this is a page for

Activities

A day at the beach

I’m thoroughly ensconced in California now. We’ve been here nearly two weeks and the girls are officially “tired” of Mexican food. One can never tire of the beach though, and here are some pics from a recent trip to Santa Cruz…    Where we collected lots of shells!   And made …

My perfect day in San Francisco, kids included

Everyone has their own idea of a perfect day in a favourite city– a secret haunt, restaurant, coffee shop or that special view. If you get it right, it's like putting on your favourite sweater. I lived in San Francisco in the 90s when I was single, upwardly mobile and thought I was the luckiest person in the world. If I squint, I can just about remember it. Now I live in the UK and have three gorgeous girls (ages 5, 6 and 8). Of course I wanted to share my favourite city with them. Oh, just an aside, please never say Frisco in my presence.

So what's my perfect day in San Francisco?

Lombard 
Drive down Lombard Street. Enter at the top of Greenwich.

Kids bored this summer? Try these tried and tested recommendations

  Summer is always a challenge with kids. Lack of routine, changeable weather and lots of free time can take its toll. Sure there are lots of places to go, but many are expensive and it can be hit and miss finding a winner. Recommendations are always appreciated. When supersavvyme.com first contacted me …

Do you keep score?

You know what I mean. It’s one the unwritten rules of parenting: a play at ours in exchange for a play at yours. Free childcare with a trusted friend, preferably when you really need it. Of course I am exaggerating a bit here. Mothers don’t really keep a scorecard with ticks on it. No, it’s much more subtle …

The Christmas Lectures: It’s hard not to be interested in science when…

Disclosure: we got free tickets to see this event. Wow. I can tell the Royal Institution’s Christmas Lectures made a lasting impression on my nearly eight-year-old daughter. They made a lasting impression on me. And my husband. Syringes armed with harmful histamines, seeds seeped with deadly nerve poisons: Who knew plants were …

Football: Where are all the girls?

  My oldest (7) was very excited when we moved her schedule around this term so she could play football. She is keen on the sport and has played on and off since she was three. Her early years were spent in California, where “soccer” is as popular with girls as tap or …

Lazy summer days

Santa Cruz is just under a 1/2 hour from where we are staying in California. It's a bit of a curvy ride through the mountains, but when you arrive the air temperature is about 15 degrees cooler than the valley (which can get to 100F) and there are loads of beaches to explore.

One of our favourites is Seacliff, also known as the cement boat beach.

Pier 

The cement boat is at the end of this pier (trust me).

Whatever rows your boat…

Rower2 

I went down to the school gate today with my big Nikon D40 strapped around my neck.