MADE (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) - July/August 2017 by MADE (Mums and Dads Edinburgh) magazine

made JUL/AUG 2017 FREE

mums and dads edinburgh

WHEN IS A HOLIDAY NOT A HOLIDAY?

FAMILY

FESTIVAL

Fun

GET BACK-TO-SCHOOL READY

www.excel-sports.co.uk T: 07970 514 514

mpNsE a C 7 LI 201BOOK ONNOW

made

welcome

Contributors We asked our contributors about their favourite things about summer…

Andrea Mara Day-trips, ice-cream, and getting really excited when there are three hot days in a row, believing it’ll go on forever. But my very favourite thing of all - beyond anything else - is the break from making school lunches.

Dawn Geddes Lazy mornings with the kids during the school holidays, long summer nights and not having to worry about a coat when I go out.

Michael Atkinson The many long warm balmy summer evenings spent sipping wine outside with a barbecue (oops, forgot I live in Edinburgh, so just the one evening . . . )

The summer is finally upon us, many people’s favourite time of year. With longer days, better weather (we hope) and lighter nights it’s the chance to indulge in dining al fresco, enjoy family days out and be entertained by the ever-growing Fringe programme. We were chatting with Tall Stories (they’re bringing The Gruffalo’s Child to Edinburgh this year) and when they first came 20 years ago, the children’s section of the Fringe programme was tiny! Look at it now! Whether you’re spending your summer daytripping across the country or you are off somewhere sunny and exotic, we wish you a fabulous couple of months of rest and fun. See you all in September!

Louise x

contact

Editor & Publisher Louise Wilson Designer

MAMi Designs

MADE, PO BOX 28825, Edinburgh, EH14 9BA T: 07738 068022 E: mademag@live.co.uk www.mademagazine.co.uk

Sales Executive

Caroline McClean

Feature Writers

Andrea Mara, Dawn Geddes

Columnists

Kirsty Nicholls, Edinburgh for Under Fives, Michael Atkinson

Agony Aunt

Jojo Sutherland

Cover

Printer

Stephens & George

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All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. While every care has been taken in compiling MADE magazine to ensure that it is correct at the time of going to press. MADE (Mums And Dads Edinburgh) assume no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.

made JUL / AUG 2017

Fountainbridge is THE family hub of Edinburgh! Dining, bonding and entertainment, all under one roof for the whole family AT THE FOUNTAIN.. Here at The Fountain Bar, we’re committed to being family friendly and all children are most He welcome. Please see our menu of activities below to see how we can help keep your little ones entertained whilst allowing you to relax, eat, drink and be merry!

Select from our’s yummy children menu and then choose their favourite entertainment…

Kids Activity Pack – drawing, puzzles, stickers and crayons in a handy themed pack! Mini DVD Player with headphones and a selection of U DVDs Toy Chest! Duplo and mini figures to stimulate their imaginations! and easy learning Wipe Clean drawingsaur s and Animals Dino a, Pepp books – Tomy Mega Sketcher

The Fountain . 131 Dundee Street . Edinburgh 0131 229 1899 . www.thefountainbar.co.uk

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Contents

JUL / AUG 2017

24 6 News 15 Competitions

Your chance to win

When is a holiday not a holiday?

By Andrea Mara

Mum’s New World

Innocent Positivity

31 47

Little Person, Big Adventure

By Dawn Geddes

Are we there yet?

Make your long journey fly!

Wrestling a collapsible pram

By Michael Atkinson

24 Summer Days Out

Hobbies

Day tripping across the Lothians!

The Drama Hoose

Trust Jojo

If you need advice…

Shopping for…

Back to School

How did the world begin?

According to kids

Health

The Fresh Life

34 Diaries

What to do July & August

Festival Fun

For all the family

made JUL / AUG 2017

Lifestyle

Hill Walking

Out & About 5

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news

Megamakers is a fantastic children’s activity club, running Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 August 2017 for primary school age children. Based on the theme of inventions, come and join in games, challenges, crafts, songs, and Bible stories, each day from 10am to 12.30. Held at Christ Church Edinburgh, 68 Britwell Crescent, EH7 6PT. Sessions are free but please register (or ask any questions) on 07732618589 or megamakers. cce@gmail.com. Registered charity number SCO46474

An Excel lent Holiday Camp Excel Sports Academy runs six weeks of holiday camps in July and August and 1 week in October. They are located at St George’s School in Murrayfield and welcome all children aged 5 - 15 years. Their friendly experienced staff coach the children each day and follow a structured timetable. Choose their All Sports or one of their Excel+ camps - Art, Tennis, Gymnastics, Dance, ComputerXplorers, Sports Leaders (Levels 4 or 5), Rock School or Swimming and Diving. For queries and booking go to www.excel-sports.co.uk

Grease is the word… Come join Razzamataz Edinburgh in a week filled with fun at Corstorphine Old Parish Church. Learn Grease the musical themed dances, songs and drama scenes. It’s the perfect place to make friends and have fun. Contact Zoe on 07946405788 for more information. Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment. www.razzamataz.co.uk

Oi Musica Oi Musica’s Summer School (July 31st - Aug 4th) at Edinburgh College, Milton Road, is an exciting and fun week for young people aged 10+ exploring the music of Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. All abilities are welcome from total beginners to experienced players of brass, woodwind, drums and percussion. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop street-drumming skills, learn to play in a parading horn section and put together a show with opportunities to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe! www.oimusica.co.uk

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news New Classes at

Monkey Music Great excitement as Monkey Music increases existing classes to include a new Corstorphine venue on Mondays, Comely Bank on Tuesdays, Murrayfield on Thursdays, and as they re-open Saturday morning classes at LifeCare. All existing classes will continue to run. Monkey Music will also hold an Open Day on Monday 14th August (10am - 12pm) in St Ninian’s Church, Corstorphine for lots of new Monkeys to enjoy a trial session prior to term starting. To book your Open Day place or a free trial class contact Rachel on comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk or go to www.monkeymusic.co.uk. Monkey Music classes are also available five days a week in Edinburgh south. For details of all new and existing classes contact Abbey on morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk.

Free Dance

Movement for Pregnancy The Birth Dance Experience is a new class that offers supportive dance movement for pregnancy; to tune in to your body and baby, in a relaxing and safe environment, with the accompaniment of a live musician. Free classes run at The Royal Botanic Gardens, The Restoration Yard, The Salisbury Centre and the Parent & Pregnancy Centre. For info and to book email birthdanceexperience@ gmail.com and find out more on Facebook @Birth Dance Experience

New Song and Rhyme Library Bookbug, Scotland’s national book gifting programme run by Scottish Book Trust, has unveiled a brandnew Song and Rhyme Library housed on their website, providing a searchable online catalogue of fun demonstration videos for parents, carers and Early Years practitioners. These videos aim to help audiences discover new songs and remember forgotten favourites. www.scottishbooktrust.com/ songandrhyme made JUL / AUG 2017

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news Ready for the new term?

Soreen launches new

Disney Mini Loaves Each mini loaf (30g):

Energy

420kJ 100kcal

Fat

Saturates

Sugars

Salt

2.1g

1.0g

5.8g

0.2g

Approx. % of an adult’s reference intake* Typical values per 100g: Energy 1400kJ/332kcal

Soreen, the iconic and much loved malt loaf maker, has created new Mini Loaves. A perfect treat for little hands to enjoy on-the-go. Soreen has partnered with beloved Disney characters Elsa, Olaf, Woody and friends to feature across Mini Loaves packs in major retailers, perfect for lunchboxes, pockets and school bags.

Uniform? School bag? Pencil case? Eye examination? Most children assume that the way they see is normal so you cannot rely on them to tell you if things are wrong. Children should have their eyes examined every two years from their pre-school year. You should also look out for the following; headaches and sore eyes, difficulty concentrating, using fingers to track text or losing their place when reading, having issues with coordination for example when playing ball games, squinting or closing one eye when reading or watching television and showing sensitivity to light or the glare from a screen. Cameron Optometry offer the most comprehensive (and fun!) eye examination available and it’s all free-of-charge. Book in with an award-winning optometrist today by calling 0131 225 2235.

How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk We all have struggles with our children; whether it’s getting them to sleep or stopping them hitting. Sometimes we just end up shouting at them. Do you want to change this? Sarah Parkes at SP Coaching can help reduce tantrums so you have a calmer house. Her workshops are designed by award winning authors Faber and Mazlish. Many have read the book, but until you join a group it can be difficult to put into practice. Book at www.howtotalk.co.uk. Early Bird Discount until 15th August! “Finally, my son stopped undoing his car seat while I’m driving!” Mum of 3

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Bring your kids (and their shiny uniforms) to our studio and we’ll create images of them that you’ll love. Shoots available from £25. Book in now for August.

At Cameron Optometry we have the expertise and technology to ensure your child has the most comprehensive eye examination available, giving you complete peace of mind. Visit cameronoptom.com/children for further information.

