visit to Longleat

On monthly basis, daddy's school is organising trip to selected places - cheaper ticket coach and entrance fee.  We've checked out a few and straightly purchased two for this month hehe. So the first trip was Longleat safari, considering that Aariz would love to meet the animals. So on that day,  we woke up early, kesian Aariz mengantuk lagi. First time ni Aariz naik coach =)

Our coach departed promptly at 8:30, as scheduled sebab nak sampai awal. It was a daytrip jadi kenalah berbaloi. Knowing that it was a very long journey (for Aariz) risau juga dia meragam but the idea of packed lunch has saved us. When I saw a sign - 43km to Southampton, wow never thought it was that far! Nevertheless, the journey was taking us on a delightful stunning green scenery. And we passed via Bradford on Avon, at a moment a think I've left my heart in there. Cantik sangat, you can google if you want.

It was nearly three hours journey, Aariz had his nap as a preparation to explore hehe. Longleat has two main attractions, the safari and adventure park.

We began our day with trip around the safari in our coach - it was permitted to leave the coach and walk with giraffe and zebra, but we didn't. Because nobody did so pun..semua pun pusing2 dalam kereta je kan. While mummy and daddy sibuk tengok all those camels and ostriches bagai, Aariz macam biasa 'bird..bird'..suka betul dengan bird.

It was my first time ever seeing white wolves at the final part of the safari. And they were difficult to spot tapi bila dah nampak tu memang scary! I don't know, I mean, I just felt so.

So done with longleat safari, we moved on to the adventure park. Cruise and steam railway were among the most highlighted. The cruise trip took us around Half-Mile lake. Sea lions, hippo and Nico (a gorilla) live in there. Kesian Nico, still mourning over his dead wife. Sentimental pula gorilla kan.

On our Lady Lenka boat, the other one was Lady Bath. What a name =)

And other attractions were castles, maze,pet corner..but everything in here are nature based..

Daddy and Aariz unwind infront of home to the 7th Marquess of Bath, but very private, no photo!

 

One day trip to Longleat was worth the cost, except the bird show =( frankly boring, I should say. Oh please go and learn from Everland Korea team with first class bird show. The bird show should be Aariz's most favorite one.  But big thanks daddy for bringing us along on a beautiful day! Next is Bath.

what's inside a mansion house?

Hubby went to watch the game between Aston and Wigan without me. Alahai I so wanna go, tapi tak sesuailah bawa Aariz. When he came back home, I asked him about it and he replied alaa nothing much..biasa2 saja (nak ambil hati la tu), but still I have a little bit excitement whenever it means for football, or epl to be exact. So, he promised to bring me. 

tadaa..tu yang dibelakang

Just about 200 yards from the stadium was Aston Hall, the Jacobean-style mansion house. The day was planned for the mansion house sebenarnya, yang stadium tu singah2 je. 

I present you the Holtes mansion house..

 pergi  mana-mana mesti pegi tengok bunga (park) dulu

gate to the park

Ok frankly telling, I didn't give much attention to the notes. Biasakan melawat muzium ada nota-nota yang kena tampal tu. Until at home, I did some study about it and it was quite interesting. Long story short, the mansion was originally owned by Sir Thomas Holte, before sold to James Watt jr (Watt known for the steam engine, yes! ) and later was purchased by a private company for use as private park and museum. Sir Thomas was born from a wealthy, land-owning family. But he himself  did much to further his family fortune and the result was Aston Hall to reflect his wealth and status. Started built in 1618 and moved into in 1630, you do the math and now let's see what's inside a mansion house.

from wiki..I can't help not to copy paste the story. Classic but tragic.

Sir Thomas Holte married as his first wife Grace, daughter and co-heiress of William Bradbourne of Hough, Derbyshire, with whom he had fifteen children. Sir Thomas made use of his connections to secure his second son, Edward, a position in King Charles I's household. Whilst in London, Edward met and married Elizabeth King, daughter of John King, the incumbent Bishop of London. Unfortunately, Sir Thomas did not give his permission for the marriage, and never forgave his son for proceeding with the wedding regardless. Edward was entirely cut out from his inheritance, and despite pleas from the King himself, Sir Thomas never allowed reconciliation. After the death of the eldest son George in 1641, Edward was Sir Thomas' only remaining son. Sir Thomas re-married in short order Anne, the youngest daughter of Sir Edward Littleton of Pillaton Hall, and made great efforts to raise another son, so that Edward could be permanently cut out of the estate. Edward died on military service in 1643, having never returned to the family fold despite his several attempts. It was rumoured Sir Thomas locked up a daughter because she refused to marry her father's choice of husband. The story goes that she starved to death.

Sir Thomas' second wife was able to give him another son, but the boy did not survive past childhood, in common with nine of the children from Sir Thomas' first marriage. During his last days he was finally persuaded to leave Aston Hall and all his estates to Edwards's son Robert, his grandson, who would inherit the baronetcy. Sir Thomas was buried in Aston Church, survived only by his wife and daughter Grace.

What really inside a mansion house. hmmmm
I don't need such mansion, I just love my life!

What Aariz is up to now.

He probably has forgotten his mini playground at our home (Bangi), or it's always a playground if toys are around. Last 2 weeks the weather was good for car boot sales. We've been told by other parents that car boot sales are heaven for toys. And it really was. Love shopping mainan for Aariz!

Bought Leap Frog learning tablets, Fisher Price walker and books, at tip top conditions as if they've never been used. Aariz now walks steadily and luckily the walker can be converted to ride-on.

