We can’t wait for Bolton Abbey’s Easter eggstravaganza!

Exploring the woodland by the River Wharfe, where it flows through this spectacular, narrow gorge, is a brilliant experience at any time of the year. But throw an Easter bunny and chocolate eggs into the mix and you’ve got the perfect day out with the little ones.

Bolton Abbey is holding its fantastic Easter Trail on the 6, 7, 8, 9th April, at any time between 10am and 4pm. For the standard entry price of just £6 per car, you collect your free map of the egg hunt from either the Sandholme car park or the Cavendish shop and follow the Easter bunny’s trail of eggs.

As you hop from one colourful egg to the next, you’ll meander to the Strid and back – about two miles in total on pram-friendly trails, taking in the backdrop of the woods in Spring time as you go. There will also be an anagram displayed along the route to keep you occupied.

The beautiful trails are great for letting children let off steam in the fresh air and there’s plenty to see aside from the egg search as you go. From the fast flowing waters, to the trees and wildlife, there’s something at every turn to keep little ones entertained and enthused as they enjoy the ancient trails. The Easter bunny will be waiting outside the Cavendish Pavilion with mini eggs for all children who complete the hunt. We can’t think of a more perfect way to round off an egg-citing day out! x

Raise a toast to Mothers’ Day with Terroir Languedoc – and read on for details of a fantastic MOOBAAKIDS special offer…

Gemma Crangle of Terroir
Languedoc, based in Skipton

Motherhood can be a thankless task. And while a cheeky smile, an unprompted kiss or a funny way with words that can make the most mundane sentence sparkle keeps us more than motivated, we’re not going to lie – we still want pampering on Mothers’ Day! (note to dads – it’s March 18!)

Homemade cards and gifts (ideally edible!) are the best in our book but this year we also plan to raise a little toast to ourselves and all the family and friends who support us. Who better to ask about what to fill our glasses with than local mum of two and wine expert Gemma Crangle.

Gemma has been running her award-winning business Terroir Languedoc from Skipton for the past six years. Terroir Languedoc specialises in France’s innovative Languedoc Roussillon region. Gemma’s passion for quality lead her to the area and her business thrives on knowing the region’s best, often pioneering growers and offering excellent wines to her customers, at incredible value to suit all pockets.

You don’t need to take our word for it – her client list takes her everywhere and her wines are poured at top-notch restaurants across the country. We’re delighted that Gemma has shared her knowledge with us and has recommended three of her top tipples for a celebration.

1) Mas de Daumas Gassac rose frizant £16.95 

Gemma says: This is the perfect summer drink (although it will work well in Spring too!) for a touch of decadence, as an aperitif, at a picnic, with strawberries or just for general drinking! A wonderful alternative to rosé Champagne for special occasions (it went down very well at our wedding!). Fresh and vivacious raspberry and strawberry fruit with lovely balance and finesse.

2) Domaine Begude Sauvignon Blanc £9.95

Gemma says: An excellent example of SB produced using bio dynamic methods so ultra natural without chemicals or sprays. They have to ship in tons of animal dung to use as fertiliser! One half of the couple who produce is a Yorkshire lass and actually went to same school as me!

3) Chateau d’Oupia £7.95
Gemma says: This is a brilliant introduction to typical Languedoc reds. Being a blend of the traditional Languedoc grape varieties it is full bodied with spice, herbs and juicy red fruit and is the perfect match to red meat (especially lamb or game) but is also very easy to quaff without.

Not only has Gemma shared her top tips but she’s also offering all MooBaaKids users a fantastic offer on all orders placed before 10pm on Sunday - March 18 2012. There’s a HUGE 20% off all orders. She will also throw in a free bottle for orders of 6 bottles or more and 2 free bottles for a case of 12. Simply quote MOOBAAKIDS when you call or email to order. T:01756 700512 or email:enquiries@terroirlanguedoc.co.uk

Spring has sprung in Aireville Park…

Is it just us or does it feel like Spring has definitely sprung?! A little walk in the dales today was a treat with daffodils about to come out and lambs gambolling galore! There are signs of the seasons changing everywhere and you don’t have to head into the dales to find them. A walk round Aireville Park in Skipton with your little ones will also make cold dark mornings fade into the distance.


We’ve taken our cue from the Woodland Trust’s Nature Detectives top nature spots for March and will be keeping our eyes peeled for blue tits. Apparently these tiny colourful birds start building their nests in early spring so should be flitting about any time now to the delight of eagle-eyed toddlers.

It’s about now that hedgehogs surface from hibernation so if you’re walking along the shrubbed paths of the park and the end of the day you and your little ones might be lucky enough to catch sight of them – our two year old was thrilled to see one shuffling past at about 6pm the other week. Apologies to anyone who heard the ensuing tantrum when we refused her calls to take him home with us!

The small tortoiseshell is one of the first butterflies to appear in early Spring so keep a look out as you go past Gawflat Conservation Meadow in the park to spot them drinking the nectar of wildflowers and laying their eggs in nettle patches. Although best to keep enthusiastic toddlers away from said nettle patches…

And finally the fantastic horse chestnut trees of Aireville Park – that provide great conkering in Autumn – will be bursting into bud. Their large sticky buds will open in March to allow their leaves to grow.

With Mother Nature doing her bit to keep us and our little ones entertained on walks – we just need to keep our fingers crossed the weather lasts! x

Loving all the seasons at Bolton Abbey!

We did the St Valentine Trail at Strid Wood last month and fell head over heels in love…with the entire Bolton Abbey Estate!

Actually, our love affair with this gorgeous place actually started a long time ago, when we were little and we’re loving taking our own children to explore what we think is a gem on our doorsteps.
So much so that we are now in possession of a Season Ticket. It’s £60 and allows the holder free unlimited admission to Bolton Abbey for 12months (from the date of purchase), for all the family travelling in one vehicle during opening hours. We think this is fab value – and there are some great discounts and vouchers that come along with it too!

The ticket arrived in the post today and we can’t wait to enjoy everything that the estate has to offer – from the priory, to Barden Tower along the beautiful nature trails and riverside setting.
We’ll be first in line for the brilliant events that are planned this year: the Easter Egg Hunt, Pumpkin Trail, Father Christmas and 12 Days of Christmas. Not to mention picnics in the Summer, lazy days paddling and trying to spot the elusive deer.
We’re also going to check out Messy Mondays, Wild Wednesdays and Funday Fridays, as well as the Priory Fete.


As an unexpected bonus – not only do you get unlimited access to Bolton Abbey but (at the time of writing, Feb 2012) there are also discounts at the Village and Cavendish Shops and Pavilion eatery, plus a buy one drink get one free offer at MooBaaKids users’ favourite - Buffers.


As well as that there are vouchers to use at the Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel and Spa and the Devonshire Fell. Two for one afternoon tea anyone?! For our little train enthusiasts, the icing on the cake is that with the season ticket, one person travels FREE when accompanied by a full fare paying passenger at the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. (This offer does not include Bank Holidays and special events)

For more information about season tickets and to check the latest offers and discounts click HERE or call 01756 718009.

We plan to make lots of use of ours and will let you know what we think when we’ve checked them all out! We’ll see you there! x