When I say having a kid means relinquishing hedonism, it is because you have to give up nearly all your free time into looking after them. So imagine how crazy you would have to be, to take not just one, but two sprogs to a theme park! Actually, ignore the masochism bit (this is getting confusing) because theme parks are the dogs danglies.
Yep, not long ago, Steve and I decided (my idea) to take Izzy and one of her bessie chums (whom I shall call Sprog B), for a fun-filled day down south. We were headed to Paulton's Park ....... somewhere that had received rave reviews because of its ability to cater for kids of all ages (which kind of included me).
When the day in question arrived, we jumped into my bling machine, programmed the sat nav and hit the highway. But it soon became apparent that I hadn't actually properly checked where Paulton's Park was ..... and about half an hour into the journey, Steve pointed at the Sat Nav screen and exclaimed loudly, "bloody hell, it is next to Southampton!"
Which is a long way from Oxfordshire, I can tell you (about 2 hours).
But what was a gal to do? I had psyched up the sprogs, we were half an hour into the journey ..... I had no option but to press on. And press-on we did .... and I am bloody glad we did because it was a top banana day out.
And because I am kinder to children than Mother Theresa, but in a more flashy way, I have got some photographs for you.
Pic.No.1 After arriving at Paulton's Park, Izzy and Sprog B started the day gently by whizzing around in a flourescent caterpillar
Pic.No.2 And then it was on to the still-quite-tame 'Jumping Jack'
Both of the gals were quite gregarious even though they were only 6, so it was only a matter of time before they were hollering for more adrenalin.
Pic.No.3 But not before I had been humiliated by accompanying them on a weedy kids ride called the 'Magic Carpet'
Pic.No.4 Izzy and Sprog B showed their love in between rides
Pic.No.5 Or before we had taken them to 'Peppa Pig Land' - a separate area within Paulton's park. It was designed for younger kids, so although Izzy and Sprog B thought it was 'pants', toddlers would be in their element
Pic.No.6 The time had arrived. Izzy and Sprog B wanted to go on rides that were faster and more exciting. So I decided we should have lunch before embarking upon the next stage. That way, they would have something to chuck up. I am thoughtful like that
Pic.No.7 Izzy and Sprog B positively sprinted to the next area of the park - the one with all the grown-up fast rides (it looks like Izzy has bagged a ride in her friend's wig - even though it wasn't a wig)
Pic.No.8 They sprinted right past an orangey coloured pigeon-type bird without even noticing it
Pic.No.9 And then they found the 'Log Flume'
Pic.No.10 And decided that your's truly was going to be the first person to accompany them. Yep, I got doused in bright blue stagnant water
Pic.No.11 After laughing at my plight on the log flume, Steve soon got his come-uppance after the gals insisted that he take them on the 'Pirates Ship'. It was was of those barf rides - going up and down and round and round ... at the same time
But then we came to the grand finale. A proper fast grown-up roller coaster called the Cobra.
"Are you sure you want to go on this?" I asked them with a serious expression on my face, "it is a really fast ride."
And because kids egg each other on, they both shouted, "YES!"
"Ok let's go," I said, gravely leading them into the roller coaster queue which consisted mainly of spotty teenagers trying to cop off with each other.
Finally, it was our turn to board one of the cars, and I have to say that I was little bit hesitant about taking the gals on. Mainly because they were only 6, and I had witnessed kids double their age begging for mercy upon disembarking.
Hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained ......... and Steve was inspired enough to capture it all on video. Good boy. Well done.
Finally, it was our turn to board one of the cars, and I have to say that I was little bit hesitant about taking the gals on. Mainly because they were only 6, and I had witnessed kids double their age begging for mercy upon disembarking.
Hell, nothing ventured, nothing gained ......... and Steve was inspired enough to capture it all on video. Good boy. Well done.
Vid.No.1 Izzy's first ever ride on a proper roller coaster. Her best quote of the ride ...."AAAAAH IT'S NEARLY PULLING MY HEAD OFF!"
Vid.No.2 Sprog B's first ever ride on a proper roller coaster. Her best quote of the ride ..... "I DON'T CARE. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S SCARY!"
Vid.No.2 Sprog B's first ever ride on a proper roller coaster. Her best quote of the ride ..... "I DON'T CARE. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S SCARY!"
Vid.No.3 This is what the roller coaster is like when you ride it facing forwards
I have to say that it was bloody awesome. I was a bit worried when we hit the initial ascent and both gals were screaming and sobbing, "I DON'T LIKE IT! I WANT TO GET OFF!"
Aw crap, I was sweating and shaking like a shitting dog, thinking that I had over-estimated their daring. I gestured to Steve, 'what do we do?' He just shrugged back at me in a helpless manner. Fair play, we were 20 metres up in the air, and there was not much we could do to rewind the situation.
But hell, that was all poppycock. It turned out that they bloody loved it. In fact they rode the Cobra five more times. Yeh, those six-year-olds are me homeys. Boyakkkashaaa!
