out, the Dinosaur Trail, with 72 life sized Dinosaurs, will keep them busy for hours and then you can drive around to the Fort and Playground, we love the slide that goes through the middle of the hill Note: This one is not free!

As I’ve done most of these, I will be at a loose end myself, so all suggestions (cheap) welcome!