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The Big Love Festival ❤️ . Last weekend was spent camping in the Monmouthshire countryside, dancing to music, eating delicious food and soaking in the atmosphere. . This was the first time we have been to @biglovefestival & it’s also the first year they have accommodated kids & families & they did a fantastic job doing that with tons of workshops & activities put on for them. . I love the small friendly feel of this festival, with lots of hidden stages, performers and creativity pouring out for every corner. . We went with friends this year and definitely plan to go back next year. . . . #biglovefestival #monmouthshire #southwales #welshcountryside #summerfestivals

📍 Cowbridge Physic Garden, Wales . In the rush of summer, when the pressure to pack as many things in as possible hits, I feel more compelled to find moments to just be, to just enjoy the space I am in, to relish the seasons and the ordinary beautiful moments. Somewhere like Cowbridge Physic Gardens in perfect for. . We visited it twice in the same week, on day it rained and was over cast, the other the sun was shining and all the blooms were out - each day was perfect in its own way. . Calm moments like this are also memories we will look back on, as are the more planned adventures we have. Summer is about balance, don’t feel pressure to make every day incredible, take a moment to just read on a bench while the kids run free. . . . . #cowbridge #cowbridgephysicgarden #valeofglamorgan #captureeverything #cardiffmums #welshlife #southwales

This is more like it! The warm sunshine is such a welcome sight and we don’t plan on wasting it for a second. . Wandering through the countryside to check out a “new to us” swim spot which we are planning to visit more over the summer. . Along with a morning at the beach just enjoying the water, sand and running into the waves, bliss. . I would recommend for anyone heading to the coast this summer to use the Safer Seas & Rivers Service app which gives your a rough indication of water quality and if any sewage dumping at the location has happened recently (you will be surprised how often it happens). . . . . #welshsummer #valeofglamorgan #surfersagainstsewage #welshwalks #wildswimmingwales #barryislandbeach #outdoormumsuk #wildswimminguk

A weekend of dodging rain (seems like the running theme for this summer) and making the most of every dry moment. . We started the weekend with celebrating everything 1940’s & 50’s at the Vintage for Victory annual festival in Whitchurch Cardiff, it’s the 2nd year I’ve taken the kids an it’s a fantastic throwback to that era, so many amazing land girl costumes(unlike my poor attempt), vintage cars, a life size spitfire and incredible dancing. We will be back again next year for sure. . I also finally had a moment to really get stuck into the garden, weeding, mowing and looking after the veggies. It’s been hard to get the garden to its normal state with the constant rain but we are making do. . Also enjoyed a lovely walk up and around Pontypridd common, which offers a fantastic vantage point for sunset watching. Still longing for the mountains but it’s been tricky with my son’s broken leg, however he’s been given the green light for hiking & cycling so can’t wait to get back on it. . . . . #welshlife #rhonndacynontaff #pontypriddcommon #vintageforvictory #lifeinwales #cardiffmums

A recent visit to @valepickyourown just outside of Cardiff in the Vale of Glamorgan. . As kids grow and family dynamics change it can sometimes be hard to find outdoor activities that everyone genuinely enjoys. Which is why I love going to a “Pick your own” farm - literally all ages will love it (including teens). . Vale Pick your own currently offers Raspberry and Strawberry picking and also has undercover fields for rainy days, along with a cute cafe onsite. . My small punnet of raspberries was only £2.70 which was very reasonable & they were very tasty, far superior to what you find in shops. The boys did manage to fill a huge punnet between them for £17.50 which kept us going for 3 days - strawberries and cream anyone? . . . . #valeofglamorgan #valepickyourown #southwales #cardiffmums #lifeinwales #welshadventure #welshsummer #cardifflife

Pen-Y-Crug ⛰️ A fantastic trig point walk for all ages, just outside the town of Brecon. It’s one we keep going back too when we want a good dose of fresh air but don’t have time to take on a bigger summit. . We start at Maen-du Well where you can find free on-street parking. The public right of way is well marked although does go through open farmland so take care if there are grazing livestock. . At 331m it’s a smaller summit walk but Pen-Y-Crug has an impressive Iron Age hill fort and the ramparts on the summit are impressive as are the fantastic views across the Beacons. . I would put aside 1-2hrs for this walk or take a picnic up with you and make more of a day of it. . #welshwalks #breconbeacons #penycrug #hillfort #southwales #trigpointinguk #cardiffmums #womenwhohike #escapetowales #visitbreconbeacons

This past week has been a busy one, my eldest was a stage manager for a theatre project in the city and with 4 sellout nights and the accumulation of months of hard work, it felt like none of our feet touched the ground. It’s a privilege to see what young people can achieve when given the time, trust and tools to create. . But this also meant getting to hang out in Bute Park and Insole Court, both lovely green spaces and soaking up any sunny moments that came our way. . We were also invited to @monsterjam at Principality Stadium in Cardiff | AD Which was something different, while my eldest had been in the past, it was a new experience for my youngest and I. The pit party before the live event, getting to stand next to those who monster trucks, was very cool. I would highly recommend ear defenders if you’re thinking of going as it’s high action at high volume. . Here’s to a quieter week ahead and also hoping for good news at my teens next hospital appointment that he can come off the crutches for good, just in time for summer adventures. . . . #lifeinwales #welshlife #southwales #cardifflife #cardiffmums #principalitystadium #monsterjam

