A wonderful birthday weekend with Trentham Gardens, Oruna Cuisine and Alton Towers

I think this year has been my best birthday ever!

It started on the Friday, with Ian taking the day off to be with me while the kids were at school. We headed off to Trentham Gardens where we started the morning with a Frankie and Benny's vegetarian breakfast before going into the gardens for a walk. The sun was shining and we enjoyed a gorgeous walk around the lake. It was beautiful. We spent time looking at the amazing wooden sculptures and watching the birds on the lake.

On Friday evening, Megan and Ella along with Ella's boyfriend Frank arrived to spend the weekend with us. We ordered a huge Indian meal from my favourite local Indian restaurant Oruna. I love Oruna, the food is excellent and there are lots of veggie options to choose from...Sag Paneer, Tarka Dahl, Mushroom Bhaji, Chana Dahl and Mushroom Biryani being my favourites. The staff are so lovely and even sent me a card and a bottle of wine to help me celebrate the occasion. Oruna is such an integral part of our little market town, and so involved in the community. So it's perfectly fitting to have Oruna cater my birthday dinner!

The meal was superb and the birthday cake that followed was lovely. I even had candles to blow out while everything sang "Happy Birthday to You".

The next morning we headed off to Alton Towers for mine and Ella's joint birthday weekend. The weather, although forecast to be grim was actually glorious. We booked into the Alton Towers Hotel in two adjoining Moon Landing themed rooms. The rooms are so cool with incredibly detailed decor that made you feel like you are in a Jules Verne novel! Each room also had its own giant teddy bear in it and an XBox games console. The attention to detail is fantastic and makes a stay so much fun.

With our Merlin Annual Passes we had free reign of the park for two days.  The older kids went off to do all the big rides like Thirteen, Nemesis, Air and The Smiler, while Ian and I took Freddy into CBeebies Land. I love what they have done in this corner of the park, elevating Alton Towers to a theme park that pre-schoolers will love just as much as the thrill seeking teenagers. It really is a place for all the family to enjoy. 

Freddy spent ages in the Tree Fu Tom play area tackling climbing walls, cargo nets, the zip wire and the spider rope frame. He unleashed his inner ninja jumping, rolling and overcoming obstacles. Nina's Lab was also a big hit for my science loving schoolboy and he explored all the hands on exhibits. Charlie and Lola's house was another great place to explore, bringing the illustrations of Lauren Child to life in an imaginative and interactive way. With the Driving School, Froghopper, Big Wobble soft play and Carousel rides too, Freddy had a full and exciting day.

Day two was even sunnier! The older kids hit the park to take advantage of the early ride time, following a fantastic buffet breakfast at the hotel.  They took the woodland walk into the theme park.

Meanwhile Ian, Freddy and I went to the Splash Landings Water Park. With the beautiful blue skies and sunshine, going into the outside pool was just too tempting and we had a lovely time relaxing in the warm water whilst feeling the sun on our faces. It felt like being abroad and on holiday.

After a couple of hours of playing in the water park, clambering up cargo nets while jets of water squirted at us and getting soaked by the giant, tipping bucket of water, we were ready to hit the park again. We met up with the older kids and after lunch went on a couple of rides together. Nemesis Sub Terra is my favourite, an immersive, psychological horror ride with a thrilling drop. It's fab!  We also all went on the River Rapids, which is a fast, furious, fun and very wet ride. Thank goodness for the sunny weather, which soon dried us all off!  Freddy finished the day with a ride on the new Octonauts rollercoaster and he loved it. We left the park exhausted but thoroughly happy.

Unfortunately, my girls and Frank had to return to Manchester on the Sunday evening, bringing us all back to reality, but we had an absolutely fantastic time together. I just adore being with my family. It's the most precious thing in the world to me and I am grateful everyday that I have these amazing people in my life.

So far, 46 is turning out to be a pretty good age.

A Bollywood Big Night In

A 'Big Night In' - The perfect social life compromise for parents.  All the fun of going out whilst staying at home - no taxis, no designated drivers, no babysitters, no need to even dress up (or get dressed at all if you are that way inclined!)  Sounds ideal.

So when challenged to come up with an idea for the ultimate Big Night In by Little Stuff and Two Little Fleas, my mind went into overdrive, thinking of ways to have fun at home with a mahoosive £750 budget. Just imagine what that could buy you!  Combine this spending power with a bit of imagination and you have the recipe for a night in to remember.

My usual idea for a good night in would consist of a takeaway curry and a glass of beer for myself, Ian and the older kids. So I would use this as the seed from which to grow my grand idea for a Big Night In.

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Firstly I would need to pick a suitable theme to add some glitz and glamour to the event.  So I'm going with Bollywood!  It's theatrical, it's colourful, it's exciting and it lends itself beautifully to my favourite Indian cuisine.  A real excuse to indulge our flamboyant sides and immerse ourselves in the exotic, rich culture providing a fantasy escape from our everyday lives.

My Guests

I'm lucky to have such an amazing, close family.  My older kids are also my best friends and we have a huge amount of fun when we get together.  Naturally they would be on my VIP list along with their partners. When we have a family get together it's like having an instant party so we're half way to an amazing night already! Ever since my eldest children spread their wings to start their new lives of work, university, parenthood and general grown-upness, I have loved having an excuse to get them all back into the nest. A Bollywood Big Night In would be that perfect excuse!

