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Week in Review #15

Our weekdays last week were fairly uneventful with various plumbing people and a boiler service man visiting the house, so a lot of the week was spent at home. Luckily we had a Bank Holiday this weekend, which meant we had 3 days with Daddy. We decided that we would stay at home rather than go away, and we enjoyed a fantastic 3 days in and around London. Here’s what we got up to:

Family visiting

My parents, my brother and his fiance visited us on the Saturday. We had a lovely day relaxing at home with tea and cake, before going for a long lunch at a local restaurant. We all enjoyed a delicious lunch, and our little one was so well behaved eating all her lunch and being happy is everyone’s company. My Mum is still raving about how well behaved she was now, she did knock a glass of water over me though. After lunch as the weather was lovely, we got to spend the rest of the afternoon outside in the sunshine.

IKEA trip

We had planned a trip to IKEA to purchase some baby-proofing essentials, and to choose a new table and chairs for our kitchen. I was fairly organised with this and had written a list of exactly what we needed. You need a list for IKEA otherwise you come home with nothing but picture frames, cushions and candles. Still with a list, we forgot to purchase the kitchen cupboard door stoppers and plug socket covers. But we did get the drinks cabinet doors we desperately needed, picture frames, glasses, mirror and rug. Our little one also had another bout of travel sickness after my husband drove too fast around a roundabout, so our trip to IKEA started with a full strip down in the toilets and my hands stinking of baby sick. Luckily now whenever we go in the car I now travel with spare clothes.

Visit to Chartwell (National Trust property)

On Bank Holiday Monday (the worst weather of the weekend) we had planned a trip with friends to Chartwell in Kent, which is a National Trust property. The weather wasn’t too bad, a little damp, but no rain. Chartwell is a lovely property, where William Churchill used to live, it also has extensive grounds with lawns running down to a lake. We didn’t go into the house, with the little one, but instead made use of the grounds. There are beautiful walks down to the lake in the valley and up on the woodland paths, we even managed all the paths with the buggy too. I particularly enjoyed seeing all the bluebells under the trees, they are so pretty when they look like a carpet.

The restaurant at Chartwell is lovely serving home cooked food, and huge portions of cake. I enjoyed sausages and mash, whilst my husband had the beef bourguignon, we then had the biggest slice of chocolate cake that I had ever seen. More walks were required after lunch to walk off all the food.

We had a lovely day at Chartwell spending time and catching up with friends from University that we hadn’t seen for a while, we decided that Chartwell was an ideal location for us all to meet us as the drive out of London was about 45 minutes for each of us. It would make an ideal place for a visit in the summer when the sun is shining, and a picnic can be consumed.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my week.

Claire x

The Pramshed

70 Comments

  • A mum track mind

    Sounds like quite a nice week! I love a long bank holiday weekend at home, it’s so rare to get any time at home as a full family these days that it feels like such a treat. I must get down to IKEA for baby-proofing essentials soon – Sophie is only 4 months but I don’t think it will be long before she’s on the move! Eek! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • bridiebythesea

    Sounds like a lovely week! I love a good IKEA trip and it made me smile about your little one feeling sick after hubby drove round the roundabout too fast…happens here too! Thanks for hosting #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Squirmy Popple

    Sounds like a lovely week! It’s always nice when Daddy is around for an extra family day. I know what you mean about IKEA – every time I go there, I end up with at least five things I didn’t intend to buy. #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Baby Anon

    Sounds like a fun and productive weekend! We went to a family event last weekend and my behaviour too was commented on (they should have seen me later 😉 ) Chartwell sounds lovely. And baby-proofing, I’ll be honest, I don’t like the sound of that 😉 #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Lauren

    Sounds like a lovely bank holiday weekend! I need the IKEA baby proofing in my life- even though she can’t crawl, she rolls like a wild thing and has already (I’m a little ashamed to admit) bumped her head rolling into things.
    I need to go in search of bluebells! A good excuse to get out and about tomorrow I think!

  • Mrs Lighty

    Ooh you were brave, going to IKEA on a bank holiday weekend!! Wasn’t it rammed?! Although I didn’t know they did baby proofing bits, so I think I need to get down there and have a look. Chartwell is fab, isn’t it? I think from what you’ve said, you probably live in a similar location to us – we’re just on the Essex / Havering border…? Thanks for hosting #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      We’re in London which is great for lots of NT properties in Kent, Sussex, Surrey…Would love to go in Summer when we can enjoy a picnic. IKEA wasn’t too bad, we went early, pretty much as soon as it opened. Thanks for commenting lovely 🙂 Claire x

  • Nursery Whines

    Sounds like a lovely weekend, apart from lKEA. How is it that a place full of home furnishings, half of which you already own, feels the most uncomfortable and hellish place on earth?! #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      You should go Rachel for the experience, but go with baby, when you’re not hungry, when you need to buy cushions, candles and picture frames, and go when you have the patience of a saint 🙂 xx

  • Ali Duke

    Sounds like a lovely week, although I have to say I hate going to places like Ikea, I am more of an online shopping person lol.
    #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Same here! But there were a few things we needed from IKEA….doors for an existing IKEA drinks cupboard, so had to make the trip. Online shopping is so much easier 🙂 xx

  • Jess Powell (Babi a Fi)

    I’ve never been to Chartwell, but it looks lovely. I keep putting off a trip to IKEA even though I really want to go – I just know I’ll end up spending a fortune!

