#MySundayPhoto – Lowther Castle

Last week Paul and I took the sprogs to Lowther Castle for the day. We were graced by the good weather but sadly cursed by the bank holiday traffic. What should have taken us just over an hour and a half in the car took us almost two hours or more.

Seriously, I must have a bladder the size of a pea as having drunk way too much coffee prior to setting off it was actually me that seemed to cause the hold up with endless pit stops whilst on the road.

Having finally arrived at the castle we settled for dinner in the courtyard (a picnic prepared by Paul). After polishing the paninis off we headed into the grounds maps in hand for an Easter dragon egg hunt. Having loaded themselves with chocolate the kids were high as kites which made for a few cross words from Paul and I.

We eventually located several nests filled to the brim with different coloured eggs all of which we noted down. After an hour or so we came across the ‘Lost Castle’, a play park and a recent addition to the castle grounds which was swarming with children here there and everywhere.

Much like a rabbit warren it was easy to get lost and within minutes we had misplaced our son which as any parent knows full well is probably the worst feeling you can have. Having crawled through tunnels designed for two-year olds, scaled climbing frames, run around like a blue backsided fly and searched the playground top to bottom I was becoming slightly frantic.

Thankfully J turned up completely oblivious, pirate hat still perched upon his head wondering what all the fuss was about. We very quickly established some ground rules and once again the kids were off like bullets from a gun exploring the play park to the full.

I must admit that despite this play park being designed for children’s entertainment both Paul and I had just as much fun running around, swinging on a giant rope swing and shooting down the slides. I don’t care how old I may be, I couldn’t resist from freeing my inner child at a play park that size!

We eventually found the remaining eggs and having completed the clues we headed out to the gift shop to collect our prize , a small Cadburys creme egg which they handed over without even looking at the sheets which we had meticulously completed.

We picked up some souvenirs from the shop, had a quick look around the ruins of the castle and then headed home with the kids flat-out asleep in the back of the Zafira as Paul put his foot to the floor.

Despite the traffic jams, despite the endless pit stops, despite the kids chocolate high and a few arguments upon the way we had a wonderful day as a family, we made some fab memories and that’s all that matters in the long run.

Thanks for reading and as always I look forward to catching up with your #MySundayPhoto pictures either through your own posts or comments upon this post.