Omaha beach

Days Out in Review – January to June 2016

For some 2016 has been shocking and they have been very vocal about it and how they are looking forward to 2017.

For us however, 2016 has been one of our best years yet, full of fun and adventures and here are some of our favourites.

January 2016

We love to get out and about and bad weather never stops us from having fun. In January we journeyed to Hampshire where we climbed the Spinakker Tower, explored the Historic Dockyard in Portsmouth and then headed to Rock Up in Whiteley for some climbing fun.

Staying a little closer to home we enjoyed playing in the sand dunes at Sandbanks beach, explored a new beach for us, Ringstead Bay near Weymouth and took part in the Stickman Trail at Moors Valley.

I also attended my first ever Toy Fair at Olympia, London where I was introduced to some of the fantastic toys that arrived into the shops in late 2016.

Spinnaker Tower

February 2016

For her birthday in January, Eliza got her first bike so we headed out to Potterne Park to get some riding practice and headed out to Farmer Palmers for some animal fun.

The highlight of the month had to be our holiday to France where we stayed at Eco Gites of Lenault and visited all the historic D-Day beaches, Pegasus Bridge and Le Mont St Michel, saw the Bayeux Tapestry and even had some snow.

We also had an unexpected stop in Jersey after a rather traumatic ferry crossing and a disappointing stay in Guernsey where we learned that EVERYTHING closes in winter.

Snowman

March 2016

March was a busy month for us with a visit to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor, a fabulous preview day at Thorpe Park where we barely queued for any rides and still on the adrenalin theme we tried out some new flumes at Splashdown Poole and released our inner apes, swinging through the trees at Go Ape, Moors Valley.

We did do some calmer activities as well, with strolls around Christchurch Harbour, Whitecliff Park and Lulworth Castle.

Lulworth Castle

April 2016

April saw us heading back to Farmer Palmers to feed the deer, get down and dirty with some Owl Forensic investigations at Avon Heath Country Park

We headed to Lighthouse Poole to watch Gruffalo’s Child Live and Genting Arena in Birmingham for some WWE action.

Owl Forensics

May 2016

May is one of my favourite months in Dorset as there is a plethora of activities for families to enjoy. This year was no different and we visited the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival, Lyme Regis Fossil Festival and Donkey Derby in Kinson. We also headed across to Weymouth to see its new exhibit in the Sea Life Centre and enjoy a spin on the Jurassic Tower.

We are frequent visitors to Paultons Park and could not wait to go to the opening of its new Lost Kingdom section of the park.

Lost Kingdom

June 2016

It was back to the Sea Life Centre in June for a very special occasion – we got to have a personal tour of the centre, meet some of its famous residents and feed the Seals.

June is a big birthday month for us and we had a great time at Hollywood Bowl to celebrate but the highlight of the month had to be meeting Ashley Banjo and learning to dance with the Diversity crew on a Diversity break at Butlins.

Diversity

It was also the month that Kian finished his GCSE exams so we celebrated with a rather damp Forest Segway experience with Go Ape.

Segway

So that is the first half of the year, second half coming soon………..

Sin Cara

WWE Barclaycard Arena – Birmingham

There are three things that Isaac adores at the moment – WWE, Doctor Who and Ghostbusters.

Sadly Dr Who is off our screens at the moment and we have to wait until July for the new Ghostbusters so there was only thing left for a pre-birthday treat, a trip to see WWE Live when it arrived in Birmingham last weekend.

The WrestleMania Revenge Tour is currently on tour of the UK and includes episodes of both Raw and SmackDown, much to the Hubby and the boys delight.

We arrived in Birmingham in good time so decided to have a bite to eat in Gourmet Burger Kitchen which was pricey but delicious. We were convinced we were sat next to a star of WWE but sadly have no idea who it was apart from the fact he was huge and had a very expensive looking watch!

We have been to WWE before but there has never been anything to do other than eat or shop. This time Isaac got to pose with a WWE Championship Belt and see his photo up on the WWE Kids facebook page and check his height against some cardboard cut outs of his favourite stars.

WWE Birmimgham

The venue was packed and the atmosphere can only be described as lively with adults and children all eager for the action to begin. The first match was between the wrestler we all love to hate Stardust against the king of the spins Cesaro. During the match there were some funny moments with stardust and Cesaro won after the Cesaro Swing!

Stardust Vs Cesaro

Next up was one of Isaac’s favourites – Sin Cara from the Lucha Dragons who was to fight Tyler Breeze. Sin Cara won with a Swanton but Breeze got on the mic saying he wouldn’t leave until he got a victory selfie. It went all dark and then out came Jack Swagger who beat Breeze really quickly with an ankle lock.

Sin Cara

The next match was Kane vs Rusev. I have to admit that this was a match that went on a little too long for our liking with Kane finally winning with a chokeslam.

Kane vs Rusev

Thankfully the next match was much more fun with the WWE Tag Team Championship featuring the brilliant New Day, who made the best entrance of the night complete with a trombone and swagger, versus Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan of the Wyatt’s. Their entrance was just as good as the lights went out before the they came in and the whole arena lit up with everyone lifting their phone on high – it was a real spectacle to behold. Of course is was the New Day who won with their double finish!

New Day

A break followed with the chance to stretch the legs and a comfort stop before the second half of the evening commenced with Hubby and the teen’s favourites – the Diva’s. Charlotte who came out with Ric Flair, beat Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch to retain the WWE Women’s Title.