    Aw, the sick thing made me smile. I’ve been scanning in all the old family photos all week and there are so many of either my brother or I in pants and vest in the car, sick covered clothes shoved in a carrier bag somewhere out of shot… xD #fortheloveofblog

  • everythingsrosieandgeorge

    Sounds like a lovely bank holiday weekend 🙂 I desperately need a trip to IKEA but I know I’ll do just as you said and end up with 100 picture frames and no essentials, MUST remember a list! xx #fortheloveofblog

  • Kaye

    Any week IKEA is involved is a good one, haha. I’ve only ever been once as we don’t have one that close and I can’t wait to go again (though it can be rather stressful)! Chartwell sounds fab, we love the National Trust properties. #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Kate

    Chartwell sounds like a lovely place. The grounds sound beautiful. Sounds like you had a nice week. I always enjoy parenting when family are around, as it takes the pressure off a bit, having other people to give my daughter attention! How old is your little one? #fortheloveofBLOG

  • thetaleofmummyhood

    Sorry to hear to little one gets car sick, it’s an awful feeling and can’t be nice at all. We are member of the National Trust so it’s good to read about properties worth visting! Also, good on you for braving IKEA!

    #fortheloveofBLOG

  • occupation:(m)other

    Ahh sounds like a lovely week! Although ikea gives me the shivers with or without baby sick to contend with. Chartwell is a lovely place to visit…and your meal sounds yum, I think I might be hungry! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • emetomumblog

    oh no re the travel sickness. i must admit that is a fear of mine for my boy. i really really hope he doesnt end up with it :/ hats off for going to IKEA too – i bloody hate that place. well i dont mind it at 8pm on a work night ! #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Azaria Lynch (@beingMrsLynch)

    Sounds like a lovely week. We are planning an IKEA trip in the near future and we always forget bits. this will be our first trip with our little one so that will be interesting now that she is trying to walk.

    Azaria- Being Mrs Lynch
    #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      I think I should write a blog post on how to survive IKEA with a 9 month old…so many comments on it. Take a list that’s all I say, and know where the items are that you need first 🙂 x

  • manstayshome

    A list for Ikea is essential! That place is a time vacuum – and you’re right about coming home with picture frames, etc – we have so many that I haven’t got around to hanging…

    Thanks for sharing #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Mummy Rules

    Chartwell sounds like a lovely day out, oh and sausage and mash is the best comfort food ever!!! Sorry to hear baby was sick in the car again though (last time we were tweeting with ThisMumsLife you mentioned it – in Wales?) I suppose at least you were prepared this time though!?! IKEA with a list…very sensible thinking, but I wonder if anyone has ever achieved it!! Have a good week this week too. Thanks for the invite to link up again xx #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      Yes the car sick is still here, it’s pretty much everytime we go somewhere – eek! I’ll be washing the car seat again today. So glad you could link up again this week, have a great week yourself xx

  • alexsbabyblog

    When I read about your hands smelling of baby sick ‘mum life’ just comes to mind haha. At least you always remember to bring spare clothes! Everywhere I go now someone tells me I either have baby poo or spew on my top and I just reply ‘I know’.
    Sounds like you had a lovely time, I love it when Ash has time off work to spend with us too. x
    #fortheloveofBLOG

    • The Pramshed

      I spent all yesterday with my hands smelling of sick as our little one was sick again in the car! Argh! We took about 5 spare outfits with us yesterday as we had a lot of driving to do. Thanks for your lovely comment 🙂 x

  • Jane Taylor

    Ha! It feels like I have spent my last 6 months in Ikea with the two Ikea hack makeovers we have done. Plus the extra visit due to my husband hauling a pax wardrobe upright without back panel in place –> Pax wardrobe becomes broken heap –> Ikea trip for Pax wardrobe mark 2!

    I love visiting stately homes and National Trust properties etc with the family. And the restaurants are always amazing! Glad you had a great time. #fortheloveofblog

    • The Pramshed

      Thanks Jane for your lovely comment! Love a Pax wardrobe, they are massive, we have one which is slowly falling apart. The restaurants are fab, lovely home cooked meals xx

  • Kat

    Sounds like you’ve had a lovely week! 🙂 Ours wasn’t as exciting, the bank holiday threw me out of sync a bit though! #fortheloveofblog

  • wendy

    Sounds like a great weekend! The national Trust property sounds great, one we will have to visit I think. Your comments on ikea made me laugh, we went on Friday WITH a list and managed to spend 80quid on stuff we didn’t need and only got about one thing on the list..oops!xx #fortheloveofBLOG

  • anywaytostayathome

    What a lovely long weekend. I love it when you find that perfect place to meet up with friends, something enjoyable to do, great for the kids and in the middle!! We have a few go to places like that with various friends and it really makes meeting up so much easier. #fortheloveofBLOG

  • Silly Mummy

    Sounds like a lovely Bank Holiday! & I read somewhere recently that IKEA is now considered to be one of the best free activities to do with small children, as they all love that shop! I’m unsure about the definition of free though – who goes to IKEA and doesn’t buy a load of stuff they don’t need?? #fortheloveofBLOG

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