Decor

I would hire a pagoda marquee for the garden and would hang colourful drapes of red and gold alongside glistening fairy lights to make a palatial and luxurious backdrop to my family party.  Cushions on the floor would make a comfortable and relaxing space to relax, chat, laugh and generally celebrate our big night in.

Clothing

I have always longed to dress up in a gorgeous silk sari and have Ian wear a Shirvani shirt.  It is such a stunning look.  We would feel like Bollywood film stars!  Looking on Ebay, you can pick up a gorgeous outfit for as little as £35.  As hosts we owe it to our guests to get into character (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) Dressing up would add to the spectacle and make our night in even more special. Some DIY henna mehendi hand painting would be a fun activity to try out on each other. 

I'd have some bindi jewels, silk scarves and other Indian accessories on hand so everyone can dress up and get fully immersed into the theme and I'd set up a photo booth to record every little detail of our big night in.

Food

My local Indian, Oruna Cuisine, serves the most exquisite food...paneer tikka massala, tarka dal, mushroom biryani...my mouth is watering just at the thought of it.  I'd commission them to create a sensational vegetarian banquet delivered to our door.  I love eating good food and sharing the pleasure with my family.  I can just imagine how wonderful it would be, lounging in our Indian themed pagoda, eating a culinary feast together whilst wearing authentic Indian outfits.

Music

A bit of Bollywood's finest music would get us up and dancing.  We could copy the Pussycat Doll's moves in the Jai Ho video and work off some of the calories from our Indian feast!  It would be hilarious (if you saw me dancing you would understand just how funny it would be) - and the real magic of a big night in is sharing laughter and making memories, so it would be a perfect addition to the evening!

Drinks

It's always fun to make up some cocktails and add all the paraphernalia to turn your drink into something super impressive!  Some fruit and some straws can transform a non-alcoholic mocktail into something quite stunning.  I'd love to set up a cocktail bar with the ingredients for a few delicious Indian inspired cocktails. How about Mango Mojito or a Chai Martini or a Vodka Lassi? It would be fun to shake up some delicious drinkies to enjoy and as nobody is driving we wouldn't have to worry about that. (The cocktails may also help loosen our limbs for our Bollywood dancing!)

Cake

No party, event or big night in is complete without a cake.  I would commission a cake from a fabulous local baker, that would encompass the theme perfectly. Vibrant shades, hand painted gold detail, paisley, bold floral patterns and intricate Indian designs in fondant icing would adorn a luscious, rich chocolate, truffle cake. It'd be a real centrepiece to the event and I can just imagine how totally delicious a dessert it would be.

Just take a look at Bollywood Cakes on Pinterest to feast your eyes on how beautiful this cake could be!

Budget

Marquee Hire £150

Drapes and cushions from Ebay £150

Sari £35

Shirvani Shirt £35

Indian banquet £150

Cocktail Ingredients £100

Mehndi henna, bindi jewels etc £50

Cake £80

Total £750 (Budget well and truly blown but it would be totally worth it!)

Love Indian Food? You'll Love Oruna Cuisine!

Oruna Cuisine Indian Restaurant 

There are not many things that I am passionate about in the area in which I live, however we have an Indian Restaurant called Oruna Cuisine which is a culinary gem in the crown of North Shropshire eateries.  We regularly treat ourselves to take-aways but until yesterday had not dined in.  As it was Ella's 16th birthday, we decided it was time to experience the restaurant in all its glory and not just order the food that comes in foil containers!

Oruna Cuisine boasts an  extraordinary blend of tradition and modernity creating  authentic Indian dishes that are quite simply some of the best I have ever enjoyed in my years as a lover of curry!  The extensive menu has so many vegetarian choices that for once I am spoiled for choice even with my self-imposed dietary restrictions.

The restaurant has an excellent 'Happy Hour' on a Thursday and Sunday night that lets you choose any drink, starter, main, rice or nan bread followed by a coffee and all preceded by popadoms and a chutney tray for just £11.95.

Oruna Cuisine

The table was decorated with helium balloons and birthday banners and Ella was made to feel really special by the staff who are genuinely attentive and very friendly.  The food was plentiful, beautifully presented and as ever, absolutely delicious!  I chose Chot Pothi to start, which was a spicy chickpea curry inside a chappati style bread, and Paneer Tikka Masala and Mushroom Pilau rice for my main.

Indian starter

There was loads of food so we could try everyone elses' dishes too.  Always a bonus!!

Indian Mains

After the meal, Ella was thrilled when the waiters presented her with a chocolate gateau birthday cake and sang Happy Birthday.  It was just too cute and a wonderful gesture, making Ella feel really special!

Birthday Cake

My love for Oruna Cuisine has indeed got even greater after our experience of dining in.  They waiters were even on hand to provide a lolly for Freddy to keep him entertained and happy when he had finished eating his dinner, allowing us to relax and enjoy our coffees in peace!  It was a wonderful evening.

Oruna's Friendly Staff

If you ever find yourself anywhere near North Shropshire and you want to enjoy an Indian feast in lovely surroundings with friendly staff, then you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere better than Oruna Cuisine.