My favourite 12 Retro Video games – SNES, NES, Gameboy

Since the arrival of arcade games back in the 1970's - 1980's, video games have gone from strength to strength. However, for me, the old classics had the best game-play hands down. 

Okay the graphics are much better now, but that is just a part of the gaming experience. Game play, how addictive a game is and sound tracks pull real punches in the whole gaming world.

What was your favourite console?

On that console, what was your favourite game?

I played A LOT of video games as a child and to help take you on a nostalgic journey, below are some of my all time favourites. 

The Fantastic Adventures Of Dizzy - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

An adventurous egg. Dizzy has to find items and use them in the correct place with the correct person. Really tough, but I loved it!

Final Fantasy VII - Play Station 1 (PS1)

Battles, weapons, adventure, character build up. I saved up for this one. This little beauty set me back £49.99 in the late 90's! Cloud is the main character in FFVII. It broke the game boundaries by letting users do anything they wanted. Ground breaking game!

Tetris - Nintendo Gameboy

With amazing game-play and quality tunes this made for a truly addictive game. The Gameboy was a handheld gaming device in which the games were not in colour, instead they were a sort of Grey and Green?

Super Mario Bros. 2 - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Wow! I remember this game very well! Jumping around as Mario, floating over large chasms as Princess Daisy or skidding about as Luigi, this had real pulling power. You could throw down a potion and reveal a magic door which transports you to a dark world, where players could discover coins and life giving mushrooms. The end of level bosses spat eggs at you and some of the enemies were really annoying but this is an amazing game! How can you beat it?

Super Mario Bros. 3 - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Better than Mario 2? Hell yeah! Mario 3 was a huge step up from previous games. Mario could now fly, levels were filled with hidden extras and the bosses now hid in castles! I never actually completed this game as it is VERY difficult. Amazing!

Golden Axe - Sega Megadrive

Epic, jump - chop action! I loved taking on this game as the axe wielding Dwarf. Although he is limited to about three moves, his character is cool. After each level, your character rests by a campfire and small leprechauns run past you. For every hit you get on them, they drop magic vials!

Sonic the Hedgehog - Sega Megadrive

Don't really need to tell you about Sonic. Fast paced spinning action, coins and puzzles! Awesome!

Pac Man - Arcade Game

Get around the maze of corridors eating little crumbs and avoid the ghosts. Collect large crumbs to turn the ghosts into a zombie type creature and you can eat them! A game of speed, out witting your opponents and timing. Classic arcade game.

Super Punch Out - Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

Great, fun, boxing arcade game. The SNES boxing game is great fun and a test of reactions and memory.

Legend of Zelda A Link to the Past - Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

A real hero, adventure game. I played this for HOURS & HOURS! Released in 1991, this game is viewed from birds eye view. Fun fact : "The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past" is the seventh-best-selling Super Nintendo Entertainment System video game (4,610,000 units sold)

Earthworm Jim - Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

I originally rented this game from Blockbuster Video when I first got my SNES. I think it cost something like £3.00 for a couple of days. Earthworm Jim, is about a worm that gets into a powerful suit. Really difficult game-play. Brilliant game.

Crash Bandicoot - Playstation 1 (PS1)

This was played by so many of us during our childhood. The spinning bandicoot, crashes through crates, jumps holes in the ground and jumps across water crossings. Did you love this game on the PS1? You may be pleased to know that its making a comeback on the PS4.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (PS4)

I would love to hear what your favourite games are, what consoles you had and what you think of my choices.

Sometimes we just need a Day in NOW!!

Social Media - My tips for new bloggers!

I came up with the idea of a day out brand that would offer people amazing info on free days out in the United Kingdom. I just felt that there weren't many places to find great days out and I wanted to change this.

 https://www.facebook.com/daysoutnow/

http://daysoutnow.co.uk

Where do I start?

At the beginning...before I even thought of starting my own website, I made a facebook group.

At this time, I didn't know the difference between a group and a page.

A Facebook page is a public profile specifically created for businesses, brands, celebrities, causes, and other organizations. Unlike personal profiles, pages do not gain "friends," but "fans" - which are people who choose to "like" a page.

A Facebook group is a page created for an organisation or business to promote activities. ... Facebook groups are the main way for businesses to bring users together and have discussions.

 Groups are MUCH easier to build than pages especially if you have different sections within your brand.   

Page) UK Fun Family Days Out

Group) Theme parks / Adventure parks

Group) Free / cheap days out

Group) Great Outdoors

etc

 Link them together and encourage followers to like your page then move onto the groups that interest them.

Be original.

Easier said than done, (I know) but people like to get involved and have their say in subjects that are important to them.

Try a mix of funny posts and useful posts. 

Competitions / giveaways can generate a nice chunk of interest but don't jump straight into a big competition when you have just began building. Instead build slowly and once you have a nice group built then launch your secret weapon (the epic comp). 

