A Two-Day Kent Coast Rail Mini-Break from Cambridge: What We Packed, Where We Stopped, and What Actually Kept the Kids Calm

Posted on May 2, 2026May 19, 2026 by Jupiter

Working out a proper Cambridge-to-Kent weekend with three under-tens and no car took us about three tries. The first attempt lost a Saturday morning to a missed connection at St Pancras. The second was derailed by a flat iPad outside Faversham. The third went well enough that it is now the family default for a long weekend when no one fancies the M25.

Below is the version that worked. Train times we actually catch, snacks that survive the journey, and the one bit of kit nobody warns you about: how the data signal in your pocket goes from city-fast in London to genuinely patchy by the time you are pulling into Margate.

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Ultimate Guide to Value Utility Plans in Essex, UK

Posted on May 2, 2026May 20, 2026 by Contributor

Essex homeowners planning renovations, extensions, loft conversions, or new home build projects in the county cannot afford to overlook essential documents like value utility plans. While heavily focusing on design ideas, budgeting, and construction timelines is a great idea, prioritising utility planning also plays a key role in ensuring a smooth and legally-compliant project. Utility plans provide detailed information about existing and proposed utility connections within a property. These include water supply systems, drainage networks, gas pipelines, electricity layouts, telecommunications, and sewage infrastructure.

Understanding Value Utility Plans

A value utility plan is a professionally-prepared document or drawing that identifies all essential utility services connected to a residential property. These plans help architects, builders, engineers, and local authorities understand how utilities interact with the structure and surrounding land. In popular areas like London and Essex, where residential development continues to expand rapidly, professional value utility plan services have become increasingly important for both modern and traditional homes.

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Project 365 – April 2026

Posted on May 1, 2026May 5, 2026 by Jupiter

This month was a very mixed one! We did a little staycation in England and then Dann, finally, after so long of us being together, got to meet my family. I never really thought this was something that was going to be possible, so I am extremely glad we were able to do so. Kai has also made the decision to live with us – something I am very proud of him for doing. During divorces, there is so much going on, but it’s so lovely to see him understand what support is and how someone should be looking after him. Below, I have written about each of my days in the month of April, as a part of Project 365. Some people do theirs weekly, some daily, and other bloggers do their entries monthly like me. You can also see all of their posts at the bottom, if you want to check out some other blogs.

April 1st – To Cambridge

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History Heroes: A Little Slice of Animal History card game – Important animals

Posted on April 30, 2026April 27, 2026 by Jupiter

[Ad – Gifted Products] Another Monday of hanging out at our local Geek Retreat has come and gone, with us playing History Heroes: A Little Slice of Animal History card game this time. Previously, we have played History Heroes: A Little Slice of History, which was very similar to this game in design. Instead of the cards having triangles of history, they had triangles of important animals throughout history, which made for a very interesting game.

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Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Autumn Season 2026 announced

Posted on April 29, 2026May 5, 2026 by Jupiter

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is one of our favorite places to go to see a bit of theatre. They have released their autumn 2026 schedule of events which include family shows and adult shows, all throughout the season. For those of you who have never been to the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, it’s a single theatre venue, with a bar, cafe, and a little children’s play area. Getting there ahead of your show allows you to order drinks or even have a little pastry at their cafe, which is always lovely.

The Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s Autumn 2026 season covers the next shows over the months of August, September, October, and November. There are a variety of different shows from children’s plays to horror-themed performances, to comedies. The use of the stage at this theatre is also always fantastic – transforming it to meet the needs of the show. We most recently went there to see There’s a Monster in your Show, a children’s performance, but have also seen tribute acts, farces, and of course pantomimes.

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