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Adventures

A taste of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

This weekend saw ZSL Whipsnade Zoo hold their Elephantastic event. Supported by Mr Kipling, this celebration was in aid of Elephant Appreciation Weekend to raise money for international science and conservation charity ZSL’s Asian elephant conservation and research projects.

Elephantastic treated visitors to elephant encounters, family activities and fascinating talks that help make a difference to elephant conservation. This included feeding an elephant a snack, a behind-the-scenes guided tour of the elephant barn and learning how the zoo’s vets keep the elephants healthy. In addition, there were a whole host of activities on offer. The conservation station was a great way to educate children about elephants including how much they eat and drink. There was also a jumbo crafts tent where POD got to make her own elephant mask to the sounds of Africa.

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Elephantastic weekend at Whipsnade Zoo

Yesterday we got the opportunity to better understand nature’s gentle giants. The Elephantastic weekend at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, supported by Mr Kipling, took place on Saturday 19th September and is continuing today (Sunday 20th September).

This remarkable weekend-long celebration of these majestic creatures marks the world-wide Elephant Appreciation Weekend, raising money for international science and conservation charity ZSL’s Asian elephant conservation and research projects.

Asian elephants are classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. They are also classified as one of ZSL’s Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species, a threatened species with a significant amount of unique evolutionary history. ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme highlights and protects some of the weirdest and most incredible species on the planet. They represent a unique and irreplaceable part of the world’s natural heritage with an alarming proportion currently sliding silently towards extinction.

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Win tickets to the Family Travel Show

Although the Doves were well travelled before POD came along, I love that we’re able to travel as a family now. There’s nothing better than discovering the World together and seeing the excitement through a four year old’s eyes.

The Family Travel Show, taking place at London’s Olympia, is the UK’s first exhibition completely dedicated to families who want to travel. Family holidays are precious memories in the making and a chance to spend that all important quality time together. Whether its a beach break, an all-inclusive cruise, skiing in Austria or a wildlife safari in South Africa, there’s something for everyone. And we’re giving away five pairs of tickets (kids under 16 go free).

Family Travel Show

Highlights of the show include:

The biggest collection of specialist family travel operators under one roof
Get face-to-face with the best family holiday providers and specialist operators. They will be on hand to offer advice on everything from all-inclusive luxury getaways, exciting cruise voyages, action-packed resorts and family-friendly villas to intriguing adventures, thrilling ski holidays and incredible wildlife safaris. Discover amazing trips that are hard to find online or on the High Street.

Over 50 FREE Show Talks
With a large selection of show talks across three different theatres you have the chance to gain inspiration and information from celebrity speakers, travel writers and bloggers, journalists and family travel experts. Speakers include Benedict Allen and Simon Calder!

The talks will include travel tales and practical guidance, details on new destinations, cultures and experiences, and how to plan for every different type of family holiday imaginable.

shutterstock final

Young Travellers Photography Competition & Exhibition
Do you have children who love taking charge of the camera on your travels? If so, then the Young Travellers Photography Exhibition is perfect! This exciting new photography competition has one simple aim – to inspire young travellers to capture their adventures while exploring the world with their family.

Winners and selected images will feature in the Young Travel Photographers Exhibition at the Family Travel Show. To enter please visit www.familytravelshow.com.

Esprit Ski Crèche

Esprit Ski are offering a complimentary crèche for children aged between 17 weeks and 8 years old, giving parents peace of mind so that they can enjoy the show knowing their children are having a great time being cared for by Esprit Ski’s fully experienced child care team.

As the ‘Number 1 Family Ski Company’ they have over 30 years’ experience in Child Care and will make sure that your children have great fun in a safe and stimulating environment. With high ratios, excellent security procedures and a wealth of knowledge and experience, their team will ensure that your children will have just as much fun as you at the show.

Family Travel Show ski

National Geographic Traveller Explorers’ Corner
Get ready to discover the world with a visit to the National Geographic Traveller Explorers’ Corner. Be inspired with expert advice and insight from the National Geographic Traveller Family team who will be on hand with oodles of great ideas for family adventures, from the Caribbean to Italy, the UK, theme park trips and more.

So whether you are looking to plan an independent adventure or are looking for a guide with updates on the latest and greatest family holiday destinations, start your trip at Explorers’ Corner.

Father and Son

Escape Events Ltd are offering you the opportunity to win tickets to the Family Travel show. They are giving away five pairs of tickets to attend on one of the 2 days – 31st October or 1st November 2015.

Please note this competition is only open to UK residents over 18 years of age. Full terms and conditions can be found in the Rafflecopter giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Southampton Boat Show

Last Friday saw Europe’s largest boating festival sail into Southampton marking the start of the 47th Southampton Boat Show. Taking place up to the Sunday 20th September, the event showcases some 600 exhibitors with hundreds of legendary boats on display including 330 at the show’s marina alone. Incredibly, it is one of the largest built in Europe with over 2km of pontoons. In addition, there are 100 boats making their debut including 20 World debuts, 48 UK debuts and 6 European.

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A glorious day at Hatchlands Park

Originally built in the 1750’s for a naval hero and his wife, Hatchlands Park has since housed wealthy families, was a finishing school and even a printing press. Now the National Trust owned mansion is a family home containing tenant Alec Cobbe’s collection of paintings and fine furniture.

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A sunny stroll in Frensham

The stunning Frensham Little Pond, and Great Pond, in Surrey were created in the 13th century, when the Plantagenet King Henry III was on the English throne. The Bishop of Winchester wanted a fish supply for when he visited Farnham Castle and ordered that ponds should be created at Frensham.

It was formed by building an ironstone wall (some of the original stonework remains) across a shallow valley and damming a stream entering the other end of the pond, which came from a spring in the grounds of Silverbeck, Churt.

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Beach huts and a mermaid in West Wittering

Last weekend we made an impromptu trip to the coast. With the promise of temperatures of up to thirty degrees, we left the house at the crack of sparrows in a quest southward to West Wittering. Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, West Wittering Beach in Sussex is a large sandy beach located a stones throw away from Chichester Harbour.

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POD and the little black pony

Last week we escaped to a National Trust favourite to blow away a few cobwebs. Hatchlands Park is nestled in the Surrey Hills and luckily for us located a short drive away from where we live. The mansion is a family home containing a collection of paintings and fine furniture as well as Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments. Hatchlands Park also has some 400 acres of ancient woodland and parkland – the perfect playground for four year old POD.

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Cascade de L’Ucelluline, Santa Maria Poggio

The stunning Cascade de L’Ucelluline is located on the border between the villages of Santa Maria Poggio and San Nicolao in Corsica. We’d heard about this hidden waterfall through staff at the San Lucianu Beach Resort.

We spent the majority of our time utilising the activities on resort. We’d also visited the magnificent village of Cervione for a couple of hours so I was excited to see what else the local area had to offer. With the age limit for the walk 14+, POD stayed on resort with Daddy that afternoon while I headed to the waterfall with a few fellow bloggers and our Mark Warner Guide.

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What’s on the menu at San Lucianu?

As POD’s Great Grandparents would say we’re “good trencher-men” a phrase for hearty eaters that goes back to medieval times when the trencher was a wooden plate. Although we’ll eat pretty much anything that’s put in front of us we’ve also been known to frequent dining establishments owned by sweary and unclothed celebrity chefs so we know how good food can be.

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