Space.

The final frontier?

Or a dark empty place where we’re all alone?

Having been married to a sci-fi nerd, I heard space referred to in the Spock and Captain Kirk sense for almost two decades. While living in that dark empty place.

A place which wasn’t unfamiliar.

You see, I was so desperate for companionship that I wandered into a marriage which wasn’t right for me.

He knew it. I knew it. But instead of dealing with it, he hid himself away in his computer room and I nursed a bottle of wine in front of the TV to block out the reality that my husband didn’t love me.

For years.

Because I was afraid of that dark empty place. Space.

I admire people who enjoy their own company. How exactly do you do that?

As a kid I would play all by myself, wishing I had a sibling to spend time with – or a father.

My mother was thrice divorced and so full of bitterness – probably suffering depression – that the neglect was palpable.

She didn’t hide her sneers when I tried to tell her about my day at school.

It wasn’t just that she was absent. She was emotionally missing in action. There was no feeling for me. Nothing.

And it chipped away at my self worth, at my sense of who I was (did I ever know who I was?), at my soul.

Leaving someone who puts on a face of confidence and independence, but deep down is just crying out for someone to love her.

When my marriage inevitably crumbled and he left me for someone else, I started dating in my early 40s.

Then space became the term which meant my attempts at finding real love were slipping through my fingers.

“I just need some space,” was the last thing one partner of six months said to me, before I never saw him again.

Now I’m in a relationship where arguments end with my partner seeking ‘space’.

And it terrifies me.

Because I’m suddenly enveloped in loneliness and fear that I’m back to living with someone who can switch off, emotionally. And that little girl is once again trying to entertain herself. Wondering what’s so wrong with her.

The angry tears come, and I’m swearing I hate that person and will never speak to them again. Until the feelings of loneliness and abandonment take over and I’m that lost kid.

How can people be so self sufficient that they’re happy being alone for long periods of time?

How can they be so sure of others’ love for them that they spend ages apart, knowing they’ll come back together again?

I guess those people were given a gift from an early age I have never known.

And I’ve spent years grieving. Making the wrong choices and drowning myself in alcohol to block out that grief, to numb the pain.

Every friend who has dropped me, every relationship that has gone south, I’ve wondered what is wrong with me.

Not whether that person was worthy of me. Always the other way round.

But I’m kind. I worry about other people’s feelings. I put everyone first, before myself. These are traits born out of brutal beginnings. Good traits. Things I like about myself. And I’ll keep trying to appreciate them and find a strength within me – not in the bottom of a bottle or the heart of another person.

In me.

And find a space I’m comfortable with.

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All those carefree evenings and weekends socialising or taking trips are likely to diminish. Work-life balance might change, if you decide to reduce your hours in the office to be around more for the little ones.

Probably the biggest change to your lifestyle when you have children is the way that you use your hard-earned cash.

Whether you’re working less than you used to, or you just have more outgoings with a family to support, you’ll need to be more frugal. Fortunately, these quick tips should help you to get started.

1.    Watch your credit score

One of the first things you’ll need to do when trying to live a more frugal lifestyle is understand how to improve your credit score. Many people ignore their credit reports until it’s time to apply for a mortgage or a loan. But the earlier you can start making a difference to your credit, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to get the financial assistance you need later in life.

Boost your credit rating by setting up direct debits to pay your bills on time or speak to an expert about how to pay off loans faster. Your bank account will benefit in the long-term.

2.    Know your options

How often do you check on your monthly payments and make sure that you’re not overpaying for essentials like phone bills or broadband? Most of the best deals from today’s providers are reserved for new customers. That means staying loyal to the company you’ve used for several years might not be the best way to save cash.

If you haven’t yet checked what other companies can offer in terms of deals for your car insurance and other essential costs, do some comparison shopping. You can save a fortune without having to change your lifestyle.

3.    Go for home entertainment

You might be tempted to take the kids to the cinemas or pay for them to go to an arcade just to get them out of the house. However, expensive day trips can quickly make a dent in your budget.

Find ways to entertain yourself indoors. Try having a board game day with your little ones, or bake together in the kitchen. You could even have a movie marathon on Netflix.

4.    Stop being wasteful

If you’re constantly throwing food and other items away, it might be time to re-think your shopping strategy. A good way to reduce waste is to plan your meals in advance and list the items you need for each dish. This will ensure you only buy what you need.

Keep the temptation to impulse shop to a minimum by ordering food via online delivery instead. You might be surprised how much you save this way.