Specialist eye care for children

Award-winning eye care

0131 447 1100 | blueskyphotography.co.uk hello@blueskyphotography.co.uk

5 St Vincent Street Edinburgh EH3 6SW 0131 225 2235 vision@cameronoptom.com

Everyone invited! The Fountain invites mums, dads and nannies with kids of all ages to come and enjoy an easy afternoon. Your little ones can choose from a specially created kids menu that hosts a whole load of healthy and yummy eating accompanied with kids’ play packs that’ll keep them entertained whilst you catch a moment of peace (maybe?!). They also have tablet devices for your kids to watch shows and play exciting games, but don’t worry they can’t rack up a mighty bill. Perhaps your family includes a fourlegged pooch? Well, guess what? THEY CAN made JUL / AUG 2017

COME TOO! The Fountain welcomes dogs and they might just find themselves a little treat! www.fountainbar.co.uk

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news New Travel Counsellor David Bishop is a local personal travel counsellor, and is excited to have just started his own travel business. After 12 years in the industry, he is extremely well placed to offer expert personal and professional advice on travel with kids. He lives in Bruntsfield with his wife Wendy and 22 month old daughter Summer, and whilst David has always loved to travel, the arrival of his daughter has certainly changed the amount of baggage he takes with him now! However, it has not diminished that need to explore the world and open her eyes to new experiences and places. If you would like

to take your family on a travelling adventure call David on 0131 516 3920 or 07896 496727 or email david.bishop@travelcounsellors.com. www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/david.bishop

Splashtastic Holidays Ribby Hall Village believe that luxury self-catering holidays can be affordable. Set in over 100 acres of beautiful Lancashire countryside, only 15 minutes away from Blackpool and Lytham St Anne’s, Ribby Hall Village is the perfect location for a family getaway. You’ll love their self-catering holiday cottages and larger group accommodation, as well as activities for the whole family, awardwinning dining and unforgettable entertainment. To top it all off, this year, they’ve unveiled a new £1.6 million Leisure pool! Complete with themed children’s splash zone, racer slides, two hot tubs and luxury sauna and steam rooms make this a real family attraction. For more information call 0800 107 0522 or visit ribbyhall.co.uk

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Bliss Edinburgh for babies born too soon, too small, too sick

One in ten babies born every year in Scotland is premature or sick and needs life saving care in a hospital neonatal unit. That is 5,800 babies and the number rises every year. Bliss Scotland was established in 2009 to provide support to those babies and their families. Earlier this year NHS Lothian agreed to allow Bliss volunteers into the NeoNatal Unit at the ERI. Sian, Carolyn and Dionne, all mums of preemies, are there Tuesdays and Thursdays 12 – 2 pm to chat, advise and provide information. Due to severe pre eclampsia and Hyperemesis Dionne was c-sectioned at 27 weeks. Alesha arrived on 01/07/09 at 11:54am weighing 865grams (1lb 14oz). “We had lots to overcome but she is nearly eight now and thriving. I’m delighted to give back and help other parents on their ‘preemie’ journey.” www.bliss.org/bliss-scotland

HAVE A SUPER SUMMER AT CAMERON TOLL

Join us from the 17th July to the 13th August for FREE fun activities NOW OPEN

Over 40 Stores | Free parking | Places to eat For full details visit www.camerontoll.co.uk

made JUL / AUG 2017

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news

Survival skills workshops

Date Night with Maid of the Forth Date nights for busy parents need to be a night out to remember! The Maid of the Forth team offer the ideal solution with their sunset music cruises. Set sail and enjoy live music from Scottish folk band, Pure Malt, as the sun drops against the iconic backdrops of Edinburgh and Fife. The famed 3-hour cruise, which is an annual sell out, departs from South Queensferry on the 7 and 28 July, 11 and 25 August, and 15 September. For those that prefer Jazz, there’s an alternative 3-hour cruise featuring live music from resident band, Maid of the Forth Stompers. Sailings take place on 22 July, 5 and 19 August, and 8 September. During all evening music cruises, passengers have the opportunity to pre-order food from the BBQ, with vegetarian options available; alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks can be purchased from Maid’s bar. www.maidoftheforth.co.uk

Bear Grylls fans have the chance to learn bushcraft survival skills of their own in the beautiful surroundings of Dalkeith Country Park. Run by experts from Primal Bushcraft and Survival, adults and children (aged eight and over) can take part in day courses or family weekend courses to learn about surviving in the wild. www.primalbushcraft survival.com

Be outstanding in your

family festival field The family-friendly festival scene is growing every year as parents embrace the relaxed staycationwith-entertainment option, so why not banish boring green and navy tents and truly stand out from the camping crowd. FieldCandy’s high-performance 2-3 person ‘A’ frame tent is designed to last, with a high quality breathable and cool inner tent and a flysheet which is 100 per cent waterproof and UV fade resistant. www.fieldcandy.com

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MADE Recommends… Bundle Beds

Whether it’s sleeping over, camping out, guests, festival fun or overnight adventures, Bundle Beds provides the ultimate sleeping alternative to a conventional bed. The fully bundled bed comes complete with a deceptively slim but super-comfortable self-inflating mattress, a built in luxury duvet and pillow and soft, cosy 100% jersey cotton sheets for a great night’s sleep. bundlebeds.com

Beanie & Bears

Beanie & Bears collections feature beautiful bikinis, tailored trunks, one piece swimsuits and, new for 2017, rash vests. All come in a range of bold colours and playful prints with a focus on perfect fit and an emphasis on quality and durability. The signature neon trim anchors the collection and remains one of the most effective ways to immediately spot your Bean or your Bear in a crowd. www.beanieandbear.com made JUL / AUG 2017

The Adventure Belt:

The revolutionary new belt-to-belt system providing hands-free peace of mind for parents, whilst keeping children happy and allowing them a sense of independence. www.more-2-explore.com Reviewed by Louise, mum to Jack, and Claire, mum to Finty.

Louise Jack (2) refuses to wear traditional reins or sit in a buggy, so it was with immense relief we discovered The Adventure Belt. He actually loves this fun new belt! He plays away, putting things in the little pouch, but when we’re out on a busy street, or in a crowd, I can link his belt to mine and I have peace of mind he can’t run off. Then, when it’s safe for him to wander, we simply disconnect the bungee and his adventure continues… Claire Finty (4) is the same. I find it really useful when we’re in the airport or a busy shopping centre, and my hands are full with bags or a trolley. I can link our belts together, Finty is safe and I still have two hands to push a trolley. It’s much better than reins, and she loves the little panda pouch. There are lots of colours to choose from.

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news Tom Thumb

Baby Equipment Hire

Step It Up The new term of Step It Up Dance starts on Monday 14th August in nurseries and community venues from Musselburgh all the way to Murrayfield, and many more places in between. This award-winning urban dance company, formed in Edinburgh in 2012, has an expert, friendly team delivering their unique hip hop curriculum to tots and teens every week, as well as highly active birthday parties every weekend! Find out more about this innovative company and book your child’s trial classes or fun-filled birthday party at www.stepitupdance.co.uk

Established in 2007, Tom Thumb has been taking the stress away from mums and dads who are visiting or living around Edinburgh, by providing a full range of baby and toddler equipment to hire on a short or long-term basis. Visitors to Edinburgh can hire anything they need while they stay here; local parents who don’t want to invest in expensive equipment only for their child to grow out of it can rent a wide range of products. A meet-and-greet can be arranged at Edinburgh Airport, or equipment can be delivered throughout Edinburgh and surrounding areas. For more info go to www.tomthumbbabyequipmenthire.co.uk

TuTu Tots

At TuTu Tots, tiny dancers from age two are introduced to musical movement along with a participating parent or carer at this fun, friendly class. Sessions are drop-in so no pre-booking or term commitment, just come along and join in. Tutus are provided. This class is also great for older pre-school children who still enjoy parental support or those learning English as a second language. Pay on the day or multi class discount. 07772 504958 waterfrontdance.co.uk

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competition

WIN To win competitions A or B simply email your name, contact details and answer to competitions@mademagazine.co.uk or enter via www.mademagazine.co.uk before July 31st.

•

Where is the Pleasance Kidzone located?

For more information go to www.pleasance.co.uk

T&Cs. The winners will be picked at random by MADE magazine on 31 July 2017. Competition entries are restricted to Edinburgh, Lothians and surrounding areas only. Editor’s decision is final. No cash alternative is available and prizes are nontransferrable. Please indicate on your entry if you would prefer not to receive information from MADE and any of its partners.

made JUL / AUG 2017

competition

To win a family ticket (up to 4) to see any Pleasance Kids Show just answer this question:

competition •

There are plenty of Pleasance Kids shows on this Festival – from the Showstopper’s Kids Show, to Tall Stories’ The Gruffalo’s Child and Les Petits Theatre Company’s production of David Walliams’ First Hippo on the Moon. Pleasance Kids are also back at the EICC with The Polar Bears Go Up! In its ninth year, Pleasance Kidzone is still the only dedicated child-friendly venue on the Fringe - with pram shelters, a nappy change, giant inflatable igloo theatre and weatherproof art-pods. There’s also arts & crafts, face-painting, visits from performers, and ad-hoc storytelling sessions!

competition •

For more information go to www.blueskyphotography.co.uk

•

Where is Blue Sky Photography’s studio based?

a © BLUE SKY PHOTOGRAPHY

To win this fun back-to-school experience just tell us:

competition

Blue Sky Photography has been trusted for over a decade to bring photographs to life. And their Back to School shoots are perfect to kick off the new school term! We have a fantastic prize to give away to one lucky reader - the chance to win a studio shoot, a desk frame and the mobile app to enjoy all your photos!

A watery world of confidence, skill and fun! The highest trained baby swimming instructors An award-winning programme for babies from birth Saving lives through water confidence and safety skills Classes 7 days-a-week

classes held... Corstorphine, Newington, Oxgangs, Crewe Toll, Dalmahoy & Dalkeith.

