A relaxing time in The Forest of Dean

Wow! Not sure how this holiday crept up on us, one minute it was months away and the next we were on it. So, we had found ourselves a lovely log cabin in the Forest of Dean to rent for Monday to Friday - it's a part of the country I don't know very well which is strange considering I lived not too far away for a number of years.

The log cabin was wonderful - much larger than I expected, and the hot tub on the veranda (that's what sold us the holiday) was WONDERFUL, all 3 of us took full advantage of it.

Day one was spent getting to the cabin via stop offs for lunch (lovely country pub in Shilton) shopping (Gloucester) and a view point (Symonds Yat), then got the keys to our cabin and settled in (ie rearranged the furniture to fit Tom in his own room). Tom immediately loved it and spent the afternoon running up and down its length giggling. We then all had a soak in the hot tub (had to make sure it worked) before putting Tom to bed over an hour late (well we are on holiday after all). Then back to the hot tub for another soak (yep still working)

Had a lovely leisurely morning and then decided to go back to Symonds Yat for a walk. Unfortunately it started raining on our way over there and then didn't stop all day! We were stalwarts though and did the whole walk in the rain. Tom decided to catch up in his sleep and fell asleep in the rucksack whilst I was carrying him (I think the boys were plotting against me to make sure I got a lot of exercise as I couldn't put him down or transfer him to Matt whilst he was asleep!) He slept for a good 45 mins - waking up just before we got back to the car. Unfortunately we had to have our picnic in the car as it was so wet (humpfh!). We then went back to the view point - couldn't see much, but you could get a real good speed up on your bus free-wheeling down the hill from it (Matt had to run to keep up with him)

Got back to the cabin, dried off, jumped in the hot tub (much nicer getting wet this way!), had dinner and then put Tom to bed (even later this time)

Wednesday it was still raining, so we decided to visit the Clearwell Caves. We had to negotiate our way through a very full car park - there was a huge film crew there from Merlin - we've never watched it so can't say if we saw anyone famous. Tom didn't have the best of times there, he grizzled quite a bit and I had to carry him for most of the way round. We understood why later, he fell asleep as soon as we put him in the car - must have been tired. He has reverted back to 2 naps a day - a result of lots of physical activity, less sleep and lots of time in the hot tub! We drove to Monmouth for lunch and found a fab coffee shop located in a even more fabulous cook shop. I was in heaven! Food was fantastic as were the cakes and they even made Tom some cheese on toast which wasn't on the menu - but which he demolished in no time at all. I am very glad we don't live near there - all my profits would be spent in that shop!

We returned to the cabin, put Tom down for his second nap of the day and then spent the afternoon walking round the cabin site - there were walks, a play area and lots of other toddlers to investigate. Then of course another session in the hot tub before dinner.

Thursday we decided to have a very leisurely morning, Tom spent most of it running up and down the cabin before being put to bed for his morning nap. We then headed out to Beechenhurst Lodge where there was a sculpture trail in the forest. Tom was nicely refreshed so after an early picnic he did really well exploring the trail before resorting to the rucksack. At one point we found a stained glass window which was really interesting. We let Tom out of his rucksack so he could toddle around. He walked for another half hour (after attempting to get in the rucksack on his own and falling over - he looked like a surprised beached whale bless him!) Got back to the start and Tom still had the energy to play in the play area - not sure how?! His Daddy was happy though, he got to play as well as you can see.

Got back to the cabin late, had a looooong hot tub before Tom went to bed very late again! We then had another hot tub.

Friday, we had to leave the cabin by 10am so we were up earlier to get everything sorted, ended up being ready by 9am. We headed to Cannop Ponds for another walk. Tom once again did very well - walking about half of the 2 mile trail. We then headed back home, stopping at the Queens Wood Cafe at an Arboretum just outside Hereford. We had a good lunch, including Tom who ate two of the biggest fish fingers I have ever seen as well as a huge portion of chips (the best chips I've had in ages)

Got home around 2.30. Tom slept in the car and then again in the cot on our arrival. I then took him to Asda to get some milk and eggs. It all went very bad at this stage, Tom refused to walk and cried and cried and screamed and screamed. He did this for a good 1.5 hours. I have no idea what was wrong, he was well rested, well fed and well watered. He was just grumpy (not happy to be home?). Meant that it took 2 hours to go to Asda and back (coming back he was absolutely fine!)

So, he was late to bed again, but no hot tub this time - boo hoo!

Anyway we had a lovely, relaxing break - would definitely consider doing it again. Very few of the attractions in the area were open, so there would be plenty to do a second time.

Word of the holiday: Tom has started to say 'hello' although it comes out as 'ello'. He has started to shout it at the top of his voice at random times, is very funny and lovely.