A recent need to find exactly the right kind of presents for a set of grand children who live abroad required a trip to a specialist toy and game supplier. When items have to be wrapped, labelled and then packed…
Grandma’s Game Plan Avoids Teenage Meltdown
The February half term holidays are always a difficult time for parents in this family. There has usually had o be some heavy negotiation over the coverage of the Christmas school holidays and then Easter is fast approaching too. This…
Family Values Shine Through In Local Toyshop
I have only one small semi relative to buy presents for. My own family has flown the nest and the resulting grandchildren have done much the same, various universities being the temporary guardians. So I do make the most of…
Joy Of Seeing Kiddies Playing Outdoor Games
It’s been all go in my little cul de sac – lots of children seem to have moved into the area and at last, following months of enforced lockdown, they were beginning to get out and about. Not only that…
Know Your Enemy When Playing Board Games
One of the greatest joys to be had when camping and caravanning wth growing children is the never ending requests for favourite board games – take them to a limited facility site with no tv and sparse wifi and you…
Vintage Board Games Still Need Competitive Streak
There are some truly wonderful games out on the market these days… they can be board and teamwork versions of the fantastic digital online gaming sensations, down to a modernised version of snakes & ladders or ludo. Of course the…
Baby Hat Tale – Well Intentioned Mishap
It an be quite baffling when ‘bush telegraph’ messages go floating around regarding the next knitting or sewing project for one’s ladies’ group project etc. For example there was a whole lot of activity to get little hats knitted for…
Old Fashioned Entertainment Back In Force
I receive all sorts of magazines in the post. Some I have signed up for and look forward to with relish. Others have been sent as part of another subscription and vary in quality and sustainability. I can’t bear receiving…
Great Toy Anniversaries Revive Christmas Spirit
As the Christmas period approaches, I do tend to go into a depression. In fact it’s probably the only subject that causes me to. I find the whole rushing around buying stuff for other people just tedious and anxiety raising. …
How To Tell A Shark From A Croc . . . Don’t Ask Gran
I’m sure we all look at toys and play things in a different light. One man’s tennis ball is another man’s favourite dog exerciser. Whilst minding some family dogs recently, I realised that my stock of doggy toys had in…