Meet Lauren Child!

Saturday 20th October at midday

Lauren Child (one of

our favourite author-

illustrators of all

time!) will be signing

copies of the second

in the fabulous

Ruby Redfort series,

TAKE YOUR LAST

BREATH activities and giveaways to keep you

entertained while you wait, what more could a

code-cracking sleuth want?

If you can’t make the event but would like a signed copy of the

book please get in touch and we will be happy to arrange this for

you.

And if you are joining us to meet this fabulous author

do arrive early to avoid disappointment – we’re

expecting a queue!

Waterstone's I 71 – 73 High Street, Guildford

01483 536 366 I events@guildford.waterstones.com

twitter.com/guildfordbooks

Canvas Holidays

Long lazy warm evenings watching your children run around while you sip a nice cool drink! Sounds heaven yes? Or just a holiday at Canvas, camping in the warm French sunshine!

Canvas holidays, who have been offering luxury camping for 40 years, are incredibly flexible on their bookings.  Choose your own travel, days you want to arrive and time you want to stay. Each holiday is tailored to you!

We decided to head towards the large site of Domiane des Ormes in the area of Brittany. Brittany is an underrated part of France offering over 1200km of long sandy beaches and history pouring out of every corner.

First part is of course the contact with the Canvas team. All I can say about this is that I have rarely come across such wonderful customer service from the very first phone call. We dealt with the same person from start to finish over months and numerous phone calls and emails (we had to much them around a lot with changed dates times etc) and each time nothing was too much problem and we were continuously kept in the loop!

The ferry was amazing! Well done Canvas for partnering with the smashing P&O. As its 9 hours a cabin is invaluable especially if you have tinies or just want a little of your own space. The entertainment was outstanding with reception stepping in to keep our kids amused when the queues became too long!

Now although Domaine des Ormes (Michelin 5 red tents) was large I don’t think anyone realised just how large it was! Nor did we realise that although a “family site” it was more for 8-10 years and up! Yes its advertised for all ages but despite an 11pm noise curfew the late night music from the discos went on longer than this and then there were the 2am wakening’s from people coming back from the bar! Not great again when you have early bed times.

For the little ones there was an amazing playground! Huge and great fun and of course there’s all the other extra activities but do be warned you have to pay for anything other than the pool. Although it was unclear from the brochure that you had to pay for these extras they were definitely worth the money! The bike hire unfortunately was booked every day but our top recommendations were the zip wire and the pedalos (life jackets included!) and of course what child doesn’t like a horse ride round the site! Of course the evening activities for the kids are fabulous too! Cowboy parties! And gosh the chocolate party’s!! Don’t bother feeding your kids that night!!!

Domaine des ormes is a beautiful site with a stunningly chateau at the heart. The watermill is now converted and is the bar with the coach house and stable now form the 18hole golf course! There is also an amazing pool complex with 3 pools and chutes and a covered lagoon pool with wave machine. But be warned the pools of course in the heat of summer do become cramped and of course teenage boys and water tend to result in a lot of splashing and showing off which again if you have tinies you might not be so impressed with! And of course do keep an eye on your children as the pools didn’t seem to be lifeguarded at all times and a lot of the chutes were having kids mucking about and coming down them dangerously.

The site does have a hill where the tents are (ours included) which did you give the slight illusion of falling out of bed so make sure you grab a raised bed side again if you have under 4s.  There is an invaluable kitchen gate which I have never seen with other camping brands before.

All in all despite the late night noise and a friendly frequent frog visitor an AMAZING, FUN, FULL ON holiday! Hundreds of memories have been made and although the site was better suited to teens and preteens there was not a minute with enjoyment!

What am I reading this month?

Ive been lucky enough to get my dream job working Saturdays at the lovely Waterstones so I have lots of new books this month to try out however I have chosen a couple of ones which have really grabbed my attention! Hope they do yours too!

Just released this is the lastest book of Terry Pratchett and I know it'll be amazing! He has a wonderful take on life and this comes across in his  book. I doubt any body could read one of his books and not become and instant fan!

After some lazy sunday mornings watching Eric Lanlard and being impressed how easily he produced melt in the mouth food I've decided to give his tarts and pies a go! Great comfort food for winter coming up!

Always a favourite! I love to pick up Mike Pannetts funny and wonderfully descriptive tales of life as a policeman in the yorkshire dales!

Im a huge huge huge fan of Beatrix Potter and had been very wary of going near this but oh goodness! This book is worth a post of its own (will come shortly I promise) A wonderful version of Peter visiting Scotland told and drawn as though Miss Potter herself had created it!

Yes I know this has been a film but I've had so many people recommend this to me I couldnt ignore it and am very glad I didnt! I'm on the 6th chapter and can barely put it down!

With Roald Dahl day last week does this need an introduction? A story of his life told as only Roald Dahl can!

Afternoon Tea - What you might not know!

Once a past-time only reserved for higher society, afternoon tea is now all the rage. Here we take a look at the origins of this traditional treat while also exploring how you can prepare the very best afternoon teas for your guests (you never know when the Queen might drop in for a visit). We'll also grab a look at some of the most expensive high teas that money can buy along with a number of other cool tea related facts!

  

So how do you take yours? Jam then cream or vice versa?