I always have a lot of questions about accommodati I always have a lot of questions about accommodation when we stay anywhere as a family so I thought I’d share this little tour of our room at @windjammerlanding which was a pretty perfect place to stay.

It’s the ‘Ocean View Two Bedroom’ which was like a little house, with an upstairs and downstairs, built into the hillside. Both rooms had outdoor space and their own shower rooms. Such a great option for a family.
A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. A little photo dump from our holiday in St Lucia. We’ve been back a few days now but still miss the heat, the food, the pool, the constant sounds of wildlife and the lovely people. It was such a great holiday and I’m sure we’ll be back one day.
And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is And just like that, Athena is 12! What a joy it is watching her grow and what a wonderful young woman she is becoming. We could not be more proud. Love you Pickle, have a great birthday.
We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in S We’ve just got back from two glorious weeks in St Lucia staying at @windjammerlanding and it was just the holiday we needed. Two weeks of sunshine and relaxation in what must be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. 

We can’t wait to go back again in the future. Here’s just a little snippet of our trip.
AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @na AD - Press Tickets | We had such a nice day at @national_motor_museum despite the rain! The children loved the Little Beaulieu play area and we loved exploring the National Motor Museum and Top Gear exhibit before having a ride on the monorail! We went on an old open topped bus, explored the Beaulieu Manor House and loved the gardens. 
Beaulieu is always a great day out - whatever the weather. This summer they have a whole ‘Summer of Fun’ planned, with activities most days - parades, bird shows and hundreds of sculptures within the grounds too. If you’re looking for a day out this summer definitely think about heading to Beaulieu.
AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to t AD - Press Tickets | Tonight we took the kids to their first concert - but it was so much more than just a concert! @abbavoyage is incredible. With CGI ABBA and a live band, it’s like being at an ABBA concert 40 years ago but with modern lighting, effects and sound. ABBA look and sound real, it’s a mind blowing experience.
The set includes all the songs you know and love as well as a few less familiar ones.
You can’t take photos during the show which actually made a refreshing change. A whole arena focused purely on the show and soaking up the moment. It’s definitely something the four of us will always remember.
Now, I’m off to sing Dancing Queen all the way home.
AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdo AD - Press Trip | We had such a great day at @phdockyard today. They have a fantastic Ultimate Explorer ticket that lets you visit all the attractions as many times as you like for 12 months - and after a day at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard we can see that you need more than one day to really do everything!

We explored HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and the Mary Rose Exhibition - which is incredible! We also saw where ships are built and restored and spent time in Action Stations where the kids climbed and did an assault course.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is such a fun, educational day out with something for all ages - we can’t wait to go on their harbour tours next time we visit!
AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To cel AD | WIN!! Would you love to win a holiday? To celebrate #100YearOfARoads National Highways have launched their #ARoadsToSummer competition! It's all about celebrating summer holiday moments, time together, fun in the sun, days out and more.

So why not be in it to win it? To enter, all you have to do is send @nationalhways a DM on here with a photo or video of your favourite holiday moments. You can also comment on their Facebook or Twitter #ARoadsToSummer posts with your holiday photos. I've shared a few of our favourite photos to give you some inspiration.

The best six entries will each win a £500 @nationaltrust holidays voucher! SO what are you waiting for? Dig out your favourite holiday photos or take some new ones to share!

The #ARoadsToSummer competition runs from 24 July to 10 September 2023. Winners will be announced in September 2023.

Good luck!
Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. Oh these two! Every day I feel lucky to have them. As school draws to a close at lunchtime, I’m looking forward to a whole summer with them. My favourite people.

They’ve both had a great year at school this year. Troy’s first without his sister by his side and Athena’s first at secondary school. 

They both had great reports, always did their best and have made some really lovely new friends this year. I could not be more proud of them.

Now, let’s go and enjoy the next six weeks before school starts all over again!
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Christmas · November 15, 2017

An Open Letter to Every Father Christmas

Dear Father Christmas,

I hope you don’t mind me writing to you but I felt I had to speak out and write to you, not just to the Father Christmas, but to every other Father Christmas that puts on that big red suit at this time of year. I know, this may not be your usual job, and it is very much seasonal, but in the eyes of children around the world as soon as you put that suit on you are Father Christmas. And that’s why I just had to write this letter.

An Open Letter to Every Father Christmas

You see, being Father Christmas is such an important job. It’s an honour and a privilege but, once you are suited and booted you really do have big shoes to fill – you need to be everything that Father Christmas is. You need to look like him, have his voice and have that twinkle in your eyes – that twinkle that is full of magic and festive cheer, that twinkle that shows that Christmas really is the most magical time of the year.