Pic.No.12 And to round the day off, I bought them some comedy candy teeth to celebrate their daring. And they scoffed them on the way home
I have to say that Paulton's Park was a bloody brilliant day out. If you have kids aged between 2-13, there is tons of stuff for them all. [Note to Paulton's Park - do I get a discount?]
So what are you up to this sunshiney weekend my dahlink?
Those videos are super mega awesome! Love it.
ReplyDeleteNow that's fun!!! And BRAVE of you all! Wouldn't catch moi on one of those rides! Ron maybe.......the videos were very real feeling.....maybe because they were! Jim!
ReplyDeleteAwww, get Ron packed onto a flight and I will take him on a roller-coaster-tastic holiday ..... and I promise to post all the videos so that you can see!!
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Why thank you Katie!!! Nice of you to say so. Are you fairly new round here? ...... Welcome! Do you have a blog too?
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That looked an excellent day out for in your case children of all ages!!!
ReplyDeleteYou would not get me within 100yards of one of those rides. I put that down to old age. Then again I have never liked rides like that so perhaps I have always been old.
Even if you were hesitant I would still try and coax you in!
ReplyDeleteI hate roller coasters. And I think this counts as child torture by the way....
ReplyDeleteLOL. The videos were priceless. Seems the trip was well worthwhile. I am a little disappointed with the limited food pictures. Where were the corn dogs?
ReplyDeleteIt is forecast to be a sunny warm spring weekend here. We are heading to the Art Gallery of Alberta with my parents on Saturday to see the Alex Janvier exhibit (one of my favourite artists). Then we are going out for dinner to celebrate a late Mother's Day (since we were flying back from Connecticut and New York on Mother's Day). Sunday we are going out for brunch with friends. Seems like a lot of eating out this weekend.
The landscaping at the house is almost done, so I will be outside puttering around as much as possible.
Enjoy your weekend and have fun!
Haw haw haw (evil laugh). I am a fascist kid dictator!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I too have a blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://katie-randomnest.blogspot.co.uk/ Came across your blog a few months ago when I was helping my girl with her homework, one of you images came up in the google search from one of your exploration walks. Have been enjoying it since!
Ooh, lovely to have to stop by! I shall pop over and visit you at some point this weekend!!
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What a great day you all had at Paultons Park. I lost my lips on a roller coaster ride. Still searching for the damn things. I think they suctioned off my face. Like Kevin said, Where are the corn dogs? We need a proper display of grease.
ReplyDeleteWhat am I up to this weekend you ask? I live on the Isle of Man as you know, the road racing capital of the world. And this weekend sees the start of the TT and I'm........and I'm painting the outside of the house......Great piccies and video...."Pulling my head off."....I know how she feels....Braver than me to keep on going back.
ReplyDeleteNote to self: Do not allow my children to read your blog.
ReplyDeleteMy kids will be playing in dusty HOT softball tournaments for the entire weekend and their feet will hurt. I told them its fun. I'm not sure they believe me.
Oh no, your kids have rumbled you. No flies on them!!
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Corn dogs?! We don't have any of that nonsense in the UK I'll have you know!
ReplyDeleteYour weekends always sound great - you are always doing interesting and chilled stuff! Eating a lot = good ;-)
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No way you wuss! He he - my superhero power is torturing kids!
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I live near there ! Well nearish... the pre-school did a trip there every bloody year so I found a great coping strategy... " You all go on the rides with the kids and I'll guard the bags " Worked every time. When the kids wanted to go to bigger parks than that - they went on their own !
ReplyDeleteI still find it amazing that people don't like adrenalin. I wonder why that is?
ReplyDeleteTwas an excellent day out indeed, thank you very much!
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Believe it or not Annie I've never ridden a motorbike in my life and I never intend to either. I've only ever been a pillion once and I hated it. Still I do love the atmosphere of it all...Very exciting.
ReplyDeleteWhat did I do last weekend? I went to the beach. It SUCKED!
ReplyDeleteIt sucked? I thought beaches were supposed to be fun?!!
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Really? No corn dogs? Wow ... sorry.
ReplyDeleteI love the pics so much!!! Funny, I think Izzy's best quote was "Ahhhhhhhhhhhh Wooooooooooooo Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Woooooooooooooooooo!"
ReplyDeleteAwwww .... she bloody loved it. Mind you, so did I!!
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Of course you do! I had forgotten that. I should have roped you into the fun ;-) We need our bags guarding!!
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I love that y'all made the roller coaster fun for the girls! I would have been mortified and frightened them, I'm sure of it! It reminded me of taking the lovelies to Carowinds about a million times when they were coming along. The youngest was always upset because her sisters got to ride roller coasters with their dad but she didn't because she wasn't tall enough. The first time she got to go, it was a rather mild one and one part went through a tunnel- onlookers could watch from that point. All we heard as they went into the tunnel was my child yelling- "I WANT MY MOMMIE- NOW!" LOL
ReplyDeleteAwww how cute is that - her yelling, I want my mommie now! Has she grown out of her fear, or is does she remain wary after her first experience?!
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