Get outdoors this spring with new walking routes.

Plus a meal plan and rainy day corner.

Happy Friday 🎉

Phew - it’s been a busy, long week and I definitely have that Friday feeling. One of those weeks where you are constantly checking yourself: have I topped up the school dinner money? Did I answer that email? And then, I suddenly remembered today, I was meant to be getting up early every morning to do a seven minute workout and yoga, as part of a new morning routine…Hmmm 🤨 But I did go on a lovely walk with my parents for my dad’s birthday (more on that below), to up the weekly step count.

This newsletter will land in your inboxes every Friday morning and includes:

• Travel - A round up from Northumberland and beyond.

• Kids - A “Rainy Day Corner”

• A meal plan (because I sometimes hate doing this job, so hoping it saves you from having to wrack your brains deciding what’s for tea.)

News from Northumberland and beyond.

This week has definitely felt like spring hasn’t it? At long last! And I have two new walks to share with you, to get us outdoors and soaking up that sunshine (before it disappears again):

• Walltown Country Park (pictured below) looks like a gorgeous location for a family walk. The country park lies on the line of Hadrian’s Wall, near the village of Greenhead. You can find out more and plan your visit here. (Visitor centre opens 31st March after a recent refurbishment.) What3words: emails.spoiled.haggling

Credit: Northumberland National Parl

• Coquet Valley 5mile circular, starting from the picturesque village of Alwinton. Watch this short video of our walk here. This was the one we did on my dad’s birthday and finished with a lovely lunch in the Rose and Thistle pub. Another place that has recently reopened after seeing a refurb, and definitely not one to be missed. I recommend visiting on a lovely sunny day to enjoy the beer garden with the best views!

• Great deal from Alnwick Playhouse - Their Young Members Membership is FREE to join!
  Enjoy cinema tickets for £3 for young members and 15% off at the cafe.
  The adult membership seems pretty good value too, for £5 a month you get discounts on tickets and a free hot drink every month. I often head to the Playhouse to work with the laptop and spend roughly £3.50 on a coffee so this is great!
  You can find out more and sign up on the Playhouse website.

  

  The Rainy Day corner.

  

  Sorry, I’m sharing a painting activity, which I know makes many parents shiver with fear. But at some point, you are going to have to get the paints out and I have two great ways to make the most of a painting session (one is even mess free!)

• Experiment with different objects to paint with: marble rolling through paint, sticks, leaves, potatoes etc. which ones make the best patterns?

• Squirt paint into a zip lock plastic bag (sandwich bag size will do) and seal. Your child can push the paint around inside the bag to make fun patterns and feel the squashy texture. I used to love this activity and the kids did too!

What’s for tea.

Here’s our meal plan for this week. I always struggle to feel inspired writing the meal plan, so hopefully this might give you some inspiration, if you feel the same.

Have a gorgeous weekend and enjoy mother’s day if you are celebrating 🌷

Beth x