Setting up your pool for the summer? Tips on keeping it maintained all summer long

A pool, whether a built-in or above-ground pool, such as a large summer paddling pool, is meant to be something that you can enjoy and hopefully use year after year. It's not something that you constantly want to think about fixing, but without regular care, it doesn't take very long for small issues to turn into some very big problems. My kids and I have a large 12-foot above-ground pool that we often set up for the summer months, keeping it up for 1-2 months at a time, which means we need to keep it maintained. That's why you need to stay on top of maintenance. Instead of letting things build up, having a consistent routine will assist you with keeping your pool in great condition with a lot less effort. Small issues add up quickly It's very easy to ignore a little bit of debris or slightly cloudy water, especially if you find that you're very busy. But all of these small issues won't stay small for very long. Consistency keeps things simple. Trying to clean y......

Read more »

7 Ways to Maximize Family Fun at Water Parks

When summer heat waves hit or you're looking for year-round aquatic adventures, water parks offer the perfect escape for families seeking splashy entertainment. Whether you're a local looking for weekend excitement or a visitor exploring a new city, these aquatic wonderlands promise memories that'll last long after you've dried off. Let's dive into the best strategies for making your water park visit absolutely unforgettable. Arrive Early to Beat the Crowds The early bird doesn't just get the worm at water parks; they get the best lounge chairs, shorter lines, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Most families don't arrive until late morning, which means the first two hours after opening are golden opportunities for your crew. Getting there when the gates open allows you to scope out the best spots near your favourite attractions. You'll have time to claim premium seating in shaded areas and get oriented without feeling rushed. Plus, your kids can experience p......

Read more »

How to Pick the Perfect Villa for a Family Holiday

If you are a regular reader of my blog you will probably already know that we love to travel and we are also a big fan of self-catering because with children being able to cook for yourself whenever you want is a major plus as it's less restrictive and more flexible for kids which is what you want when you're on a break away from the day to day routine and hustle bustle of daily life. What we also love about a Villa property is that you can opt for ones that accommodated extended family members as well or even friends, that way you can travel and stay together as a group and also share the cost between more people but not compromise on facilities and location. Why a Villa ? So I have already shared a few good reasons above but personally, the major pluses of a Villa is that it's self-catering and the perfect option for larger groups but it also makes a great home base when you're traveling somewhere new and provides a level of privacy you dont get in a hotel......

Read more »

Encouraging your kids to love swimming

My eldest fell over in a shallow pool when he was about 2yrs old, I was right next to him at the time, he was splashing and laughing and then slipped, he was only under the water for a matter of seconds but that little incident scared him, after that he wasn't so keen to get back in the water. Since then our journey of getting him to love swimming has been a bit up and down but now with his 7th birthday fast approaching it's all changed, he much more confident and has mastered swimming under the water, jumping in and swimming unaided its made for a fun and splash filled summer. Learning from the things that have and have not worked with our eldest we have approached the topic of swimming in a different way with our youngest who at 2.5 and absolutely loves it and together we now have two boys who are equally enthused about the water as I am and it's becoming a family activity we can all do together. My mother and my eldest on holiday in the South of France  S......

Read more »

Classic swimwear that never goes out of fashion

We all love summer, the heat, the outdoor barbecues, the 9pm sunsets. But one thing that’s a little trickier is trying to find the perfect swimsuit. With so many styles, cuts, colours and prices and to choose from, it can be completely overwhelming – especially if you want to be on-trend. Luckily, there are some classic swimwear options out there that are truly timeless and will look great on all body shapes. So let’s get back to the basics and this year find ourselves a classic bathing suit that we can feel confident wearing year after year. The one piece Yes I said it, the one piece is in. It’s timeless and classic and is sure to look good on a variety of body shapes. If you’re worried about all those extra calories you consumed during the winter months you can rest easy, as wearing a well-made, well-fitting one piece can accentuate your curves, down-play your trouble areas and make you look fantastic. If it’s good enough for Marilyn it’s good enough for me. After all......

Read more »

Northern France with P&O and Hotel Du Parc

If you follow our family travel adventures on Instagram you may have already noticed that at the beginning of summer we spent a long weekend exploring the small village of Hardelot in Northern France as well as the fascinating sea centre Nausicaa in Boulogne-sur-Mer.  We have done a fair few short European breaks taking either the Eurostar or Ferry although always as foot passengers so my eldest was extremely excited at the prospect of driving our car onto a ferry and driving off again in another country. The journey from South Wales to Dover  is just over 4hrs so we decided to stay at a Premier Inn on the way down from Cardiff to split up the journey. This meant we were only an hour away from the ferry terminal in the morning making for a far more relaxed start to what would be a long day. Once we arrived into Dover, the check-in service for our P&O Ferry   was very quick and straight forward despite there being cues later in the season our experience......

Read more »

Our holiday on the French Riviera with James Villas

Before I had Mr A I spent a season working in Nice in the South of France and ever since then I have always wanted to return with the family in tow and show them what a beautiful part of the world it is, as well as explore more of the wonderful French Riviera, so what a better time than over my 30th birthday. We have all been feeling somewhat sun-starved of late and this week-long break in September to a warmer climate was just what we all needed, in fact I think it's been the longest Mr A has had spent in shorts and a t-shirt, which was really lovely to see. Since having Mr A our preferences when it comes to travelling have obviously changed and we much prefer to stay in self-catering accommodation these days as it's so much more accommodating when it comes to families so we were over the moon to be able to stay in such a beautiful Villa from James Villas  and with the easy driving distance to both Cannes and Nice as well as literally minutes away from the beautiful vill......

Read more »

Holiday sneak peak

So for those who don't follow me on instagram - I have been sharing a few sneaky peaks of our amazing holiday on there. We are finally back home after nearly two weeks away which included two  nights in Paris before heading down to the South of France and our beautiful JamesVillas Villa, exploring the coast, riding the high-speed train across the french countryside and finishing with a fun night and day in London. We celebrated two birthdays, ate good food, swam in the pool and the sea, ate cake and way too much cheese and buttery delights, saw the sights all while running after our little man.  Can't wait to share all of what we got up to with you all. ...

Read more »

Swimming - the perfect family activity

Mr A enjoying running through the water at the seaside As a family we love to keep fit and active, not only does it make you feel better about yourself but it's also a great way to bond as a family. We go out nearly every day except when it's really throwing down cats and dogs and for those days the pool is our place of sanctuary and it's an activity that truly is perfect for all ages from toddlers to grandparents. Have you tried... ...spending a day at the pool by spending points with Nectar Swim? We all know the health benefits associated with a few regular lengths, and making a splash at the local pool can be brilliant fun too! Now Nectar cardholders can redeem their Nectar points on a swimming session at hundreds of participating pools across the UK, whether you feel like some family fun or want a good underwater workout. To help you enjoy Nectar Swim to its fullest, we've put together a few of our favourite pool based activities, perfec......

Read more »