Rudolph takes a break as Santa takes to the Leeds-Liverpool Canal!

When Santa comes to Skipton town he’ll be swapping the skies for the canal and giving the reindeer a rest! Pennine Boat Trips are all set to welcome him and your little ones on board each weekend in December for a magical adventure.


We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again (and again)…we are incredibly lucky to be bringing our kids up in Skipton where there’s so much to do. The canal is such a big part of the town’s history and identity that it’s never too early to introduce them to it.

Pirate Nick!

These fab boat trips with Father Christmas really caught our eye in the Christmas countdown as a fun way to get into the festive swing. The journey starts at the Canal Basin where there’s a Pirate magician to entertain passengers. Five minutes into the cruise and Santa is waiting on the towpath fast asleep! If the voices of Skipton’s nippers are in good form he’ll be woken with a start and jump on board the Cobbydale to call up all the children by name to the front of the boat.


After he’s had a little chat with them dropping in some snippets about what he knows about each of them (courtesy of who ever is accompanying them!) it’s time for him to give them all a gift from his sack of presents. As the children enjoy the merriment, the accompanying adults will be treated to a hot drink and tasty mince pie while they take in the views.


Children are invited to come dressed in their pirate get-up and the best will win a prize! The trips last 75 minutes and run every weekend in December up to the 20th. There are 3 trips a day (depending on demand) at 11.30am, 1.00pm and 2.30pm, at £12.00 per ticket. These trips are really popular so please book now to avoid disappointment. Boarding from the wharf, at Waterside Court, Coach St (next to the Ultimate Outdoors).


There are also special festive trips for the grown-ups planned too – we like the sound of the Christmas dinner cruises and the Sunday roasts (phew - no duck on the menu!), and their luxury dayboat hire! For further information call 01756 790 829 or visit www.canaltrips.co.uk/santa_trips.php

Will you go down to the woods today?

One of the things we love about bringing our kids up in Skipton is that the greatest of the great outdoors is literally on our doorstep. We’re surrounded by beautiful countryside and really varied scenery on all sides from the Yorkshire Dales National Park, across to Pendle Hill and over the moors towards Ilkley and Keighley.


Even in Skipton town itself there’s the fantastic green oasis that is Skipton Woods. National Tree Week (26 Nov – 4 Dec) starts today and it got us thinking about braving the chill and getting outside to enjoy it! So why not wrap up warm, download a Woodland Trust info pack and go down to the woods today!

We also wanted to share with you information about a thoroughly brilliant group in Oakworth called Come Play in the Woods (you’ll find them on facebook under this name or check out what MooBaaKids ‘likes’ on our facebook page and you’ll see them)

The parent and child group meets on Mondays (term time only) 1pm-3pm/dusk (for as much or as little of the session as you like) at Griff Woods (click the previous link for a map) and is led by experienced forest school practitioners.

Attracting families from as ‘far’ a field as Skipton, Silsden, Todmorden and Barnoldswick, the group has even braved sub zero temperatures to track rabbit foot prints in the snow, celebrate the winter solstice with lantern making and slide about on the ice. So if things like tree-climbing, cooking on a fire, making dens, exploring and adventure sound right up your street then head over and join them – there’s no need to pre-book.

Children must be accompanied by an adult and it’s recommended that you wear wellies and warm waterproof old clothing. There are no age restrictions – the youngest regular member started at 6 days old! Babies get a lot from the sensory experience as do older children as they grow up and can explore the woods in different ways. Everyone is welcome and the kettle will be on! It costs £1 per adult and £1 per child. They post on facebook if the session is to be cancelled due to severe weather but organisers can also be contacted on 07974947968.

Come Play in the Woods was set up by Aspyrian, a Keighley-based organisation which works with experienced outdoor practitioners and educational facilitators to provide quality outdoor learning experiences. They deliver work across Yorkshire and Lancashire, and undertake national projects.

Stir it up with the kids today!