Competitions can be hit and miss but still worth a punt. Make them easy to enter but interesting to the individual ie

"Just like this post / our page and comment below with your favourite _____.

Don't pay for advertising.

Refuse. You can organically build your group but it takes time and persistence. 

Invite all of your friends to like the group, ask them to add their friends. Post onto local groups that may be interested in what you do and add a link. 

I'm certinaly not perfect but have learned from my mistakes. Sometimes you need to fall over to become stronger.

Once your facebook group etc is up and running you can think about growing the brand through other avenues.

TWITTER

PIN IT

ETC.

Then go back to the WEBSITE idea. Work your magic and have a great time doing it. 

Make sure that you are writing about something that you really have a passion for and you can't go wrong.

Make your new hobby fun

Now you can let your creative juices flow and create your masterpiece.

Select amazing pictures, keep it real and of course write award winning blogs! Success will come to you if you are realistic and keep trying.

Save money on Days Out NOW

Relax with our Top 6 Tips for a cheaper day out

We want to help you spend less when having fun with the family out and about. Holidays can be expensive, so it pays to have a plan. Here are some useful tips that we keep up our sleeves.

1.) Plan your day by spotting freebiesMuseums and galleries quite often offer free activities and fun games during school holidays. These are specially designed for kids so that these visits don't feel BORING for your little ones! Check official websites for the latest events on at the places you are looking to visit.

2.) Get more for your money
Some attractions allow you to visit again without paying any more money,  over the next 12 months. For example Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Chatsworth House and many more offer this unlimited visit option.

3.) DIY Snacks
Most parents take packed lunches to save money, but snacks really add up too. Keep a selection of snacks in a carry bag.

Take a picnic and perhaps if your little  (and big) monsters deserve it, buy them an ice cream at the end as an extra treat.

4.) The more the merrierSometimes it pays to go in a larger group. Attractions such as Alton Towers you can save 30% on tickets if you book as a group.  Also Whipsnade zoo offers a great discount if booking together with others.

5.) Plan aheadCheck ticket details for your selected attraction as most offer reduced rates for tickets booked in advance. For example Ripleys offer huge advanced ticket discounts!

6.) Rewards a plentyLook for deals that you can get with your supermarket loyalty card – you can save over £100 on a family day out to a place like Legoland in return for a small amount of reward points.

http://daysoutnow.co.uk

cornbury-2017-the-family-festival-end-of-an-era

Cornbury Festival

Music

Family Fun

 

I am always on the look out for new and wonderful places to visit with my family.

A friend suggested going to a Festival but I didn't think any would be suitable for us as we have a four year old daughter and twelve year old son.
That is until I heard about the Cornbury Festival, watch THIS!!

Know as the family festival, this sounded perfect. Although this is the last, ever, year for the Cornbury festival. Sadly, the curtain falls after this "Fabulous Finale" which started way back in 2004. After this last, epic event it's safe to say that it will be sorely missed by all those involved.
So you have one last chance to go and experience this amazing family festival. One last chance to savour this moment in time before its too late!

Join the other festival goers for the "Fabulous Finale" and revel in the magical experience!

Set in a stunning area of the Cotswolds, Cornbury is a far cry from most people’s image of a British music festival.
When you say Festival to me I think of rain, muddy fields, greasy food and drunken teenagers! However this smart festival in the grounds of a stately home is all about families, quality food, real beers and a line up that should appeal to all.





Here are some of the Acts that I am looking forward to:
Bryan Adams
Kaiser Chiefs
Sophie Ellis Bextor
Pierce Brothers (Australians answer to Mumford & Sons)

Jools Holland
Nine Below Zero
Scouting For Girls

Many, many more acts are also featured including the man that set up Band Aid and some stars from the 90's!

What can I expect to find?

Everything you can imagine and lots, lots more!

Comedy / Music / Workshops / Gourmet festival food / Emerging talent stage
Arts & Crafts / Roaming Entertainers / Fairground / Relaxing Therapy & Massage zone


POSH LOO'S!!




Keeping the Kids Busy..

No problem, here is a list of the activities and there locations. It's safe to say that these fun and games will keep the little ones & some of the big ones entertained throughout the day.

Circus Tent

Circus Skills

Workshops and Shows Venue

Ukulele for Kids

Disco Party & Games

Baby Bops

Toddle Bops

Punch & Judy

Pirate Puppet Pantomime

Samba Drumming Show

Kids Yoga

Instant Songs

Drop in Drum Workshop Outdoors

Giant Den Building

Balloon Modelling

Clay Modelling

Craft and Making Venue

Painting

Salaric Arts Craft Workshop

Stories & Crafts – Time Travelling to the Apollo Moon Landings

Messy Jessy’s Shakers

Fabulously Funky Festival Clothing

Batik

Screen Printing

Needle Felting

Funky Pom Poms

Amazing Headresses

Disguise Yourself! Mask making workshop.