Private warm-water pools Have fun and bond with your baby To give your baby a splashing start call

0131 554 6682

woggle@waterbabies.co.uk Let’s teach your baby to swim! www.waterbabies.co.uk

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27/09/2016 11:20

y a d i ol h a s i n e h NOT a holiday? W WRITTEN BY Andrea

Mara

What’s your ideal holiday? If you had asked me ten years ago, the answer was easy. Reading good books, getting some sun, sleeping in, eating out. Basically relaxing. I didn’t need to go to the warmest beach or the hottest club – my needs were simple. Or so I thought. Until I first tried holidaying with a baby.

made JUL /AUG 2017

HOLIDAYS WTH KIDS

ooking back, I think if even one person had pointed out that holidays are different with children, I might have been less shocked by what followed. But most of my friends didn’t have kids yet, and I had no nieces or nephews. Of course, you may be reading this thinking it should have been starkly obvious that holidaying with children is an entirely different experience, and I can only agree with you – I don’t know why it wasn’t abundantly clear, but at bit like pretty much everything else with parenting, it wasn’t. So off we went, my husband, my elevenmonth-old baby girl and me, to spend a week in an apartment in Spain. We were worried about the flight (and rightly so as it turned out) but once we touched down in Malaga, we were home-free and ready to holiday. Except of course for the bit where we had to push the buggy up a steep hill to get to the apartment - we’d been there before but couldn’t remember the hill being such a monumental challenge. We took turns pushing, huffing and puffing while my daughter sat happily inside,

promising ourselves a cool glass of white wine on the balcony once we arrived. Except of course, as we soon discovered, eleven-month-olds like to crawl around and pull things down on top of themselves – they’re not really fans of watching their parents drink white wine on balconies. So instead we set about childproofing the apartment and the wine stayed in the fridge. We’d have a glass while getting ready to go out, we promised ourselves. Except of course getting-ready-to-go-out time coincided with the baby’s dinner-time, so instead of putting on mascara while sipping a crisp Pinot Grigio, I was chopping peppers and cooking pasta. We did eventually get out the door, around an hour later than planned, but at least the baby was fed and happy in her buggy. As we set off down the hill, I wondered what had possessed me to wear heels, but at that stage we were too hungry to turn back. Everything would be fine once we were sitting down eating, with the baby sleeping quietly beside us. Except of course, she was still wide-awake

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HOLIDAYS WTH KIDS

“

when we arrived at the restaurant, and after a few minutes staring around, she wanted out. So she spent the entire meal sitting on my knee, putting her hand into my Prawns Pil Pil or sitting on my husband’s knee, trying to eat his steak. Was it in any way like the relaxing, romantic holiday meals we were used to? Nope, and I still had to make it back up the hill in my heels. At home, we decided we’d get the baby down to sleep, then sit on the balcony and finally open that bottle of wine. Except of course in an unfamiliar travel cot in an unfamiliar room, it took her far longer than usual to settle. In the end, my husband fell asleep with her in the bed, and I slept in the other room. The parents who had emphatically proclaimed having kids wouldn’t change a thing

were both out for the count by nine o’clock. And the surprises kept coming – the first one at 5am the following morning when my daughter woke even earlier than usual, something she continued to do for the whole week. The apartment was too small for turn-taking lie-ins, so each morning all of us got up. The sun was hotter than expected and we were worried about our fair-skinned daughter, so sunbathing was put on hold. Our planned trips to the beach were replaced by walks on the seafront, and the books we’d brought lay untouched at the bottom of the suitcase. A week later we went home every bit as tired as we’d been flying out, but armed with new knowledge about what to expect when holidaying with kids. Except of course, then we had another child,

The parents who had emphatically proclaimed having kids wouldn’t change a thing were both out for the count by nine o’clock

made JUL / AUG 2017

”

©MONKEY BUSINESS - STOCK.ADOBE.COM

HOLIDAYS WTH KIDS

“

and this threw up a whole host of new challenges and even less rest. By the time our third child came along, I was reluctant to go anywhere at all, but my husband booked us into a campsite in Brittany, and off we went on the ferry. I’ll never forget those two weeks in our little mobile home – listening to the rain pelting down on the roof, watching the puddles grow outside, while three small children huddled inside. Getting up three, four, five times a night to my youngest – never a good sleeper anyway, but determined to show us exactly what he thought of his tiny room in a tiny mobile home in rainy France. I went home from that holiday a shell of my former self, wondering what possessed us to go anywhere with three kids under five. Thankfully, my husband is braver than I, or

By the time our third child came along, I was reluctant to go anywhere at all

”

perhaps more optimistic, so we did try again – but this time with no expectations. I was ready for no sleep, no downtime, no lie-ins, no nights out. We chose a holiday focused entirely around the kids – swimming pools, ponytrekking, petting zoos, and bicycle-hire. A barbecue on the deck so we didn’t have to brave restaurants. A little further south, so we had more

chance of sun. And it worked. The kids loved it, the sun shone, they were busy all day, and slept all night. Each evening after we got them down, we would sit out on the still-warm deck as the charcoal embers faded in the barbecue and the crickets sang. And we could finally take those dusty books out of the suitcase and open that long-awaited, much anticipated bottle of wine. n

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With the promise that all your holiday plans are in the safest possible hands. Remember how easy it used to be to go on holiday? When someone else took care of everything? At Travel Counsellors we believe this is the only way to sell travel – it’s such a personal thing that everybody deserves their very own personal expert. At Travel Counsellors we’re all about you. So if you’re looking for a holiday to remember, contact me today. Travel, tailor-made for you, with care.

David Bishop Travel Counsellor

0131 516 3920 or 07896 496727 david.bishop@travelcounsellors.com www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/david.bishop

MY BUSINESS SUPPORTS

Mum’s New World

WRITTEN BY Kirsty

Nicholls

EDITOR OF EDINBURGH FOR UNDER FIVES - WWW.EFUF.CO.UK

oom, zoom, zoom. We’re going to the moon!”. I should think the whole of Edinburgh heard me bellowing those much-loved (ahem) lyrics over the breakfast table this morning. There I was, caffeinated up to the eyeballs, wide eyed with a beaming smile and quite frankly, nearing hysteria. When I’m really tired, I find myself overcompensating for my depleted energy levels. I’m so keen for the kids not to notice that I turn into Timmy Mallett on Pro Plus. But then Jack said something that burst my over-exaggerated, fauxfun-loving bubble: “No mummy. We’re not going to the moon. We’re going to Oscar’s house.” My son’s genuine, raw joy that we were going to visit his friend combined with his positive belief that we really could get to moon if we chose to, took my breath away. I instantly didn’t need to pretend that I was loving life. Of course I still felt absolutely poleaxed with exhaustion, but my laughter was 100% real. You see, we’ve had a couple of difficult months. My granddad very sadly passed away, and to lose our patriarch has been a struggle for the whole extended family. But my two-yearold’s innocent positivity has really taught me a thing or two about grief. After overhearing me talking about his great granddad, Jack wheeled out a handmade wooden bike that had been created and gifted to him by “papa papa”. He started tearing around the kitchen on it, gleefully skidding round and round the island. Granted, he nearly flattened his little brother, but disaster was averted and it was a really joyful moment. When we visited my nana, Jack’s great grandmother, now living alone, Jack told us that “papa papa” was “at work”. Thanks to my little boy, instead of focussing on our loss I take huge comfort in remembering everything granddad still is to all

“

of us. In my mind too, he is grafting away in that big woodworking shed in the sky. Next came my husband’s pneumonia. Flu became a stay at the Western and a month or more of recovery. You’d think there would be no positives at all to be had from this situation. Au contraire! Jack is thrilled that daddy is in bed all day and wants to be just like him. So I’ve leapt on the opportunity to get Jack out of his Grobag and under a big boy duvet. Bedtime is no longer a battle of wills. I now have a very contented little chap who loves nothing more than to snuggle up in bed with his book until he nods off, “like daddy does”. As a natural worrier, my son’s innocent positivity has been a godsend to me. Why overthink situations that you can’t change? Why dwell on the negatives when we can fly to the moon? His shrewd recommendation that “chocolate will make daddy better” has also been supremely useful. It obviously applies to mummy too. n

I still felt absolutely poleaxed with exhaustion, but my laughter was 100% real

”

www.mademagazine.co.uk

“

How To Talk So Kids Will Listen Starts 14th September Fed up of hearing your children whine or lash out? Learn affective skills for a calmer family life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The course and new skills have been so helpful, and really changed the dynamics at home, thank you.â&#x20AC;?

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t u O s y a D

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL: WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? www.edbookfest.co.uk Aug 12th - Aug 28th The Edinburgh International Book Festival’s leafy, family-friendly tented village in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End invites young minds to question, imagine and wonder. The hundreds of events in the Baillie Gifford Children’s programme includes interactive performances with favourite authors, comic creating workshops, hands-on crafts and games, debates about issues that older children care about and daily free activities.

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SUMMER DAYS OUT

or have a picnic (you don’t have to buy a ticket) and it also runs a large children’s bookshop and a free drop-in play area. Browse and buy tickets to events on www.edbookfest.co.uk. Tickets are £5 for most children’s events, plus daily free events.

What’s the big idea?

