Netherlands National Circus: Review

When I woke up this morning I honestly thought it was going to be one of those days where we had nothing planned and ended up just mooching about, kids getting bored, me getting fed up because I am 3 weeks off giving birth to my 3rd baby.... but after a quick search of things to do (using www.wherecanwego.com on the iphone) we decided to drop the wee man (Remi-J; our 1 year old) off at nanny and grandads and take Finley (6 years) over to the circus. Neither he nor Jon had ever been, and though it is not the same as when I went as a child (we had elephants and other large zoo-type animals back then) we thought it looked great on the website.

So I called the hotline to book tickets only for the woman to inform us that we should have got some half price tickets which are in local shops... I have to say this sounded much more appealing as it was looking to cost around fifty odd quid for the 3 of us. So having 'seen' some in a shop somewhere I sent Jon out looking for them before we booked.... he went to seven newsagents in the space of 20 minutes but to no avail. Defeated he returned with no goods but before we threw in the towel I asked around in cyber world (facebook) and low and behold a friend had a few spare!! So we managed to get our tickets for Front circle for £25 for all of us.

Anyway, I have to say we all had a great time...... honestly Jon and I laughed so much at times that our cheeks hurt. But I think that was for all the wrong reasons. The show consists of a juggler (who bless him dropped his juggling utensils several times, however he had some great tricks too), some dancers which lacked in enthusiasm somewhat, a clown/compare who did have some great acts in amongst some that were a bit slow off the mark, acrobatics, trapeze artists, some bubbles, a magician, some skipping (?!?!?! I swear I nearly wet myself at this point.... it was not meant to be funny but if you go you will see why) and the finale which I have to say was actually really really good - 2 acrobats/ contortionists. Finley thought parts of it were quite slow and not really that captivating but overall it was fun and was buzzing when he came out.

In my opinion it was not quite of the Chinese state circus quality - but it was a great afternoon out. Not to take away the talent as there were some great acrobatics etc.... I think if you can get your hands on the half price tickets then go for it - we sat in the front circle which were the second most expensive. But having been I wouldn't have minded sitting in the cheap seats at the side as you could still see it all. If you sit in the ringside seats be warned that you could be asked to get involved in some of the acts!!!

It's not the place for babies as it is around 2 hours long, that's why we left Remi-J with my parents. But I would say 2 years up (if they can sit still for that time).

THere is food, drink, sweets, candy floss, popcorn etc in the foyer and they have toilets too.

If you fancy something to do in half term if the weather is not all that then go along.... as I say, I laughed - a lot!!!

You can book via their phoneline or you can just go to the booking office outside the circus itself. We bought our tickets just before the showing and were fine.

http://www.netherlandscircus.eu/

Famly fun day this Tuesday in Stubbington

Hi everyone

I just wanted to tell you about this event which is to be held in Stubbington on Tuesday 31st May as part of National Families Week.  I will certainly be taking the kids so look forward to seeing you all there!!! :)

'The Crofton Lions, Fareham Borough Council Play Rangers and Stublee Hill Children’s Centre would like to invite your family to a fun packed Teddy Bears Picnic in order to promote National Families Week. This event is FREE and there will be lots of outdoor games, arts and crafts, bouncy castle, ’beach’, Active tots and much more. Plus the chance to win a lifesize teddy bear or win prizes in a lucky dip! The day is from 10am-2pm and will be on the Recreation Ground in Stubbington and families with children of all ages are welcome! Hope to see you there!'

10am - 2pm **FREE!!**

(taken from wwww.wherecanwego.com  fab events and activities website I would recommend).

Summer Half Term

Hi everyone!! Weather has taken a turn for the worse a bit eh?? I am a bit gutted as a few of us has hired Nicholson Gardens this Sunday with a bouncy castle but it looks like it's going to rain!! BOOOOO!!

However, I have been on the lookout for things to do with the kids over next weeks break. Let me know if you have seen anything else worth doing!! I will be adding to this so please follow my blog.

* ASDA Sports Freebies - Asda has vouchers available online for kids to try out sporting activities in the local area. Search for them and print off the vouchers at www.asda.com/freeactivities or call 0844 335 6408

* Gosport Submarine Museum - Thursday 2nd June 11am-3pm
   Make your own kite i nthis drop in family workshop. Entry to whole museum £10 adults, £7 per child (5-15yrs) Under 5 free. (save 10% if you buy online) www.submarine-museum.co.uk

* Staunton Coutry Park, Havant - From Saturday they are running a Bug Bonanza week filled with arts, crafts and activities. Just turn up. £6.95 adult; £2.95 child; Family (2 adults/2 children) £18.
  Also doing Meet the Mini Beasts on 31sy May and 2nd June. From 10:30am. Interactive activities learning about invertibrates in a fun and unusual way. Need to book. £4 per child. http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/staunton.htm

* Manor Farm Country Park, Bursledon - Woolly Weekend from Saturday to Monday. Activities and demonstrations of sheep shearing! Plus access to main farm. Adult £6; Child £4; family (2+2) £19
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/countryside/manorfarm.htm

* Longdown Activity Farm - The Great Farm Forage (running all week) Lucky dip prize and hunt for farming implements. Great fun for nosey parkers! I  have been here with the kids before and they love the farm.
Also Sunday 4th June Timmy from Timmy Time will be at the farm making appearances throughout the day from 11am onwards.
Adults £7.75; Child £6.75; Family £27
http://www.longdownfarm.co.uk/

* Marwell Wildlife Park - From Sunday 29th til Monday 6th June. Learn about the White Rhino with crafts. Adult £18; Child £14; Family £56
http://www.marwell.org.uk/

(NEW ADDITIONS)
* Spinnaker Tower, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
   Kids go for £1 over Sunmer Half Term

* Vue Cinema, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
  Family cinema showings throughout half term. £1 per child. £1 per adult @ 10:00am Mon -Sunday
  Showing: Mars Needs Moms - PG - Monday through to Thursday
  Legends of the Guardians - PG - Friday through to Sunday

http://new.myvue.com/latest-movies/view/all-times/filter/kids-am