It takes a really special person to be Father Christmas. They have to believe. They have to want to make children happy, they have to want Christmas to be magical and they have to want to keep that magic alive for yet another generation of children who look forward to this season of carols, lights and jingle bells all the way through the year.

But, being Father Christmas may not be your first choice of vocation. You may be happy stacking shelves, beeping products through a checkout, serving hot drinks, discussing pensions or dealing with customer complaints all day. Wearing a red suit and hat may have been the furthest thing from your mind when discussing career choices at school.

An Open Letter to Every Father Christmas

But, there you are, given the most important job of the year. You have hundreds of children believing in you and looking forward to that special five minutes where they get to sit with you, tell you how good they’ve been all year and let you know which treasured gift they would most like to find under their Christmas tree when Christmas morning finally comes round.

In those five minutes you are that child’s hopes and dreams. You are their Christmas and you have such a huge responsibility. Many children’s dreams are shattered by a Father Christmas who is just too young, has a beard that doesn’t look too authentic or who is so slim he would never get stuck down the chimney.

An Open Letter to Every Father Christmas

There is nothing better at Christmas than meeting Father Christmas and knowing that he is the real deal. But there is nothing worse than meeting Father Christmas and knowing that he is just a poor imitation, sent by Father Christmas to stand in for him as we all know how busy he is at this time of year.

But whether you are the real McCoy or a stand in sent by Father Christmas himself, have pride in your job. Make those children happy and make sure you are as authentic as you possibly can be. A child’s Christmas magic really does depend on it.

If you are donning that suit for the first time this month make sure you are Father Christmas. The one that the children are hoping to meet – the one that looks like your grandad but with youth in his eyes and the one with the laugh that makes his belly wobble.

An Open Letter to Every Father Christmas

When you stand in your suit and look in the mirror do you see the Father Christmas? Or do you see a man in a suit who would rather be doing his day job? If it’s the latter then it is probably time to hang up your hat. Being Father Christmas isn’t about wearing a suit – it’s about putting on a suit and becoming everything that Christmas is made of. It’s about really being Father Christmas.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this letter, just as much as I appreciate you being Father Christmas. But, if your heart isn’t in it and if you don’t feel like Father Christmas this year then I’m sure there are plenty of other people who would love to help keep that Christmas magic alive – and who would be happy to take on that huge responsibility of really being Father Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Lots of love,

The Wisharts x

In: Christmas

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Comments

  1. Plutonium Sox says

    November 15, 2017 at 9:35 am

    Aww I love this post Donna, it made me smile because you are so right. We saw such an authentic one last year that I’m not sure the girls will believe in any of the others this year. We’ve booked to go and see him again though – I just hope it is the same wonderful Santa there this time!
    Nat.x

    Reply
  2. Amanda says

    November 15, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    You are so right! I’ve seen some Santa’s and just thought ‘no no no, you aren’t Santa’. Kids only believe for such a short time, I hate the thought of a grumpy or non enthusiastic Santa ruining the magic for a child.

    Reply
  3. Emma T says

    November 15, 2017 at 11:29 pm

    Love this. We won’t be going to see Father Christmas this year – N isn’t that fussed. But yes, when you have one that stinks of smoke, or doesn’t smile or be interested in the children, it’s a bit rubbish

    Reply
  4. Sarah says

    November 16, 2017 at 12:57 pm

    We’ve not been to see a Father Christmas with the boys yet but there’s one near here that really does look the part (real beard and everything) and is really good by all accounts so maybe we’ll start the tradition this year 🙂

    Reply
  5. Hannah says

    November 16, 2017 at 8:04 pm

    I know a chap who plays Santa. Around August he stops shaving and grows his beard back again. Even though he has grey hair he has a bright white beard.

    We haven’t decided about whether to take Jaxon or not.

    I love this quote from Miracle on 34th Street “I’m not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I I I’m a symbol. I’m a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If you can’t believe, if you can’t accept anything on faith, then you’re doomed for a life dominated by doubt.”

    Reply
    • Donna Wishart says

      November 16, 2017 at 8:15 pm

      Oh I love that movie! x

      Reply
  6. Laura - Dear Bear and Beany says

    November 18, 2017 at 4:55 pm

    Love this! We saw one a couple of years ago at my nieces school fayre and Alice was only 3 years old, but she asked me why his beard wasn’t attached to him! They spot it even at a young age x

    Reply

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Hi everyone! I'm Donna. Mummy. Blogger. Social Media Manager. Traveller. Lover of stars, rainbows and gin. Firm believer that tea and cake can fix most things.

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