Visit To Pumpkin Patch

Hello, 

Today we got to visit Halloween Pumpkin Patch at The Curraghchase Garden Centre, Co Limerick.  I have never been to a Halloween event like this before so I didn't really know what to expect.  It was great to see the garden centre had gone to huge efforts.  An area of the garden centre was dedicated to the Halloween event. It had a shop selling teas, coffees, candy floss etc, there was a pumpkin carving area with all the utensils provided.  There were bubbles, face painting and numerous Halloween photo opportunities set up. The main event was the huge selection of pumpkins available.  

It was lovely to roam around the hay field and pick the pumpkin.  You could pay for the pumpkin and bring it home or for an extra 3e you could carve it at the Halloween event. The prices were reasonable. Obviously it is more expensive than buying a pumpkin in the supermarket but it is all about the experience and how the kids enjoy it. There was no charge into the event. I booked a few weeks in advance and some time slots were already booked out.  We got a 10am slot, early on a Sunday morning but the weather was lovely and sunny which made the whole experience memorable.  It was a beautiful Autumn morning. 

The grounds were brilliantly decorated which added to the magic of it.  The kids were so inquisitive of the various scary set ups. 

We came across the unusual white pumpkins there, the girls wanted to carve one.  It ended up with a Hello Kitty being carved into it.  Dad got caught for this particular arts and crafts session!

Hello Kitty Pumpkin! :-)

I would highly recommend a day out at Curraghchase Garden Centre for Pumpkin Patch. Leave the buggies at home, too hard to push them through the hay.  Bring the baby carriers.  Bring wet gear.  Although the sun was out, the field, pumpkins and hay were wet. Also bring the wellies.  

If you go let me know how you got on...

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Thanks for reading,      

Orla Xx

Sunrise Childrens Festival @ St Bridget's Garden

We recently set off to experience the Sunrise Children's Festival at St Bridget's Garden in Co Galway.  It was the first of this festival and it did not disappoint.  It was a weekend event.  Full days of children's activities on Saturday and Sunday. To attend the festival it was 140e this included free camping on the Saturday night.  We arrived at St Bridget's Garden at about 1pm on the Saturday.  

We had to head straight to the camping site to set up our tent for the night.  The camp site was already really full and we had to keep our spot firmly before another family claimed it.  If there was one piece of advise for the organiser's I would give, it would be to let people head to the venue the night before on the Friday evening to set up.  Setting up camp on the Saturday takes time with smallies, hence time out of enjoying the activities on the day with the children.  







When our tent was ready, beds blown up and all unpacked we made the short walk to the festival.  The festival was fabulous for children.  There was an itinerary given to each family on arrival and you could visit each area to experience what you wanted with the family.  The earthy arts and crafts really inspired my girls.  








The craft leaders were very patient and helped each child no matter what age  to produce a lovely piece.  Crafts the girls made included stick instruments, twig disco sticks and wood fairies.  We watched bands, puppet shows, magicians, held bearded dragons and met The BFG to name but a few. We finished up on Sunday evening at the kiddies disco which had an enthusiastic girl showing all the children dance moves.  Just what they needed to keep up the atmosphere.





A highlight for us was the parade on the Saturday evening which led to the bonfire and fire dancers.  It was dress up as 'Superheroes and Goddesses'.  The girls loved this.  It was very well run and enjoyed by all.  

Points to think of - Please open the camping site on the Friday evening.  It would make the whole experience a lot more relaxed if we could set up on the Friday evening and enjoy a full weekend of camping. 

 
                     



  -A bit yuck but necessary sorry....Bring a camping travel toilet with you.  The power was down a few times over the weekend and the main loos were closed.  I brought a camping toilet because I am in the throws of toilet training with my youngest so it is just easier to have it close by.  You will understand if you have toilet trained a 2 and 5 month child before!! After experiencing a camping children's festival I will never go to a festival again without it!!

                             -The cafe could open earlier on Sunday morning for breakfast.  There was a huge queue waiting at 9am in the rain to get in.  We all know young children wake early, and in a tent they wake even earlier and want to be fed.  

All in all a great weekend away that was all about the children experiencing art and culture.  Well done St Bridget's Garden.  My girls loved it.  We really enjoyed it too.  I hope it becomes an annual children's festival.  It was a sold out festival on both days which goes to show that parents in Ireland want family entertainment and festivals.    

Thanks for reading. If you were there let me know what you enjoyed about the event.

Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.

Thanks for reading,

Orla Xx

This Sunday you have to try this!!

Baked Creamy Leeks

This is an absolutely fabulous accompaniment with any Sunday roast chicken dinner. I'm thinking I might even make it on Christmas day! My leeks are ready in my raised beds so I used them to make this dish.  It was beautiful and easy to make! Not for those counting calories! But sure what you eat on Sunday doesn't count ya?! ;-)

  

This serves 4-6 people

How to make it?

Preheat your oven to 200C.

Get 800g of Leeks.  Peel back the scruffy leaves, trim the ends and discard, then quarter the leeks lengthways and roughly chop them.  Put them into a sieve, give them a really good wash to get rid of any dirt. Then drain them.

Peel and finely slice two cloves of garlic.

Put a large pan on a medium heat and add two knobs of butter, a lug of olive oil and the garlic.
Pick the leaves off the 6 sprigs of fresh thyme, discarding the stalks.  I have the thyme growing in my raised bed also.