Hundreds of events for children in a family-friendly tented village with cafés, bookshops, bars and big grassy areas to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, play and have some fun. Book & browse events: www.edbookfest.co.uk

Favourite authors Cressida Cowell, Tony Ross, Chris Hoy, Julia Donaldson, Julian Clary, Vivian French, Kristina Stephenson, Greg James, Adrian Edmondson, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Muchamore, Cerrie Burnell, Nick Sharratt… Best-loved characters Winnie the Pooh, the Gruffalo, Dirty Bertie, Sir Charlie Stinky Socks, Hugless Douglas, Pip and Posy and many more… Hands-on activities Comic workshops, sing-alongs, big draws, crafts, bookmaking, storytelling…

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Highlights of the Book Festival include How To Train Your Dragon creator Cressida Cowell, introducing her much-anticipated new The Wizards of Once series; Gruffalo writer Julia Donaldson with singing, dancing and rhyming fun; BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition judge Frank Cottrell Boyce presenting his latest heartwarming tale; and Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy with his Flying Fergus series. Nick Sharratt, Clare Balding, Axel Scheffler, Adrian Edmondson and Julian Clary will join them, along with a host of authors from across the globe. Kristina Stephenson celebrates 10 years of her popular Sir Charlie Stinky Socks books as she leads a series of fun events exploring illustration and performance, including a drama workshop where you get to help her devise a play. Other performances to look out for are Grinagog Theatre with Row Your Boat and Giddy Aunt Theatre, who use puppetry and storytelling to explore our responsibility to the planet. The Book Festival has green space to sit, play

SUMMER DAYS OUT

BRIC K CIT Y New Lanark www.newlanark.org June 28th - Sept 10th, 10am - 5pm Brick City is a celebration of some of the world’s favourite buildings and urban icons including the Colosseum in Rome, St Pancras Station in London and L’Arc De Triomphe in Paris recreated solely using LEGO Bricks. The exhibition includes a display of over 60 fantastic models made from an estimated halfa-million LEGO Bricks; and a ‘Self-led Play Area’ where visitors can have fun building their own LEGO creations. Visitors can also book to take part in LEGO® Robotics Workshops using the latest technology to build and program amazing creatures that can move using motors, gears and wheels. Accessible Sessions are available on the 13th

July and 3rd August, 9 -11am. These quiet and sensory friendly morning sessions will not be open to the general public, making them more suitable for visitors with autism and additional support requirements. Tickets MUST be booked in advance.

NEW LANARK

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

28 JUNE - 10 SEPTEMBER See the world in LEGO® Bricks! Family (2+2/3) £16 Under 3 Free Adults £6 Concessions £5 Children (3-15) £4

Self-led Play Area Bookable Workshops Exhibition Graffiti Wall

BOOK TICKETS AT WWW.NEWLANARK.ORG LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Minifigure, and the Brick and Knob configurations are trademarks of the LEGO Group of Companies. © 2017 The LEGO Group. Brick City is not sponsored, endorsed or otherwise supported by The LEGO Group.

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SUMMER DAYS OUT

MAID OF THE FORTH South Queensferry www.maidoftheforth.co.uk Enjoy family time with a Maid of the Forth cruise from South Queensferry to the historic island of Inchcolm; ramble around the monastic abbey, explore the trails, relax on the beach with a picnic, spot the seabirds and enjoy the spectacular views. Refreshments are available on board the family-run vessel, which contains two spacious

WHAT’S FOR SNAC K? Scottish Seabird Centre North Berwick July 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 28, 29 Aug 4, 11, 12 What’s for Snack? (ideal for age 2+) is an interactive puppet show with Seabird team member, Craig the Crab. With sing-a-long fun, young visitors will be asked to help Craig who has eaten some marine litter by mistake. He will be joined by some of his seaside friends who will aim to help him get rid of his sore tummy.

This Summer, the Seabird Centre is dolphin-tastic and crab-alicious! North Berwick 1 July – 14 August www.seabird.org Scottish Charity no SC025837

DISCOVERY CENTRE · BOAT TRIPS · CAFÉ · GIFT SHOP

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decks, including the popular open-top deck which is ideal for viewing the local grey seals keep your eyes peeled for porpoises, dolphins and even the occasional whale. Daily sailings allow passengers to spend 90 mins exploring Inchcolm Island before the boat returns to South Queensferry.

OCEAN- A -RIFIC Scottish Seabird Centre North Berwick July1st - Aug 14th (No events Sat 22 July or Sat 5 Aug) Older kids (aged 6+) are invited to attend Ocean-a-rific with Dr Dolph Lingerin-aboot. With scientific experiments, music, games and gaffs, visitors are invited to help dolphins understand what is happening to the seas around Scotland. As well as daily events, there’s a range of family-friendly activities in the Discovery Centre! Special trails for dolphins and puffins; expert mini talks on a range of seabirds; as well as the Kids’ Zone and Kids’ Corner.

was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over 1,000,000 miles around the world. Now berthed in Edinburgh, you can follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences. Visit and spot cuddly corgis hiding around Britannia. Clarence the corgi is back and the whole family can join in so keep a look out and, at the end of your tour, receive a badge and enter a prize draw to win a special prize!

CONIFOX Kirkliston www.conifox.co.uk

CUDDLY CORGI TREASURE HUNT Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Terminal, Leith www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk June 5th - Dec 31st Bring the whole family to Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction this summer. The Royal Yacht Britannia

BORDER BERRIES www.borderberries.co.uk July 1st - mid-August Give your family an adventure to remember this summer with a trip to the Borders to forage for

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This exciting adventure play park is a fun day out for the young and young at heart. With a jellybelly, sunken trampolines, go-karts, ride-along tractors, foot-golf and a picnic area, it’s easy to spend a day at Conifox having a blast. Their on-site bistro and BBQ are perfect for grabbing a snack or enjoying lunch, and if you visit on a Sunday, their Sunday Roast is definitely the order of the day. Please note, adults are expected to play, bounce, ride and join in too!

SUMMER DAYS OUT o p e N 7 d ay S 1 J u ly - 1 3 a u g 1 0 am - 7 pm

BERRIES

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juicy berries. Picking is easy on this big, familyrun PYO farm full of fresh, juicy Scottish strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, red and blackcurrants which are naturally ripened in the open air. Great for tasting right away, whisking home for baking, puddings or jam – berry picking is one of life’s simple pleasures. A picnic area and café with delicious fruity baking, smoothies and homemade ice-cream serves hungry pickers. To plan your visit and check what’s ripe when, visit www.borderberries.co.uk

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Garden Centre, Restaurant and Adventure Park

BRITANNIA

THE ROYAL YACHT

picNic area & cafÉ

Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction ( VisitScotland)

RETAIL AND TRADE SALES Garden Centre 0131 333 3334 sales@ conifox.co.uk

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ 0131 555 5566 * Terms and Conditions: Children go free with a full paying adult or senior. Not valid with any other offer or for advance tickets. No cash alternative.Valid until 31 August 2017. Ref: 4187. Registered charity: SC028070

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TREES SHRUBS CHRISTMAS CONIFERS HEDGING TREES Stables Bistro 0131 333 1444 restaurant@ conifox.co.uk

Adventure Park 07968 746355 adventurepark @conifox.co.uk

See Facebook & Twitter for latest updates @conifoxgardencentre

@conifoxplants

Foxhall, Kirkliston, Edinburgh EH29 9ER

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AGONY AUNT

Jojo! Trust

You can always trust comedian JoJo Sutherland for her interesting childcare advice! For more laughs follow her @jojosutherland or see her at The Edinburgh Festival Fringe alongside Susan Morrison in a show called ‘Fanny’s Ahoy!’ [sic]. They’ll be at Stand 2 every day at 5pm, laughing and possibly crying, about all things life, love and parenting! I wandered past my local charity bookshop last week and spotted Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree in the window and was immediately filled with nostalgia. I popped in and bought it thinking my youngest would love it. Like properly adore it the same way that, many years before, I had been able to lose myself in the pages for months on end (I was a very slow reader). It was a book full of magic where different lands would come to the top of a tree, and as a child I had imagined that THE tree was at the bottom of my garden, and I would be able to visit the land of “Do as you please” or lose myself in the land of “ Spells and potions”. So I presented the book to my child with a flourish and a promise of a

wonderful world. Bless her, she tried, for my sake, to love it as much as I did, but in the end she just wasn’t convinced. In a world that houses smart phones, iPads, Playstations and Sky TV, a whole chapter on turning someone upside down just wasn’t cutting it. Nowadays, with the click of a few buttons she can star in her own pop video, create a land of her own, build houses, run farms and hang out with her friends through a screen. I suppose I should be grateful, because if she is anything like me (and she is), after reading The Magic Faraway Tree for the first time she might have climbed the tree at the bottom of our garden, fallen out of it and broken her scapula.

Dear Jojo My 8 yr old still won’t fall asleep unless I sit with him. Will this ever end? Robert, Dalry Dear Robert Probably, yes. But having set the precedent of sitting with him then it’ll be what they are used to. You can try edging nearer and nearer to the door but chances are you will have to “sit” this one out until your presence becomes not cool, which is circa 10 years old!

Jojo x

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1. GOLDIE FLOOR LAMP £179, www.limelace.co.uk 2. CAROLINE GARDNER ROSE-TINTED PEN £10.95, Cloudberry, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk 3. JUST SLATE COPPER COASTERS SET OF 4 £17, Cloudberry, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk 4. JUST SLATE COPPER HEART SERVING SET £38 - Cloudberry, www.cloudberrygifts.co.uk 5. DELICATE CUBE NECKLACE 6.‘YAY’ ROSE GOLD PIN, both from Pippin, Haymarket, www.pippingifts.com 7. MALINI METALLIC STRIPE CUSHION £29, www.cultfurniture.com 8. LARGE BACKPACK WITH EARS £49, www.bunny-hop.com 9. ELECTROPLATED MUGS various, www.amaroni.com 10. ALIM SIDE TABLES £229, Cuckooland.com 11. KLEVERING GOLD PIG MONEY BOX £23.50, www.printerandtailor.com 12. EDWIN JAGGER 3 PIECE SHAVING SET £77, www.annabeljames.co.uk made JUL / AUG 2017

HOW DID THE WORLD BEGIN?

