Rosie Scribble

Fun, fireworks and a little bit of Christmas sparkle

With just one adult and one child in our little household, many people would assume we have plenty of opportunities to spend quality time together. In reality, homework, housework and work deadlines often get in the way.

So at the end of half-term week we scheduled a weekend away – just the two of us, with the itinerary being decided by one overexcited little girl.

So that meant going sledging in Tamworth, throwing snowballs and eating too much junk food. We didn’t know the Snowdome was there, we just happened to stumble across is, as you do, and IJ was thrilled to bits.

We then headed off to Drayton Manor for the day courtesy of a free press pass. With IJ a little older and a little braver, it meant we could finally move out of Thomas Land and try out some of the more adventurous rides, like the Flying Dutchmen, although Harold the Helicopter was still a hit.

As was the new Dinoworld feature with its life-size dinosaurs.

The day ended with an impressive fireworks and laser display to mark the end of Drayton Manor’s 60th Anniversary Year. While I felt a little bit like royalty with our front row seats in the VIP area, IJ thought it was all too loud and had to be compensated with a Star Wars light-sabre torch-like-thingy* and another two hours’ worth of rides before we went home.

Queuing for a roller-coaster ride in the dark with hats, gloves and a bag of boiled sweets, IJ commented that it was a little but like Christmas, and actually, she was right.

Footnote: IJ doesn’t understand about the free theme park entry, so I am officially the best mummy in the world. Long may the adoration continue.

* Apologies to anyone into Star Wars.

Drayton Manor Theme Park Diamond Jubilee

Last weekend we headed off the the Drayton Manor Press Day. As Tara touched on in her own post about the event, I now have a daughter who thinks that all theme parks are free, and all you have to do to avoid the queues at the entrance and get a free buffet lunch, is to wear a press pass around your neck and smile nicely at the friendly PR people.

We took my sister and her boyfriend along to the event as well so that they would think I was fabulous for getting them a free ticket could enjoy a day in the park too, and because they don't live too far from Tamworth. The pair of them hinted that they were going to try and gain free VIP access to several music festivals by flashing their newly acquired press passes, until I pointed out that the Thomas the Tank Engine logo which might actually blow their cover.

The event was held to celebrate the park's Diamond Jubilee. How times have changed since the park was first opened to the public in April 1950.

 

To commemorate its 60th anniversary year, Drayton Manor is launching a special Memories Campaign and inviting the public to email their photographs, videos and associated captions, along with stories and memories of Drayton Manor from yesteryear. These will then be shared publicly, via the special anniversary website, www.draytonmanor60th.co.uk

We all had a fabulous day. I particularly enjoyed the log flume, although the fact that I would not get on the ride until I had purchased a head-to-toe waterproof mac seemed a clear sign that my wild and reckless days are now over.

IJ loved Thomas Land (where she seemed to think the train called Rosie was hilarious), the singing Fat Controller, the zoo, the indoor soft play, and the picnic area. 

 

More than anything else, she enjoyed spending time with Tara and Jo's children. They had such a wonderful time together that we ended up leaving the park after it's official closing time, and they were all keen to do more.

As we left IJ spotted that the theme park is building a hotel. She looked at the building work then at her press pass, and I know what she was thinking because I was thinking it too.

We could get very used to this!

Drayton Manor rocks!

Drayton Manor was great!

We spent the day there yesterday and it was lovely to meet some more Midland Bloggers (Jo Beaufoix, Tara, Dan who was only pretending to be a Midlander for the day, and Single Parent Dad) and their families.

The children all seemed to get on as well which was a relief, especially as IJ announced the other day that she did not like children. An odd thing for a five-year-old to say I know! The adults got on well too of course although there was not really much opportunity to sit down and chat as we followed the kids from one ride to the next.

IJ described the day as: "the best day of my life in the whole world!" which sums it up very well.

It was great to see her so excited about the whole experience, although less so when she was still awake at nine o'clock in the evening and insisting on telling me about her favourite ride, which seemed to change every five minutes. Then I had to hear the, "Let me tell you about my best-est ride" conversation all over again accompanied by various actions and hand movements.

We spent most of the time in Thomas Land where she loved the Harold helicopter ride and the little trains she could ride by herself (which meant she could ride into the back of other children!)

I loved the Bounty, the Maelstrom (which Dan kindly agreed to accompany me on, it took half an hour for me to recover from the ride, I have to admit, I couldn't stomach the thought of food for a while), and the fact that their PR department paid for us to get in free. Ticket prices did seem high but I'd have to say it's worth it for the experience.

 

Yes I really did go on this, can you see my feet?:

We didn't spend any money while we were in there, apart from the odd ice-cream, as we made the most of their fabulous picnic facilities which included a fabulous kids' play area.

We'd definitely go back, in fact IJ asked if we could go today. I sent her off to school as usual and no doubt she'll spend the day telling all her friends.

Next time we may try this:

 

Or maybe not!

Do go over and read what the others have to say about the day in these posts:

SingleParentBlagger and Glitterati and Drayton Manor Park and Zoo.

Instructions should I not return

We are not here.

We are here (look closely and read carefully):

At Drayton Manor (as written by IJ aged 5, this is not me writing down our destination, honest!)

We are meeting some Midland Bloggers in the flesh. No longer will we be hiding behind our blogs.

Yikes.

There'll be Ian (Single Parent Dad), Tara of Sticky Fingers, Dan from all that comes with it, Jo Beaufoix and Moi.

We've never met before.

Who knows what could happen.

And as you can see from the drawing at the top we will being going to Thomas Land and riding on Thomas the Tank Engine.

That was obvious from the picture, right?

If you never hear from me again, call the police.

Waiting...

This morning IJ was up and dressed by seven o'clock having chosen the clothes she is going to wear to the Midland Mummy (and Dad!) Bloggers Meet at Drayton Manor.

(On school days she is completely incapable of getting herself dressed in the mornings. How things change when there is somewhere exciting to go!)

As I have told her they have a zoo, she had decided to bring Monkey so that he can meet the rest of his family.

The problem is that we aren't going today, we are going tomorrow.

IJ knows this and has decided to wear these clothes all day and all night, which she says won't be a problem as she isn't going to bed. She is going to stay up all night waiting to go.

It's going to be a long day. Tonight she can entertain herself. I'm off to bed!