| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| tahir |
A week in JulyWhere to go? I fancy somewhere that we can get to by train, three sprogettes under 5 and me and the missus.Any suggestions welcome. |
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| bernie-woman |
What kind of accommodation are you looking for?? 
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| Simon |
You could come here Tahir and offer me some advice on my capsicums
Not sure about a train journey all this way with three kids in tow tho' 
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| tahir |
Self accommodation | ||||
| Andy B |
Paris! | ||||
| mochyn |
What about somewhere near here? Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Welshpool... all on rail lines, and you can get to all sorts of places from each of them. And I could pop over and say hello! | ||||
| Simon |
Eurodisney is good | ||||
| tahir |
You what??? 
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| mochyn |
Good what?! | ||||
| tahir |
Actually you're right there I could borrow a minibus from someone at work, the kids could take their bikes too. The big problem I've got is that I've never really been anywhere in the UK apart from the big cities, all my tourism has been abroad 
So let's say: 1. Self Catering 2. Within 3 hours drive of London 3. Kid Friendly |
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| bernie-woman |
A friend of mine has stayed here http://www.english-country-cottages.co.uk/uce/ecc?view=details&action=readDetails&cottageId=407256&holidayPark=N&sleeps=5&propertyTypeId= with her kids and recommends emglish country cottages very highly.
She has also stayed on a number of farms around the country which has been great for the kids English country cottages can be a bit pricey peak season though |
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| tahir |
That looks great Bernie. | ||||
| Behemoth |
Northumberland Coast - endless sandy beaches, Castles, Alnwick castle and Gardens (harry potter connection and new tree house for the sprogs), old smoke houses that'll let you visit, poke around and buy their very fresh products (Seahouses and Craster), Farne Islands, Holy Island (don't bother with the castle)....
A meal at the ship Inn at Low Newton by the sea is a must: http://www.theshipinnnewtonbythesea.co.uk/ ...Seahouses can be a bit tacky (but the kids might like that) and crowded around the main drag but off the beaten track and when everyone goes home it becomes all sleepy again with excelent chippies and it makes a good base Getting around - you can go up and down the train line but will have to rely on taxis and buses as well. It's not very hilly so is good for bikes. http://northumbria-cottages.co.uk/index.html |
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| Aled |
South Wales - Pembrokeshire. Beautiful beaches, long walks pretty villages. If the kids get bored there's Folly Farm. Good train links to Swansea at least from the big smoke.
Tenby is lovely out of season, though I'm not sure what it'll be like in July. |
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| Behemoth |
and it's about 3 hours from Kings Cross. | ||||
| Andy B |
Dorset, bootifull. | ||||
| mochyn |
Behemoth: where are the smokehouses? I'm often up that way. I'll swap you for the one in Orford (Suffolk)! | ||||
| Behemoth |
Seahouses and Craster. I prefer the Seahouses one, though Craster's certainly worth a visit as well, especially the walk upto Dunstanburgh Castle. All ruined, perched on the cliffs, surrounded by fields and the nearest road is a mile away so everybody has to walk there, then back for tea and crab sandwhiches.
My wife was pregnant when we went and we gorged on kippers for a week. The result appears to be a disturbingly intelligent daughter. |
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| tahir |
Bernie's link in Shropshire sounded good, steam railways, horse drawn canal boats etc, and they had availablity so I've booked it, thanks everybody | ||||
| bernie-woman |
Gosh - hope it is OK for you I am now feeling a dreadful sense of responsibility for your holiday  
I can recommend the canal boats and the severn valley railway also hoo farm for the kids http://www.hoofarm.com/ and blists hill victorian town in Ironbridge http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/v_blists.asp Fingers crossed you will get good weather - it is absolutely scorching here at the moment
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| tahir |
Don't worry, it'll be fine.
I fancied Shropshire to be honest, dunno why, maybe Ironbridge? |
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| Behemoth |
It's allright Bernie, he's just passed on the finest Kippers in the world.
