A week away

We have just spent a week away in Manchester staying with Deborah's mum and dad. Ed had a training course in Preston which is always a good excuse to go and stay where we get all our meals cooked for us, clothes washed, free baby sitting and a lie in. It was really great to see everyone again as Easter was the last time we went up. Ed had the whole week off (except the two day course) and we really felt we relaxed. We did a lot of reading and caught up on sleep - much needed as Baby Day gets closer!

Isaac had a fantastic time away and was spoiled with lots of time, attention, sweets and playground trips. Here's a little of what we got up to...

We visited to Chester Zoo (our Bristol Zoo membership gets us in free) and saw lots that we don't normally get the chance to see including elephants, giraffes, camels and tigers. We took a trip on the monorail which was an excellent chance to see everything from a bird's eye view! For all you Bristol Zoo members, it's well worth a visit if you find yourself up that way!
We did lots of going to playgrounds (inbetween rain showers!). Here are Isaac and Grandad trying to figure out who is the heaviest...
More fun in the playground...
We managed to convince Isaac he looked dapper in a knitted cardigan...
Isaac's first trip to Blackpool... Isaac, Mummy and Grandma took the tram from one end of the promenade to the Pleasure Beach while Grandad and Daddy were cheapskates and walked the couple of miles instead. (I think Mummy is the one who should win the title of 'northern smoothie')
We went on a few rides on the Pleasure Beach including this 'Alice in Wonderland' ride, a log flume and a steam train. We weren't able to stay to see the first night of the illuminations. We're up again in a week or so (Ed's got another course!) so we might go then.