Taking our Tweens to Tynemouth by Metro (AD)

This post is sponsored by Tyne and Wear Metro

Tynemouth is a beautiful coastal town on the north banks of the River Tyne in North Tyneside. Less than 10 miles from where we live in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, it is also less than ten stops on the Metro.

Tynemouth has been named as the best place to live in the North, according to the Sunday Times, and this once sleepy seaside resort has charmed its way to the top with its elegant Victorian architecture, sweeping beaches, craggy cliffs with a vibrant cafe culture. It’s popular with surfers, hipsters but would it be popular with tweens? 

We headed to our local Metro Station in Byker to travel to Tynemouth by Metro one Sunday to find out.

Shuffle Your Music - what's on your playlist? #shufflethemusic

I really am from the 'mixtape' generation. There was nothing better than having a mixed tape curated for you personally by a close friend who really knew you or wanted to introduce you to their music. There was no Spotify or Deezer and back then the highlight of the week was recording songs off the radio too - both from the top 40 and the John Peel show. Anyway along comes technology and even though I love my vinyl and still have many of those tapes – so many good memories I can't bear to throw them away – I also love streaming music. You can listen to other people’s playlists, discover new artists and download new tracks as much as you want. 

So I’m really pleased to have been tagged by Sarah from MummyCatNotes in a challenge to shuffle my music and give me the opportunity to think about and talk about the tracks I love to listen to. 

FIFA World Cup 3D Official Match Ball Football Puzzles (REVIEW)

Complimentary 3D puzzles supplied by Ravensburger.

My boys still love their jigsaws and over the past year have really loved getting into 3D puzzles. They happily play building new 3D puzzle creations such as Big Ben, a Minion, plus boots, storage boxes, and pencil holders. And now the latest 3D puzzles from Ravensburger arrived for them to try, two FIFA World Cup Official Match Ball puzzles, just in time for the World Cup.

Please note this post also contains affiliate links.

A Family Beginners Guide to Mountain Biking with Halfords (AD)

This post has been sponsored by Halfords.

Now that the boys have mastered cycling they are wanting to ride further afield, take on new challenges and really stretch themselves. I love that they are happy to spend so much time outdoors, getting exercise, riding their bikes, as well as having fun. And this summer has just been perfect weather-wise so far, so we are looking into longer rides and family days out to enjoy this summer.

10 Fab Father’s Day Gifts for under £30 (AD)

Father's Day is on Sunday, June 17 this year. Not long to go now before we can spoil our dads, and help our children spoil their dads too.  Buying the perfect Father’s Day gift can be tricky but if you are stuck for gift ideas, we've got some ideas to fit every budget from £1 to £30.

Please note this post includes affiliate links and we have received complimentary products too.

Free Family Events in June North East England

There is plenty to celebrate this June. The month that marks the end of spring and brings us Father’s Day and the Queen’s Official Birthday to celebrate, and of course summer with the Summer Solstice of Thursday 21 June. 

With free family events and activities throughout North East England in Northumberland, Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Middlesbrough - where will June take you this year?

Transform Holiday Photos into Wall Art + Giveaway (AD)

Making use of my digital photographs is something I’m really keen on. I create a photo album every year and we do have some of my travel and kids photographs framed and on the wall at home. No canvas prints on our walls though, so when I was contacted by CanvasChamp recently and asked to review their canvas print online service I said yes. 

Read on to find out more and the opportunity to win your own canvas.

30 Rhubarb Recipes + How to make Rhubarb Jam

We’ve been given lots and lots of rhubarb this year. We don’t grow it ourselves as our kitchen garden is too small but a family member does, and there seems to be so much rhubarb this spring. It's a very popular food to grow in allotments in the UK and has amazing health benefits as well as being a great cooking ingredient too.

I remember easting it simply chopped up with a small bowl of sugar to dip it in as a child, and of course there can’t be many people who have not had rhubarb crumble, however, I went looking for new ideas and decided to make jam and vodka.

7 Things To Do In June

Well, I think we've had a pretty good Spring so far. Much more sunshine than we get during a whole summer some years. Long may it continue this month now that we have arrived in June. This month we have Wimbledon and the FIFA World Cup to look forward to as well as long sunny days.

June is the sixth month of the year and contains the summer solstice and longest day and by the end, we'll be half-way through 2018 - how did that happen? Anyway to celebrate what we hope will be a fab month here are seven things to do, eat, make and also enjoy in June.

Flying High over Durham (AD)

Balloons in Durham returned to Durham City in North East England last weekend and we were there in the rain, wind and sunshine to see what it is that draws people to this sport as a balloonist and a spectator. And during the festival over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend, we were both!