things – Page 2 – Mediocre Mum

Family Christmas Activities at the Science Museum, London

If you’re stuck for things to do over the Christmas Holidays, I really rate the Science Museum in London. We went last Saturday and had a brilliant day and learned a lot.

After a bit of deliberating we decided to drive in, as it worked out cheaper than taking the train even with the price of parking. We did have a bit of a surprise when we arrived as the underground car park we normally use, is no longer in use. But thanks to a very kind Black Cab driver, we found street parking just around the corner to the museum on Prince Consort Rd, which was about £14 for four hours.

The museum itself is free but there is a suggested donation of £5. We went to see the Legend of Apollo 4-D, to celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of the Landing on the moon. If you’re like me you’re probably wondering what 4D is? We had a bit of a surprise on our quick trip to the moon, our chairs started to shake as we went through the atmosphere and we landed on the moon with a bit of a bump, bombed around in a space buggy collecting rocks, learned what the moon smells like and then splashed back to earth.

If you do go do make sure you make a day of it as there is so much to see and do at the Museum. We barely made a dent in it. Our daughter is 5, so if you have children of a similar age, I really recommend the Basement where you will find the Garden an interactive play area and a theatre with different shows throughout the day; we saw the Bubble Show and it was great fun.

The Museum is open every day except 24 – 26 December, and stays open until 19.00 (last entry 18.15) during the school holidays. For a full list of their Family Christmas Activities 2012 click here. I quite fancy the Festive Physics show. Could Reindeers really fly? Why do crackers crack?

Disclosure: Our tickets to the 4D Cinema were complimentary.

Our top ten things to do in Copenhagen

This is the one where we didn’t go to Tivoli Gardens! I know the story goes that this is the place that inspired Walt Disney but my husband and I are not into fair rides. However, if we had our daughter with us it would have been a completely different story and a much different trip altogether.

This was a difficult decision for us when I won the trip a few months back. I was torn whether to take her or not. In the end, as it was our anniversary and we hadn’t had a proper trip away without her since she was born we decided not to. It was a bit of a logistical nightmare but we got there in the end. However, Copenhagen is a great place for kids, on a couple of occasions I did think ‘ahh, she would have loved this or she would have loved that…..’ but this just means that we will have to go again another time as a family, it’s only a 90 minute flight from Heathrow.

Getting Around

Copenhagen is incredibly easy to get around being compact, flat and with efficient transport links. We were lucky enough to have a Copenhagen Card which entitled us to free public transport and free or discounted entry into a lot of attractions, museums and galleries (e.g Boat Tours, Rundetarn, Jens Olsen’s Clock).

I do regret not taking advantage of this cycle friendly city, it was such a pleasure to see cyclists and cars on the roads harmoniously, and bikes can be hired for as little as 20 DK. However, with our history of cycle accidents in our house I was a bit reticent. We were absolutely fascinated by the number of cyclists and all the quirky bikes. One of our favourites was a family going by with Dad cycling and mum and children were in a large box at the front. I’m sure it would have been a right scream but I don’t trust my hubby that much.

We went at the end of September and it was surprisingly mild. I’m not sure why I thought it was going to be so cold.

It was a jammed pack weekend, but weirdly we still managed to see a lot of it at a leisurely pace. Here are our highlights in no particular order!

Jens Olsen’s World Clock

located in the town hall, not one of the better know attractions but very interesting it was set running in 1955 and has over 14,000 parts, it tells the time, moon phases, solar eclipses and planet orbits. The slowest gear takes over 25,000 years to make a complete a circuit!

Nyhavn

A very trendy part of town, lined with bars cafes and restaurants. It’s a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a beer and people watch. If you are travelling on a budget you can always enjoy a drink and then hit one of the ‘Sausage Wagons’ on the way home.

A boat tour

is a must especially if you’re limited on time as it allows you to take in many of the sites; The Opera House, The Little Mermaid, The Canals of Christianshavn, Our Saviours Church, Christiansborg Palace and the Old Stock Exchange. Do take an umbrella as it hammered it down.

Harbour Wall

If you’re travelling with a sea lover like I was, a stroll along the harbour is a must. There are some beautifully crafted wooden boats moored up.

Kastellet

The oldest functioning Military base in Europe. An idyllic place for a stroll and only a short walk from Osterport Metro Station.

St Alban Church

Is next to the Kastellet Citadel and is simply known to locals as the ‘English Church’. It was named after the first Christian Martyr who coincidentally was beheaded in our home town St Albans, Herts UK.

Amalienborg Castle

Home of the Danish Royal Family since 1794. We stumbled across the changing of the Livgarden and were surprised how similar the uniforms were to the Guardsmen in the UK.

Rundetarn (Round Tower)

a spiral ramp winds its way to the top, it’s the oldest functioning observatory in Europe and a great vantage point to see the sprawling city.

Stroget

Also known as the walking street. If you’re into shopping and people watching this is for you. Personally, it was a bit busy for me but we did find an outdoor pub with a Happy Hour half way up.

