Amsterdam and Disney Plans

So I did go to Amsterdam again yay..

Although when I got back I had a horrendous cold and cough so bit late putting up my blog post.

So Amsterdam

This time we went by Train and my mum offered to look after the little one so after nearly 3 years me and the hubby got a child free break together.

Picked up the Eurostar at Ebbsfleet to Brussels Midi, The train was really nice. We did have pre booked seats but when we go to them we found a family with a couple of children both under 3 in tow and were spreading out.

Seeing it was just the two of us and we know the pain of traveling with a little one,  let alone two, we let them keep our seats and we sat int he exit one in between carriages.

Actually wasn't to bad as it gave my DH a lot of extra leg room and being 6'4 that always helpfu,l and it also got us sitting closer to our friends - As they booked before us as we could book on the trip till we knew we definitely had child cover (Ah the joys of parenthood).

And of course we we brought some fizz and some snacks to enjoy while racing through, the English, French and Brussels countryside.

When we got to Brussels Midi Station we had a 50 min wait, so  I enjoyed a Belgium beer, well I've had a Manhattan in Manhattan a Kiev in Kiev and a Singapore Sling in Singapore so had to be done. 

we then had to get a connecting Thalys train - OMG the trains on the continent are brilliant so much better than the UK and from what I can see so much cheaper (UK Sort it out) and in just over an hour we where in the lovely Amsterdam.

So After a great train trip we managed to get slightly lost coming out of the station we found our way to our hotel. 

The hotel looked fab but it had no hot water and they said they'd give me a discount because of it but didn't so I'm not going to plug them as I won't be staying there again.

So after getting in to the hotel and freshening up we headed in the to city center. Had to stop and have one of my favorite beer - Pauliner as you can't get in the UK bummer :(

We walked about taking in the sights and then of course we had to stop for Bitterballen I have had this every trip and I am obsessed. I'm going to try and get some for the Christmas period (I know it's September but I'm already in the planning stages of Chrimbo)

We paired it with some yummy fizz and some chips and dips.

Oh and of course some bread and hummus and yes the diet went right out the window and into one of the canals.

We managed to go back to the sports bar we went to on the first trip. A lovely trip down memory lane and this time instead on just having one customer we must have gone on a busy night as there was about 5 patron and we double the number.

We drunk 43s and reminisced about the crazy of the first trip but as we had hubby in toe we weren't as mental as the first trip lol 

This time we even managed to see Anne Franks house, although as we got there late it was already closed. 

I do plan to have a cultural trip to Amsterdam one of these days and see all the other sight apart from the bars.

After a bit of a pub crawl we headed back to the hotel.

The next day we planned to meet up with our friend who lives in Amsterdam again as we had a boat trip planned.

I spotted this lovely flower outside someones house I love how the city has some many residential spaces and the bit tall skinny houses that I would love to live in.

I could definitely live in this city it's so relaxed.

we went back to Restaurant Cafe in De Wagg - My god I'm a nightmare, I go somewhere and instead of trying something new I do the same things, Must be a creature of habit.

It was a lovely day so we sat outside and I got to have another Pauliner yay.

It was all going so well until the chef dropped ketcup on my leg and a bit got on my friends husband but most of it got on me and they offered him a free drink, the cheek of it all.

Looks like a bad accent but I was okay, a bit sticky, but okay. 

So after I cleaned myself up we headed to a supermarket bought some nibbles and Fizz and headed to the docks to pick up the boat.

This is the life, OMG it was so relaxing and so amazing. Such a great way to see the city and on a hot and sunny day like the one we had it was great,

Now being a parent of a 2 nearly 3 year old is super fun but you don't get a lot of time just to sit and take it all in.

Also just to take break and spending some adult time without wondering what crazy he's got himself in to .

So it was really just what I needed a bit of downtime to shoot the breeze with my pals and let my hair down.

I also found my perfect house look at this house boat it massive and would be a great place to live. Although probably not the best idea with a little one who's obsessed with water lol.

At the end of the trip as it was so hot coupled with the fact there was a lot of booze and I am a mother so tired all the time after we had finished I decided to "relax" (sleep) at the hotel.

Actually glad I decided to stay in as it meant I felt human the next day. We ended up in a great cafe call Bagels & Beans the hubby might have made the wrong decisions by having the carrot juice.

