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Playmill in Cromford

We have tested quite a couple of play centers around here and one of our favorites is the Playmill in Cromford. It is a genuine hidden treasure, not only because it is so great for little kids, but also because it is rather difficult to find. I am really glad that one of my friends took us there, because we would probably still be cruising around, had we been by ourselves. The place is located in a fantastic building, squeezed into the valley that surrounds it and feels a bit off from everything else. To reach the parking lot you have to drive up a very narrow, curvy and steep driveway and I had several moments when I silently questioned Ls state of mind, because it looked nothing like a place where you would expect a play area.
 

 

And yet it was and a very nice such indeed. Not enough with being located in a cool building, it also gets a bonus for its free parking, which is quite rare around here. The entrance fee of 3.80 P/child is also acceptable, given that you are unlikely to do it every day.

What I really liked about the Play Mill is it´s open space. It is roughly subdivided into 5 areas, the climbing frame, an open area where kids can ride little tractors, trikes and the like, a big sandpit, a place for babies and really small children and a cafe, where the parents can sit down and sip a cuppa, while being able to overlook the whole area.

 

Our kids went straight to the sand pit and played happily with the little diggers, spades and buckets for a really long time. With no fights at all! It was awesome, not only because the kids got along so well but also because L. and I got to have a proper adult conversation, with complete sentences and no interruptions or lost threads.

The thing the kids enjoyed second most was the climbing frame with nets, "bumpy stairs-cases" and a twin lane slide, where they could slide down next to each other, holding hands.

We had a marvelous time and I really hope we manage to go there again before we leave England for good. (Whenever that is, but that is a different story.)

Eat me, I am good for you!

They stare me in the face and shout "Wowwowow, not so fast lady, are you sure you just want to walk past us. Have you really had your share?". Or so it seems.  I am talking about all the fruits and vegetables in the supermarket, which proudly carry their big labels "one of your 5 a day".  Most of the time this strategy of selling their bodies works; at least on me. I nearly always grab some extra berries, apples or other fruity looking stuff, just to make the echo of  the "Have you REALLY had enough?"-thought stop. It´s not that we have an unhealthy diet in this house, but for some reason I am always worried that the "supposed-to-be-fruity-ish" side on our plates is not big enough. How much are 5-a-day anyways? One grape is certainly not enough and neither are 5 blueberries. So, what is? 

After being quite annoyed by this ever-returning, nagging question I finally turned to my good friend Google and he found the answer on the National Health Service homepage for me. So once and for all:  

One adult portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g and the portion a child needs correlates roughly to the amount they can fit in the palm of their hand...

...and even more details on the exact portions can be found here. Problem solved. From know on my dear fruits and greens you can flash me as much as you want to but you will not manage to overtake my cart against my will ever again. If you are nice however, you can still get a ride with us, just because we all like you.

This said, it´s time for me to go. Have a lovely day you all!

PS: For those of you who wondered, wine does not count as your 5 a day, no matter how much you drink. Sorry guys!