The Deep

On Wednesday, DC, myself and his family took a trip to The Deep, the world's only submarium, in Hull. I have been here once before (years ago) when the aquarium first opened and was so excited to go back - it is something I have been talking about doing for ages! I love the sea, watching ocean documentaries and being near water so this was perfect.

Within the giant triangular building, you will find exhibit after exhibit of all types of sea creatures - from tropical through to cold water, from sharks to tiny shrimps and insects - plus fascinating facts about sea life, the various effects of global warming and over-fishing on the environment, for example, and a look into what the future could possibly hold. For the children, there is a play area, and the adults can enjoy a hot cup of tea and a slice of cake in the cafe. It's all indoors so it is perfect for rainy day activities with the kids (like we had!), and there certainly is a lot to see and do, so you certainly get your money's worth; you can find a lot more information on the website.

Admittedly, it was a very, very last minute trip - we all arrived at Elsham Hall with our picnics to find it was chucking it down, and so carried on over the Humber Bridge to the north bank to The Deep. Because of this, I don't have many photos from the trip; we were concentrating on getting inside the venue and out of the rain so I don't have a photograph of the (very impressive) building, and because it was so busy inside, it was quite difficult to take images of the exhibits. But, I wouldn't be a good little blogger if I didn't at least try, would I?

So, taken with my trusty camera phone,  here are just a few pictures from the day.

I cannot wait to go back to fully take in the exhibits and take some more (quality) images so I can give you a more in depth post. However, I hope these few images give you a little taster of what to expect. It really is a fascinating day out and, so far, the highlight of my week long staycation.

For more information on The Deep, it's opening times and admission prices (including information on year long free admission!), click here. Now I am going to watch repeats of the Ocean series on BBC and pretend I am in a warm, sunny climate admiring the sea creatures from the comfort of a boat...

Hubbards Hills

As I mentioned in my previous post, I now have a week off from work, and it began with myself and Coddy looking after the monster that is Brandy! We wanted to take her somewhere different for her walk on Sunday so we took a little road trip to the nearby town of Louth to a place called Hubbards Hills.

 

 Straight for the water, of course!

Chillaxing at the top of the hill.

This is another place my family used to bring me as a child and another example of how beautiful Lincolnshire can be - so beautiful in fact, it is an AONB, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, one of only 46 in the UK. As well as open land where dogs can run around, there is a meandering stream running through the grounds, gigantic hills which you can climb, a children's play area and quaint little cafe. If you're travelling by car, you will drive down some small, windy roads to get to the main car park so be careful, but once you are there, have a wonder round, pick your picnic spot, take in the scenery and enjoy your day.

Brandy certainly did!

Quick catch up

Hello there blogosphere!

I know I've been a little slack on the blog posts over the past couple of days so this is just a quick post explaining why.

I have my first week off work in a whole year!! And I intend on making the most of it, starting with a road trip to another beautiful Lincolnshire location today and night with the girls tonight (it's long overdue).

Myself and DC also have some fun things planned for the rest of the week too so, even though I might be a little quiet at first, I'll have lots coming up on the blog later...

I hope the rest of you have a lovely long Bank Holiday weekend, whatever you're up to!

Lemon Curd Cookies

Just over a week ago now, I tweeted this picture from Instagram...

... and now I'm going to tell you what this is!

These are my lemon curd cookies; I had an idea after seeing a half-eaten jar in the fridge and wondered what it would be like in a cookie.

I started by finding a cookie recipe, and this one from the BBC Good Food website caught my eye. Here are the ingredients, only I used wholemeal self-raising flour (as it is what I had left in the cupboard!)

 Start by creaming the butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla essence.

Next fold in the flour and salt...

Add some chocolate chips, but keep some aside to place on top the cookies. 

Now here's the messy part. Place some of the mixture in a circle onto a greased baking tray. Add a small dollop of lemon curd and then put some more mixture on top.  Swirl down the edges if necessary, to make sure the lemon curd is covered.

Add some chocolate chips to the top and voila! Put them in the oven for 10 minutes until golden.

Some words of advice, however; try leaving the cookies in for a little bit longer and make sure they have cooled properly, because I found that, after putting them on the plate, the cookies all stuck together! I'm sure that they will still be absolutely delicious!

Elsham Hall and Gardens

Saturday afternoon, DC suprised me and took me on a secret road trip! After tricking me into thinking it was simply a trip to the petrol station (twice!), we arrived at Elsham Hall, near Brigg, in Lincolnshire.

This is another one of those places I had visited as a child, and I was so happy to find we were going back! The country park, which the Elwes family opened to the public in 1970, consists of acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with animals, roaming peacocks, a quaint gift shop and children's play area, and things were just as I remembered as a kid, only even prettier...

We arrived at the main entrance which leads you into the courtyard; once you have paid your entrance fee (£5.50 per adult, bargain!) and bought your animal and fish feed, you can go on your way.

This is Elsham Hall; unfortunately it is not open to the public, but one day I will have my own estate - don't you think it suits me? (You don't have to answer that...)

This is the beautiful 'Trout Lake'.

All around you will see quaint wooden bridges, however we didn't see any trolls...

This had to be done.

Mud and Stud Cottage was a surprise - one of the things I couldn't remember! It is a cottage dating back to the 1600s and was moved here, piece by piece. Inside you will see an example of how the walls were made in the seventeenth century as well as a very, very old spinning wheel and some old photographs - pretty interesting. And doesn't it just look so picturesque?

And then DC noticed this next to the gorilla, which to be quite honest, is a little bit freaky...

You follow the path round Trout Lake and it leads you to  The Walled Gardens. I love this entrance; the details on the stones, the pattern on the gates, the simplicity of the sign, it's very English country garden, literally!

The aviary, with some very bright budgies indeed!

There was a sign that said 'These animals may bite' but DC decided to give them some grass anyway - but they weren't complaining.

A great use for old watering cans - turn them into a water feature!

In the Walled Gardens, there is a Guinea Pig Village, complete with 'The Guinea Hotel' and 'The Beach Bar', where these two critters wondered out from!

And here are the roaming Peacocks that I mentioned, although Ididn't get to see their stunning parade of feathers...

Onto Butterfly Garden.

Little ducklings swimming behind Duck Island.

And onto Animal Farm... aren't these cuddling rabbits adorable?

It was such a lovely afternoon, and the fact that the Animal Farm rescues animals is just a bonus; it is great to know that he little £5.50 can go towards helping the upkeep of this beautiful place. There are some events going on here in the last few weeks of the summer holidays so take a look at the website for more information - another one of my favourite Lincolnshire places.