The bagels were amazing, well you would hope if there featured in the title of the restaurant. 

I had an Avocado and cream cheese and it was Nom with a capital Nommy.

So after some good food and feeling restored. The hubby and I took one last stroll around the city.

It is stunning and I can't recommend coming here enough. With my friend living there now I will probably be going every year, although the Hubby and I decided that we going to visit some more European cities.

Thinking of staying in Northern Europe especially the Nordic areas as Europe from the UK is so cheap and if the other city are half as lovely as Amsterdam we'll be on to a winner.

We did stop for a bit of Pizza before we headed to the train station it was okay but we should have had something more traditional for our last meal. It was tasty though and 2 slices and two drinks for just 10 euros you can't go wrong.

The train ride back was amazing, we got an upgrade as it was cheaper than the standard fare. 

On the Thalys train which were lovely and clean and really comfortable,

We sat in Comfort 1, very nice, we got some wine and a little treat to eat, which was really great while we where relaxing.

But the Eurostar Standard premium was even better, you get a great light lunch and with wine and a cake for afterwards. The chairs were comfortable and now I know when I travel Eurostar again I'm traveling like this,

Although if can get a deal like I got this time I will need to same up, See that's my problem I have Champagne taste but a value beer budget lol.

I need to find a job where someone will pay me lots of money to eat and drink stuff - yeah in my dreams lol.

So I was back feeling down because I got sick, boo colds!! but my Fast Pass Window open so I could book all my FP ticket.

For those who don't know what Fast Pass Plus  is (What how do you not know lol) is a free disney perk offered to all customer in advance (60 days for onsite guest and 30 days for off site) to book 3 line skip passes per day for your favorite rides.

Basically you pick the time and the ride and you can make sure you can ride all your favs. Well if you're going all that way you don't want to miss out on what you really want to do.

Actually I probably haven't explained it very well head over to the Disney website and they have the proper explanation there.

It meant I got to sort out my plans for my Disney trip this November. By doing this it has made me even more (didn't think it was possible) excited it's going to be such a fun trip.

I managed to get the big rides the new Frozen right and the seven dwarf mine train which are fantastic rides but also fit in with my plans as I needed to pick rides that the little one can go on with us too (well I did get one FP+ for the Rockin Roller coaster for me).

In between then and now, I've got a busy couple of weeks, off to Scotland for a week to visit the in laws then it's the little ones 3rd birthday.

Oh and I might be getting ticket to the Harry Potter play. That on top of the usual craziness that happens in my life so going to have some cool things.

Also will starting my plans for Christmas as I'm at home this year and going to make it as big and chritmassy as possible yay Christmas!!! .

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.

Sorry but hey Cocktails

Hi guy firstly apologies that I haven't posted in a month just, been super busy with my new job and other things but now I'm back in full effect 

Firstly my friend bought me this awesome watering can.

I have decided to named Lady Florence of Anglesey. Yes I do like to give my inanimate objects crazy names

Oh and one night I came home this week to this from my Darling Husband as I was having a bad day.

So I went for a night out in town with my mum, to go and see Motown in the west end, ooh posh.

Firstly we did some window shopping and I got a fab pep talk from the Libery Window 

After that we went to a fab bar/restaurant called Portraits at the top of the National Portrait Gallery it's got a fab view and even better cocktails.

We had some martini straight up 

And a fab Earl grey tea margarita 

The staff was so nice they even gave a taster of another cocktail they do.

We then went on to Mr Foggs Gin Bar 

I loved the drink called 'Old Fashion Fanny' which in the UK has hilarious conitations 

But in the end when for a gin base cocktail which was okay although a bit too sweet for me. 

Loved the presentation in the old beer glass 

They even give you the bill in a quirky tin 

Then on a futher walk around we ended up going by a gallery which had the Bansky Dismaland art which as a Disney fan is cool 

We then stopped for dinner in Zizzi where I enjoyed a fab Pinot was going to photograph my food but after all the cocktails was so hungry.

We carried with a few drinks in the Theatre and by the way Motown is awesome.

But as it was a very late night needed a midnight snack on the way home. Why does drinking always make me want to eat bad food lol 

To end the week I treated myself to some fab hotel chocolate 

And as the sun came out for a bit a nice cold cobra beer 

But tomorrow it's the Kent County Shoe so I'm going to blog Vlog and hopefully periscope