I've been 'Safari Parking' since before you where born

Showing my age with that Simpson parody title.

But this week we visited Port Lympne Reserve

And O-M-Goodness it was such an amazing day out.

It's set in some lovely grounds and there is so much space, the little one could really get a head of speed up running about and exploring.

They have such a wide array of animal we started in the part with the big cats. I was a tiny bit unsure of about the cages as there was only one wire mesh guard between them and us. 

I am sure it is sturdy and secure, but when you see such a big and powerful animal pacing. Looking for a way out as he might be a bit peckish and fancy's a bit of Human Rump, a little voice in the back of your head is saying are you sure that's secure enough lol...

But the area it is set in is beautiful and we had such a nice day for it, and as it is set at different elevations at the top you could see all the way to Romney Marsh and the sea, pretty... 

You also get to go on these great Safari Trucks a lot bigger than the one I went on Safari in when I was in Nairobi back in 2010.

Although I would not recommend if you have back problems is was a bit bumpy and the seats were very hard - thanks goodness for all the cooking and eating I do,  as I have a bit of extra padding lol

So lots and lots of animal - Ostriches

   

Fantastical Amazing Rhinos, these are such beautiful creatures, still can't believe they are killing them in the wild.

It 2016 people, magic Rhino horn potion do not work, just get to the proper doctor ask for the little blue pills and it will all be okay. 

Can't remember what these animal were call some kind of antelope - I am probably so, so wrong and as someone is reading this they are shouting at the screen..

Giraffes, I love these animals, think they are cool, like how nature solves problems. 

"The food we like to eat it up high?" 

"hmm tricky"

"I've got it long necks" 

As well as having the huge reserve where the animal roam free, they've also got some lovely habitats for the other animals.

They have meerkats, now as I big Disney Fan I alway think of Timon, out of Timon and Pumba - I'm sorry I will never see them as the advert ones - "Simples" eh.. 

Although he did throw me some shades as you can see from the picture above lol.

As I am such a mega geek I found the enclosure with the Fossa in them and because of "Madagascar" the animated movie I started shouting "FOSSA, FOSSA" and pretending to run away, much to the bemusement of my son and the un-amusement of my Husband. 

Yes there was other people about but I don't care. 

They also have a Gorilla enclosure it actually really nice, but as I think it was such a hot afternoon they preferred it inside. They had this amazing area which had slides and rope swing for them.

I know there is nothing better than the wild, but seeing as their natural habitat is being eroded and they are being killed. I find, if they are in captivity, but it's done in a great way like this is, I think that it can sometime be the best thing. To make sure that they are around in years to come. 

Oh and I saw a monkey with a beard, no really story just thought it was cool. 

Oh wise old monkey tell me your secrets - he said nothing, kept all his secrets to himself lol. 

So fantastic time seeing all the different animals 

The Lions 

The Tigers 

The Bears - OH MY!!

Sorry had to do that!!


Along with the Animal they have a fab Dinosaur forest.

Where they have proper size (well I can only assume they are proper size I admit I am not very knowledgble about the Dinos so big apologies to any paleontologists if I'm wrong) Models of a lot of Dinosaurs.

They are split into different time periods and there is a lot of information dotted around the place.  Although seeing I had a toddler who likes to run about it was hard enough getting pics, I had no time to read anything.

Oh they also have them up in the trees to so make sure you look up.

I though it was a really cool idea and something a bit different to come across.

I think the little one was a bit unsure of them to start off with. 

But he soon came round and decided to make a few friends. 

My verdict on the day - aabsolutelybrilliant.

Now I have a fussy toddler who get board very easily and normally if I can spend up to 2 hours anywhere I consider it a win (At the cinema we lasted 5 minutes it was a nightmare) at this place we arrived at 10.30am and the little one was still going strong when we left at 4pm (well strong in spirit, he slept all the way home).

The only slight thing, and the reason there is no picture was the food, we brought a packed lunch for the little man and we had some of their fast food, Burger and Chips. Have to say I wasn't impressed but to give them a bad food review, I think would be to do them a dis-service.

I wouldn't rate what I had, but going around the park and seeing all the signs it looks like they do amazing food. They have a hotel onsite that does by the looks of it a fantastic afternoon tea as well as having a full service restaurant.

They even have Africa lodges you can hire with a personal chef to cook you dinner.

Both those offering sound amazing, so I'm just going to say I had an off meal and next time I go I will make sure I try one of the nicer places or get a night at a lodge before I properly judge.

So my advice is go and have a great day out.

Spitfires and fire spitting cocktails

So for a brief spell it got hot, very hot over here in Good old England.. As usual I was the height of classiness and sat by my out door pool - well my son's paddling pool.

But hey I'm poor, but I've got imagination so you might see my very untanned legs in 2 inches of water - but in my head my feet are hanging off the side of my yacht in the Med lol

With the sun coming out in force, thank goodness for fruit ciders - this really refreshing Old Mout Cider very fruity and delicious.. The only down side it takes just like juice so you could end up drinking a bit more than initially planned - I only had two bottles so I was okay.  

Quick food update, I know right, most of my post lately have been drink, drink and more drink!! I using the excuse it for the blog and probably not facing up to my problems lol.

In all seriousness I found this fab, brilliant, amazing and lots of other words that describe it's epic-ness, the Med Bar Restaurant down Berwick Street in London Soho.

It has a full restaurant and then this great open window area where you can pick up a fab takeaway lunch. 

The food is great and such good value I got the Chicken and Halloumi Salad - there is so much, I was totally satisfied and stuff after wolfing it all down. For all that food the only a £5 brilliant.

