I will openly admit that feeding a tiger was not on my bucket list. I have only just managed (at the age of 41) to stroke my friends cocker spaniel! My husband on the other hand loves animals, so when Paradise Wildlife Park asked if he would like to review the feed a big cat experience for his 40th Birthday, I lept at the chance. Infact I was excited to be taking part too. I mean the tiger is behind a metal fence, how scary could it be?


We headed to the park nice and early and reported to the discovery centre. They stamped our hands and let us go into the park for a quick look around. We headed back to the discovery centre 10 mins before our feeding slot and had a hot chocolate and biscuit whilst we signed our waiver.

We then met Ian who was our guide for the experience. I was expecting to be told which big cats we were feeding, but he advised we could choose. Obviously our chosen cat may not be in the mood and if so we would then need to move to another. So now came a big decision. For me it was between the lions or white tiger. The keeper had explained that the other tigers were mourning the loss of their male a few weeks previously, so we felt we would leave to grieve in peace.

Having been and enjoyed tea with a tiger with Red Letter Days, I already had a soft spot for the white tiger. My husband was happy and we opted for this. On the walk over, Ian told us all about Baikal. He had come from a zoo in France when he was young. They had tried to put another white tiger who had been rescued from a circus with him, but being solitary animals they didn't get on.The other tiger is at their sister site in Kent. Ian explained that they would not breed Baikal as that would be irresponsible. White Bengal Tigers are genetically inferior due to inbreeding and can't survive in the wild. He therefore said that he felt the park was the best place for Baikal.

We arrived at the enclose and Ian went through how to hold the meat and present it to Baikal. As we were a couple, we both had 5 pieces of meat to feed Baikal.. If you do the experience by yourself you will have 8 pieces. Ian advised that if we got licked it would feel like sandpaper. Was I scared? Not at all.

My husband went first. His face lit up when he fed the tiger.

After a couple of low down feeds, Ian advised to raise his arm so that we could see him in all his beauty. I chucked when my husband exclaimed he was a big cat. Of course he was! Was I scared? Not at all.




Then it was my go. I calmly walked to to the fence. My husband was right, he was big! Ian placed the meat in my hand. I went to put my hand against the fence. Baikal opened his mouth. Was I scared? No,  I was terrified! I pulled away and couldn't do it! This is when Ian was fantastic. He didn't make me feel stupid. He asked if I wanted help. I accepted. He put his hand over mine to give me assurance. It is amazing how being a few feet nearer makes something more scary. It is only this close up that you really appreciate the shear size of a tiger.


The long slightly curved and sharp teeth, The mouth opened so wide. His massive claws which would knock you down with one blow. My imagination ran wild, but he  really was the most gentle of giants. Whilst absolutely terrified I managed to feed him by myself. He carefully took his chunk of meat and swallowed it whole.

It was, without doubt, one of the best experiences I have ever had.

Maybe it was because I wasn't expecting it to be scary. Maybe it was because it was something I wouldn't normally choose to do. Maybe it was because it really is a special thing, being able to feed such a beautiful and powerful animal.

I had wanted my husband to have a 40th he would remember and with an experience like this my wish was delivered. If you want to see us both in action, then I have made a short video. Complete with my cackles of relief!


As part of the experience, you can spend the rest of the day in the park (which deserves its own post very soon) and a goody bag that has a certificate and magnet in.

If you are looking for a present for the person that has everything then I can guarantee this is a day that they will remember forever. A massive thank you to Paradise Wildlife Park for such an amazing day.

How on earth is it only a week since half term? I think the past week may have been the longest week ever. It started rather well with my husbands 40th and a trip to the Hinds Head in Bray. We have been a couple of times before and it is always good. It isn't out there like The Fat Duck. Just really good food. Best of all was the lunch menu was only £25 for 3 courses. Not bad for somewhere with a Michelin star is it? I love that when you go to a good restaurant, you eat food that you would never have tried otherwise and it tastes delicious. I am now thinking we should try and go more often!


This coming week my husband is away for a couple of nights so I will try and make a few easy dinners. I feel like I am being pulled in 20 different directions at the moment so sometimes the easy option needs to win. I still haven't worked out what the boys will wear for World Book Day!

Last week's meal plan went well and the boys loved my homemade quiche. Will have to share a recipe for that soon.

So back to our meal plan for this week:

Monday: Sausage casserole

Tuesday: Cheesy egg and bacon muffins

Wednesday: Wrap based pizzas

Thursday: Salmon and lentils

Friday: Curry - something I have frozen.