5.    Don’t overspend on birthday parties

As tempting as it is to celebrate every milestone in your child’s life, try not to get too carried away. You can still make a cake and celebrate at home but avoid over-spending on huge parties when your child is still young. Reserve this for the major birthdays – like 13, 16 or 18.

It’s also worth being careful about who you invite to your parties. Let your child choose a small number. You’ll save a lot this way.

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As a parent, there are plenty of important lessons you’ll need to teach your children as they grow.

You might want to give them an education on how to cook healthy foods, or what they need to do when they run out of clean clothes and their mother isn’t there to do the laundry.

However, one of the most important things you can ever teach your child is how to handle their finances.

Although it may feel like teaching children about money is something that can wait until they’re a little older – or even until they have their own job – the truth is that it’s never too early to start covering the basics on savings, debts, and money management.

Even your toddler can accompany you to the store to see how you exchange money for goods and services.

Here are seven reasons why your children should be givenan opportunity to learn more about money.

They won’t get the education anywhere else

While a school might teach your child algebra, and what Shakespeare meant when he wrote Romeo and Juliet, many educational facilities still aren’t covering the most important aspects of how to handle money and avoid debt.

According to experts, few young people have any understanding of the economic world, and many are simply left to figure things out on their own when they’re already up to their eyes in student loan debt.

If you can start your child with an education early on, you reduce the risk that they have to learn from their mistakes too often.

Money is an essential part of life

Cash might not be the key to all happiness, but it does make the world go round. Your child will soon learn one way or another that if they want to get the things they need in life, they’re going to need to find a way to pay for it. Instead of just buying the things that your children want for them while they’re growing up, start them off with some pocket money, and teach them what it takes to save towards a goal.

Spending money is easier than ever

Today’s youngsters are growing up in a world where it’s easier to spend cash than ever before. Back when there was no such thing as online shopping, we had to hand over our hard-earned cash to get a product. Now, people can simply click a button and have something delivered straight to their door. That makes it much easier to ignore the consequences of overspending.

Teaching children the value of saving and delayed gratification at an early stage can help ensure that they don’t end up making some costly mistakes online.

They have more loan options available

There’s a good chance that your child, like many others, is going to face debt in their life – whether it’s a student loan, a mortgage, or even a personal loan. The important thing to remember is that if they know plenty about the different types of loan available to them, and which ones are best for their situation, they might be able to reduce their long-term debt.

Teach your children the difference between things like secured and unsecured loans, and make sure they know what “interest” means. Sites like Readies.co.uk have a wealth of information on all types of loans and lenders, and also an extensive glossary of finance-related terms.

Things are getting more expensive

Not only are house prices going up in the current economy, but it seems like everything we need is gradually getting more expensive. Unfortunately, wages aren’t exactly shooting up to cover the difference, and this means that your children are going to have to work even harder at making ends meet. If you want to make sure that your child isn’t one of the many living from payday to payday, give them an education early.

Their education could protect them

Ultimately, the best thing you can do to protect your child financially is give them a safety net to fall back on when things go wrong. Most youngsters simply don’t know how to save for an emergency when they’re growing up. This means that they’re left coming to you for help later in life. Teach them the value of budgeting and saving early, and they’ll be prepared for anything.

It gives you peace of mind

When parents know their children can look after themselves – at least when it comes to financial freedom – they finally have a chance to sit back, relax, and enjoy some peace of mind. While you’re always going to worry about your child, you can at least ensure they have the information they need to make informed financial decisions.

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Spring is only a couple of months away from kicking into gear, which means that soon we will be able to return to our gardens – yay!

Anyone with kids knows all too well just how much the little ones love to play outside.

In fact, the cold doesn’t seem to put them off one bit as they are always itching to get outside – which, I suppose, is a good thing as it’s better than sitting in front of the television all day.

To prepare yourself for when we can head out for hours at a time, here are five fun things to do with the kids in the garden.

Sandpit

For a young child, a sandpit is an absolute essential in the garden. Make sure to keep the sand clean by covering the pit when not in use and have bags of sand on standby to replenish, because we all know that it isn’t going to be too long until the sand finds its way all over the patio!

Encourage creativity by helping to build sandcastles and other sandy structures. It’s still a little too cold to pull out the sandpit, but if you look in the shops now you might just bag yourself a good discount as they are out of season.

Football

How many kids have played football in their back garden? Thousands find themselves having to make the dreaded trip of knocking on a neighbour’s door to ask if they can have their ball back.