When I wasn't working and eating lovely lunches I took a visit to Imperial War Museum Duxford it is a working airfield with hangers upon hangers full of plans from the start of aviation up to today (They even have a hanger full of tanks).

They were flying my favourite plane, the iconic Spitfire, the sound of it is amazing.

Every time I hear one I am full of emotion, as I think about the  brave men and Women (who had to deliver them between airfield at great risk) who at really wieghed against them odds, got into this little bits of metal and took off to protect all that they hold dear..

Winston Churchill put it best - "Never was so much owed by so many to so few" - oh getting teary when I write this. So a moment of silence for their Amazing sacrifice. 

The Museum itself is such an amazing space, albeit a very big space there is quite a walk between the hangers and on a hot day it was very hard work but so worth it.

You can even walk through a concord, it was  a bit small. It was also one of the few planes you could go on which was a shame but I understand why they don't want people all over the planes lots of expensive kit about.

It good also for the little ones as there is lots of space to run about in and there is an amazing play area for them to explore.

The food offering is also very good, they had lovely treats - my Husband has a healthy lunch of a cookie and a scone.

I opted for a sandwich instead and it was huge, it would fill up an elephant but I struggled through (lol) and good value at only £5.

So a fun day out for every one, ending, like with all great attraction, with a exit through the gift shop.

 I picked up a great ration cook book that I am going to try a few recipes from (although have no idea where to get powdered egg from). I also saw this great poster I wanted to get it and pin it on my wardrobe but it was a bit too big - if only they had it in postcard size.

So after a hard day looking at planes I decided to treat my self to a Pimms.

Now if your unsure of how to make Pimms on my You Tube Channel (Please subscribe) I have put up a video of how I like to make it - Pimms Vlog

(Disclaimer:  I know others make it differently and add cucumber, but I don't want cucumber in my drink so I didn't add it.  Well I'm sorry if you wanted it in there, next time you pop over I'll add it in for you, happy? yes, thank you)

So the drinking was slight exasperated this week, as I  went out two nights - two night and you with a toddler I hear through gasps and exclamations.

I went out with work to a great cocktail bar in Soho call The Escapologist  they do have a happy hour but we got a great offer through Time out for 4 cocktails for £16 total and utter bargain especially for London.

The bar has an interesting history, it use to be an old Mason meeting house and they have kept the decor very mystic and spook but added a couple of modern twist which make it a fun place to visit.  

I started off the night with a classic Long Island Ice tea, very nice and they even made it with diet coke for me which was nice as I find normal cola far to sweet.

It was served in a lovely mason jar.

One of the group had a fun coffee style Martini not 100% sure what the drink was called as I was told but my memory is like a sieve.

The cocktail highlight of the night was definitely the Flaming Zombie - great cocktail and brilliant presentation and worked so well with the slightly Gothic interior. 

So for The Escapologist - I would definitely give it two thumbs up. The atmosphere was great, the decor was fun and interesting, the drinks were amazing and the service was superb. If you in an around SOHO at anytime go there.

I then went out again the next night - what, what, WHAT!!!

I know right, this was a last minute thing as my crazy friend from Amsterdam was over for a couple of days so we grab a quick (4) drink. 

As the hubby wasn't working, meaning  the little one was covered, I venture out for another night in a row.. Gosh it like I'm in my twenties again - although more weighed down with life and responsibilities - yay adulthood. 

This time I went to Black and Blues on Mortimer Street .

So for our first drink, I decided to pair, good friends I haven't seen in a while with an glass of fizz which always works well lol.

After the Fizz we moved on to cocktails as they have a great happy hour of cocktails at £5 each.

My first cocktail was Bubble Trouble -I  am a sucker for a layered cocktail. (My Friend had a Lychill Out) it was a mix of Vodka, Melon, Lychee, Mango and Fizz.

We also thought it was prudent to get some food.

They do amazing food platters we got the Hummus one. 

and a cheese one - (Also we got a portion of chips each but shhh I was trying to pretend I was sophisticated)

For my second cocktail I had a Black and Blue punch (Friend had a Classic Champange Cocktail).

It was a mix of Vodka, Pomegranate Liquor, Lychee and Lime and Fizz, very refreshing

My last cocktail was a Frozen Lava - Fruit Vodka mixed with Forest fruits, creme de mure, hazelnut liquor, cranberry juice and cream.

OMG it was fan-bleeding-tastic.

It tasted exactly like Raspberry ripple ice cream in a glass - so creamy and nommy

And I also think it kinda looks like the planet Jupiter.

To end off the night had some more fizz, but I also found out the flower they had on the table were called, Flaming Katys - Right that is now my favourite flower going to definitely get some for my garden.

Although I do kill every plant I've ever owned so I don't know how long they'll last lol                                              

Last thing as I missed it on the in the Cinema, I got Zootropolis, didn't get much Buzz in the UK so didn't really know what to expect.

Verdict - very good and is worth a watch and another watch, as it's got a lot of in jokes which can be missed on the first viewing.

Vlogging the blogging

So I thought I shake it up a bit...

I've given Vlogging a go this week. We went to  Leeds Castle in Kent to watch the Medieval Jousting.

Although when I say vlog, it's more of a video but I am trying new things and will hopefully be making more of this with a bit more talking from now on (Also apologies for the sound a the start it was a super windy day). 

Will be back next week with a proper blog apologies been hectic what with a new job and not having internet at home don't ask but now I have super fast broadband so will be able to blog quite happily from now on.