A new Goverment, it’s what we all desperately needed and wanted yet many, myself included, feel unsure. . Many have felt a lack of any reassurance, with Labour leaning more to the right than feels comfortable and the growing numbers for Reform causing many to be alarmed. . Is it really that hard to just want everyone to feel safe, to have access to affordable food, reliable health care, human rights protected, actual affordable housing and to be able to be themselves without feeling vulnerable? . But without being naive, I’m deciding to see this change as a beacon of hope for better. To be hopeful is a powerful thing. . Also just remember that those elected speak on your behalf, keep letting them know how you feel & keep them accountable to the promises they have made. . . . #anewday #lifeinwales #behopeful #generalelection #welshlife #southwales #anewbeginning

June . Felt lovely to finally feel the sun on our faces here in Wales and we certainly tried to make the most of it. . With my son’s knee injury it meant we were still limited in terms of going on any long hikes or less accessible adventures but made the most of what’s on our doorstep. . The month started with a trip to see family in West Wales & spent a lot of time soaking in the beautiful coastline. . A lot of time was spent in the garden, local woodlands, bay wetlands and walks along the river Taff, as well as enjoying both Cardiff and Cowbridge in all its colour for Pride as well as enjoying local music @rhonddaartsfestival. . A few things didn’t go to plan this month & I’ve also had a few bouts of anxiety which I’m working through & looking forward to what July brings and after 8 weeks on crutches hopefully the teen will be a bit more mobile soon. . . . . #lifeinwales #southwales #welshwalks #slowyourselfdown #freshairchild #pembrokeshire

Family Friendly Days out this Summer | AD Did you know that the National Art Pass @artfund gives you free or half price entry to hundreds of museums, galleries, castles and historic sites across the UK as well as discounts in cafes and gift shops with the aim to make art accessible for everyone. . Not only are there plenty of local places that the National Art Pass covers, such as Cardiff Castle, Tredegar House and Cyfarthfa Castle but also iconic places like Kensington Palace and Cutty Sark in London.  . Art is a fantastic way to tap into creativity, be inspired and boost your mental well-being as a family, it’s also fun and educational which is always a good thing.  . Personally I can’t wait to use my National Art Pass and already have plenty of days out planned for summer. . National Art Pass currently has a 3-month trial offer for £15 until 30 June and you can combine the Plus Kids add-on for just £5. That’s all summer sorted with lots of free and 50% off entry for hundreds of places. . Check out artfund.org/national-art-pass to see get the offer before it runs out . . . #artfund #nationalartpass #cardifflife #chapterartscentre #cardiffmums #daysoutuk #welshlife

As parents we are often made to feel like we can’t complain, we made a choice to have kids now deal with it. The thing is with parenting & life in general, it’s not a level playing field, some are lucky enough to have fantastic support systems, grandparents & family nearby, a supportive partner who equally shares the parenting roles & aids childfree time, a large group of dependable “parent” friends, some are also financially better off which without a doubt makes a difference. But others frankly do not have that or only have elements of it in varying degrees. . I have very limited childcare & while I’m very grateful my kids & I share hobbies & enjoy them together & I wouldn’t trade all the time we get to spend with each other, I still worry about my inability to nurture friendships due to my limited free time. I worry for when my kids eventually are more independent that the small friendship group I do have will still be intact & while I have no issues being alone, friendships are beneficial in so many ways far beyond just that of loneliness. . Each stage of parenting brings new challenges but perhaps by this point I thought a better balance would have been struck, one that could provide space for family, work, doing things we love & socialising but that’s just not the case right now & that’s okay to admit & also not selfish to work on creating. . Im a believer that to be the best parent possible you also have to nurture your own needs but it can be easy to slip into a routine of regularly not communicating what those needs are & not prioritising them, which can be made worse by things like the cost of living. While I’m selectively social, the last time I went out in the evening childfree was over a year ago & I can’t remember the last time I went for a meal or drinks with friends. . This post doesn’t serve to give answers, I wanted to write it because I know others are in the same situation. Yes things will pass, they always do, but it’s also ok to acknowledge when life is lacking balance & your wondering if it ever will ✌🏼 . #honestparenting #welshlife #cardifflife #cardiffmums #parentofateen #pridemonth #lifeinwales #cityarts

Sunshine has got to be the best natural “drug” out there…can we please have some more this summer . . . . #welshweather #almostfamousmovie #youcantellrollingstone #sunshinestateofmind #lifeinwales #welshlife #cardiffbloggers