While some gardens are flush with grass, others are awash with cemented slabs that are far from forgiving if you fall over. If this sounds familiar, you may want to consider investing in artificial grass which can easily be laid down in a section of the garden. You can click here to learn more about the installation process.

Gardening

Many kids love to get involved in gardening, so allow them to plant their own seeds and grow beautiful plants. In the summer, sunflowers are always popular with children who love to see how tall their flower can grow.

Why not fence off a small section of the garden for them to call their own – to do with as they will? Taking ownership and responsibility can act as a good life lesson.

Picnic/BBQ

When the sun comes out to play once more, it is never too long until the first barbecue of the year is fired up! Much like sandpits, as barbecues are not in season you might be able to find a good deal, so keep your eyes peeled next time you’re out shopping.

If BBQs are not your thing, then settle for a picnic out in the garden with the children. Sandwiches and crisps make for an inexpensive treat.

DIY Swimming Pool

What if we told you that you can easily build your own swimming pool? Space permitting, you can actually make your own swimming pool out of bales of hay and a waterproof sheet.

Simply build the structure with the hay and cover with the waterproof sheet, fixing into place with rope and/or duct tape. Fill with water and away you go – simple and effective!

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Men.

They say they don’t care about fashion…

But the minute you pick up an item of clothing for them in a shop, they reply: “I wouldn’t wear that!”

At least, that’s what my partner does.

Obviously, every fella has his own sense of style, and an idea of what he would avoid at all costs.

My other half is in his 40s – so he wants to look trendy – without appearing like he’s trying too hard, or dressing too young. A bit like me in that sense.

He’s also slim built (unfortunately, not like me!) and about average height.

So when the nice folks from Jacamo got in touch about reviewing an outfit, I wondered if we’d find anything suitable.

After all, isn’t the brand for taller or larger guys?

A quick trip to the website changed our misconception. The men’s fashion actually goes from a size small to 5XL – so there’s something to fit everyone.

And the styles appealed to my fella – particularly the jackets, as he needed something warm for Winter.

He chose a Snowdonia Black Duck Down jacket, costing £55.

With just a reflective brand badge on the arm, it appeared both functional and fashionable. And it’ll get him through the Scottish big freeze.

It arrived in a drawstring bag – which is both handy for carrying the jacket if you were packing for a trip, or as an extra bag for him to use when heading out.

There were also a good range of jeans on the Jacamo site, and we selected a pair of Crosshatch Stonewash Hornet jeans, in a size 34in waist, 33in leg, costing £45.

I was concerned by reviews which said these jeans were a little tight around the leg – believe it or not. But since my other half is slim, we took the risk he’d get away with it.

And he did. In fact, the jeans were looser than what he’d usually wear. But he found them comfortable and functional for wearing at home while pottering around the house.

A straight fit with a button fly, these jeans have two front pockets and a coin pockets – and four pockets in the back.

So the only trouble he might have is finding where he’s put his keys!

The jeans came with a free white belt – but he wasn’t keen on this at all, so we discarded it.

The experience certainly opened our eyes to Jacamo – and that you don’t have to be as tall as Freddy Flintoff, or a chunkier male, to shop with this brand.

Check out what they’ve got to offer.

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As I write this, #MeToo has been used more than 200,000 times in its first 24 hours on social media.

The term gained momentum after actress Alyssa Milano called on victims of sexual assault or harassment to come forward in a show of solidarity.

At first I believed this didn’t apply to me.

Then I really thought about it… I read other women’s accounts of their own experiences…

I shook my head as I took in Donna Karan’s defence of Harvey Weinstein, stating women who dressed sexily were “asking for it”.

And I tried to understand Mayim Bialik’s piece in the New York Times where she stated “I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy.” What exactly was her message to women by saying that?

So why does #MeToo resonate with me?

Not because I dressed sexily and “asked for it”.

Not because I dressed modestly and didn’t.

Simply because my body developed.

At the age of 12 I grew boobs. And not small ones either. While my friends were sporting A cup trainer bras, I rapidly grew into a B and then a C cup – fairly large for a child’s frame.

At school, the boys brushed past me, sniggering and making comments about my “supple breasts” as they tried to grab a handful.

A particularly lecherous teacher would focus on the more buxom girls in class (there were two or three of us) and pull us onto his knee. We learned to cross our arms over our chests in protection,as he embraced us tightly from behind.

The other girls would slink down in their seats, counting their blessings that they weren’t being targeted. The boys just grinned, mentally high-fiving each other as this poor excuse for a man showed them an example of how to treat the female form – with lustful greed.