...ACCORDING TO KIDS It all started with tiny germs that stuck together. Elizabeth (10)

When the world started there were only dinosaurs and volcanoes. Bombs flew out of the volcanoes and then the dinosaurs got extinct. Luke (6)

God made cavemen first. Didn’t like them. So he started again and made people. Katie (10)

Nobody really knows, but it started when God wasn’t alive. Robyn (5)

By a lucky explosion. Annabel (4)

The world started by people getting born out of an egg. Jude (6)

The world started happy, but it’s not now because there’s always fighting. Harrison (6)

It all starts with Daddy’s egg cracker - its job is to find the egg and make a baby. Daisy (5)

Do you want the real answer? - there was a Big Bang and the world appeared. Benjamin (7)

God started the world to be kind. Donato (5)

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countryside, s of beautiful Set in 100 acre llage is the ar Ribby Hall Vi Lancashire’s 5 st memories g in enjoy mak to e ac pl ct rfe pe ones! with your loved

BABY & TODDLER BREAKS INCLUDE: NEW Family Fun Pool. Complete with interactive water features, splash zone, water slides and water fountains. Parent & toddler swim sessions High chairs & travel cots Selected children’s meal deals The Woodland Trail Indoor soft play area Outdoor adventure playground Character story time, play time and coffee morning, messy time and family film time

FOR THE MUMMIES...

How about a day at The Spa? Relaxation in our Aqua Thermal Journey from just £34 per person! For more information on our breaks call us FREE on 0800 107 0522 or visit ribbyhall.co.uk

T’s & C’s apply. Lead in price of £319 based on a Midweek Stay, between 17th Nov & 17th Dec 2017 in a 4 Berth cottage. £34 price point for Aqua Thermal Journey is applicable Mon – Thurs.

Dates for your diary Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

31 CONIFOX

10am - 4pm Razzamataz Summer Theatre School runs until Aug 4th @ Corstorphine Old Parish Church. Email edinburgh@razzamataz. co.uk

4 Magic School & Workshops @ Quaker Meeting House. Ages 7-10 will learn, create and perform their own magic tricks. Each day focuses on a different area of magic. Part of Magic Fest.

Take a trip to Conifox where everyone can play, bounce, ride and have fun!

5 BORDER BERRIES

6 Take a family trip to Border Berries to pick strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, tayberries, red and blackcurrants! Enjoy their picnic area and café too. Plan your visit at www.borderberries.co.uk

NEW

WORLD H

Enjoy a family night meal at The Fountain! With a kids menu, toys and tablets , everyone can relax.

28 JUNE

13 See the wo CITIZEN SCIENCE @ HOPETOUN HOUSE 14 JULY

Family (2 Under 3 F Adults £6 Concessio Children (

BOOK TICKETS AT WWW.NE 17

10.30am - 12pm. Crazy Cactus Fun @ Doodles, Marchmont. Messy creative fun with clay and glaze in a funky cactus desert theme. Runs until July 21st for ages 7+. Also on July 31st - Aug 4th.

Step It Up Dance Camp @ Broughton High School. A fun-filled holiday camp with lots of dancing, team games, creative tasks and active fun. Other dates available, email hello@stepitupdance.co.uk

LEGO, the LEGO logo, the Minifigure, and the Brick and Knob configurations are trad

BRICK CITY @ NEW LANARK

Family Day @ Musselburgh Racecourse. With seven exciting races and children’s entertainment it’s the perfect day out. Children 17 and under go free!

3pm Alice Through the Looking Glass @ Inveresk Lodge Garden. A fanciful and fabulous theatrical treat for all ages in the beautiful outdoor setting of Inveresk Lodge Garden. www.thebrunton.co.uk

10am - 5pm Brick City @ New Lanark. A celebration of all things LEGO! Buildings, robots, exhibition and a play area. Fun for everyone but book in advance! www.newlanark.org

For more information about what’s on log onto 34

www.mademagazine mademagazine.co.uk .co.uk www.

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July 2017 Spotlight on... © PHIL WILKINSON

Friday Saturday Sunday

1 2 MAGIC FEST @ SUMMERHALL 1-8 JULY

Magic Fest @ Summerhall runs July 1st - 8th, with over 80 live magic shows. Under 5s go free to family-orientated morning sessions (10am - 2pm).

7 8 Mum and dad can enjoy a sunset music cruise on board The Maid of the Forth with live music, BBQ, drinks and stunning scenery. Check www. maidoftheforth.co.uk for details and other dates

Kids go FREE this weekend @ Jupiter Artland. All under-16s will gain free entry as well as arts and crafts drop-in activities throughout Saturday and Sunday.

10.30am - 12pm Citizen Science - Summer Holiday Fun @ Hopetoun House. All ages and abilities welcome. Autism friendly. Booking essential via 0131 319 3956

10am, 1pm & 4pm Mister Maker and The Shapes LIVE! @ King’s Theatre. Join CBeebies’ Mister Maker in his hit live theatre tour. There’s a big ‘make’ to take part in and lots of audience participation. Best for ages 3+.

The Scottish Seabird Centre

www.seabird.org

STOCKBRIDGE DUCK RACE 2 JULY

14 15

21 22 What’s for Snack? @ Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick. Puppet show for ages 2+. with sing-a-long fun and seaside friends. On various dates throughout summer.

3pm Stockbridge Duck Race. The 2017 little yellow plastic bath ducks will be launched from Stockbridge and will race to Falshaw Bridge.

10am - 5pm Scotland’s National Airshow @ Museum of Flight, East Fortune. RAF Aerobatic team the Red Arrows will make a high-octane return, topping the bill on the event’s 20th anniversary line-up

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Happy 1st birthday, Moo Music Leith Portobello & Central! Celebrate at St John’s Rc, Portobello with lots of music, craft and cake! Open to all Moover’s, past & present. www.moo-music.co.uk

16 MISTER MAKER @ KING’S THEATRE 15 JULY

23 SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL AIRSHOW @ MUSEUM OF FLIGHT - 22 JULY

30 FAMILY BUSHCRAFT WEEKEND COURSE @ DALKEITH COUNTRY PARK. JULY 29TH & 30TH. www.primalbushcraftsurvival.com

This summer the dolphins and crabs take centre stage with an interactive science show and puppet performance for families. What’s for Snack? (for ages 2+) is an interactive puppet show with Seabird team member, Craig the Crab; whilst older kids (6+) are invited to attend Ocean-a-rific with Dr Dolph Lingerinaboot. With scientific experiments, games and gaffs, visitors are invited to help dolphins understand what is happening to the seas around Scotland. In addition to the daily events, there will be a range of family-friendly activities in the Discovery Centre including special trails for dolphins and puffins; expert mini talks on a range of seabirds; as well as the Kids’ Zone and Kids’ Corner.

Kids Kalendar at www.kidskalendar.co.uk made JUL JAN // AUG FEB 2017 2017

Dates for your diary Monday Tuesday

Wednesday Thursday

10.30am The Gruffalo’s Child @ Pleasance Courtyard. For ages 3+. A magical, musical adaptation of the much-loved book. For more dates & info see MADE’s Festival Fringe feature on pages 38-45.

FRINGE BY THE SEA @ NORTH BERWICK 7-13 AUG

Fringe by The Sea @ North Berwick. Includes a full children’s programme - from Mr Boom to the East Bay donkeys. Runs 7-13 Aug

10am - 12.30am MEGAMAKERS @ Christ Church Edinburgh, Britwell Crescent. FREE activity club for primary school age children. 8 - 12 Aug. Call 07732 618 589.

10 Have you booked your child’s back-to-school haircut and new shoes? Call Treehouse in Stockbridge on 0131 225 1242 to book appt

10am - 12pm Monkey Music Open Day @ St Ninian’s Church, Corstorphine. Meet the teachers and have lots of fun. To book email Rachel at comelybank.corstorphine@ monkeymusic.co.uk

17 2pm (45mins) Future Perfect @ Pleasance Courtyard. A comical interactive adventure for everyone aged 6+. For more dates & info see MADE’s Festival Fringe feature on pages 38-45.

10.15am (1hour) Dr Zeiffal, Dr Zeigal and the Hippo That Can Never Be Caught. Awardwinning family comedy. For ages 1-12. For more dates & info see MADE’s Festival Fringe feature on pages 38-45.

12.15pm Children Are Stinky @ Assembly George Square Gardens. Incredible acrobatics, lighting-fast hula hoops. For more dates & info see MADE’s Festival Fringe feature on pages 38-45

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The Virgin Money Fireworks Concert brings the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh’s summer festival season to a resplendent conclusion.

For more information about what’s on log onto 36

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August 2017 Spotlight on...

Friday Saturday Sunday 4 5 11am & 2pm Bambino Beats Summertime Boogie @ Stockbridge Church. A fun boogie and singalong for under fives. For more dates & info see MADE’s Festival Fringe feature on pages 38-45.

Foodies Festival, the UK’s biggest food festival, returns to Edinburgh’s Inverleith Park on 4, 5, 6 August.

11 12 Edinburgh International Book Festival @ Charlotte Square Gardens. Something for every age and every interest. See Spotlight for more info.