Saturday: Duck pancakes and prawn toast


Sunday:Beef casserole with puff pastry.


What have you got on your meal plan this week?

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

There is definitely something about having children that makes you feel old. When you find yourself saying "when I was young...." on a daily basis. Mainly to justify just how grateful they should be for their lives. Rather than being grateful, however, they just stare at you blankly and say things like "what do you mean you didn't have e mail?"

Little man's question of  "Mummy, were you born one week after the second world war?" recently has at least been helpful in making me remember to moisturise regularly.

Sunlife have recently written a post about how life has changed in the last 100 years which highlights the changes in things from communication to dating. My husband and I were obviously a little behind the times as we met in the student union bar in the 1990's. I distinctly remember getting my Hotmail address when I was completing my Masters so internet dating would have been a little way off for me and luckily I never needed to use it.

Big man is always asking when he will get a mobile phone. We have agreed that it will be for his 11th Birthday. He has reluctantly accepted this after my tales of not getting one until I was 23. It didn't have the internet on either! Oh the fond memories I have of my first Nokia.

When I ask middle man what he would like to do for a job when he grows up, he exclaims how he has his sights set on being the biggest you tuber since Dan TDM. At middle man's age I wanted to be a teacher.  It did change from History to Science as I got older. . Can you imagine my careers advisers face if I had told them that I would like to take pictures of my dinner as a job. No one even knew what the internet was let alone dreamed of being an influencer. I for one am glad that blogging took off as I took a career break to raise my boys. The flexibility it brings is fantastic. If middle man's dreams come true then quite frankly it is a much better way for him to make money than going into teaching.

TV (or lack of it) is another thing that keeps coming up with the boys. When we went to Center Parcs recently they were complaining that there were less children's TV channels than they were used to. Well we only got to watch one channel after 3 when we were young was my husbands and my response. Oh and it wasn't always in colour. Yes kids, there will be no sympathy from us with your "only 10" channels to choose from!


What are your memories of your childhood?

The Monday of half term saw middle man turn 8. We happened to be in Center Parcs to celebrate my husbands 40th which was great news as it meant at the beginning of the break middle man could do the mini jet skis with little man and at the end of the break aqua jetting with his older brother. He also managed to convince me that he needed pancakes for lunch! There is no doubt that at the age of 8, middle man has me wrapped around his little finger. So much so I broke my no soft toy rule and got him a soft toy pug.


We had already celebrated with his friends with a gaming party. I had been reluctant to have such a party but it turned out to be really good and all the children played nicely together. If only my boys would all the time!


So what can I tell you about middle man at the age of  8? Well he is as crazy as ever. A born entertainer. He is learning magic and goes to LAMDA. I can never quite work out how he lerans his lines as he never practices. I think he may have a photographic memory.

He is obsessed with you tube and would like to start his own channel. He loves Dan TDM and as a result also loves pugs! But the apple of his eye is the same little girl as it has been for the last two years. This year he was touched that she gave him a packet of love hearts as school broke up for half term. He had a plan. We would deliver her a gift too. But he knows that Valentine's are meant to be a surprise. He would deliver his gift secretly. He would wear a disguise. I mean, who would even double take at these two Scots walking their dogs?



Middle man you make me smile every day. May the next year be a good one.

After lots of time in the changing room I came out with 4 pieces. A pink sleeveless blouse, perfect for the summer, but equally good for spring teamed with a black cardigan. A white blouse that could be dressed differently with scarves or necklaces.A bright fan print scarf that I think goes equally well with both blouses.And last but not least a blue skirt that I found in the sale rack. It was such a bargain at £3.20 I couldn’t not buy it.

So here are my purchases styled with some my existing wardrobe. At the moment it is too cold to wear the pink shell top by itself so I have paired it with the scarf and a black cardigan. Come the summer it will be worn by itself. I particularly like the clasp fastening.



The white striped ruched sleeve blouse, originally £16 was reduced to £12. It is a loose fit and the detail on the arms makes it stand out.



It looks good with a chunky black necklace, but again can be teamed up with the fan print scarf and my bargain blue skirt.




I know that lots of people like to internet shop, but when it comes to clothes shopping it just isn't for me. I like to go and try clothes on  before I buy them. Having such affordable clothes in Sainsbury's is perfect and I shall certainly be browsing for some more pieces soon when I next need to go and get some bread and milk. Have you tried a capsule wardrobe before? Where do you shop for work clothes?

