Category: Adventures

Posted in Adventures

Making memories!

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

On Wednesday we went to Barry, after all the sunny days it was the one day that was a little overcast!

We went with Z’s adoptive nan our school bus escort and my nan.

Z got out of the car in the buggy and headed to the toilet, where the hand dryers went off so this sent Z into meltdown mode quickly. He was throwing himself, running and just pushing the buggy over, so I let him lead me of course to the fair. I’m sure they thought I was trying to kidnap him the way he was screaming and I was dragging him!

But we calmed down enough to post 2ps in the machine. When nan tried joining in he was taking the 2ps and turning his back! Operation sharing commences!! The staff there were fab, when the machine didn’t give us or 2ps he refunded us then gave Z the 2ps that had been jammed in the first place. So Z had lots more 2ps to post.

We swapped our tickets for a lolly, yea that’s all Z really wants is a lolly!

He had a little go on a few of the 50p rides and this helped him to calm down. Some we didn’t even need to put money in!

Of course going to Barry and being that close to Ikea we could not not go for food! So we ended up at Ikea eating meatballs and chips and Z being happy!

Was a lovely evening just being out going for a little walk on the seafront and eating chips!

Posted in Adventures

A Sunday morning two mile trek!

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

When you say to your mates fancy getting out for an hour and we head to Garwnant park. The kids run around or get pushed on the swings, but in reality us adults are freezing. It was like two degrees! We love Garwnant, other than the space to run they even have a changing places toilet which is just fab!

So we grab the gloves and a drink from the car and start walking. What started as a little let’s have a look ended up on a two mile walk.

In all fairness we done it. How I’m still wondering that!

It’s hard enough with a four five and six year old without any challenges add to the mix of that two children with autism and one with a fear of dogs! Oh and we seen some dogs.

We went through mud and streams and we laughed.

It was quiet, I think that helped it wasn’t hot so we weren’t over heated and we made it. Not saying we’d ever achieve that again so we’ll accept today as a winner.

It was lovely to see three children run and enjoy the outdoors and three adults laugh and enjoy the fresh air something that we’ve not done in what seems like forever, meaning it’s been too long. Hopefully this is the start back of our Sunday adventures!

My waiting coffee was well deserved when I got back to the car!

Posted in Adventures

Snow day!

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

This weekend we had snow!

Quite a bit to be fair.

How was Z going to cope with snow, every where covered in this cold wet stuff? He’s seen snow before but that was when he was younger and it wasn’t much, this in comparison was deep!

We used the inflatable sleigh and went for a walk, ok I dragged him and he lay down but I think he had lots of fun.

Yes we’ll trade the pooch for a husky!!At first he didn’t want to keep on his gloves but soon learnt that the snow was cold!

We played in the park and ran around, we cleared the railing of snow and got dragged back home!

We stopped by Nan and grampas and grampa dragged him about too!

How he’s going to be when it all melts I’m unsure as last night he was awake quite a bit and every time he was running to look out the window.

This morning we made the most of the snow, we played in the garden and the pooch played too!

Now it’s time for a nice warm bath and pjs! Yes even though it’s not quite 4pm!

Posted in Adventures

Family time at Wiggleys

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

Last week my sister and niece came down for the week. I didn’t get to spend as much time with them as would have liked. Between the weather being rubbish, Z attaching his cousin M who’s much smaller than him I didn’t want her to feel frightened of him, or even ruin her enjoyment of being on holidays!

I picked them up and with my mother we headed to Wiggleys. Lots of people have said how good it is here and being less than an hour away was first choice to try. Animals and a park. Indoor and outdoor.

When we arrived it was a little noisy inside, you enter right by the food station and the indoor play. Z was getting a little anxious but we coped. Got some animal feed and off we went.

There’s not a lot of animals, you have your basic sheep, horse, donkeys and goats. All the animals come to you for food! Z wasn’t impressed with the feeding! He wasn’t too impressed with the animals I’m not going to lie! He did touch a sheep. With me forcing his hand!

The playground there was lovely, lots of open space suitable for little ones and big ones. Both Z and M had fun. Z climbing and running across the bridge trying the assault course. M playing in the houses and down the slide.

The open space is good, well maybe not so much for Z as he could run. Most of its fenced off but there is a woodland walk so was scared if he did run off what would be in there! We did go for a look and it was just a walk!

We didn’t spend too long here with M being a bit younger and Z being Z two hours was enough. I think if you had a few children who would just play you could just take a picnic and sit and watch them play!

It was nice spending time with my mother, sister and niece. At least the weather held off and it was dry.

Posted in Adventures, Days out.

Cwm Parc Darran 

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

Sunday afternoons used to be adventure times with J and E, then the winter came and with it one of the four of us sick! We’ve gotten one or two in but not many.

Today we decided it was adventure time. K and J also joined us along with B and B. We headed to Cwm Parc Darran. Something that is just over the mountain and we didn’t know it exaisted. 