Colouring In

General Crafts

Hot Air Balloons Website Link - UK Fun Family Days Out

Everyone lucky enough to go will definitely have, not just a UK Fun Family Day Out but a UK Fun Family Weekend Out!

BUY TICKETS HERE!

West Wycombe Park - Labyrinth Link

Spooky Caves

Location for a Classic 1980's Movie

The Dashwood Mausoleum

West Wycombe Park

Ever seen the movie "The Labyrinth" from the 1980's? A 16 year old girl, Sarah played by Jennifer Connelly is baby sitting her baby brother one stormy evening. He won't stop crying and in despair Sarah calls for the Goblin King, aka David Bowie, to take her baby brother away.

She soon discovers that you should be careful what you wish for! In a flash baby Toby goes silent and Sarah is horrified to find that he has been taken by the Goblin King. In a terrible twist she must now solve the Labyrinth in a race against the clock to save her baby brother.

"WHAT ON EARTH HAS THIS GOT TO DO WITH WEST WYCOMBE??" I hear you cry.

Watch this clip..........did you see that bridge she runs across? That is the grounds of West Wycombe! Did we find that exact bridge though?

You will have to wait and see.......

Following the sat nav religiously isn't always a good idea. "In 100 yards on your right, you have reached your destination." said the sat nav lady.

We missed that turn, (hard to tell as we don't know what 100 yards is, really must change the settings) and drove an extra mile or so, turned around "where possible" and went back.

Then it dawned on me.... what if this wasn't a car park for West Wycombe park. I looked in the distance up ahead and I could see tents, flags, stalls, toilets and row upon row of cars.
"This is a car boot sale isn't it!"

After completing a 15 point turn in the narrow lanes leading to the car boot, we were out of the field and back on the right track, actually the real car park was literally across the road and we were pleasantly surprised to find that it was completely FREE!

Although we had come solely to visit the Park, it didn't open until 14.00hrs. So, as a back up plan I had my eye on the Hellfire Caves. I remember visiting these caves years ago at a friends birthday party and having a brilliant time! Would my kids enjoy them?

Just across the road from the car park is a steep hill leading up to a rather impressive looking domed structure.

I assumed that this was the entrance to the caves. After a steep trek, we discovered that the domed structure really was something completely different. It was in fact a mausoleum for the Dashwoods.

Still definitely worth the walk to the top, just for the breath taking views. A sign pointed back down the hill but on the other side from where the car park was located, which read "The Caves".

At the Hellfire cave entrance is a café, toilets and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Once you have purchased your tickets (£20 per family) you are given special tokens to get in. Kids love this, it feels like you have a secret key to get into somewhere you shouldn't be going!
I won't divulge to much as it may ruin your experience should you visit, however a narrow, dark opening leads into a maze of corridors and rooms. Each room tells a story of LOVE, GHOSTS, The HELLFIRE CLUB and how the caves came to be (from mining chalk).

You can in fact hire this place as a venue for parties and I have seen that spooky films are shown here! Bit spooky but each to their own! Most Haunted featured the Hellfire Caves on one of their programmes. Great place to visit at Halloween, perhaps!

After perhaps 45 minutes or so, we headed back to the entrance which also becomes an exit and headed back to the car to retrieve our picnic stuff. We found ourselves back at the car boot simply to while away an hour or so as the park still wasn't open.

"I hate car boots!"

After a quick walk through town to take in the sights we headed to the West Wycombe parks entrance.

It was open!

The staff explained where everything was, offered out leaflets and were on hand to give any assistance required. It costs £22.50 for a family to get in to see the whole property, (House & Gardens) or £4.50 per Adult and £2.25 per Child to see the Grounds Only.

Labyrinth Bridge

Did we find the actual bridge that Sarah ran across in the movie? Well see what you think.

Original movie photo

Our photo (From the wrong angle, I think)

There are lots of bridges to cross which open up exciting new areas to explore. Kids love running around finding the secrets this park has to offer. I must admit, you feel a sense of magic here. Which is probably why this specific location was picked.

Sorry but I just felt the need to add that video in! R.I.P David Bowie!

Dotted around the grounds are small Temples which you can go in. See if you can spot them all! Lakes, water features and wooded areas all await your visit.

Eliza loved running into each "Temple" to see what lay inside. Mostly seating areas but there are some unique surprises!

A Stunning place to visit

I find that kids, generally find days out like these more rewarding than the big named theme parks. There is nothing better than letting children use their imaginations. The caves enhanced the visit and with the picnic, we had a proper UK FUN FAMILY DAY OUT!

What the kids thought..

Eliza (Aged 4) - The baby Sheep and the gates were best, can we go through the gates again?

George (Aged 12) -  Gotta be the caves, not scary though!!