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13 Party at the Palace in Linlithgow! Scotland’s biggest family friendly music festival. 12th & 13th Aug

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL 12 - 28 AUG

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12pm - 6pm Canteen @ Archerfield Walled Garden. East Lothian’s street food market featuring acclaimed street food traders, music and an open-air bar. www.roguevillage.com

Edinburgh International Book Festival What’s the Big Idea? www.edbookfest.co.uk

12 - 28 August

Hundreds of events for children in a familyfriendly tented village with cafés, bookshops, bars and big grassy areas to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, play and have some fun. Tickets are £5 for most children’s events, plus daily free events. Favourite authors Cressida Cowell, Tony Ross, Chris Hoy, Julia Donaldson, Julian Clary, Vivian French, Kristina Stephenson, Greg James, Adrian Edmondson, Anthony Horowitz, Robert Muchamore, Cerrie Burnell, Nick Sharratt... Hands-on activities Comic workshops, sing-alongs, big draws, crafts, bookmaking, storytelling...

Kids Kalendar at www.kidskalendar.co.uk made JUL JAN // AUG FEB 2017 2017

FESTIVAL FUN

L A V I T S E F

FUN

What a wonderful line-up there is at the Festival Fringe for kids this year! As if Sarah and Duck and the Gruffalo’s Child weren’t enough, there’s time travel, jam sandwiches, music, puppets and TWO shows about hippos! TWO! www.mademagazine.co.uk

FESTIVAL FUN THE GRUFFALO’S CHILD

THE GRUFFALO’S C HILD family, physical theatre tallstories.org.uk Pleasance Courtyard - Venue 33 Aug 2-4, 6-8, 10-15, 17-20 10.30am For ages: 3+ no gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep dark wood… Join the Gruffalo’s Child on her adventurous mission in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the much-loved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?

C HILDREN ARE S TINKY children’s shows, circus, comedy www.circustricktease.com Assembly George Square Gardens (Venue 3) Aug 3-8, 10-15, 17-22, 24-28 12.15pm (45mins) For ages: 3+ High-calibre circus, a rocking soundtrack and genuine belly laughs have propelled this Australian acrobatic duo to a non-stop multi award-winning world tour. Expect daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lighting-fast hula hoops, loads of laughs and mischievous fun that will leave adults and children with their jaws on the floor, hooting for more.

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FESTIVAL FUN

SARAH & DUCK’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY

SARAH & DUC K’S BIG TOP BIRTHDAY children’s, puppetry sarahandducklive.com Underbelly Med Quad (Venue 302) Aug 2 - 20 (not 14) 11.10am (55mins) For ages: 2-6 The BAFTA-winning CBeebies duo live on stage in Scotland for the first time. Join Sarah and Duck, along with all their favourite friends including The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, John and Flamingo and Umbrella, as they plan a circus-themed birthday party for Scarf Lady in their garden. But when the weather turns windy and the big top is blown away, will Sarah and Duck be able to save the day? Told through a fantastic blend of inventive puppetry, charming storytelling and toe-tapping music, Sarah & Duck’s Big Top Birthday will take families and children on a magical theatrical adventure.

DR ZEIFFAL, DR ZEIGAL AND THE HIPPO THAT C AN NEVER BE C AUGHT children’s shows, theatre, comedy www.mouthsoflions.co.uk Assembly Roxy (Venue 139) Aug 3-14, 16-21, 23-28 10.15am (1 hour) For ages: 1-12 Calling all hippo expert enthusiasts! Awardwinning family comedy that will have kids storming the stage. Join Dr Zeiffal on the hunt for the hippo that can never be caught! Featuring: the Invisible Hippo Blanket, the Hippo Google Googles and a blizzard of Hippo packaging. Expect belly laughs, belly flops and fantastical falls in this brilliant new adventure created by Mouths of Lions.

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FESTIVAL FUN

BAMBINO BEATS SUMMERTIME BOOGIE Fun filled Music & Sensory classes

music bambinobeats.com

for babies and children from birth-preschool throughout Edinburgh & the Lothians ...with a retro twist!

Stockbridge Church - Venue 317 August 4-6, 10-12 11am & 2pm (1 hour) For ages: 0-5 Bambino Beats is already a hit in Edinburgh and Lothians, with little ones loving their popular music and sensory classes. So it’s with great excitement that Amy and Clare are also doing a special Festival Summertime Boogie! They’ve packed their suitcases for a summertime full of your favourite songs. Come and join them for a boogie and a singalong and celebrate the summer holidays.

Mouths of Lions presents

Dr Zeiffal, Dr Zeigal and the hippo that can never be caught!

“A joyously funny family show for all ages”

WINNER

BEST FAMILY SHOW BUXTON FRINGE

10:15

3 - 28 AUG (not 15, 22)

Are you having a birthday? Celebrate your little ones Birthday in style with a retro Birthday Party sure to get everybody grooving!

Clare: 07811 352 950 / Amy: 07580 106 745 clare@bambinobeats.com / amy@bambinobeats.com www.bambinobeats.com / fb:bambinobeatsmusic

FESTIVAL FUN

SNIGEL AND FRIENDS children’s shows, dance, interactive www.carolinebowditch.com Dance Base (Venue 22) Aug 4-6, 8-13, 15-17, 22-27 Times vary (40 mins) For ages: 0-1 Snigel, the inquisitive snail, is preparing to go on an adventure. Before they set off, join Snigel in their cozy home underneath the leafy canopy; a colourful, sensory world where Snigel’s insect friends come to visit. They dance and play in the undergrowth and help Snigel pack for their journey while listening to live music, singing lullabies and uncovering secret treasures.

DAVID WALLIAMS’ THE FIRS T HIPPO ON THE MOON children’s shows www.lespetitstheatre.com Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) Aug 2-14, 16-20 12.00pm (1 hour) For ages: 3+

From number one bestselling children’s author David Walliams comes an explosively funny space adventure for children of three and up. Two big hippos. One enormous dream. Who can make it to the moon first? Three... Two... One... blast off!

ME AND MY BEE theatre www.thisegg.co.uk Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) Aug 2-14, 16-28 11.45am (1 hour) For all ages Climate change is massive. Bees aren’t. Our fuzzy little friends need our help and so we’re launching a political party disguised as a party party disguised as a show. Multi award-winning theatre company, ThisEgg, invites you to save the world – one bee at a time. A new comedy for children and adults alike. Plant the seed for change, join the Bee Party. Before it’s too late...

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FESTIVAL FUN

MAVIS SPARKLE children’s shows www.m6theatre.co.uk Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) Aug 2-20 11am (50 mins) For ages: 4+

FUTURE PERFECT children’s shows tallstories.org.uk Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) Aug 2-8, 10-15, 17-20 2pm (45mins) For ages: 6-10 Is there a moment from your past that you’d like to change? Dominic’s certainly got one. Travel backwards and forwards in time with Dominic as he frantically tries to fix things. Can he change the past and make his future perfect? A comical interactive adventure for everyone aged 6 and up, with tickets at just £2 – in celebration of Tall Stories’ 20th birthday!

With a magician for a Dad and a stargazer for a Mum, no wonder there’s more to Mavis than meets the eye! Her cleaning trolley is full of surprises and Mavis is moving ever closer to making her dreams come true. With a little help from her cheeky cuckoo clock, mischievous mop bucket and Spike the hedgehog, will she find the courage to journey north and see nature’s biggest light show with her own eyes? M6’s cosmic production features a magical mix of illusion, animation and captivating performance, inspiring us all to reach for the stars.

THE GIANT JAM SANDWIC H children’s shows pleasance.co.uk Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) Aug 2-13, 15-28 10.20am (1 hour) For ages: 3-12 One hot summer’s day, four million wasps invade the quiet village of Itching Down. Noisy, nasty and worst of all, they don’t mind who they sting! That is until the baker has an ingenious idea... Jack McNamara’s inventive new adaptation brings one of the most loved picture books to life on stage, complete with a jam-tastic soundtrack by James Atherton.

L SPECIA OFFER

Pleasance Kids has a great offer for nurseries, holiday clubs, and schools: 10% OFF on all groups of 10+ and 1 FREE teacher/accompanying adult ticket for every 5 tickets booked. To book please call the Pleasance Box Office on 0131 556 6550

PLUS

For bookings of 20 or more, many of their shows are offering a meet and greet after the show in the Kidzone on The Green together with a free show related arts and crafts activity. For further details, and to book, please email candida@pleasance.co.uk.

