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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Ordinary Moments · April 2, 2017

Switching Off {The Ordinary Moments}

I’ve realised that, in life, there aren’t many times when I truly switch off. There is always something in my head, something that needs doing, something that needs planning or organising. Now that I work from home too there is always work to do, housework to do, meals to plan, cooking, school runs and so many other things.

Switching Off {The Ordinary Moments}

I sit down to watch a movie with the children or to do some crafts with them and I have so much going on in my head – chores that need doing, work that I need to do – emails to reply to, photos to take, posts to write. It’s so easy to pop and put some washing on whilst watching a movie or unload the dishwasher, never sitting to watch the whole thing. Or I set the children up with some crafts, show them what to do and then potter around tidying up or prepping dinner.

I never switch off. Even in the evenings I am on my laptop whilst watching TV or if I turn the laptop off to watch one of our favourite shows I’ll have a mental list of things to do, replying to emails in the advert breaks and turning the laptop on again once the show has finished.

I realised recently that there are only two times that I do actually, completely switch off. When I go for monthly massages I have an hour where I can’t do anything other than relax. I lay there and enjoy the massage, trying not to think of the work I have to do, the jobs I’ve left back at home and everything else that needs doing and instead just embrace that hour of time to do nothing. And what a wonderful hour it is – the only time I really am by myself and doing nothing.

But, I also switch off when we go to the cinema – with the children or as a family. I sit and I watch a movie from start to finish, taking it all in and enjoying it. There are too many distractions when watching a movie at home but at the cinema I can do nothing but enjoy it and enjoy the children’s reactions to the movie too. A couple of hours of darkness and focus. I think my love of this time to just do nothing but enjoy a movie is why we go to the weekend cinema sessions so often – it’s lovely to actually focus on one thing and switch off for a little while.

I need to learn to switch off at other times too. To be able to sit and turn my mind off, to not worry about my to-do list and the little jobs that need doing. But for now, I’ll make the most of massages and cinema trips – my time to switch off and just be.

If you have an ordinary moment this week, come and link up with myself and Katie – we love reading your posts each week.

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In: Ordinary Moments

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Comments

  1. Sherry says

    April 2, 2017 at 8:02 am

    I struggle to switch off, in fact I’m often seen watching a tv show, writing a list or something and listening to an audiobook in one ear, keeping up with all but it’s how I stay on top of everything in the evening. I should probably switch off more, but all I’d probably do is sleep 😉 x

    Reply
  2. Hannah | The Simple Things says

    April 2, 2017 at 9:28 am

    I love going to the cinema for that reason too! I get quite bad anxiety and switching off is one of the things I am working on, through mindfulness and trying to drop my standards a bit, but it is really hard. I think one of the things I am struggling to accept is that Instead of working out a way I can fit it all in better, I need to work on prioritising and cutting out the things that aren’t important, or accepting that they can wait for another day!

    Reply
  3. Laura | Little Ladies Big World says

    April 2, 2017 at 1:14 pm

    I am really awful for this and would love to be able to switch on and off better, I seem to be in a constant state of in the middle! Glad you have a couple of things to help you and i definitely need to go to the cinema more as you’re right it is the best switch off x

    Reply
  4. Susan Mann says

    April 2, 2017 at 7:00 pm

    I think we could all do this a bit more. I know o am so guilty of this. A monthly massage sounds good though x

    Reply
  5. Plutonium Sox says

    April 2, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Yep I’m like that too, find it really hard to switch off. swimming is my time to switch off, I need to try to make more time to stop thinking as well as stop doing.
    Nat.x

    Reply
  6. Joanna says

    April 3, 2017 at 7:14 pm

    Im definitely like this too and when I think about it,its no wonder I sometimes feel so overwhelmed. I definitely need to start switching off more.

    Reply
  7. Jenni says

    April 4, 2017 at 10:18 pm

    It is so hard to switch off with the zillion things that we alwayshave to do. Monthly massages sound perfect x

    Reply
  8. Jemma says

    April 7, 2017 at 12:41 am

    That’s totally true about the cinema! I can so relate to this and clearly need to go to the cinema more! I am even worse in that, in the evenings, I’m always typing or tapping away during my fav shows! I must stop that!

    Reply
  9. Mary Smith says

    April 10, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Loved this Donna. I struggle so much with switching off too, its hard. But I am glad you had that moment to be in the moment with the kids at the cinema and enjoy it all. x #ordinarymoments

    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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