I wonder now how many of them have daughters of their own, and how they’d feel if she got similar treatment. But it was the 1980s and it didn’t occur to anyone that this wasn’t right.

Aged 19 I was at the bar of my local pub with workmates when the landlord – a guy I’d known for a while and considered a friend – thought it would be funny to drop my change down my top. As he leaned over the bar, I felt his fingers brush my breast as he pushed the coins down into my bra.

Once they fell through my clothing, onto the floor, I fought back tears and forced a grin as he laughed heartily. After all, not to see the joke would make me appear a bad sport. It was 1992 and sexual harassment wasn’t talked about much.

Not long afterwards a workmate I had dated briefly, but declined to sleep with, got his revenge on a trip to a ten pin bowling alley. He took control of the scoreboard, inputing all our friend’s names until it came to my turn – when he typed out the words BIG BAPS.

Everyone laughed, and again I forced myself to chuckle along, ignoring the lump in my throat and blush of humiliation.

While I know some people will see the funny side of this ridiculous scenario, it was excrutiating for me to spend the rest of the evening seeing the “nickname” he had given me regularly flash up on the screen – causing much hilarity from strangers in the bowling alley, who stared at my chest to see if I deserved such a title.

In his passive aggressive way, this man wanted to teach me a lesson – that by rejecting him sexually I would now have to endure the carnal stares of every male in the vicinity.

The 44-year-old me wouldn’t stand for such intimate ridicule – and would tear a strip off any male who thought he could draw attention to my body for his own comedy.

But I was just 20 and, in truth, still a virgin, unsure of my shape, not confident in my sexuality and certainly unable to stand up for my right to exist in the form God gave me without ridicule or unwanted physical contact.

What some guys don’t understand is that they have the right to admire women, if they so wish.

But anything which makes a woman feel uncomfortable or under attack is sexual harassment.

I’m fortunate not to have had a “Harvey Weinstein” moment in my life. Lucky.

I can’t say that because I dressed a certain way or acted a certain way I avoided it. No woman can.

But so many of us have endured a myriad of smaller incidents where we’ve been shamed for being women. Where men have felt it was their right to leer over us, to grab at us, to draw attention to us and even laugh at our physicality.

There was my wedding day where I stood in my white dress as my cousin’s drunken husband lurched towards me and exclaimed “You’re stacked.”

Even as a bride, with my gown altered so that there was no cleavage showing, I couldn’t be respected and left alone.

And I’m sad to say it’s not just men. I’ve had countless women enjoy ridiculing me for my top-heavy form, out of jealousy or some unknown need to make themselves look good in comparison.

Even so-called friends have thought it was OK to say “But your boobs are HUGE.” That may be a fact – my cup size is now a FF – but what do they think they are accomplishing by saying that to me? How do they think that makes me feel?

I am a shape which I cannot hide. I neither seek to accentuate my chest or cover it up. I dress in what looks good for my figure.

After decades of tears and shame, and wondering if I should have a breast reduction, I have finally got to a place where I think “This is who I am – and f**k you if you don’t like it”.

Like so many women, I’d change a lot about my body if I could. But I’ve accepted that certain things are beyond my control. Like my curves.

How others react to those curves is also beyond my control – but it’s within their control.

So I’m saying #MeToo.

For all the times I have endured sexual harassment. For all the times people have said “it’s just a joke” when drawing attention to my body, or leering at me. For all the ‘accidental’ physical contact and grabbing.

In the hope that people who’ve done this – men and women – might think twice next time.

Because like so many women, I’m just me. Existing in a body that was given to me. Doing the best I can.

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My Dad is registered blind, having suffered from an eye condition called glaucoma since he was young.

He has some sight – but it’s so poor he had to give up work in his 40s, and he needs people to guide him, particularly in badly lit areas.

Which means our family is very aware of eye health, and get regular eye tests to monitor our sight.

So I was curious when Specsavers/RNIB brought their Eye Pod to my birthplace of Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Many years ago, my Dad was able to have a special type of laser surgery which restored some of his sight. But that has been declining recently, to the point where he now sees only blurred outlines of people – unless he’s very close to them. He’s 75 and has been told little can be done now. But he remains cheerful, and his partner is a patient and careful guide wherever they go.

I’m thankful not to have inherited his poor eyesight, although I did worry when my son Brodie had to start wearing glasses at the age of 14 months – although I’ve been assured his condition is different, having astigmatism.

