AD - Press Trip | I had such a great weekend at @p AD - Press Trip | I had such a great weekend at @pottersresortsfivelakes with @slwilson84. It was an action packed three nights with a full activity and entertainment programme, great food, lovely drinks and beautiful surroundings. 

The staff go above and beyond to make everyone feel at home and they ensure that everyone has the best time possible. I don’t think I stopped smiling all weekend.

The best thing about Potters holidays is that everything is included in the price you pay. Four meals a day, all your drinks - including wine, Prosecco, most spirits and soft drinks - great accommodation and so many activities. 

I’ll write a full review soon but for now here’s a little Reel of our weekend
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!
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Reviews, Toys, Games and Crafts, Wooden Toys · June 6, 2018

‘Smart’ Additions to our Brio Train Set

Disclosure: We were sent the featured products for the purpose of this post however all opinions are my own.

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive commission if you visit a link and buy something. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust.

I have written so many times about our family’s love of wooden train sets – especially Little Man – and so, more often than not, the whole of our downstairs is strewn with track, buildings and trains. The children create epic cities and transport routes, passenger lines and rails for cargo distribution. They take their train building seriously and when Brio sent us products from their new Smart Tech range they couldn’t wait to see how it added a whole new level to their train playing fun.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

The great thing about Brio’s Smart Tech range is that it’s compatible with any existing train set – and just one Smart Tech product can really open up the game play, inspire more imaginative play and add hours and hours of fun to traditional train set building.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

The first part of our Smart Tech experience came in the shape of the Smart Engine with Action Tunnels. The set takes 2 AA batteries – not supplied – and once turned on the train will do exactly what the tunnels tell it to do, wherever they are on the track.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set
'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

Depending on the tunnels, the engine will stop, back up or blink its lights. So, you can place the tunnels wherever you like on the track, knowing exactly what the engine will do when it reaches them. The children loved being able to make the engine reverse or stop and it really added an extra dimension to their play time.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set
'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

We also added the Smart Washing Station to our wooden train world. It lets trains have a really good wash – where rollers roll and the Smart Engine moves by itself as the sound of water and bubbles is playing.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

The children hadn’t even thought to clean their trains before so this added so much fun and a completely different thought process to their playing. They started thinking more about the logistics of being a train – needing to have a supply of coal, needing to be cleaned and needing to have time to rest as well. It was so nice for the children to think about the bigger picture where their trains were concerned.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set
'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

Before getting the new Smart Tech toys, the children would make a track and act out their own stories and adventures. But now, the train can really play a part in the story and those adventures plus, it really makes the children think about where they are putting the different elements of the Smart Tech sets – and what will happen when the trains pass each of those markers. The children are able to set up whole worlds where the trains can move and act almost on their own – which was so much fun for LP and Little Man.

'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set
'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set
'Smart' Additions to our Brio Train Set

Wooden train sets are a timeless part of childhood. They are something that has been enjoyed for generations – and will continue to be enjoyed by so many children for years to come. But, Smart Tech adds so much to any train set and I know that LP and Little Man love their new ‘Smart’ additions. They have really modernised their train playing experience and added something to their train set that really expands their play time. Smart Tech would really be a great investment for any train set fan.

The Smart Engine with Action Tunnels has an RRP of £44.99 and the Smart Washing Station has an RRP of £24.99

In: Reviews, Toys, Games and Crafts, Wooden Toys

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Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    June 6, 2018 at 11:21 am

    Wow, these look amazing! Mine loved their wooden train set and played with it for years and years although it’s packed up now…I’m almost tempted to get it back out again!

    Reply

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