My wife has been away this weekend socialising. Something she doesn’t get to do a lot.  This has given me and my Daughter an opportunity to go on a road trip! iBear loves staying in hotels, it’s a real novelty for her.  As soon as I asked her if she fancied doing something special this weekend she shouted “HOTEL”.  She pleaded with me for a two night stay so I did a little research and came up with a road trip to South Yorkshire.  Here’s what we got up to….

The accommodation

It had to be a Holiday inn Express. We’ve stayed in a few over the years. My Daughter gets excited to try and spot the “H” as we approach our destination.  After a little googling I chose the Hotel they have in Wakefield.  It gets some pretty good reviews here. It was also fairly central to the South Yorkshire area. I only had one thing planned, the rest I thought we could sort out once we were there. We arrived fairly late on the Friday, grabbed loads of leaflets and settled down.

Overall I would go with the majority of four star reviews for this hotel.  It was functional but not as cosmetically pleasing as some of the other hotels we’ve stayed at in their chain.  That being said, it was clean and the staff were very pleasant.  The hotel was situated very close to a pub but we didn’t get disturbed either night.  We were even moved to a quieter part of the hotel as a precaution when we checked in. Excellent customer service.

Destination 1 – Calypso Cove

Calypso Cove features in a number of “best UK Water parks” lists that I’ve seen. Its location in Barnsley is close to oir life up North so it a good choice for a weekend treat.  We took iBear to the Sandcastle Water park in Blackpool last year and despite the fact she wasn’t the most confident in the water she really took to some of the infant slides.  I’d been wanting to take her to another one for ages so this fit the bill.

Upon arrival we were greeted with a little bit of bad news.  One of the main slides wasn’t going to be on due to maintenance.  Typically it was one of the ones she could go on. It was the Splash Ahoy which allows you to race each other down it and so itleft choice a little limited. I was anxious as to how the three hours we had prebooked would go.

The changing area was very clean. Thanks to prebooking online we managed to skip the ticket queue and get ourselves changed ahead of the masses.  We’d spent a couple of minutes beforehand looking at the place for the viewing gallery.  iBear was very excited. At 10am they let us all in and she headed straight for the pirate ship. This was a set of mini slides into the shallow end of the pool and she flew down them without any hesitation.

An unexpected event

The siren sounded which we both knew signified the wave machine. Now, prior to coming here iBear had told me she didn’t like wave machines.  I promised her we’d stay at the pirate ship and just watch.  As the waves rolled in I could see the cogs turning in her head and before I knew it off she was jumping in!  She was squealing with delight as the waves kept on pushing her back and she wanted to stay in until they finished.

Another unexpected event

With Splash Ahoy out of action the only other opportunity for water sliding were the three tall slides, one of which she was too young for and the other was too fast and dark. So that only left the Kracken, a two loop slide aimed at all swimmers but particularly for the less experienced.  With it being so high iBear took a little bit of convincing but she psyched herself up for it and we made out way up the stairs.  Then, disaster struck!  iBear has come on so well in the last year with her water confidence but she still likes to wear her goggles.  Getting water in her face is a big no no for her.  As we reached the slide the attendant told her she couldn’t wear them.  Of course this was on a sign  I had missed at he bottom of the stairs, idiot!  She cried her little eyes out as I led her down the stairs.  She really didn’t want to go without her goggles.  This was game over in my head, she’d get bored on the pirate ship and we’d still have another 2 hours to go.

Then, something happened.

We’d spent a bit of time doing some regular swimming when she asked to go back on the mini slides.  After a couple of turns she all of a sudden told me to hold her goggles.  With a look a fierce determination she said she was going to go without! And she did!! If this wasn’t an achievement enough she then asked to go back on the Kraken?! Fearing she’d lose her nerve we rushed up the stairs. At the top I asked the attendant to give me a nod if, after I’d gone down, she changed her mind.  A short time later she cam zooming down! As she stood up I tried to gauge her reaction. She loved it.  I was so happy for her. What a superstar.  That was us sorted, she was up and down, in the waves, on the pirate ship and flying down the Kraken nonstop until it was time to go.

After we got changed out of our swimming stuff we headed to the poolside restaurant.  They served the usual Burger and chips etc and we both grabbed a hot dog and a drink. Whilst it was a big disappointment not being able to go on one of the main attractions we both still had an amazing time. I’d recommend this water park without fail and would love to go back.

