Author: Cat Hooper

  • Whitehouse Farm is more than just a farm

    Whitehouse Farm is more than just a farm

    Ad-we were given complimentary tickets to Whitehouse farm, but paid for our own lunch. A lot of family attractions claim to have plenty to do ‘whatever the weather’ and this bank holiday weekend we put Whitehouse Farm to the test. It really was 4 seasons in one day, with coats on/off & brollies up/down all…

  • The Late Shows 2019

    The Late Shows 2019

    AD-This is a collaborative post with Gateshead Alive The Late Shows is a regional Culture Crawl around some of Newcastle and Gateshead’s galleries, museums, libraries, and artists workshops.  The event takes place annually on consecutive Friday and Saturday evenings in May from 7-11pm alongside the National Museums at Night event. This year the Late Shows…

  • Glamping at Stanley Villa Farm in Lancashire

    Glamping at Stanley Villa Farm in Lancashire

    Ad-we were invited for a 2 night press stay Come the weekend we are usually pretty frazzled and last weekend was no exception. Imogen was about to sit her year 6 SATS testing at school and had been revising hard (or so she said!) Alan’s training for the Blaydon race had picked up pace &…

  • 5 things your tweens will Love at The Late Shows 2019

    5 things your tweens will Love at The Late Shows 2019

    AD – This is a collaborative post with Gateshead Alive The Late Shows is back for 2019 on May 17th & 18th (this weekend!) between 7-11pm and we cannot wait to go along with the girls again. If you haven’t heard of The Late Shows before check out the website www.thelateshow.org.uk or read our blog…

  • A Family Night Out at The Gate

    A Family Night Out at The Gate

    AD – This is a collaborative post with The Gate, Newcastle Sometimes mid-week evenings can be lost in a blur of homework, clubs & chores, but why leave all the fun to the weekend? We had a brilliant night on Thursday sampling some of the fun family activities on offer at The Gate in Newcastle.…

  • Holiday Plans for the Hoopers

    Holiday Plans for the Hoopers

    So last year we started off all frugal with talk of saving money with the aim of refurbishing our main bathroom & downstairs cloakroom. We were absolutely, definitely not going abroad. But then Alan started on his mission to bag us a Florida bargain. £8K later (oops) we returned from an amazing holiday but not…

  • Jump 360 Trampoline Park Newcastle

    Jump 360 Trampoline Park Newcastle

    AD (we were kindly given complimentary tickets & lunch for Jump 360) The girls were delighted when we were contacted by Jump 360 to review their Newcastle branch.  Trampoline parks are their absolute favourite activity and are perfect for tweens/teens who have grown out of soft play.   Where else can you whack your sister…

  • Top 5 North East Sculptures to Visit with Kids

    Top 5 North East Sculptures to Visit with Kids

    We have been wanting to compile this blog piece for a while but the weather was conspiring against us. However, even though March has been a little temperamental we decided to get out and about and start exploring some of the North East sculptures in the area. All of the works of art featured are…

  • Kiln Cafe & Ceramics, Ouseburn

    Kiln Cafe & Ceramics, Ouseburn

    The Kiln is possibly one of the quirkiest brunch cafes in Newcastle I reckon. And we have tried quite a few. It has all the hallmarks of an instagram/hipster haven without any pretenses. The Kiln serves up a simple bunch & evening menu while being able to shop the ceramics that are in made in…

  • A Snowy Photoshoot with Mandy Charlton

    A Snowy Photoshoot with Mandy Charlton

    When I spotted local photographer Mandy Charlton on Instagram stories last Friday offering 15 minute photo shoots in the snow the next morning I couldn’t resist. Mandy has been taking pictures of the kids (and even did a family shoot for us) for around 7 years so the girls are perfectly at ease & love…