Aariz's favorite word is "nak"..maksudnya mahu makan hehe. His most wanted? Potato chips. Enjoy himself munching and watching his favorite, well none other than upin ipin (on youtube), or sometimes playing games on cbeebies (on bbc)

Aariz  loves the weather in here, selamba sejuk taknak pakai jaket. And being more friendly than ever. Habis semua orang ditegurnya,..on the street or wherever. Uncle gas pun suka Aariz.

when the sun shines brightly, let's do laundry!

with daddy beli ice cream

Allahuakbar!

Aariz likes doing chores, sapu gosok2 dan 'lipat' baju. And at night telling bedtime stories to mummy and fall asleep slowly. Oh Aariz!

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a weird park near Washwood Heath

Before we come, I've been picturing a nice park just near our house. That was what I thought a housing area in UK would be. So, I asked my husband if he knows any. Yeah there's one but don't expect much, he warned me.

So off we went to check out the park. I should say a weird abandoned park. Swans/ducks welcomed us warmly, they must thought that we were going to feed them.  Scary tho. Not sure the park's name but it located at Washwood Heath, so it would be the name..In case someone else wants to google about the same park, hence this entry title hihi.

For the sake of an autumn pictures..

Harapnya you all tak kisah banyak sangat gambar, I do read my blog to refresh my memories =)



visiting Sealife Birmingham

We'd collected lots of tourist pamphlets. One that caught my attention was Sealife, because I thought my son would love to see fish-fish. After visiting daddy's school (from my previous entry) we continued on to the National Sealife. But lack of singage was frustrating =(  We followed the signs to NIA, National Indoor Arena as instructed and fortunately we came across a canal ...

I'd like to spend time enjoying the cruising but, maybe some other time..

Sealife includes more locations all around UK and Europe, it's a part of the Merlin annual pass. We should consider to purchase the package which includes theme parks and castles.

As much as Aariz enjoyed watching the creatures, he got excited seeing other kids running here and there. Friendly Aariz wants to be friend with everyone, at the sealife, at busses, and everywhere! And I'm adoring his sincere smile and pearl white teeth!

 Unlike his mummy, Aariz was brave enough to touch the starfish

like this space!

Now, ever heard about ikan sebelah? this is it...

visiting daddy's school

You know that the coldness is never too far. We've been told that the weather are getting cooler...brrr! Hubby had his class cancelled last wednedsay so we went out to his uni. We took two busses, the first bus stopped at the city centre, I secretly love to see how the ladies style up their shawl here. Don't get suprise to see that they're more stylish!

Upon reaching his uni I felt so proud and started to reminisce about a dream that came true eventually =) Alhamdulillah.

We wandered around the faculty, went to the cafe and heated up our food hihi. I prepare him bekalan nasi lauk everyday because I don't think eating bread alone boleh cukup for whole day. Makan roti tak Malaysialah kan. And performed zohor at the musolla. Alhamdulillah everything seems very fine and comfortable.

Joseph Chamberlain memorial clock tower

at the cafe, I was talking about

Just behind us is Barber Institute of Fine Arts, there're Picasso's masterpiece in it. You know me, I must love to see it but we will be back for another visit. We continued on with the National Sealife, but that would be in another entry ..ok stay tuned!

so, what i'm up to these days

It's October! Another two months before a brand new year. How's your resolution, are we there yet? Did I really say 'resolution'  T_T  Anyhow, for we know that change is inevitable..they said, change is constant..yelah mengikut keperluan. For me, things has changed a lot, obviously. I miss home! You heard me. I miss Malaysia very very much..especially these past days. To find a perfect house was stressful. We were after new house because some problems we had with the landlord. But to the end, we managed to discuss it properly and we had got what we want. Alhamdulillah.

Oklah malas dah nak fikir yang tu..everything's going to be fine now. Hubby's classes have started...that's why I'm loving weekend even more, tunggu je weekend supaya boleh go out jalan2. In weekdays I help out my jiran to look after her kids, two of them..four and three years old. As seen on picture playing with Aariz. First time sebenarnya jaga kanak-kanak. And speaking about kanak-kanak, I haven't been yet to the children's centre as mentioned earlier.

Aariz and friends

But we have found our favorite kebab shop! Lunched out today at the same shop..suka sangat la tu hehe. In Saltley it is very easy to get halal food. Sometimes I forgot that I'm in UK, but Lahore or so kerana memang Pakistani dominated this place. Alhamdulillah, we are living in a good neighbourhood and a plus point jugalah masa pilih rumah ni. Alhamdulillah semuanya mesti ada hikmah kan?

 bukti kedatangan berterusan

found one! must be my favorite kedai tudung lepas ni =)

The price is ok. You can get like 3-person meals for 3pounds. But that's not an excuse hari-hari makan luar kan. Should save some money for travel! Lagipun, groceries kita-kita ni are easily to find here..halia, lengkuas,daun kari oh your name it! Orang kata, kalau masuk dapur dan masak tu tak rasa la macam kat oversea. In other word, nak kata rajin masak ke? I hope this won't change. I repeat, should save more money for travel. Been thinking of Spain to escape this coming winter. Daydream!

Hmm..what else, oh yes! We like carboot sale so much. Baru dua kali pegi tapi hasil tangkapan boleh tahan. Especially Aariz's stuff. Lots of good toys and books too. And me? I recently purchased a carpet at 4 pounds. It's a lovely english flowery in pink. A leather jacket to wear in Barcelona (daydream!), and a pair of kidsGap jacket and pants at 1pounds! haha untuk buat tidur apa salahnya. Yep yep I'm petite and proudly can fit it.

Can't name the place tho..masih blur hehe

Oklah off to bed now, and it's nearly subuh in Malaysia. Rindu Malaysia.