It all began - as so many musical journeys do - with learning the recorder at primary school, then having flute lessons which eventually resulted in passing my grade 8 exams at the age of 17. Throughout secondary school I was in pretty much every ensemble going, from the chamber and main choirs, to the wind band and orchestra, and even led a flute choir for a while.

you’re cross and you’re tired

and excited and nervous

and really inspired

This one is a bit more complicated than a simple quotation…

Autumn’s arrival brings with it a sense of renewed purpose: perhaps it’s the teacher in me, but I’m keen to get everything ship-shape before the C word comes along (!), to set goals, to make exciting plans. I’m also keen to create, make, bake, walk, get the garden (and my wardrobe!) in order and so much more.

We live in a world that talks about support but the hidden messages always point to celebrating the self sufficient person. Sadly this sets us parents up to FAIL! Despite being a time when resources and energy are low, our need for human contact, connection and empathy is at our highest. We’re truly vulnerable. Building a support network before and after my baby came, and making time and effort to invest in those relationships has reaped rewards.

Knowing what I know about this amazing place now, it will definitely be a place we meet up with friends and relatives of all generations. Its location (on the Kent/Surrey/Sussex borders) means that it’s a perfect “let’s meet up there, it’s half way between all of us” spot. And frankly the coffee was so good I’d be tempted just to go there for that…

Godstone Farm - what an absolutely amazing day out! We have been coming here since both children were babies: we’ve always loved the family feel (it was set up forty years ago by a wonderful family), the sheer space of the place (other places can feel a bit claustrophobic), the variety of things to do and the friendliness of the staff. It was an absolute delight therefore to host a #gifted birthday party for my daughter’s fifth birthday there in July. In this blog I’m going to give you as much info as possible about all the things to do there, and why this amazing venue is great for the whole family.

Here’s where I’m cross that I didn’t take a photo. Essentially get the round 9” cake, and then get a glass with a diameter approx that you’d get at the opening of a pint glass. Push the opening of said glass through the middle of the cake, so you should end up with a circle with a hole in it! Then cut a quarter of the circle out . Then cut a third off the loaf cake and assemble as per my rather wonderful clip art…

There was a noise. It wasn’t a thunder. It wasn’t a road. The noise didn’t blast you out of your seat and send you reeling.

I don’t know about your kids, but in the “top 5 things we love to do” list soft play, steam trains, playgrounds, running around (in gardens), eating ice cream and playing games as a family would definitely feature! From the Pecorama website we really didn’t know what to expect much beyond the steam train, but my word this is the most AMAZING PLACE EVER!

It was clear to us as soon as we arrived that there was a real mix of locals walking their dogs (there were a lot of very well-behaved, on the lead dogs), parents with pre-schoolers (you can go to the cafe independently of visiting the House and Gardens - I know if I was a local I would be here with the mini-POMs a lot getting my coffee and cake fix - more on that later), retired people, passionate gardeners and tourists like us on a day out!

set up my brand new biz which is a co-working club for work-from-home mums with a pop-up creche called Mumming. We come to work together on our dream businesses and share ideas whilst having a proper good coffee! As well as that, I’m also training to be a Social Media Consultant with my other Biz Social Chocolates. Just a bit on my plate then!

A poem I wrote after a Closing the Bones Massage Ceremony.

I’m also the Mum who misses her children with a pain that crushes her chest.  I have the very best husband who could possibly exist and hate the patronising question “who’s looking after the children”? He’s not a superhero, he’s a DAD.  And he is awesome at being a Dad. As good as any Mum. Certainly as good as I ever could be.

I need my children to learn

that the place where I made them

Have you ever heard of a Women’s Health physio? “A what?” I hear you say. So Women’s Health physios are experts in pelvic health and we can provide you with that detailed assessment postnatally. Enter the Mummy MOT - the six week check you dreamed of!

What if we stopped trying to fix it all, all of the time?

Shortly after, we found ourselves sitting in the room. the room was a little white ‘Counselling Room’. I had walked past it on several occasions during this pregnancy and each time it had made me go cold. In the little room they gave me a tissue and a glass of water. Loss of brain function was mentioned, specialists were mentioned, unknown outcome…