Regular readers will know that one of my hobbies is entering competitions. I’ve been pretty successful at this over the years and have won a lot of trips and holidays. There have been trips to the Caribbean, Thailand, Barcelona (twice), Doha, Durham, Aberdeen and London. In January I heard that I’d won a Dinosaurs in the Wild trip to London with Smyths Toys and we were both delighted because we’d really enjoyed it when we attended the press event in Birmingham last summer. H, and the friends we took with us, are still talking about it and the ‘after party’. One thing I really liked about the competition prize is that everything was included, so it didn’t end up costing us anything.
We had an overnight stay at a great hotel on Canary Wharf with dinner and breakfast included. Our Dinosaurs in the Wild tickets were obviously free and we had £200 spending money which more than covered our train and tube fares. Second time around Dinosaurs in the Wild didn’t disappoint and there were even a few small changes which made it more exciting than before.
Sunday was a free day in London for us and H asked if he could revisit HMS Belfast because he’d enjoyed it so much the first time (some years back). I didn’t get very good pictures because every time I wanted to take a picture there would be someone with an audio guide or something in the shot, but H and his friend had a great time.
I’ve had quite a successful week getting my admin things sorted out. I managed to get Boots to refund me for the saucepan I told you about last week. They wanted to refund me to a gift card (because I’d bought the saucepans with vouchers), but I didn’t think this was fair as I couldn’t use the gift card to buy a new saucepan because they don’t sell them anymore. They did eventually recognise the issue and have sorted it out.
We went to H’s new school the other night and he seemed to enjoy finding out more about what is involved when he moves up to Year 7. He also got to try out some food from the school canteen including some of the curry. H is fairly used to some mild spices, but this was a bit much for him. He was determined to finish it though and then knocked back his drink of squash at quite a pace.
Friday was a bit of a whirl with school run, errands, yoga and lunch with a friend (which was actually breakfast) at a cafe that was new to us both. It was lovely and I think we will soon be back.
Galina V says
Big well done on your win! It sounds like a perfect prize for you. I do enjoy entering competitions but usually avoid any trip/holiday prizes. Glad H enjoyed finding out about the new school.
The breakfast looks tasty.
Kim Carberry says
Well done you! What a great competition win! It sounds like you had a fab time!
That’s great news about getting a refund from Boots….
Ahh! We are still waiting for the date to visit the secondary school for my youngest….It was cancelled when the Beast from the East was here….Thankfully my teen is there so we at least know a bit about it.
Margaret GALLAGHER says
Ooo la la – need to swat up on winning ! Well done – you’ve motivated me into action
chickenruby says
wow i knew you liked competitions, but i didn’t realise you’d won so many, looks like you both had a fab day out
Fee - One of Each says
Woohoo saucepan victory!! That is absolutely amazing with all the holiday wins! Do you have to spend many hours each week entering?
Candace says
Well done, you seem to have great luck with winning holidays! Looks like you both had a fantastic time in London too
Emma T says
Wow, that’s a great win. I’ve not really entered competitions for ages (I used to enter about 70 a week) as I just don’t have time anymore. But you can win some great prizes.
Over40andaMumtoOne says
I can’t quite believe he’s going to be in year 7, so gutted we didn’t bump into you at Dinosaurs in the Wild – we loved it too #365
Susan Mann says
Way to go, what a great competition win! You’ll have the best time. And well done on the refund. My oldest is going up to high school next month. It is a bit scary, isn’t it? x
Elaine Livingstone says
what a fab win, and spending money thrown in to boot, looks like a very happy boy.
I dont enter many any more as I blog instead.
Fozia S says
Well done on the win! Sounds like an amazing time was had by all!
Good job on getting the refund