We hate a premature countdown to Christmas as much as anyone but with just 35 days to go and Stir Up Sunday today (20th November), it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas is on its way!


Stir Up Sunday was traditionally the day the whole family got involved to make the Christmas pudding or cake so that the flavours had plenty of time to develop for the big day.


According to tradition, every member of the family gave the mixture a good stir and made a secret wish! If you’re little helpers are keen to get involved then we’ve found some tips here on damage limitation!


There are plenty of great bakeries in Skipton and the surrounding area where you’ll be able to buy your cake but if you fancy a whirl in the kitchen making a traditional Christmas pudding with your little ones this recipe looks a relatively easy one to follow:



Ingredients
225g/8oz golden caster sugar
225g/8oz vegetarian suet
340g/12oz sultanas
340g/12oz raisins
225g/8oz currants
120g/4oz chopped candied peel
120g/4oz plain flour
120g/4oz fresh white breadcrumbs
60g/2oz flaked white almonds
Zest of one lemon
5 Eggs beaten
1 level teaspoon of ground cinnamon
1 level teaspoon of mixed spice
1 level teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
150ml/5fl oz of brandy or rum



Method
* Mix together all the dry ingredients
* Stir in the eggs and brandy and mix through well
* Turn the mix into 4x1 pint, or 2x 2 pint lightly greased pudding basins
* Put a circle of baking parchment and foil over the top of each lid and tie securely with string
* Make a string handle from one side of the basin to the other so its easy to pick out of the pan after cooking
* Put the basins in a large steamer of boiling water and cover with a lid.
* Boil for 5-6 hours, topping up the boiling water as necessary.

If you don’t have a steamer, put the basins on inverted saucers in a large pan. Put in boiling water to come a third of the way up the sides of the pudding bowls. Cover and steam as before.
* Cool
* Change the baking parchment and foil covers for fresh ones and tie up as before. Store in a cool cupboard until Christmas day.



To serve, steam for two hours, and serve with brandy butter, rum sauce, cream or custard.



A coin was always traditionally added to the mix supposedly to bring wealth to whoever found it. If you don’t have an old silver sixpence hanging around, a pound wrapped in greaseproof paper will do. We know we’re in Yorkshire and that’s a fair hike in inflation but a bigger coin has the added bonus of reducing the risk of anyone choking at the table!

Father Christmas takes up residence at Bolton Abbey!

With the Christmas countdown now officially on we’re delighted to let you know that Santa himself is in residence at Bolton Abbey throughout December gearing up for the busiest day of his year!


Magical enough at the best of times, Bolton Abbey Estate cannot wait to host the visits from Father Christmas, Mrs Christmas and the elves to enchant little ones from across the area.


After a 4,000 mile journey from the North Pole, he will be resting in an old Romany caravan nestled in Strid Wood on the 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 17th, 18th (fully booked), 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd December between 10am and 4pm.


You’re invited to wrap up warm and follow a trail of presents from Father Christmas' sleigh (parked outside the Cavendish Pavilion) to find where he is hidden in the woods (Only a 5 minute walk from the Cavendish Pavilion – suitable for pushchairs). Once you find him – you’ll also find that he has presents suitable for all ages, being sorted by Mrs Christmas and a merry band of elves!

To keep queuing to a minimum, the elves have devised a system giving each family a booking time. The visits by Father Christmas are always incredibly popular so it’s recommended you book now to avoid disappointment. The Estate Office can be contacted on 01756 718 000.


Tickets are £4.50 per child and normal admission to the estate applies. For those visiting Father Christmas, the Cavendish Pavilion will offer a free children’s hot drink with each full paying adult hot drink. There’s much to tempt you to keep the chill off – delicious hot chocolate or a yummy babychino for the little ones – frothy milk with chocolate sprinkles.


Also on at Bolton Abbey is the Winter Wonderland Christmas Gift Fair (3rd and 4th December) and the 12 Days of Christmas Trail (25th December – 5th January).