Just as the garlic begins to take on the smallest amount of colour, add all the leeks and thyme leaves and give them a good stir.

Turn the heat up and cook for about ten minutes until the leeks have softened.

Grate 100g of cheddar cheese.

Remove the pan of leeks from the heat and season with a good few pinches of salt and pepper.

Add 200mls of single cream and half the grated cheese.

Mix everything up and transfer into an earthenware dish.  I used my Chasseur Dish. It is perfect for this. 





The leek mix should be about 2.5cm thick in the dish.

Sprinkle over the rest of the cheese and bake in the preheated oven for 20minutes until golden and bubbling.

Enjoy! I did!

A Leek soup is next on my agenda, anyone got a good recipe?

Don't forget you can keep up to date with Countryside Mumsie on our social media accounts facebook and instagram.


Thanks for reading,

Orla & Kerri

My Favourite Family Places

My Favourite Family Places

I (Orla) am based in Co Limerick.  I decided to write a short blog on my favourite family places in Co Limerick.  There are four playgrounds/parks in Limerick that I feel are really excellent. They truly are worth a visit and feel lucky to have them on my doorstep in Co Limerick.

The first playground I would like to mention is the Adare Playground in The Manor Fields, Adare.  This is a super playground.  It has sand, a digger in the sand, a zip line, climbing frames, balance beams, cubby house, hammock, swings, slides, tunnels and picnic benches.  It is both enjoyable for adults and children and is very clean. I have spent many days there!

The second playground/park I would highly recommend is The Croom Playground.  There is a lovely playground there with a seesaw, slides, climbing frames and swings.  On looking the playground is an amazing restaurant/café called The Riverside.  Great to grab a takeaway coffee in before heading down to the playground.  They do a fabulous Sunday lunch also.  The playground is situated on a park that runs alongside the River Maigue.  There are tarmac paths perfect for bikes and buggies.  At the end of the park is a insect hotel, the kids love it.  It is surrounded by a wildflower meadow. You could spend the day in Croom, give it a go, it will not disappoint.

The third playground I want to tell you about is Currachase Playground and Park.  I love this park.  There is so much to do!  You set off on the loop around the beautiful lake, first you meet the ducks and amazing swans.  You can climb into the forest up the steps and discover hidden gems. Climb the fallen trees then head to the playground where there are climbing frames and swings.  There are other longer bike and walking/running trails set out, you just have to follow the map.  Bring a picnic you will want to spend the whole day here.  You can always try out the new café in Currachase called De Veres.  The barrier is now up in Curraghchase at weekends since the café opened.  It is a an amazing free facility! Give it a go.  It just keeps getting better every time I go back!

Just last week I finally got around to visiting Castleconnell Fairy Woods.  I heard it was an amazing place to visit with the kids. It is located on the river walk just left of he playground in Caastleconnell..  We arrived at the car park at 11am and didn't leave until 3pm.  It was just fantastic there.  The weather was good, so we set off to the forest walk first to try and find some fairies.  We stumbled across them very easily and the girls couldn't get enough of it.  They were so captivated by the fairies and their houses, their washing line, their beach house and finally the fairies blue castle where everyone drops their doodies in; to give them up for good.  The fairy takes the doodies! Brilliant Idea!! Personally it took us getting a large trampoline to get rid of the doodie at bedtime!! If only i'd known! You can walk along the forest and the long bridge, then after head back to the playground and have a small picnic.  It was a super day out with the family, we all really enjoyed it! we will certainly be back in the future.

Is there any places you just love to visit with your family?  We would love to hear.

Thanks for reading

Orla & Kerri xx

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Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Hey Everyone,

For a family day out recently we went to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. My girls are big into princesses at the moment, from dressing up to role plays so you can imagine their excitement when we told them we were going to a princess castle!?! Now we didn't actually see a princess but we did get to walk around the castle, see her bedroom, her banquet hall, her tower and even her dungeon! After the castle tour we walked around the folk park.

 We enjoyed looking at a reconstructed village of Irish life over a century ago. There are many fun attractions to go see including an old school house, doctors surgery, post office and Irish cottages. What added to the enjoyment was the costumed characters that bring the village to life such as the constable. There are animals for the children to enjoy including two Irish Wolfhounds which love being rubbed and having their photos taken. There is also a great playground with swings, climbing frames in the shape of castles and boats, zip line and sand, every child's dream!

 I used my Toddler Tula to carry my youngest (17 months) as the winding staircases would have been too hard to keep her safe on if she walked herself. My 3 year old enjoyed walking herself and was safe doing so with her dad minding her. I would recommend leaving the buggy behind and bringing a baby carrier so momma and baby can thoroughly enjoy the experience.

There are other family days out that are under the Shannon Heritage umbrella which I really want to try visit with my family. You can purchase a one year membership ticket to all the Shannon Heritage attractions. You can use them as much as you want for the year. I think this is fantastic. The attractions you can visit on this membership include Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, King John Castle, Craggaunowen, Knappogue Castle and Gardens, Dunguire Castle, Brian Boru Heritage Centre.

To purchase this membership click on http://www.shannonheritage.com/Membership/PublicMembership/

Click on this link for Bunratty Castles latest news and updates 
https://m.facebook.com/bunrattycastlefolkpark

My next Shannon Heritage day out will be Craggaunowen, we are looking forward to it already!

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Enjoy your weekend!

Orla & Kerri xx