My Dad with his lovely partner and guide, and my boy wearing his first pair of glasses

The Eye Pod is an interactive sight loss simulator, which visited Grainger Street to educate the public about the importance of eye health and regular eye tests.

Miss Newcastle, Alisha Cowie, dropped by to help promote the important message.

The Eye Pod demonstrated how the four main eye conditions (Age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and cataracts) can affect your sight. This trailer had two cameras on top of the pod which linked to screens inside, allowing people to view their surroundings with symptoms of each condition.

Experts were on hand to offer advice and free eye test vouchers and local lady Alex Mackie and her guide dog Neena also dropped by to lend their support.

The Eye Pod visit comes in light of research published by Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) and Specsavers that reveals one in five people will live with sight loss in their lifetime despite at least half of all cases being avoidable.

It’s upsetting to discover that 250 people in the UK start living with sight loss every day. Women are at greater risk than men, with nearly one in four females developing sight loss in their lifetime compared with one in eight men.

Nearly 6 million people in the UK currently live with sight-threatening condition – yet a quarter are not having an eye test every two years as recommended by the College of Optometrists.

Specsavers Newcastle store director Rachael Aiken said: “It’s astonishing that so many people are needlessly living with sight loss in the UK today. At least half of all sight loss cases are avoidable and a simple eye test can unearth a number of serious health conditions. Our mission with RNIB is to transform the nation’s eye health through awareness and action; this is an enormous challenge but we must rise to it together and take action now.”

Richard Hurdley, Head of EOS at Specsavers, with Abbie Sewell, optical assistant dispenser

The Eye Pod has been touring the country to raise awareness and funds in support of RNIB.

So look out for it.

And bear in mind these interesting facts from the Specsavers and RNIB ‘State of the Nation Eye Health 2017: a year in review’ report:

For further information on eye health, click here.

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Grandparents, eh?

They get all the good stuff when it comes to kids.

The love, the special moments – and the chance to give them back at the end of the day!

Having kids, you realise what a second chance it is to be a grandparent.

In most cases, they are the back-ups. Around to give support and hugs (and according the adverts, Werthers Originals!)

But with no sleepless nights, no juggling careers with child-rearing. They’ve done their time and they get all the good bits of the grandchildren, with no added tantrums.

And, most of all, they get the chance to be cool.

My kids are just getting to the stage where they don’t want to be seen with their Mum. I can’t begin to describe the joy of having your son refuse to hold your hand, while walking down the street – or even walking six steps behind you so other people won’t realise you’re together!!!!

The little boys who once announced that they loved me best and would never leave me, now can’t get away from me fast enough.

But grandparents? For some reason they are acceptable. Maybe because they are endearing and less likely to try to dance at the school disco or dress up at Halloween and jump out on their friends.

Want to know if you could be classed as a cool grandparent? Check out this great infographic.

And did you realise you can also can save for the future of your grandchildren tax efficiently, with a Young Savers Plan from Shepherds Friendly? Now that’s super cool.

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I don’t know about you, but my time with the girls is too precious – and pricey – to waste it on a drunken pub crawl with a lukewarm kebab on the way home.

If I’m lucky enough to get a babysitter, and find a day/evening when all of my friends are free, I’m going to make the most of it.

Which means doing something special. Something memorable which will keep us going for the months in between, when we’re stuck in the daily grind and struggling to synchronise diaries for our next adventure.

Which is why I’ve always got my eyes open for different and fun experiences we can share.

When Mum’s Night Out must really count, here are some special things to try.

Comedy Club

Why stand in a packed bar, having beer spilled on your shoes, when you can grab a table at a comedy club and sit back to be entertained?

Many venues do bar meals too, so you can enjoy dinner, drinks, and a good old belly laugh.

I tend to choose nights with three or four acts on the bill, so if someone doesn’t tickle my funny bone, it’s not a total loss.

Comedy clubs are popping up in most major cities, and even small village pubs and out of town venues are holding comedy nights. So there’s bound to be something near you.

Ladies Day At The Races

A lot of fashion retailers now have a section for “Race Day Outfits” on their websites.

Racecourses are catering to the female market more these days with charity race nights, which can often feature a celebrity appearance and even on-stage entertainment.

It’s an opportunity to dress up a little and have a really classy day/night out.

My top tip would be to consider placing your bets before you go, if you can – trying to make sense of the odds after a few glasses of Prosecco and with your friends chipping in can be confusing.

With William Hill you get top notch horse racing odds 24/7, 365 days a year. And by doing your homework before you go, you can take your list of horses with you and cheer them on.

