We’ve had a lovely couple of days, just out with the kids doing kiddie things.  Yesterday we joined some friends on a trip to Bodiam Castle.  It is a NT property which is the epitome of all things knighty; a proper castle – the sort you’d draw in a game of Pictionary.  It is beautiful.  It has a moat, drawbridge and is, alas, ruins inside but not so much that you can’t still climb up to the ramparts and into the remains of the old rooms.  They always lay on a host of mediaeval fun there – dragon egg hunts, archery, falconry - up to an entire weekend of it in August.  There’s a cafe and gift shop by the car park but what I love is that once you get to the castle, that’s all there is.  No playground, no gardens – just one spectacular castle and a smattering of 5 year old knights and princesses running around with foam swords.  Love it.

Today we went to Holmbush Farm which was a first visit and well worth the hour in the car.  Contrary to Bodiam, it had a multitude of play areas for all ages and lots of animals to admire.  I did feel for the pen of lambing ewes.  Poor sods.  I should mention it is a ‘living farm’ so it’s all going on and at this time of year there are cute little offspring everywhere.  We escaped any bad weather and took the obligatory tractor ride before going homeward bound.

What I love about days like these is that I only use the iPhone for taking photos and all our time is for the kids.  Most of these places are conveniently in signal blackouts and it takes you back to the basics of good, proper fun.  Enjoying your kids enjoying the simple things in life.

Marvellous.