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Where's your favourite family walk?

I RECENTLY contributed to MyChild.co.uk on favourite family walks. This was a really fun feature to work on, not least because my family absolutely love getting out and about.

You can read the resulting piece here.

I'd love to know if you agree with my choices and where else you would recommend.

Where's your most treasured place to visit for a bracing stroll together?  

Where are you heading next year? Holiday companies share their predictions

THOMSON and First Choice have issued a press release naming what they consider their 'hottest destinations' for 2010. Here are their top five: 

1. Turkey

Holidays in Turkey proved a big hit with customers this year as it offers great value for money, and with perfect weather and golden beaches, it will continue to be a popular choice in 2010. As a result, Thomson and First Choice have significantly increased their programme offering a range of new flights and destinations. Another reason Turkey holidays are proving so popular is down to many hotels offering all-inclusive board, in this current economic climate, is always helpful to families and couples wanting to keep to a budget on holiday. First Choice has more of their popular ‘Splash’ hotels in Turkey than in any other destination.

Should children go naked on the beach?

 

Photo from BL1961 on Flickr

Update: See a recent piece from The New York Times on this very subject here and read what Babyccino blogger Michela and her commenters have to say, here.

YET again this blog is taking its inspiration from Joanne Mallon at Parentdish.

Joanne asked 'Do you let your children go nude?"

It made me think - especially when it comes to at the seaside.

My daughters are 10. For them, of course, it's out of the question.

But when I think back to when they were tiny, their little bums could be seen sometimes, quite rarely if I'm honest, waggling away in the sand or sea.

My mum hated this. She couldn't wait to tell me: "Get some clothes on them. Quick!" 

Havealovelytime.com 'one to watch' says Times Online

THERE'S a brilliant round-up of family travel resources available via Twitter in the Times Online here.

I'm very grateful that despite the fact that pressing work and personal stuff over the last week has meant precisely NO posts, we are included in this list with some very respected and well-established sites and didn't slide down into the 'take it or leave it' category!

Heres' what Jennifer Howze says about us in her report of the best family travel tweeters:

What's on? Great ideas including fishy fun and wannabe knights

By Amanda Fazani

WONDERING what you can do with the kids through the long summer holidays? Then the second annual Kids Fun Ideas show in Manchester will give you plenty of food for thought.

GMEX is set to host the fun-filled event on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, which includes exhibits, workshops and demonstrations of ideas for the whole family.

Meet the bloggers: Carol Garrington

IT only seems like yesterday that Carol's tenacity and determination were recognised with a national award. (Okay it was three years ago, even if I still go on about it!) Now, here she is again - inspiring others, this time in the social media spotlight.

Thanks to Mario from Someone Once Told Me for all his time with us recently. Check out his wonderful website for lots more examples of the influential things people have heard. 

*This is a dual post from Passionate Media's works blog. Watch this space for more about our lovely bloggers.

From hip hop to extreme arts - a round-up of June family events

SO summer's finally here - our favourite time of the year when kids love to be outdoors and enjoy the best of the season’s offerings, writes Amanda Fazani.

To help you plan ahead, we've rounded up some of the best activities for families from across the country. Also, please do check out my post about The Tales of the Road campaign about keeping kids safe this summer.

This month there's a great range of activities on offer, from a free festival of international music to celebrations of the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's reign.

Open Farm Sunday, farms nationwide, Sunday June 7

Open Farm Sunday is an annual event organized by the charity, LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) in which farms across England, Wales and Scotland open to the public and offer events designed to help us appreciate our countryside:

Let kids be kids...it's not a competition! (New category: Children's activities)

By Linda Jones

THIS category will include news and reviews of fun things for kids to do. And that means the focus will be firmly on fun not why it's 'good' for them!

Reading this thoughtful post by Tara at Sticky Fingers got me thinking too...

WHAT is it with this clamour for constant "stimulation" for our children through so many "improving" activities?

Have we ever been under more pressure to see them doing something, like every night of the week? How many children do we all know who are signed up for French, piano, trampolining, ballet, gym, disco, tap and finding a cure for the common cold before they're out of nappies?

What do you say when you see a magpie?

WHEN we are on our way anywhere, and even if I am in the car by myself, if I see a magpie, I say: "Good afternoon Mr Magpie, how's your wife and family?'

For some reason, I say this whatever time of day it is. On holiday in Wales with my mum, she does exactly the same thing.

According to this piece from the BBC, this is part influenced by a ritual based on a belief that a lone magpie brought bad luck.

Friends have told me that they have been known to salute magpies.

If I see just one, I do think "one for sorrow" and have a good look around to see if there are any more.

A fuller rhyme is here.

How about you? Are you far too wise to be uttering such nonsense or have you an even more elaborate routine?

Coming soon on Havealovelytime.com

THANK YOU so much to everyone who has been in touch to tell us about how much they have liked the look of this new blog.

And there have been a fair few - despite the rollercoaster pictures that have featured so far!

Thank you to everyone who has already commented on our posts or emailed to say they have appreciated the information included. Not surprisingly, my mega post about Disney has proved popular, with commenters also sharing their own tips and experiences.

Have you voted in our poll on 'Baby on Board' stickers yet or told us what you think about attitudes to children in public? Why not have your say?

Camilla and family are off to Denmark soon, so I'm looking forward to reading about that. Erica from Littlemummy has 'outed' herself as a member of the team too and she's off for a night in a lovely looking hotel in Inverness.

We've also prepared tips on packing, driving abroad and other handy hints. And we are set to review a range of Frommer's guide books.