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| tahir |
You know what I've NEVER had kippers in my life. | ||||
| Behemoth |
If you pop in to the Jackfield tile museum at ironbridge and get to see their workshop, they could well be working on my order for the hall floor, it's due to be shipped towards the end of July.
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| tahir |
Sounds brill, I'd love to go there. | ||||
| Northern_Lad |
I hope your're going to make sure they're waring their helmets going up the M6. (Still think it's a bit cruel to make them ride when you've got a mini-bus) |
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| tahir |
Kids nowadays have it far too easy, they need toughening up. |
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| judith |
I think it only fair to warn you that you will be staying dangerously near to both myself and Mochyn! | ||||
| bernie-woman |
The sad thing is that the kids on their bikes would probably get there before you on the M6
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| tahir |
Well it'd be nice to meet you all, we could do lunch or summat? |
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| Behemoth |
Here's a link to their website - you can just drop in to workshop between 10 and 3 and the kids can get to design their own tile. Doesn't say anything about actually making a tile though.
http://www.cravendunnill-jackfield.co.uk/ |
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| tahir |
They'll love that, maybe you could use it in your house? |
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| judith |
Sounds good. It would be nice to see that another Downsizer actually exists! |
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| Behemoth |
Keep it clean though, you know how I feel about smut
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| Jonnyboy |
Norfolk broads, you know you want to. | ||||
| Nanny |
a week in julyyou could try here, don't know if they are fully bookedhttp://www.eastonfarmpark.co.uk/page.php?pageid=26 they are very well appointed and you have the run of the farm with horses, goats, pigs etc kids love it, soem families come back regularly the cottaes are very nice (i have seen inside) dont' know how much though |
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| tahir |
Thanks for all the suggestions folks we're booked up in Shropshire now. | ||||
| dougal |
For shame! If you can't get to Craster, Waitrose will bring Craster Kippers to you... a real bargain delicacy. Be brave, you might just like them! Poach them gently. Accompany with nothing other than toasted wholemeal bread and a cup of tea... |
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| judith |
Another vote for the Craster smoke house. Everything we had from there was excellent. And the kippers make a brilliant pâté if you are prepared to spend some time removing the bones.
And crab and whisky soup from the pub in Craster was a revelation too. |
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| tahir |
We hardly ever have a cooked breakfast, might try em on hols though | ||||
| dougal |
Inadequate excuse! They are by no means purely a breakfast dish. And in Scotland would most likely be eaten by natives at "high tea" (a light savoury meal taken in late afternoon to early evening). |
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| tahir |
I'm always at flippin work at tea time.
I'll discuss this with the wife, not sure if she's ever had em. |
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| Simon |
I would highly recommend "Alison's place" in Devon. We have been there with the kids and we were made most welcome. Lots of animals to entertain the kids and a lovely campsite / B&B / Camping barn etc.etc.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! |
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| alison |
Thank you Simon, you are a darling
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| mochyn |
Lunch or something sounds good: give me as much notice as you can! Don't forget about Acton Scot working farm museum: wonderful. Buttermaking, lots of animals, ploughing with heavy horses, cider making, all sorts of things that people other than us no longer take for granted! Sounds like home... | ||||
| tahir |
Where's that? Sounds excellent the kids are well up for going to a farm, and the steam railway, and the tile museum...
I'll arrange something with you nearer the time. |
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| jocorless |
http://www.go2.co.uk/for/actonscott.html |
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| tahir |
Ta Jo | ||||
| Guest |
Phew only just caught up with this after a few days with no puter. Tahir, you must come for a visit!! We're near Ludlow, I'll have two litters of piglets to ooh and ahh over by then and you're all most welcome!
As it happens I work part time at Acton Scot!! I'm a museum educator, teaching people about traditional farming methods and skills. Farmwoody
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| tahir |
I'd love too, looks like we've got a busy week ahead
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| mochyn |
Farmwoody: what about asking any Downsizers near you to come over while Tahir's up here? I'd love to... |