Ghost Walk

This depends on location, but a lot of historic towns and cities have evening walks around old castles or buildings, where guides will share some spooky stories or legends connected to the area.

This is less suitable for a dressed up night – more suitable for jeans and warm woolly jumpers. But it’s great fun and gives your group a lot to talk about over a few glasses of wine in a bar afterwards.

Living close to Edinburgh, I’ve had enormous fun on ghost walks with my friends, some of whom were surprised just how much they enjoyed it. History buffs will really love this idea.

Cocktail Making

A lot of upmarket bars offer masterclasses in mixing your own alcoholic concoctions, and it’s a great start to a girls night on the town.

An expert mixologist will take you through the process. Some packages even throw in a free Bellini and bites to get everyone in the mood.

There are companies which will bring the experience to your home, if you don’t feel like trying to grab a taxi home.

This is a brilliant idea for celebrating a special birthday, for a hen party or for a particular occasion. But then, the occasion could just be “hey, I haven’t seen my friends in a while”. Why not?

What do you like to do when Mum’s Night Out comes around?

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Entertaining four lively boys during the school Summer holidays is not an easy task.

Budget is an issue, now that we’re a family of 6, and I choose activities carefully, based on cost and how likely they are to beat the boredom factor.

Despite only living about 40 minutes’ drive from this family attraction, I confess we had never been to M&D’s before.

Mainly because I had somehow formed the impression that all theme parks were too busy, geared towards teenagers, and likely to cost me a small fortune.

I could not have been more wrong in the case of this park.

After M&D’s extended the invitation to us to come along, I checked out the website for more details of what we had in store.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it offers “ride all day wristbands” for just £10 per person (if you buy online) – a great deal.

As it happened, we received a courtesy Family of 6 Ultimate Experience, which got us ride all day wristbands, a game of crazy golf (18 holes) and entry to the Amazonia rainforest experience.

This would have cost us £98.95 in total if we’d booked online – which is still a great deal if you break that down to £16.49 per person.

There was plenty of parking when we arrived, and it was a baking hot day so we were relieved to discover it wasn’t far to walk to the entrance. Inside, we got a map of the park and found everything within easy distance.

I had taken a packed lunch, but we purchased ice creams, coffees and slushies while we were there. The costs were not high – in fact the ice creams were cheaper than the ice-cream van which comes around the streets at home!

Our boys are aged 12, 11, 9 and 8. They generally came within an acceptable height to go on all of the rides, apart from our wee 9-year-old who needs to have a growth spurt before our next visit to make it onto the Tornado. But I’m sure he’ll get there.

With about 21 different rides to choose from, the boys were super excited. We started with a trip on the big wheel, taking in views of Glasgow in the distance as we soared way up in the sky.

We loved the Wave Rider swings too, which were not only a thrill to ride but cooled us down with a pleasant breeze.

The boys found the Tornado a little rough, throwing them around as it travelled at speeds of up to 80mph. So they only went on that once, but I’m sure your typical thrill-seekers will love it.

We were lucky it was such a scorcher of a day, as the kids got wringing wet on one of the log flume-type rides (can’t remember if it was the White Water or Moby’s Revenge).

But when we went for our round of crazy golf, the boys had dried off in the baking sun before we were finished.

As this is unusual for Scotland, I’d recommend families take a raincover of some sort, to keep kids dry when going on the water rides. Or pack a change of clothes in the back of the car, so they can enjoy their soaking without a worry.

As we cooled off with refreshments, we heard a show starting up, and popped along to watch the High Diving Pirates – a 25-minute show featuring amazing acrobatics.

M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is open from 11am until 6pm (some attractions stay open later – such as ten pin bowling).

We got there at 1pm and found that five hours flew by so quickly, we wished we’d arrived earlier.

And now I’ve had my eyes opened to how much you get for your money, we’ll definitely be back.

M&D’s is about more than fairground rides. It’s got other attractions including a soft play, an indoor entertainment complex with on-stage fun, and ten pin bowling in a ‘glow in the dark’ alley.

Brodie was excited to visit Amazonia, the indoor tropical rainforest which allowed the boys to get up close and personal to exotic creatures like macaws, dart frogs, monkeys, bats and various reptiles.

M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is open from 11am until 6pm (some attractions stay open later – such as ten pin bowling).

We got there at 1pm and found that five hours flew by so quickly, we wished we’d arrived earlier.

And now I’ve had my eyes opened to how much you get for your money, we’ll definitely be back.

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