Santa Special at the Bluebell Railway

We went to the Bluebell Railway to visit Santa last Sunday and Munchkin loved every minute of it (almost).  The Bluebell has several Christmas packages and we opted for this one because it seemed to include the most for our money. We had originally intended to book a first class compartment, but  the helpful man on the booking line explained that you see Santa for longer in a standard class compartment; he only pops his head round the door in First Class.  Even standard class wasn't cheap, but I think it was worth the money.  Munchkin is still young enough to travel as a toddler, but I paid the child rate so she could have her own seat.  Standard (aka third) class tickets prices are: Adult - £20, Child £13, Toddler - £9. We were on the first train of the day, which I'm glad about because it meant it was relatively quiet when we arrived.  People who arrived later on had to use the overflow car park in a field down the road.

The Santa Special goes between Sheffied Park and Horsted Keynes stations.  There was a children's roundabout and a few fairground type stalls at Sheffield Park.  The roundabout was meant to be free for the first go, and £1 thereafter but they weren't very strict about this.  Munchkin won a doll on the Lucky Dip but I wouldn't describe this doll as lucky.  So far her head and one arm have fallen off!

When the train arrived, we found our allocated seats.  We didn't know whether we'd be seeing Santa on the way to Horsted Keynes or the return journey.  It turned out that we saw him on the way there.  Munchkin was given an embroidered red bag containing a gift.  It was a cuddly lamb, who is now called "Bluebell".  Munchkin loves Bluebell, and she's been everywhere with her for the past week.  Munchkin was also given Smarties, and the grown ups were given mince pies.

Munchkin was a bit overwhelmed at Horsted Keynes.  She didn't want to have her photo taken with Father Christmas.  The Victorian fairground games and sideshows on the station were fun and good value (6 goes for £1, I think) but mainly a little grown up for Munchkin.

Upon our return to Sheffield Park, we went to the carvery restaurant for Christmas lunch.  This was OK, but nothing special.  Given that the Santa Special is aimed at children, I think they could have done more to promote children's meals. We were able to get child sized portions, despite there being no mention of them on the menu enclosed with our train tickets, and the waitress got Munchkin a tub of ice cream from the cafe downstairs because the desserts on the carvery menu were too big and rich for her.

We loved the Bluebell, and will be signing Munchkin up to the Stepney Club. She'll get a newsletter about Stepney (who appears in the Thomas the Tank Engine series), a birthday card, invitations to special events, and reduced rate train travel for just £8 a year, £12 for 2 years, or £16 for 3 years.

Adult £20.00  Child £13.00  Toddler £9.00

Adult £20.00  Child £13.00  Toddler £9.00

Adult £20.00  Child £13.00  Toddler £9.00

Beds, Water and Monster Munch

Today, Munchkin has mostly been cute.  Her day didn't get off to the best start as she spilt water all over her bed.  When I told her we were going to see her Pops, she said she didn't want to.  She changed her mind when I told her she could take lots of toys, and appeared to ask if she could take her, "Monster Munch" with her.  To my knowledge, Munchkin has never eaten a Monster Munch and we definitely haven't had any in the house since she was born.  I eventually realised that was saying, "instruments", so we packed her toy guitar.

My step-dad -her Pops- is currently incapacitated, so we went to his home in Haywards Heath to keep him company.  He's snapped his Achilles tendon, or Hercules tendon as he prefers to call it!  Munchkin maintained that she didn't want to talk to Pops for most of the journey.  Thankfully she changed her mind but every other person we met in Haywards Heath was subjected to the silent treatment.

Since Pops had another visitor for a couple of hours, we decided to leave them to it for a while and visited Victoria Park.  Not having been to the park for many years, I'd forgotten it had a paddling pool.  There was no way Munchkin was going to stay out of it, so I let her go in in her T-shirt and knickers.  Other than the paddling pool, which I think is technically a splash pad, the playground has a variety of equipment including two slide/climbing frame combo's, a sit-on roundabout, rockers and a selection of swings.  Munchkin loved the roundabout and the minature swing.  In addition to regular swings, Victoria Park has a tiny "big girl swing" which is perfect for toddlers who don't want to be pushed on baby swings.

Munchkin managed to drench her T-shirt in the paddling pool so I took advantage of the fact the park is next to the town centre to buy her a new top.  Luckily it was a hot day, as I was marching around town with a bare-chested toddler.  I bought her a little floral number in JoJo Maman Bebe's sale.  She was so taken by it that she didn't want to take it off tonight and is excited that I've told her she can wear it again tomorrow.

Once she was fully clothed, we returned to the park for an ice cream in Tory's Cafe.  This is a new addition since my days as a Haywards Heath resident.  There's a pleasant outside seating area surrounded by gardens.  In fact, the whole park is more landscaped than I remember.  There is also a skate park for the older ones.  Perhaps skate park is a misnomer, since it was full of scooters and BMX bikes.

It's likely we'll be back, with a towel and a swimsuit next time.  Munchkin's day went pretty well.  At bedtime, she said, "Mummy I want to keep you."
"Where do you want to keep me?" I asked.
"In my bed," came the reply.

Little Ladies that Lunch

We've been for several meals out with Munchkin and her cousins recently.  The first one was a Mothers' Day meal when we were staying in the Midlands, and a total disaster because Munchkin threw up everywhere.  Luckily she's now back to her usual self and eating everything in sight.

This weekend, we went out for two meals.  On Saturday, we visited my step-dad and went to The Sergison Arms in Haywards Heath.  The Serg is a pub that I know well; it was originally called The Sergison Arms, then changed its name to The Dophin after a refurb and image change.  It's recently changed its name back to The Sergison.  Irrelevant fact = dolphins are in the Sergison family's coat of arms.

The Sergison is owned by Vintage Inns - one of the better pub/restaurant chains in my opinion.  There was something for everyone on the menu, which is no mean feat; Angmering Daddy has adventurous food tastes, mine are moderately adventurous, my step-dad's are conservative and very British, whilst Munchkin will have a go at anything put in front of her.  It ticks all my boxes for a child friendly hostelry... apart from there being a number of steps for small people to negotiate.  High chairs are available, though we don't use one any more, and there's an easily accessible baby change area.  The children's menu includes quite a lot of variety, including mini versions of some of the main menu dishes.  Munchkin had BBQ Chicken followed by Churros.  It was £6.95 for two courses and a drink, which I thought was reasonably good value.  She scoffed the lot!  I was pleased that the chicken was served with baby potatoes rather than chips.  Vintage Inns provide children with a paper activity menu and a jar of crayons.  The only drawback with this is that Munchkin drew on Daddy's menu.

On Sunday, we went to an old favourite of mine, Montagues Tex Mex in Worthing, with my step-sisters and their families.  It was the first time we'd been there since Munchkin was born.  There were nine of us, including Munchkin and her cousin, Flower.  As always, the food was brilliant.  Montagues offers children under 10 a free two course meal and drink if they are accompanied by an adult who orders a main costing at least £10, so it was free lunch for Munchkin and Flower.  Like The Sergison, it has an activity menu and provides crayons, though Munchkin managed not to draw on any grown up menus this time.  Munchkin had the Loaded Shells and Flower had the Quarter Back Rack.  Both girls had Marshmallow Dream for dessert.  Daddy helped Munchkin finish her marshmallows but I'm not sure she needed any help!  The staff are friendly and very helpful.  There's even a gluten free menu should you need it.  Booster chairs are available.  Unfortunately there's no baby change table.  I changed Muchkin standing up in the ladies' but I wouldn't want to change a young baby in there.

We're going to The Bull in Ditchling this weekend, so I'll add a review if I remember.