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Edinburgh North E: comelybank.corstorphine@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0131 260 9667

Edinburgh South E: morningside.pentland@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 0131 229 4480

LITTLE PEOPLE: BIG ADVENTURE

EXPLORING

LOND LONDON LON DO O ON N s d i k h t wi

WRITTEN BY Dawn

Geddes PHOTOS BY Kevin Geddes

love London. It’s a place I visit frequently, but until last month I’d never been brave enough to take my kids. It wasn’t as if I hadn’t been tempted. I was sure that they’d love all the sights and sounds of the city - I was just worried that London might be a bit too fast paced for my daughters aged 8 and 4. But this year, my husband and I decided to take the plunge and booked a trip for all four of us to visit. Of course, the first hurdle was getting there! After exploring all our options, we decided that travelling directly by train was the most sensible made JUL / AUG 2017

and stress free way to get there. We boarded the train armed with food, colouring books, games and tablets for the journey which takes four and half hours! That’s a hell of a lot of games of Uno for anyone to play, but thankfully the excitement got us through! When we left the train at Kings Cross Station, the girls’ excitement levels had reached fever pitch. But for me we were about to embark on the part of our journey that I was most apprehensive about – riding the tube. Thankfully it was 3.30pm, so we hadn’t entered rush hour and our tube

EXPLORING LONDON

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

Â© IMAGES BY FREEPIK.COM

MY HUSBAND AND KIDS ONBOARD THE BUS

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EXPLORING LONDON

ON THE COCA COLA LONDON EYE

journey to Green Park was only a few stops away. With one child and a suitcase each, we managed the journey easily and the girls were fascinated with the hustle and bustle of the underground station. We got off at Green Park and made our way to our abode for three nights, the beautiful fivestar Athenaeum Hotel on Piccadilly, which was just a few minutes walk away. We were staying in one of the hotel’s Residences – a gorgeous apartment which is attached to the hotel but comes with its own front door. The magnificent red brick town house, looked like it was straight out of Mary Poppins and inside was every bit as wonderful. Equipped with its own kitchen and living area, our apartment had everything you could possible want or need. The hotel’s children’s concierge even left toys, games, a frisbee and bird food in case we fancied a walk around Green Park. The kids were particularly delighted with their bunkbeds and looked forward to the hotel’s turning in service every night, which included delicious serving of milk and cookies for made JUL / AUG 2017

them! After a good night’s sleep we were eager to explore. We headed straight for Exhibition Road in South Kensington, an area of London which is famous for its museums. We chose to visit The Natural History Museum, with its stellar dinosaur exhibitions and the Science Museum, which is full of space exhibits and cutting edge tech. While I’m glad that the kids got to experience both, we were a bit museumed out by the end of the day and if we were to repeat the experience, I would split them up into different days. At night, my big girl and I left the rest of our family behind, and went to see Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. The stage show, which is suitable for children aged 7 plus, is a prequel to the Wizard of Oz and tells the story of how Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of West, Elphaba, met. Both my daughter and I were absolutely mesmerised by the stage show and I’m sure it’s a memory that we’ll cherish for a many years to come. On our second, and last full day in London, we decided to rest our legs and

EXPLORING LONDON

OUR RESIDENCE

use Big Bus Tours London to explore the city. The bus tour is perfect for tourists and includes all the sights from Big Ben and the River Thames to Nelson’s Column and the lions at Trafalgar Square. Using the hop on and hop off feature, we stopped at the famous toy store Hamleys and St James’s Park – where we enjoyed a picnic in the sun! One of our last stops on the bus was the Coca Cola London Eye. We decided that we couldn’t miss the chance to see London’s spectacular views from this iconic Ferris wheel, so we got in line and went for a ride. I found the journey onboard very enjoyable and relaxing – especially as the children were safety enclosed inside! On the day that we were leaving, we got up early to make the most of our final few hours in London. We headed over to Green Park and fed the ducks before taking a stroll through the grounds to admire Buckingham Palace in all its glory. Our train journey back was much quieter than our first journey – all four of us were thoroughly knackered! We spent it reminiscing about our big adventure to London. It may have passed by in a blur, but I know that it’s something we’ll all remember forever. n

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Pack plenty of activities to keep them amused on the train. See some travel ideas on pages 52 and 53.

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Choose your hotel or apartment wisely. Finding a place which is child friendly will take the stress out of your trip and give you a chance to relax after your journey.

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Walk or take buses whenever you can – part of the London experience is seeing all the sights, you don’t want to spend all your time on a bustling tube underground.

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Don’t cram too much in – while you might manage to see three tourist attractions in a day, it’s too tiring and rushed for the kids.

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Try to vary what you are doing – while it’s a great idea to expose them to some culture, try to mix it up with something they want to do like a trip to the Lego Shop.

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Eating out is expensive, try to choose accommodation where you can eat at least some of your meals at home, or make a picnic and eat it in one of London’s beautiful parks.

My top tips for exploring London with kids

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FOR HEALTHY, HAPPY KID

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ARE WE

THERE

YET...?

A to Z. Starting with the youngest, everyone thinks of an animal starting with the letter A, then B and so on through the alphabet. Finished? Try countries next. Keep a lap tray in the car with fuzzy felts and magnetic games to play with. Who am I? Someone thinks of a famous person and everyone else asks a question in turn that you can only have a yes or no answer. Capital cities. Parents say a country and children say the capital - or vice versa. Mobile scavenger hunt. Make a list before the journey and see who spots the most things from the list.

Fun and games to make a long journey fly by

Where are the lorries from? Which country? Which town?

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Have an en-route picnic - pack all your favourites. Use a smart phone to take pictures of each other, trying to make it look like you are having THE BEST TIME EVER!! Or the worst? See how high you can count when everyone in the car contributes one number at a time, without taking turns. Example: Mum says one. Silence. Luke says two. Jack and Dad say three at the same time! Back to zero. Theme Song Game. One person hums the tune to a favourite TV show, and everyone else tries to name the programme. Play a story CD. Educate the kids on your musical tastes!

Make the kids a travel surprise bag. Buy or make a fabric bag and fill with lots of small interesting things. A drawstring bag is ideal. Fill with things like a small picture book, notebook or colouring book, colouring pencils, large wooden beads and plastic thread, a simple jigsaw puzzle, magnifying glass new small toy, small cheap tape measure, fingers puppets, snacks etc. Hold an in-car talent show. Singing, jokes, weird tongue and doublejointed tricks…what’s your talent? Count the number of red cars/ buses/motorbikes etc. (for little kids only) Look at the letters on a license plate and make up what they might stand for—PSG means Pretty Silly Game!

made JUL / AUG 2017

made FOR 2017

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Gymboree Jabberwocky Leaf & Bean Café Maddie and Marks Potter Around Scottish Seabird Centre The Wishing Tree Play Café Treehouse Childrenswear TurtleDove Play Cafe

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Wrestling a collapsible pram WRITTEN BY Michael

Atkinson

made JUL / AUG 2017

“

The pram doesn’t collapse. It’s meant to. But, it doesn’t.

”

Find out more...

am going to my local Homebase tomorrow to buy a sledgehammer. Once I return home, I will proceed to utilise it as a tool to smash up my young toddler’s pram (for the avoidance of doubt, I will obviously not do this when my toddler is in the vicinity of said pram). Following this, I will finally be able to load the pram into the boot of the car, something that I have been attempting to do for several days now. The pram is new. Well, it’s not exactly new, but it’s new to us. Just as I was getting used to the old pram, we went ahead and had another child and now we’ve had to ‘upgrade’ (I use the term loosely). The pram doesn’t collapse. It’s meant to. But, it doesn’t. Indeed, its ‘collapsibility’ may even be one of its alleged selling points. Despite all my best efforts to discover the magical button which when caressed in the appropriate manner, reduces this pram into a pocket sized piece of equipment, which can fit anywhere, I just simply can’t find it. Well, that’s not quite true - I think I’ve found it, but it doesn’t seem to work. My sister-in-law, who had kindly donated the pram to us, so fortunately avoiding us spending hundreds of pounds on this non-collapsible item of baby transportation (the baby chariot as I like to call it), came round to demonstrate how to use it correctly. I watched intently. I looked at her technique, her hand movements, the exact position of her fingers on the precise part of the pram that she was holding. I watched in amazement as in a millisecond, the pram collapsed and crunched down into a neat heap of metal and canvas, to be nonchalantly picked up and flung into the boot of the car as if you had not a care in the world. Now I did in fact lie when I said the pram reduced to a pocket sized piece of equipment. I also lied that the end result is a neat heap. The magical button reduced it fractionally, but frankly, you still need a small motorhome to be able to take the pram anywhere with you. My sister-in-law left, I breathed in, I mirrored her movements, I caressed the pram in the same way and no, no, no, it doesn’t collapse. It really doesn’t. Therefore, I have this burning desire to take a sledgehammer to it. Of course, once I’m finished with the sledgehammer, we will no longer have a functioning pram, but at least it will provide me with some sense of satisfaction. n

Michael Atkinson is a dad to two young sons, but occasionally finds the time to write on golf, whisky, fatherhood and politics.

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hobbies INTRODUCING...

Award-Winning

Their Preschool classes and Parties have now been running for four years and they have been on so many amazing adventures with hundreds of children across Edinburgh, Glasgow and everywhere in between. Monkey Drama classes allow children to Learn, Imagine and Explore through drama, role play, music, props and characterisation. Each week is a different theme. Children can lose themselves in their imaginations while building their personal and social skills, and developing their confidence.

www.mademagazine.co.uk

Monkey Drama, the award-winning Early Years Drama company, is about to embark on a fabulous new and exciting adventure! A brand new, unique venue “The Monkey Hoose”. Their sparkly new premises will be in the Kingsknowe area, in South West Edinburgh and they cannot wait to welcome you all!

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OR DRAMA F Y THE EARL YEARS

Baby Pre-school Nursery School

New Classes

The Monkey Hoose will also be offering baby classes for the first time, classes for P1-P3 children and regular classes for children with additional needs. Nurseries and schools will also have the option to go to The Monkey Hoose for classes; with additional supporting materials to further compliment the curriculum and the children’s experiences each week. There will be so many different options to suit everyone. They will even be offering time to relax and enjoy a chat and coffee!

Two-week Trial

Monkey Drama offer a two week trial during their term-time classes to make sure your child loves it!

Parties

A unique Monkey Drama venue means they can offer even more parties, bespoke to you, offering full use of the premises and a full on Monkey Drama experience from beginning to end with less stress for you…and excellent value for money.

Holiday Workshops

Holiday workshops for children 3+ will run in the summer.

Find out more...