Destination 2 – Bowling at the Metrodome/Barnsley Bowl

Calypso cove is part of the Metrodome Leisure complex in Barnsley.  As well as the water park there is a gym and an 8 lane bowling alley.  I had thought after swimming and a spot of lunch we could grab a couple of games before heading back to the hotel. We skipped along to the reception desk and asked for two games.  Unfortunately we were told there’d be a 90 minute wait. Oh dear.  As I explained this to iBear the classic bottom lip started to tremble.  Followed by the tears.  Why hadn’t I thought to book ahead?! As she sat sobbing on a chair I googled bowling alleys in Barnsley and top spot was the Barnsley Bowl which was only 15 minutes away. I phoned them up and asked about lane availbility.  We couldn’t get one for around two hours but I booked it anyway.  We’d go back to the hotel, freshen up and then head down there later.  I explained all this to iBear and thankfully it had her smiling again.

We set off back to the hotel and withing ten minutes she was fast asleep.  I parked up at the hotel, turned the engine off and chilled as she napped.  She ended up sleeping over a hour and a half! We try not to let her nap too much now but given she has a very late night I thought it couldn’t hurt.  As she woke I told her we were on the way to the Bowling alley which excited her greatly.

Strike!

Barnsley Bowl is your textbook Bowling alley with the lanes, food, bar and arcades.  The staff were very friendly and we got onto our lane without any fuss. Half way through our second game I asked how my Daughter was feeling and if she wanted a third game.  She did and we were able to tag it on.  However, by the time we were finished she was definitely flagging. I asked her again about the third game ans she told me she was too tired.  Fair enough I thought I we went to the reception desk.  I apologised, explained the situation and we managed to get a refund immediately and again without any fuss.

To the arcades

After a small refreshment break we had a look around the arcades. She spotted the air hockey table and asked for a go.  I love a bit of air hockey and jumped at the chance to pass on my skills and knowledge. We played a couple of games which was good fun.  She got the hang of stopping the puck and looked quite pleased with herself.  He loved scoring the points, which I was happy to grant her.  A girl around iBears age had been watching and I could tell she wanted a go.  I found her Dad and let them take a couple of turns. It was only fair.

After they finished their games we let the kids play each other. It was great fun to watch. The competitive nature in both of them shone through with both of them celebrating when they scored.  The game was heading for a draw when iBear managed to score another point with 5 seconds to go! She looked so pleased with herself. Her opponent, on the other hand, burst into tears! I persuaded iBear to go over and thank her for the game.  The left and we celebrated!

Destination 3 – Sundown Adventureland

The final destination for our weekend of fun was a day out at Sundown Adventureland in Nottinghamshire.  We found the brochure at our Hotel and I was so happy when I saw it as I used to go there as a child. Back then it was called Sundown Pets Garden (or maybe corner?).  The park is specifically aimed at the under 10’s so it sounded like a perfect day out for the two of us.  And it was.

There were loads of things to do there, from train rides to barrel rides on the water to indoor and outdoor play areas.  We managed to experience all the park had to offer and my eyes glazed over with nostalgia a number of times.  The place has changed a lot in 30 years but there were a few things that brought back memories. One of my personal favourite experiences of the day was the storyland village.  There were a number of cottages specifically created in the theme of some well know books.  Little Red Riding hood, Hansel and Gretel and the the Three Little Pigs being examples. In each cottage there was a interactive button that would tell the story as the children were inside.  iBear was spellbound.

Nostalgia

Another personal highlight, for both of us, was the small town.  Here you can go inside one house and make your way through a whole street by going from house to house, each with its own specific activity inside it. iBear loved it, as did I.  This was definitely here when I used to come and I remembered flying around the place with my brother and cousins.  To have iBear do the same was a very poignant moment for me.

Despite being only 5 my Daughter has already bought into my wife’s love of rollercoaster and thrill seeking rides. I was a little wary this park may well have been a little tame for her but she seemed to love it.  We were there for around 5 hours and could easily have stayed longer.  I would say it was a must visit.

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I love spending time with my Daughter and to have the opportunity to take her away for the weekend just the two of us has resulted in a whole host of memory making. She’s been a pleasure to be with. I can’t wait for the next trip!