The first thing both B and myself said when we entered the park was it was safe, it had grass floor and a gate. Autism friendly park! All four kids loved it, it wasn’t huge but big enough for them to play. 


We stayed her quite a long time, then headed for a walk to the lake. It was a big lake, lots of ducks, and some little ducklings! Z loves ducks, he’ll say duck and quack quack, luckily he’s strapped in his buggy or he’d be trying to swim with them! 


We passed another park, more like an obstacle course, I didn’t leave Z go to play here as it’s quite close to the water and those ducks! Wasn’t taking any chances. 

We walked and found the waterfall, where as E and J could splash in their boots, Z who’s wellies were in the car couldn’t understand that concept so off he went! That’s why I always carry spare clothes, next time I need to remember socks…! 


He loved it, he really didn’t want to come out of the water as was quite happily splashing around. Next time it’ll be his wellies and all in one! 

On the walk back, we didn’t go exploring just headed back to the car, next time we’ll have to walk different paths as there were loads. 


Thought £3 to park the car all day was reasonable they had a little cafe coffee £1 so can’t whinge at that! It was also a place for caravans and tents, maybe next time we could take the tent and the pooch! 

Posted in Adventures, Days out.

Caerphilly Mountain Ranch. 

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

We’ve heard a lot of people say about this place so these week we went for a look.

£6 entry is quite reasonable as it’s huge, lots to see and lots to do. Z having his blue badge meant we both paid £3 each. 

Z loved the park, its full of sand! Of course sensory heaven for him. There’s a little obstacle course that he tried really hard to get across, he’s never held on to anything before and as much as I say he’s quite good with his balance high up I think he would struggle, but the things you have to do to get to the wobbly bridge! 


We went to explore the park, passing the goats and the troll guarding the bridge. We made our way to an Indian village with toupees, he enjoyed running in and out of those, the girls went off to look for fairies but this was lost on the boys. B from Z’s class joined us, was nice to see them both playing in the sand! 



The fairy part had lots of little fairy doors on the trees, and fairies dotted about the place, a tree house with a swing. Really this was wasted on us, I’m sure if the boys could talk they would be saying something along the lines of how’s that fairy going to fit through those doors! 

We left the girls hunting the fairies and headed down roly poly hill, thank goodness I didn’t have to push Z back up! 

Again lots more sand, a tree house, a climbing tree, I loved this. An old tree has fallen over the roots were boarded up and the kids could climb it, and know what it was packed. Something so simple just nature and the kids were loving it. 

We explored the three huts, climbed on a dragon fly, played in small houses and span some toadstools. Oh and we played in more sand! 

We left the girls at this part they went on in search of the gruffalo, with both boys not really that interested we headed to get some food before another play in the park. We found the mouse though! Ok it’s the start of the gruffalo trail! 

After Burger and chips was more time to play at the park, after some duck spotting!


We didn’t explore all of the park, there’s fires with marshmallows, more things to climb and explore and hills to roll down. It’s less than twenty minutes away so we’d go back again. I think next time my niece is down it’s a place she would enjoy going fairy hunting and looking at the animals. They have goats, guinea Pigs, rabbits, ducks and horses, there maybe more we didn’t see. 

Posted in Adventures, Days out.

Puxton Park 

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

We headed here with J,D and E. Was a great family day out. Not too far over the bridge, and was quite easy to find. We could have popped to Weston afterwards but we choose to go for tea instead, then hoped that they would fall asleep in the car, nope not one of them did! 

As Z has a blue badge, we only paid G’s entry price and £3 for Z.  So in terms for us it was a cheap day. The prices wernt unreasonable think adults and children are around £10.

Both Z and E loved the bouncing pillow, what I loved was it was manned, so they had a certain amount of time, all children were called off and the next lot in. This was the same for all the attractions. Other than the trampolines that were dotted around the park.


The parks were great fun, lots of sand to ground Z’s sensory needs! He would have happily stayed there all day, we did manage to get him to walk around to see the park. It was flat so he sat in his buggy, meaning it’s all wheelchair and buggy friendly. 


There were falcon shows going on, those birds are fast! We didn’t go on the train, but there was also a little train there. We liked the falcon area, seeing the owls, as E loves owls! 

There was the barn of animals, these guys were kinda my fave they just look so cuddly! Alpacas.


Of course Z liked the goats and chickens! Some big chickens that he called duck, I won’t put him straight as I’m sure duck is easier to say than chicken and we’ll take the word duck! 

We even managed to take them on the little paddle boats. I was a little nervous with Z’s love of water, but he was calm! I should have steered the boat being heavier than G, did think we were going to topple it, or I was going to topple it, but nope we were ok, phew! Diet time for next time! We didn’t manage to get on the other boats as they were quite busy, next time we’ll do those first! 