Excuse my absence last week as it was half term and meal planning went a bit astray. We spent a fun packed weekend at Centre Parcs and also had the most amazing Big Cat Experience at Paradise Wildlife park, all in celebration of my husbands 40th. Posts on these are all to come, but as I am still so impressed with myself for finally having the courage to feed this rather beautiful creature, I am going to share a quick picture now.



So what are our plans for this week when it comes to food?

Monday: This is the actual day that my husband turns 40 so he is having the day off work and we are off to The Hinds Head in Bray for lunch. I am thinking the boys can have something out of the freezer for tea as I doubt my husband and I will want to eat much.

Tuesday: Roast chicken and vegetables. The chicken was on offer in Tesco so it seemed a good idea.

Wednesday: Homemade quiche. Ever since I tried a delicious one that my work colleague made, i have been wanting to make my own quiche. I will be using wraps instead of pastry as it is much lighter.

Thursday: Pork Stroganoff

Friday: Some kind of curry - probably chicken and lentils.

Saturday: Roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. We will have this a day early as middle man is at a party.

Sunday: Taco quesadillas

Having tried out the Rubik's Junior and finally finding a Rubik's puzzle I can complete without cheating, I was excited by the Rubik's 2x2. I mean it is only small, it must be easy right? Louise, read the sticker on the box! No it is not easy. It is small, but with 3764160 combinations, I have yet to manage to complete it.


Instead I have left it to big man to solve. He is now a whizz at the regular Rubik's cube.

"It's all to do with algorithms Mummy."

"Ummmm ok" I say whilst googling what algorithm means. It took him 3 weeks to be taught by his friend and you tube on how to solve a Rubik's cube no matter how it has been muddled.

He has managed to solve the 2x2 but hasn't yet worked out how to do it reliably. However, I am sure he will work it out soon. I am hoping he will them teach me so that I can finally say I have completed a Rubik's cube.

I did think that the boys may not be as interested in this cube as they have the bigger one, but that is not the case. Big man sees it as a new challenge and little man lives in hope that he might be able to solve this smaller version.

I am excited to be able to offer one of my readers the chance to win a Rubik's 2x2 cube for themselves. Just complete the gleam entry below. Good Luck!

Rubik's 2x2

This weekend saw the start of middle man's 8th Birthday celebrations. He had a fantastic gaming party from Pop Up Arcade so I decided to make him a Mario cake.


I am sure he would have liked a Minecraft one, but I have already made a surprise inside one for big man as well as a Minecraft birthday cake one. I was originally cursing myself for throwing out an old Happy Meal Mario figure, but then I found a Mario Pez dispenser and had an idea. As I just had the head, I decided I would stick it into the middle of the cake and it would look like he was coming out of one of those green drain pipes.


Time is scarce these days so I made the cake as easily as possible. I made a basic sponge using 8oz self raising flour, 8oz caster sugar, 8oz butter and 4 eggs. I split this between 3 round cake tins and added greaseproof paper to the top as well as bottom so they would rise evenly.

Once cooled, Betty Crocker came to the rescue with her chocolate fudge frosting. I sandwiches the layers together and spread frosting around the sides and top. This then went into the fridge to cool so that I could smooth it and add blue icing over the cake.

To make all the details of the cake, I used coloured icing pre prepared with CMC. To make the drainpipe stand up I used an ice cream cone to attach the icing to.



Finally I added some chocolate gold coins to the back of the cake using toothpicks.

I can hardly believe that it is half term for us next week. I am pleased it is though. This rubbish weather and dark afternoons has been tough going and I am looking for a more relaxed week.

This weekend saw middle man's gaming party. It was a huge hit and he was buzzing all evening. I have decided that you can't win with party teas and there are always kids that don't like what you feed them. I have spent hours making sandwiches before and been left with thousands. This time it was pizzas and nuggets and they still didn't seem to eat much. It could be the case though that not all children eat as much as my boys do. We also now have loads of ice cream to eat as the party over ran and we ended up just giving them cake.



I have run out of ideas and energy this week when it comes to meal planning and am mainly going for easy dinners.

Monday: Scrambled egg an chorizo bagel

Tuesday: Pork and apple burgers



Wednesday: Prawn, garlic and lemon ciabatta

Thursday: Filled pasta and sauce

Friday: Microwave curries

Saturday: Steak and wedges. (I will be going to Lidl to get the steaks as they are so much better than Tesco.)

Sunday: Eating out


What do you have planned to eat this week?