To find out more and see the timetable, get in touch with alana@monkeydrama.co.uk, call 07736 298013 or visit www.monkeydrama.co.uk and make sure to “like” Facebook/monkeydrama page for all the latest updates.

made JUL / AUG 2017

Additional Needs

LEARN IMAGINE EXPLORE Enjoy term-time classes and parties at our brand new unique venue!

BOOK

NOW!

FOR NEW AUGUST TERM

07736 298013 monkey drama.co.uk

www.

ALANA@MONKEY DRAMA.CO.UK

3 KINGSKNOWE PARK EDINBURGH EH14 2JQ

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shopping

Back to l SchoANo D SASS! WITH STYLE

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GIANT PENCIL Yellow Octopus EMOJI LUNCH BOXES (SET OF 4) £11.95 EMOJI MINI ERASER POT £3.95 Both from Cloudberry, Barnton & Blackhall cloudberrygifts.co.uk PENCILS WITH FLAMINGO ERASERS berryred.co.uk

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10. BACK-TO-SCHOOL

HAIRCUT Free with every purchase of school shoes from Treehouse, Stockbridge

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made JUL / AUG 2017

10-12 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AU

www.treehouse childrenswear.co.uk

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health

By Alexa Freeman

he idea of The Fresh I had attended slimming clubs Life actually came to me in the past and whilst I know one day in the shower that they work for some, I just (one of those rare moments sans couldn’t get my head round it all. children!) I had played with the I had spent the past year reading idea of ‘clean eating’ on and off how healthy good fats are for you but found it difficult to stick to, and the effect that sugar has, and would often have one piece and yet that was going directly of chocolate, declare that as a fail against what I was being told. I and plan to start again the next was eating meals that were low day. The next day would swiftly in calories, taste and nutrition I I lost weight but turn into the following Monday lost weight but I certainly didn’t and so on and so forth. Yet all at feel healthy and lost interest I certainly didn’t the same time, I knew how much very quickly! What I felt did feel healthy better I felt whilst living a healthy, work however, was the weekly nutrient-dense lifestyle; and meetings, the accountability and knowing the weight would drop sharing ideas with others, and off and my moods stabilise when I omitted sugar this is where The Fresh Life came to mind! from my diet. The Fresh Life offers weekly meetings that

“

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CHOCOLATE MILK 1 Banana Sliced 1 Cup of Blueberries 1 Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder 1 Tbsp Chia Seeds

for the health conscious

1 Tsp Almond Butter Topped with milk of your choice (unsweetened almond milk is my favourite!) Blend and Enjoy!

encourage and motivate people to live a healthy, whole food diet. We provide weekly meal plans and recipes to give some inspiration for the week ahead as well as a private Facebook group to keep up motivation and share ideas. Every four weeks we have a guest speaker including personal trainers, yoga instructors, wellbeing pop ups and many others similarly minded folk that will help you on your journey. The Fresh Life was very much created for the health conscious rather than just the weight conscious and it’s a great opportunity to meet likeminded people over a cup of herbal tea! n

Find out more...

Our classes are currently held on a Thursday evening from 19:30-20:30 at Fairmilehead Parish Church but new locations are coming soon so keep an eye on our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/thefreshlife.co.uk

made JUL / AUG 2017

delicious meal plans nutrient-dense lifestyle inspiration and ideas weekly support

Join our Fairmilehead classes and meet lovely likeminded people over some herbal tea!

Alexa Freeman

07885 517686 support@ thefreshlife.co.uk www. facebook.com/ thefreshlife.co.uk

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EIGHT WEE HILLS

WITH BIG VIEWS Dundurn

You don’t have to be an experienced hill walker to enjoy Scotland’s most spectacular views. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park boasts a range of ‘Wee Hills with Big Views’ that can be enjoyed by people of all levels of fitness and experience. Ben A’an:

In the Trossachs, the 4km walk up this lovely peak offers a surprisingly big experience with many of the ingredients of a mountain hike such as an atmospheric forest, open moorlands, views of crags and a superb vista of the surrounding landscape at the top.

Gouk Hill:

On the east of Helensburgh, Gouk Hill is accessible by train from Edinburgh, and sits on the western edge of the National Park. The hill is 277m high and forms part of the long distance coast-to-coast walk, the John Muir Way.

Glen Striddle Hills: Also on the west side of Loch Lomond, these hills offer a fine hike from the village of Luss and to the highest point, Beinn Dubh at 657m. You could choose to simply walk out and back on the same route, or complete a 12km horseshoe circuit taking in 62

another hilltop, Mid Hill at 623m. Outstanding views of Loch Lomond will be spread out beneath you.

Ben Gullipen:

Starting from the popular town of Callander, this is a 414m hike up a well-established path. The reward for this wee challenge is breath-taking views of the Wallace Monument near Stirling, Loch Venachar, Ben Venue and Ben Ledi, and the rolling Menteith Hills.

Callander Crags: If you’re looking for something a little less challenging, these crags offer a very pleasant walk through beautiful woodlands, over the crag tops and to a cairn at 343m. Many people also take in a visit to the stunning Bracklinn Falls, a short walk up the road from the car park. www.mademagazine.co.uk

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Dundurn: In the north of the National Park, Dundurn is a rocky knoll only 112m high where a Pictish Fort once sat. Filled with local history, enroute to the top you can visit a burial ground and the remains of St. Fillan’s Chapel, dating back to the 1300s.

Conic Hill: A short but fairly stiff 361m climb beginning in Balmaha, Conic Hill offers magnificent views of Loch Lomond and its islands starting from about a third of the way up a welltrodden path. It comes with the added bragging bonus of being able to say you’ve walked part of the West Highland Way. Inchcailloch Island: If you fancy a boat trip, cross over from Balmaha to the enchanting Inchcailloch island, and then follow the easygoing way-marked trail up to the island’s highest point (85m). From here you’ll get a panoramic view of the peaks of many mountains including the iconic Munro, Ben Lomond. n

Find out more...

To find out more about these ‘Wee Hills with Big Views’ go to www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/ wee-hills Beinn Dubh Tree

Conic Hill made JUL / AUG 2017

Inchcailloch

out & about

Photocall

out & about

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Have you got great photos from an event you’d like to share with MADE readers? If so, email them to us at info@mademagazine.co.uk 1. Sir Chris Hoy having fun whilst officially opening Conifox Nursery’s Adventure Play Park and Bistro.

out & about

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2. Frequent passengers, Joe and Amy Petrie from Dalgety Bay and Isobel and Lewis Muckett from Tranent, recently became Maid of the Forth stars in the Maid’s photo shoot.

3. A sell-out success for TurtleDove Play Cafe’s Ladies Night.

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4. Puddle Ducks swimming classes launched successful recently. Pictured here is poolside assistant, Ciara with Puddle the Duck.

64 64

4 www.mademagazine.co.uk

out & about out & about

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6. New Maggie’s Centre opens in the Forth Valley area, thanks to night-time fundraising event, The MoonWalk Scotland.

7. Mini Superheroes and their grown-ups turned up in droves to meet PJ Masks at The Centre, Livingston.

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5. Conservation and education charity, the Scottish Seabird Centre, teamed up with East Lothian business, Lori’s Creations, to create dolphin-tastic and crab-alicious looks.

8. Kerrie Guiney (Ops Manager) and Imogen Douglas (owner) celebrating Maddie & Mark’s 10th birthday party at Tiger Lily.

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FITNESS

An Unbreakable Decision BY PERSONAL TRAINER, Pascal

Sime

Emotions often dictate our actions, though they are not always the strongest platform to support our decisions. Most people strongly believe that we should take care of our bodies, but nobody lives according to their beliefs 100%, and that often happens when we turn to our emotions.

can’t tell you that your time is now, when maybe you’re just not ready. You may need time to make this decision, maybe some events of your life may need to happen. What if you no longer find yourself excited about exercising? Does this mean that you should stop? Well if you get married and eventually realise that marriage is not ‘exiting’ anymore, does this mean you should get divorced? Absolutely not, because the idea is that you fall in love with the same person over and over again for the rest of your life, and it is similar to training. Your decision needs to be comprehensive if you want it to last. You might have desires in which you’re ok with never happening. You might have a desire to go to space, but you may also be fairly comfortable with it never happening. Is there enough desire in you to make this decision? An unbreakable decision. n

Find out more...

For more information about Pascal and his personal training go to www.pascalsime.com

www.mademagazine.co.uk

’m just not in the mood’ is one of the biggest reasons many use to skip exercise - but how you feel is not necessary in line with what you desire. At some points we are not emotionally stable to make the right decisions. We shouldn’t separate ourselves from our emotions, but we need to not allow our emotions to determine whether or not we should do something that is for our well-being. Years ago when I first started training, part of my decision acknowledged that life may go up, down, left, right. Regardless of the circumstances, I was taking a stand and committing to it. Built into that decision was the acknowledgment that the wind blows in all directions, so circumstances would not stop me from training or taking care of my body. I did not make this decision with a requirement of the right circumstances or with certain terms, rather I made the decision regardless of the circumstances. Such a stand requires you to be at a certain point - where you’re ready to dedicate time to exercise regardless of the circumstances. If you are not ready to make that decision yet then reading this may even be slightly off putting. I

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fun classes • exci-ng recipes • explore new foods • weekly term -me classes (2-‐5 yrs) • a=er school classes • nurseries • birthday par-es ( 2 -‐11 yrs) • school holiday workshops (2-‐11 yrs) • please contact me to ﬁnd a suitable class Call Fiona on 07900093946/ email Fiona@cra=ycooks.co.uk or facebook Cra=y Cooks Edinburgh

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Take time out and create