There was a big soft play area inside, but it was a little too loud for Z, so we couldn’t actually manage to stay there any length of time, I’m sure if it was quieter he would have loved it! So when E played there we had a look around the farm shop! 

We really enjoyed our day out here and would happily go back, think it’ll be on our list of things to do during the six weeks holidays! 

Posted in Adventures, Days out.

Barry Sidings 

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

We were looking for somewhere different and quiet. Ponty park is alway very busy and Z runs! So when I seen this place we decided to try it. Pooch could come too and was buggy friendly. No car park charges which was great so was a great start! 


We walked the path down to the houses and back, over looking the river. Many little  mini water falls coming from the mountains into the river that Z wanted to play in and the pooch was to scared to get his paws wet!


We stopped at the park, the pooch wasn’t allowed that far so he stayed with hubby whilst I went to the park. I was slightly nervous as there’s a duck pond, it does have a little bit of a fence around it! Z was ok. He stopped to have alook, did attempt the water but was easily led to the buggy! 


Z enjoyed the park, slides, swings, climbing frames, and space to run around


He had to have a little look in the cafe, and what was great was the fact that it was a dog friendly cafe! 

There was a little bike track as we came in for children, and there’s a bike part up in the woods. We didn’t walk that far this time, maybe next time! 

Posted in Adventures

Margarm park and Aberavon Beach.

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

On Tuesday we headed to Margam park. Went with J and E, S and S and S’s mate. 

Z fell asleep going there, well he had just had his hair cut and a shower, so he was  traumatised he wound himself up so much that’s why he slept.

It took him a little while to come around, I used his buggy, Margarm park is quite big to be chasing him or continually trying to pick him up from the drop and flop position!!

He loved the castle in the play area. He ran around he was up and down the steps, and it was nice to be able to stand at the entrance and not chase him about! 

This time he was big enough to go and play on the wooden play equipment, and he really enjoyed himself. He ran around and actually eventually walked over the rope bridge. The first time he went on his knees, then half and half, then he could walk across it! So proud of him! 

We stopped and had our photo at the #EPIC sign, whilst we were waiting our turn Z kept saying E P I C, he loved it, he ran around it and climbed the letters luckily the queue had gone by this point and the staff we fab, they even got the pictures! 

We walked around the animals were he kept saying baaa for the sheep, and laughing! Quack for the ducks and I started eeeor, for the donkey, which apparently is very funny! 

Wanted to change his bum at this point, and the disabled toilet was out of order, know why, ‘coz some idiots tried putting nappies down the toilet, why would someone even do that? So it was a change in the buggy. The older he’s getting im not going to be able to do it for much longer, as it was it was very quiet so only I was about, how we’ll be managing before long I don’t know. I’ll be carrying a big blanket with me to hide him! 


We made music leaving! He jumped on some logs, and was quite happy to go back in the buggy to go to the car! 

That’s when J decided to go on to Aberavon beach. So we followed over, they played in the park for a little while until Z wanted to go play on the beach! 


Before heading to the sea we buried him, he loved it! 


Not as much as he loves the sea though! Couldn’t get him out of there, I was soaking, even wellies done nothing for me and I was tipping the sea water out before getting in the car! Was so chuffed with him he actually took seaweed off me, walked around with it before dropping it in favour of the sea! 

We had a good day, was nice to get out with J and E again too. As our adventures have been few and far between lately! 

Posted in Adventures, Bank holiday, Days out.

Easter holidays week one.

Posted on by firsttimevalleymam

I’ve not posted anything new in what feels like ages! 

This week has been the start of the Easter holidays, we’ve gotten through week one, just about! 

I can’t say this week we’ve actually achieved much or been anywhere, we’ve gone on Brecon mountain railway and think that’s been it! 


On Tuesday I went to see Beauty and the beast at the cinema with my nan, I really enjoyed it! Then met with some school mates on Wednesday evening, which was much overdue! That was after a successful photo shoot with Z. 

Thursday and Friday have just gone about in a blur! I seem to be full of a cold today think that’s just the effects of waking so much this week. Z is missing school, he keeps spelling school along with teacher and bus, then leading me to the door saying car. He’s not been going to sleep till 10 or so crying at 11.30 or 12.30, again at 2.30 and up around 6.30-7. Today I even went to bed for an hours nap and I’m counting down the time for Z to fall asleep! 

Last Saturday we got him a trampoline which he loves, he’s spending all his free time bouncing. He opens the door, heads to the garden ipad in hand and bounce, bounce, bounce! Actually impressed with the height he’s getting too! Not bad considering a few months ago he couldn’t even jump!!


This weekend being Easter my sister and her partner have brought my neice down. Z was good with her today he tried hugging her, but she’s still tiny! Maybe it’s because Z looks so big next to her! 

Think tomorrow we’re going to head out for a little adventure, then diner at mams Sunday! 

Next week I think I could well have two adventures planned, if everything goes to plan! Husband is off work and the weather looks good!