First visit to Santa and Poorly Tom

Hello Santa

Friday afternoon we picked Tom up from school, came home got changed into our warmest clothes and then headed to Newby Bridge and the Miller Beck railway where Father Christmas was in residence for the evening.  The place was buzzing despite the rubbish weather (it was freezing cold and raining).  Tom was very excited, we got the electric train around the garden to Santa's Grotto where the adults were fed mulled wine and mince pies and the children squash (They know how to look after the adults here!).  Tom only had to wait 5 mins to go in to see the great man.  They are really good here - as you are waiting the elves ask the children about themselves, this information then gets passed on to Santa, meaning he knows their names and their ages when they walk in and they get a personalised present.

Lake District mountains from Lancaster

Tom had his speech ready and he asked for a Eddie Stobart Road Train Truck - Santa was impressed, saying no-one else had asked for that but not to worry, he will get his elves straight on to it for him.  Tom was in awe - wasn't interested in chit chat, but managed a photo before leaving.

We then went to see the Christmas alpacas (which we fed carrots) before heading back on a steam train around the whole railway again.  By then we were all freezing even though we were all wearing very warm clothes so we bundled into the car and sort out a pub for hot food.  Lamb shank for me and fish and chips for the boys.

Another good evening out.

Chilly morning at Ribblehead

The rest of the weekend was spent looking after a poorly Tom.  He got a cold and was feeling quite sorry for himself which is unusual for him.  He didn't want to go to football on Saturday morning, and he was looking so awful we didn't question him.  We instead went to Lancaster - to the Farm Shop we found a couple of months ago to pick up some bits (sadly, our butcher closed suddenly this week) and then to Williamson Park for a quick walk and lunch.  Tom slumped on the sofa for the rest of the day.

Sunday wasn't much better - he had had a disturbed night so was tired.  However, we did go for a quick walk around Ribblehead - just to get some fresh air in him and he did cheer up and stop coughing.  The afternoon was spent watching Match of the Day and Eddie Stobart Trucks and Trailers.  He was in bed fast asleep by 6.30 and slept 13 hours - waking up much brighter and ready for school.