Summer Holiday 2015: Seaton Tramway

After our busy morning at the Donkey Sanctuary we took the short drive along the coast to Seaton for a ride on the Seaton Tramway.

Summer Holiday 2015: Donkey Sanctuary

For this year's summer holiday, our first having to deal with school holiday schedules, I put my foot down against the grossly inflated prices most holiday locations charge.  Don't get me started as I could rant all day about it!  Instead we decided to have a Trip Advisor holiday...... we picked the general area, this year we went with the Plymouth area of Devon as I had many happy family memories of holidays there during my own childhood.  From there we searched Trip Advisor to find a place to stay, places to eat and fun things to do.  Accommodation was B&B in a small guesthouse (The Phantele)which was charming, hosts were wonderful,breakfast was delicious and price didn't blow our budget!

Day one we chose to spend the morning visiting the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth. (The Donkey Sanctuary).  I've always loved donkeys and we thought a quick visit to this charitable center was a good way to start our week - we hadn't expected to still be there at lunchtime - so much to see and do!

Recipe: Crispy Cheddar Chicken

Fried chicken with a white sauce, usually called "gravy", is a staple in the Southern United States and one of my hubby's favourites.  This is far from a healthy version but by baking the chicken instead of frying I can add a cheesy flavour to make it even tastier!  We sometimes serve with rice and a side salad or, more often, roasted garlic mash and a vegetable.

Recipe: BBQ Pulled Pork

There are so many versions of Pulled Pork out there these days.  There is something very comforting about the juicy meat, served in a lovely soft roll.  It certainly takes us back to our time living in the Southern U.S. - the home of great BBQ!  This recipe resorts to a traditional low and slow oven cook, it's finger lickin', juicy and oh so tender!

Monthly Menu - August 2015

I have mixed emotions about August.  It's usually our best month for weather, long days and day trips scatter the calendar.  No school for C to worry about for another month.  And yet, as a working Mum, it's the month I feel most guilty about.  So many other children get to spend the entire month with a parent having lots of Summer fun.  However, that might drive me ever so slightly batty lol!  Instead we make the most of every evening and weekend, and C's fabulous childminder (whose son is C's best friend at school) makes sure they don't miss out - swimming club, trips to the park, trips to the beach, picnics etc.  So with the long hot Summer (hopefully!) ahead of us here's what's on our menu.