The farm at the Hall is popular all year round, but today the sun is out so there are more wellies and wooly hats than normal. Parents have gathered en masse to enjoy the chance to get close to the animals and find refuge in the teashop whilst their kids get rid of plenty of energy on the zip wires, climbing frames and pedal tractors. And despite all these great activities it’s the 5 new born lambs that are the stars of the show - stumbling around in the fields and chasing leaves blowing in the wind. Next weekend promises to be even busier when lots more young lambs are expected to be born. Look out for your local farm offering the chance to witness this spectacle - you can be assured your children will want to take a few home!

John’s new show inspires the younger members of the audience to get really excited about poetry and word sounds even those that don’t even rhyme! And for those children fortunate enough to wear glasses – John welcomes them with open arms - as they are the intelligent future of the UK. If you have wear contact lenses or have had eye surgery probably best to keep it to yourself.

The show is touring the UK and with reviews such as
‘Awesomely mundane’ The Independent,
‘Makes little sense’ Luton News
and ‘Like a good deed in a naughty world’ Herts Advertiser
– you know it going to have audiences of all ages spellbound.

The tour continues throughout the Spring see www.johnhegley.co.uk/thistour/index.htm

Lundy is a private island run by the Landmark Trust. It has a small
village, lighthouses, a castle, an hotel, a church, a shop and a
campsite. The accommodation ranges from barrack blocks reminiscent of
the Army circa 1950, via detached cottages in the middle of the island,
to apartments in the castle with fantastic sea views. If you are on a
budget, do not assume that camping is going to save you money – the
pitch fees for a family of four are only fractionally cheaper than the
cheapest rooms – and share the same washing and kitchen facilities.

The island has a resident nature warden, who, during our visit, could
not have been more helpful. There are tours to the shore, rock-pools,
cliffs, evening slide shows in the church and he always had time to
answer questions from the children.

The small size of the island (about 1½ miles by ½ a mile) appeals to
children: it is somewhere they can explore completely in just a few
days. There are walks up and down, across and around the island. The
shoreline is fairly steep and great care needs to be taken with the
younger ones, but the main tracks are safe enough. The land is farmed
for sheep and deer. Longer walks, say to the northern lighthouse, can be
turned into expeditions, with a picnic as a reward! There are intriguing
archaeological sites, just waiting to be explored. A further consequence
of the steep shores is that access to the sea is effectively limited to
just a few places. Best access is near the jetty. At low tide, it is
possible to walk out to tiny islands and alarm the children with stories
of being cut off by the incoming tide! The dock also has an aquarium
with hands-on displays. There is also the possibility of going on a dive
from here.

The island shop operates the island’s letterbox hunt. Many of these are
readily located, but a couple are fiendishly difficult and eluded us
despite hours of searching. Maybe, this is a cunning plan to ensure a
second trip to Lundy is needed! The shop sells virtually everything you
might need and the prices are surprisingly normal, given its location
and monopoly status. It has more the feel (and stock) of a deli, with
island lamb on sale as well.

Beware of the hotel! The food is good and available from breakfast to
dinner. Worse: a comfortable room lined with books, friendly staff and a
well-stocked bar. Plans for a self-catering break can be destroyed in
less than a day!

The return journey on the ferry provided a final, vivid memory. The wind
was gusting gale-force and the ferry pitched and yawed alarmingly.

Spymasters is a real life spy experience. Our mission was to infiltrate the Russian Embassy by cracking codes, breaking into secure areas and weaving our way through a web of laser beams.  As a result we achieved a level 3 status, but we hope to return on another mission soon and work our way up the ranks.

Today, the weather confused the start by being awful first thing,
causing some (including the horses and jockeys) to stay away from the
first two races. By the first race at midday, the weather was beautiful,
with a clear blue sky and, unusually, little wind! The races happen
frequently enough to keep everyone interested and there was a really
friendly atmosphere. There was a parade of hounds. The bookies are a
helpful bunch, willing to explain how to place a bet and don’t mock £1
stakes! The best of the food (and seriously good as well) was a proper
hog roast with all the trimmings, good soup and reasonably priced
drinks. There were about half a dozen stalls selling good quality
clothes, boots and pet supplies.

Horseheath is the venue for three point-to-points each year between
January and March. It is very easy to find on the A1307 between
Cambridge and Haverhill, with easy access from the M11 and Bury St.
Edmunds. Car parking is free with entry today free for children and £10
for adults. Wrap up warm, the wind can often be lazy, preferring to go
straight through rather than around you!

The Miniature Pony Centre near Moretonhampstead kept us entertained for a full day, with loads of hands-on activities. We stroked donkeys, rode ponies, met the guinea pigs and rabbits, before charging around the playground.  A picnic and a trek around the woodland walk, then indoors to play pirates on the huge wooden play structure, before mask-making, face-painting and a magic show in the courtyard.

Great value for money at 24 for a family ticket.    We stayed at the Old School House in Lustleigh, beautifully-appointed self-catering in a picture-perfect setting. Quaint tea room and the most rural play park we’d ever seen – set in an orchard, where kids share the fun with a flock of woolly sheep.

Amongst the 8,000 species of wildlife living in the Fen are wild ponies, muntjack deer, and hundreds of rare dragonflies. Also spotted recently (one for the mums…) was presenter and real-life adventurer Ben Fogle filming on the Fen for a forthcoming TV series.

To enter our free competition just answer the following question:

How many colours do the the Buzz headphones come in?

Tie breaker:
You know about Buzz and Vibe - tell us your idea for a cool name for future Urbanz headphone designs.

Please email your name, age and answer to admin@greatlittleadventures.co.uk
Closing date 10th December 2009
We will post the names of winners on the site.

It’s chocolate week 12 - 18 October, sheer indulgence.

London Mums can head to May Fair Hotel on 10 & 11 October to sample from the best chocolatiers