Sadly all good things come to an end, and off we went, tired but happy, eagerly looking forward to the next leg of our adventure.
Wednesday 6 January 2016
29th June 2014, Something Exciting is about to happen
28th June 2015 - Buffalo Grill, let the food shots begin!
After our Tunnel crossing we found a cheap motel on the outskirts of Boulogne sur Mer, complete with Buffalo Grill.
The children enjoyed a mixed dessert platter and Chloe learned some new words "Barbe a Papa" (candy floss).
My choice, as ever, was a lovely cheese platter...
...followed by coffee and Armagnac. The perfect start to our French adventures.
The children enjoyed a mixed dessert platter and Chloe learned some new words "Barbe a Papa" (candy floss).
26th June 2015 - all Set For Adventure
We are about to set off on our summer adventure, using Chloe's campervan as a camper for the first time ever. As you can see it is not a formal conversion as such, rather a collection of IKEA furniture strategically placed to provide accommodation.
Thursday 23 April 2015
Budget Beer and Pizza night
Thursday is our Friday in this house, and after the last mindee has gone home we like to relax with something very simple to eat. As we are in the depths of frugality in the run up to our summer adventures the very easy option of a phone call to Dominos for take away pizza is just not happening, but with a bit of clever shopping at our new ALDI we can still enjoy pizza and beer on a budget.
We have enjoyed Stone baked pepperoni pizza at £0.85 each, a 2l bottle of cola for £0.39, a pack of pretend Snickers for £0.59 and 4 tins of St Etienne lager (kind of like Stella) for £2.79. Total £5.47. The same from Dominos would have been well over £20 and that is without the beer which would have added another £5. Who says you can't live well for less. Thank you ALDI. www.tellaldi.com
We have enjoyed Stone baked pepperoni pizza at £0.85 each, a 2l bottle of cola for £0.39, a pack of pretend Snickers for £0.59 and 4 tins of St Etienne lager (kind of like Stella) for £2.79. Total £5.47. The same from Dominos would have been well over £20 and that is without the beer which would have added another £5. Who says you can't live well for less. Thank you ALDI. www.tellaldi.com
Tuesday 31 March 2015
http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/disneyland-paris?utm_term=vffria#.ebqBjar87
Disneyland Paris Hacks
Disneyland Paris Hacks
Packing Essentials
I am the Queen of overpacking, but this year WILL be different, I am quite determined.
You know that there is no way of packing for 3 people for a 6 week trip without needing to do some laundry. Camp site machines are often expensive, not terribly efficient and there can be great competition for them, so about 3 years ago I invested in one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Washing-Machine-Camping-Motorhome/dp/B00NVEJP8K
It paid for itself the very first trip we did with it and now saves time and money every year. This year I am determined that it is going to save packing space as well.
Reading Light
Whether it is in Chloe's Campervan or a budget hotel, a reading light makes a huge difference to settling down with a book at bed time. Often in the budget hotels the only light in the room is a central strip light of some description, not conducive to anyone's comfort or helpful when small people want to sleep, so a bedside light creates a more pleasant ambience and everyone is happy.
You know that there is no way of packing for 3 people for a 6 week trip without needing to do some laundry. Camp site machines are often expensive, not terribly efficient and there can be great competition for them, so about 3 years ago I invested in one of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Portable-Washing-Machine-Camping-Motorhome/dp/B00NVEJP8K
It paid for itself the very first trip we did with it and now saves time and money every year. This year I am determined that it is going to save packing space as well.
Reading Light
Whether it is in Chloe's Campervan or a budget hotel, a reading light makes a huge difference to settling down with a book at bed time. Often in the budget hotels the only light in the room is a central strip light of some description, not conducive to anyone's comfort or helpful when small people want to sleep, so a bedside light creates a more pleasant ambience and everyone is happy.
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Money money money - or lack thereof
*sigh*
It is that time of year again, the holiday is due to be paid, Chloe's Campervan needed a new clutch (nearly £700, oh my!), the rental property seems to need work done to it every week so the income is down while the bills relentlessly demand paying. March also sees 2 family birthdays and a mindee's birthday *weep*.
We have hit frugal mode. This week we are living out of our freezer and store cupboards, and the boy forgot to tell me that we were out of dog food, so the dogs are on emergency rations (scraps, leftovers etc) until Friday as well. It is not a dire as you might fear however, as I have so many bits and pieces squirrelled away. Last night we had pasta with a very nice roasted vegetable sauce and some gammon chopped through it, and I also made butter using two tubs of whipping cream, also hiding in the freezer. The dogs dined enthusiastically, if not ideally, on the dregs of various cereals that filled a large Kilner jar, mixed with some leftover curry (mild) from the fridge that had been sitting too long to risk feeding to the family and nobody went to bed hungry.
Today the small girl and small mindee have lunched on rice with tuna, peas and a dash of soy sauce, and the boy has polished off the rest of last night's pasta. Tonight the two mindees and the small girl will enjoy pizza, and garlic bread made from rolls in the freezer and some of my home made butter, while the boy and I will use up some M&S chicken Kiev and roast potatoes. The dogs will be dining on any leftovers we may have, supplemented by a block of vegan cheese (vile stuff!), bread sauce and some bread.
I am looking forward to getting some proper dog food on Friday, as I don't think this is a sustainable way for the girls to eat long term, but I am very much relishing the challenge for the rest of us.
It is that time of year again, the holiday is due to be paid, Chloe's Campervan needed a new clutch (nearly £700, oh my!), the rental property seems to need work done to it every week so the income is down while the bills relentlessly demand paying. March also sees 2 family birthdays and a mindee's birthday *weep*.
We have hit frugal mode. This week we are living out of our freezer and store cupboards, and the boy forgot to tell me that we were out of dog food, so the dogs are on emergency rations (scraps, leftovers etc) until Friday as well. It is not a dire as you might fear however, as I have so many bits and pieces squirrelled away. Last night we had pasta with a very nice roasted vegetable sauce and some gammon chopped through it, and I also made butter using two tubs of whipping cream, also hiding in the freezer. The dogs dined enthusiastically, if not ideally, on the dregs of various cereals that filled a large Kilner jar, mixed with some leftover curry (mild) from the fridge that had been sitting too long to risk feeding to the family and nobody went to bed hungry.
Today the small girl and small mindee have lunched on rice with tuna, peas and a dash of soy sauce, and the boy has polished off the rest of last night's pasta. Tonight the two mindees and the small girl will enjoy pizza, and garlic bread made from rolls in the freezer and some of my home made butter, while the boy and I will use up some M&S chicken Kiev and roast potatoes. The dogs will be dining on any leftovers we may have, supplemented by a block of vegan cheese (vile stuff!), bread sauce and some bread.
I am looking forward to getting some proper dog food on Friday, as I don't think this is a sustainable way for the girls to eat long term, but I am very much relishing the challenge for the rest of us.
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