MASH

This one is a bit embarrassing. Whenever I travel to new countries I always make a point of trying the local food. A local recommended this restaurant to us for our Anniversary, it was amazing with the most extensive wine list and probably the best steak I’ve ever had but then I worked out why it was called ‘MASH’ – Modern American Steak House. Whoops! But nonetheless I highly recommend it. You’ll find it at 20 Bredgade.

A huge ‘Tak’ to Visit Denmark and Scandinavian Airlines for a very memorable anniversary.

Kids and Make-up don’t mix!

Would you let your 4 year old wear make-up or worse, put it on you?

I don’t normally wear make-up as I’m such a natural beauty! Joking aside, I don’t do it because no matter how long I spent on it, the result would be the same…Yes, I’m passed it! This is what I normally wear, yes, just mascara and lip salve.

However, I was given a challenge…allow your kid to do your make-up with no direction or input and with free access to your make-up. Gulp! This required a glass of wine or two.

This is me before….after I removed my lovely white linen work shirt.

I honestly don’t have a huge supply of make-up but, over the years, I have accumulated a stock for Fancy dress and 80s blue eye-shadow. I still have the same blusher from 8 years ago.

The Joker was a bit enthusiastic. I have to admit the eye-lash curlers were slightly painful and can’t help thinking lipstick should go on the lips?

So what do you think??? Stunner?? Hear me roar!

After watching her work her magic, I’m convinced I need to spend a bit more time on myself.

I don’t normally join into this type of thing but this one is absolutely hilarious so I’m tagging the following fellow bloggers.

Annie from Just Annie QPR
Monika from Mum on the Brink
Lisa from Mummy Whisperer
Helen from Actually Mummy
and for a laugh, no chance in hell she will do it, but Sally Whittle from Who’s the Mummy

Honestly, ladies have fun, it was one of those lovely mother and daughter moments and remember Baby Wipes are your friend. Can’t wait to see the photos!

Tree Top Flyers, Chase Canyon

‘Put your knees to your chest, legs apart, chin to your chest and grit your teeth’ sounded a lot like child-birth to me but in fact is the landing position for Ziplining.

I’m absolutely terrified of heights; well in fact, I’m scared of a lot of things but most of my fears boil down to a fear of death. However, I went Zip lining in Chase Canyon, BC, Canada with my niece, hubby and friends yesterday. Unfortunately, our daughter wasn’t old or heavy enough.

The scariest part for me was the training line, it’s not as high or long as the others, but the suspended stairway to the platform was unnerving as it swayed from side to side as you walked up it. My technique was not to look down come neither love nor money, if I did I would have bottled it.

On the way over to the platform, I had a quiet word with Daniel, one of the owners, just to let him know I was terrified of heights so he let me go first. He did admit later that they secretly like it when people are scared and on one occasion they had to ‘boot’ a lady off the platform; but she did ask them to do so. She was fine going up but chickened out at the top so when she wasn’t expecting it, after she was safely connected (obviously), they just pushed her off the edge. Apparently, she loved it and said thanks.

The drive up to the lines in the Canyon was hairy to say the least with a sheer drop on one side. I was so glad I was sitting on the other side of the van and spent most of the journey working out my escape route through the window in case it rolled, but once you got to the top the scenery was stunning.

The lines in the Canyon were not as scary as the training platform nor the drive up, but flying through the trees, over waterfalls and close to the Canyon walls was exhilarating.

They’ve only been open for a few weeks but we were truly impressed with the level of safety and customer service. They’re really a friendly bunch of guys that put me totally at ease. Thanks to the team at Tree Top Flyers for a great day out and we hope to see you again next year.

Surviving School Holidays in St Albans

As it’s school holidays, I’m just been reminding myself of things to do with kids in or near St Albans. Thought it may be of interest to you as well.

Heartwood Forest – in Sandridge. Over the next 12 years the Woodland trust is going to be putting this forest back to its former glory. To date they have planted over 300,000 trees. However, there are still 4 areas of ancient forest left which are great for Den Building and the Bluebells are in full bloom.

Kite Flying Dunstable Downs – On the road to Whipsnade Zoo. You can buy a kite for about £8 in the gift shop if you don’t have one. Dress up warm!

Butterfly World – people have mixed feelings about Butterfly World. I personally love it but I’m fully aware that it’s a work in progress, the Dome isn’t built yet and there is just one small house of butterflies. We love running around the gardens, the playground is brilliant and check out the Ant house. In April, entry is only £5. Bring a lunch to keep costs down.

RAF Museum Hendon – I’m not a plane enthusiast but it’s a great day out for the kids and it’s FREE, well except for the parking. There is a place indoors that you can bring a packed lunch.

St Albans South Signal Box – this may sound dull but I promise you it’s very interesting. It’s free, the gardens are lovely and you can get a cuppa. Next Open Day is Sunday 8^th of April 2012.

And a few other random free things to do with kids in or near St Albans.