July has always been a month I eagerly anticipate. With summer in full swing, our van is ready to create countless memories and hopefully have epic adventures. This July was particularly emotional as Stanley finished primary school, gearing up for a fun-filled summer before starting secondary school. Meanwhile, Malorie wrapped up her first year of secondary school, cherishing the friendships and memories made, which were filled with more ups than downs.
We kicked off the month with a spontaneous van trip just five minutes away to enjoy the county show. This grand event celebrates our local farming and agricultural community, showcasing prize-winning sheep, cows, and bulls. The show also features horse shows and various competitions, making for a jam-packed weekend. We camped at a charming local site, and my parents joined us too.
Despite the typical cold, drizzly weather with occasional patches of much-needed sunshine, we made the most of the weekend. We marvelled at the massive machinery, enjoyed a few rides, and admired the livestock. The show truly highlights the agricultural heritage of our county, and it was a joy to experience it together. We all had a fantastic time!
Our camping weekend was cut short due to unfavourable weather. We spent all of Saturday at the show before packing up and making the short five-minute journey home to enjoy a dry night. This was especially important as I had an early start for county week, representing our county in golf over the next few days in North Hants. Playing and representing my county is such a privilege, and being surrounded by enthusiastic girls at the start of their golfing careers is truly inspiring. Although we didn’t perform to our usual standards, there’s always next year. Our team camaraderie is incredible, and we support each other until the very end. This is exactly what I missed during my years away from team sports. Until next year, you little beauts!
Back home, having missed my little cherubs, Jon treated us to a meal at La Tasca, a charming Spanish restaurant. It was a great opportunity to use some of the Spanish I had learned and enjoy delicious Spanish cuisine.
We finally made it back to Swinley Forest for some biking action. Malorie and I noticed we were much more capable the second time around. We even managed to get some serious airtime (serious to us, anyway). The weather was kind, and the boys joined us, enjoying their RC time through the woods while the dogs loved it too. Despite the awful traffic and nearly missing our bike hire slot, the well-maintained tracks were a joy to ride. Suitable for all abilities, we tried as many routes as possible. After this trip, we decided to surprise Malorie with her very own mountain bike. We visited an independent bike shop and found a fantastic bike with great components for her first downhill ride.
July continued with a mix of weather, but luckily, the sun shone when we needed it most. With school leavers’ parties and events for Stanley, our diary was always full. I actually love seeing an empty diary because it means we can be spontaneous and grab a cheeky weekend away in the van if the weather is kind.
On Friday the 17th, Malorie’s new bike arrived in a huge box. We had to assemble the remaining wheel and double-check everything. As soon as school was out and the sun dipped slightly, we headed to the local woods to test out the new wheels. She did so well, tackling some of the trickier sections. We’re so lucky to have these tracks, developed by enthusiasts over the years, right on our doorstep. While some parts are slightly too advanced for us, we can bail out of the bigger jumps when needed. No doubt, we’ll spend many hours in these woods over the summer.
To mark the end of Stanley’s primary and junior school journeys, we booked a night at Chessington World of Adventures, his favourite place to watch on YouTube, especially Mandrel Mayhem, a big roller coaster. Thanks to our hotel stay, we could enter the park an hour before general admission. We made the most of it by running around to get on Mandrel Mayhem a few times. We had such a great day and really made the most of it. We always try to get Stan on as many rides as possible. He might opt out initially, but once he’s done it, he’s elated.
As July drew to a close, we welcomed the start of our six-week summer holidays. Malorie had put together a lovely summer holiday bucket list, filled with activities to enjoy throughout the break. We ticked off a few early on, including making hug t-shirts with her cousin Ava. They painted each other’s arms while wearing white shirts, so they always have a hug when needed.
The weather looked promising for the last weekend of July, so we packed the van and headed to our favourite seaside pub to spend the night and catch the sunrise in the morning. We played cards, tackled mini IQ games, enjoyed amazing food, laughed, walked, and cherished a night of family time. These are the moments that fill my heart with joy, making me feel incredibly lucky to have these experiences.
After a few gins, I checked the sunrise time (which will be etched in my mind forever) and set my alarm for 3:50 AM, giving us enough time to throw on jumpers and shoes and head to the beach. The alarm went off without a hitch, and everyone joined me. We strolled along the front, waiting for the beautiful orange glow on the horizon. I kept saying, “Any minute now, guys, you’ll see it.” But it never came. Later, I found out my phone had switched to French time, and we were an hour early! The pub is so close to France that my phone automatically changed time zones.
As we were getting back into bed, still puzzled about the missing sunrise, Stanley exclaimed, “Wow, it’s really orange out there, it’s beautiful!” From the pop-top roof, he was watching the sun rise. I took a look, and sure enough, it had just risen and was stunning—all from the comfort of our beds.
Reflecting on July: Love, Excitement, and Adventure
July was filled with love, excitement, and adventure. I can’t wait to see what August has in store for us. Get out more, have fun, and spend as much time together as possible. Yes, there will be arguments and moments of dislike, but that’s what families do. Make memories, do silly things, and include as many people in your plans as possible. Life is for living, and I can honestly say I feel grateful every day for my lot. See you in August!
If you feel we are the type of family you would like to review a holiday/getaway or an outdoor event please send me requests via my email partnerships@getoutmore.blog
