Retro Birthday Fun

Wednesday was a big birthday for my Mum and as it approached she had been feeling rather down about being 60. I wanted to make the day extra special for her so told her that we'd take her out for the day. It's always hard knowing what to buy her so I knew she'd appreciate a family day more than material gifts.

As a child we spent many happy family days in Great Yarmouth and she spent many happy childhood days there with her parents and siblings so it was the perfect choice.

She was coming with my niece who wanted to travel by train so we agreed to meet in the town centre but instead me & the children headed there early to get a decent parking space and we walked to the train station to surprise her. We made a quick sign up and the eldest two stood on the platform holding it up. A number of passengers 'ahhed'  and smiled at the sight of the sign. My Mum on the other hand nearly walked past us! Thankfully Katie spied us in time. 

We meandered through the town to the seafront and our first stop was Joyland-mainly for the infamous Snails. The snails have been a favourite for generations and have been at the park since it opened in 1949. 

Harry chose to go on with his cousin so Charlie took Nanny. They may look quite tame but those dips are quite rough!

Harry was desperate to go on the roller coaster and begged his cousin to take him. This was her first ever experience of roller coasters and we could hear her screaming! This ride wasn't here in my childhood. Does anyone remember Noah's Ark or Space Base?

The back-breaking Tyrolean Tub Twist another ride still going strong from 1949. No visit to Joyland is complete without being painfully spun around the track! 

The Jet Cars date from the 1970s and these were always a favourite of my Dad's. I have to admit to finding them quite boring but Harry loves racing around the track. They do go fairly fast though as I always get really blurry photos! 

While the others went back on the roller coaster Harry used his last token on the Junior Ferris Wheel. He looks enthralled!!

After a delicious lunch at one of the restaurants on Marine Parade we walked along the seafront for a delicious 99 ice cream at Jack's Jetty Snacks. While me & Mum sat on the jetty and rested our legs the children had great fun running along and jumping onto the beach, seeing who could jump the furthest or pull the funniest pose as they jumped.

Once rested we headed off further up the seafront towards the Pleasure Beach as the boys wanted to treat Nanny to a ride on the Big Wheel. We went on the wheel when it was there on 2009 and the views were amazing so I knew she'd love a trip on this one. It was only £15 for four people to ride so we let Katie go on with them. It wasn't until the ride finished that she told me that she is scared of heights! 

The children and Nanny then took it in turns to have goes on the orbital cars, spinning round and round, crashing into each other and generally not getting very far. It was so funny to watch.

Mum is a big kid at heart! 

I finally managed to get them all off the cars and we then went to the Wellington Pier cafe for another well earned rest and refreshments and £1 each on the 2p coin pushers. My dear Nanna used to loved playing these in seaside arcades and it's so lovely that my children enjoy them too. Harry was playing them like a pro-putting in two at a time at high speed!

After all that it was time for four very tired children and two shattered adults to head home. We had to leave Mum & Katie walking back to the train station on their own as Harry had a fall and was so tired that he made a huge fuss over a tiny graze so we went straight back to the car for the journey home. My pedometer told me that I'd achieved my best ever step score and we'd walked 10.7 miles that day. No wonder our legs ached! 

It was a perfect day, with perfect weather and we all had so much fun together. Katie hadn't a trip to the coast since she was a toddler and she experienced lots of new things and Mum had a day that reminded of her childhood and mine too. When I got home I received a text that said 'thanks for the best birthday ever'. That was what I was hoping for. The birthday treats aren't over though as Molly is taking her to experience her first ever Afternoon Tea at Biddy's in Norwich, the boys are taking her to play Pitch & Putt at Fakenham Fairways in September and we're planning to surprise her with a boat hire at Wroxham in a few weeks. She's always spoiling the children rotten-this summer it's her turn.