Today has been great! We are so lucky with our polite and well-mannered children!

The first ones woke at 5.50am - thanks for that! But after 7am we woke everyone and they enjoyed cereal, beans and eggs or just toast and jam before setting off to Osborne House in the drizzle. Yuk!

We gained entry before the public and walked the Rhodedendron Walk down to Swiss Cottage that Queen Victoria built for her children. They were fascinated by the lovely gardens and the army play zone. Then we visited the museum of relics that had been gifted to the Royal Family and the lady was so pleased with our children as they asked so many questions. Really thoughtful and interesting ones too! 

It was dry by the time we reached the private beach and so there was lots of stone-skimming and shell finding. 

Zac M is our champion stone-skimmer! Sorry for all the shells that are making their way back to Whitwell to you too.

When we came out the exit gate the staff member told us we had been 'a lovely visiting school'. Well done Whitwell!

We had lunch on the park and a good play on the zipwire then set off for Amazon World.

It had dried up well and the sun even tried to come out for 30 mins - which was fine until someone from home told us you've had a lovely day. Hey ho!

The children loved the meerkats, the wallabies and the lemurs the most, especially those that had them climbing all over them. 

Another play on the huge outdoor climbing frame before the quick drive back for fishfingers/sausage and chips - that was quickly demolished.

Finally, we went in the sea. Well, Miss Sleight and I went in first and we let the children go between us. It actually wasn't too cold and they had a blast! There were a few waves that caught us out and we were fully soaked.

All showered and now in bed - 9.45pm. Much earlier than yesterday. Hoping we don't have such an early start...