WWE Diva's

The first time we saw WWE Live, Kian really enjoyed the USO Twins and much to his delight they were back tonight versus the Dudley Boys.  The Dudley’s teased by offering tables but sadly they never appeared, despite the crowd shouting “We want Tables” and the Uso’s won after double super kick.

Dudley's vs Uso's

The final match of the night belonged to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship between Seamus and Roman Reigns. I was really surprised when both men were booed, although Seamus fully deserved it for winding up the Birmingham audience with jibes about being no longer in the Premier League. I have to admit that I like Roman Reigns so was really pleased when he won and I have nothing but admiration for him as instead of heading out of the ring and straight back to his dressing room after his victory, he stopped and signed autographs and posed for selfies with his fans for a really long time. I am just disappointed that we couldn’t get close ourselves.

Seamus vs Reigns

All in all it was a brilliant night out and we are hoping to get to NXT in June at Bournemouth International Centre.

Disclaimer: We were guests of WWE and received a family ticket for the purpose of a review, all thoughts are our own.

WWE Birmingham Review

As Isaac gets older I have noticed that he is becoming more decisive about what he likes and doesn’t like and over the last two weeks he has been very lucky to go to two events which he follows with a passion – Doctor Who Festival and WWE Live.

We were super lucky to be invited to WWE when it visited Birmingham and it was bigger and better than when we saw it come to Bournemouth earlier this year.

Held in the Genting Arena it was a half hour hike from the car park to the venue, but surrounded by excited WWE fans it didn’t feel that long. Inside there were merchandise stands selling tour t-shirts, masks, championships belts and other memorabilia. Isaac had brought his Lucha Dragon mask to wear but Daddy bought him a Finn Bala Mask and a children’s t-shirt too. We were a bit disappointed by the children’s range as they only had one style of t-shirt and it was still ten times too big for Isaac – he will grow into it one day!

WWE Birmingham

The venue soon filled up, the lights dimmed and the music started pumping at full volume…………it was time to begin. The announcer introduced the first wrestler to the stage, WWE legend Ric Flair, who proceeded to whip the crowd into a frenzy before the first fight began with New Day and the Dudley Boys taking to the stage.

WWE BIRMINGHAM

As with all WWE flights it was mixed with acrobatics, humour and playing up to the audience. There were lots of shouts of “We want tables” and they didn’t disappoint.

Next on stage was the self-styled hearthrob The Miz who was met with boos and jeers from the crowd, followed by Cesaro who was met with cheers. It was a fun fight to watch as no winner was clear until Cesaro finally got the upper hand and finished with his famous Cesaro spin move where he managed to spin The Miz over 30 times!!

WWE Birmingham

The Irish contingent were next with Finn Balour vs Shaemus. It was a feisty fight although Shaemus did stop at one point to wind up the crowd who had been shouting “You look stupid” in reference to his quirky hairstyle.

WWE Birmingham

Next up was probably my favourite match of the evening for its pure comedy. Bo Dallas came into the ring all cocky and was beaten in seconds by Curtis Axel. A little shocked that he had been beaten so quickly he requested another opponent and R-Truth arrived. Bo Dallas then proceeded to do the cheesiest dance off I have ever seen to “I’m too sexy” and was completely out-danced by R-Truth who was dancing to “Billie Jean” with the fans were cheering for him. Dallas then attacked Truth. Truth was down momentarily, but rushed back to his feet delivering the “Lie Detector” to Dallas, picking up a victory. Poor Bo was beaten twice that evening and walked off humiliated.

WWE Birmingham

The final bout of the first half was Kane vs Big Show and I have to admit that it did go on a little too long. It did feel like they were stringing it out, but the boys seemed to enjoy it nonetheless.

WWE Birmingham

After a much-needed break it was straight back into the action and my elder travelling companions, Hubby, Kian and my BIL Mark were very excited by the fact it was the Diva’s up next. British girl Paige was to referee and it was the Brie Bella and Alesha Fox vs Charlotte and Becky Lynch. It all got very feisty very quickly and even Paige joined in with the fighting at one point, triggering a male ref to come legging it onto stage.

WWE Birmingham

It was now the turn of Tyler Breeze who was accompanied on stage by Summer Rae. He was to fight Dolph Ziggler and Summer tried to get in on the action by wacking Ziggler around the head with her stiletto. She was sent packing and Ziggler finally won the match after a lot of to-ing and fro-ing.

WWE Birmingham

The final match of the evening saw Dean Ambrose defeated Kevin Owens by disqualification in a match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, although half the WWE Wrestlers we had seen throughout the evening ended up in the ring for one final brawl, much to the delight of the crowd.

WWE Birmingham

For the final results of the evening see the WWE Live Events page here.

WWE Bournemouth

Saturday is Caption Day – 18th April 2015

Good Morning and welcome to this weeks #satcap.  I am away on a weekend break leaving the teens in charge of the house (eek), so may comment a little later than usual, but please don’t let that stop you joining in.

If you have not joined in before it is a super simple linky to do.

Simply pic a funny / cheeky / captionable photo and upload it to your blog with a sentence or three about it.  Then link it up with me below and visit the other people who link up and have a giggle as you come up with some humourous captions!

Simple!!

We have been busy making the most of the final week of the Easter holidays with lots of days out with the kids.

One of the highlights of this week were the local stars of WWE performing at the BIC.  I was not sure what to expect but it is a fun filled, adrenalin fuelled pantomime which soon has you clapping and cheering along.

I have so many photos I could use for this weeks #satcap but this is one the one that finally won.
Can you caption it?

WWE Bournemouth

 

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