Ladies, gentlemen, and those of you who are yet to make up your minds... welcome to my review of Kinky Boots The Musical, a feel good, heartwarming show based on an incredible true story of self belief and acceptance. The show is currently playing at Winter Gardens Blackpool until 12 October 2019, tickets available here. 

When his father passes away, Charlie Price reluctantly returns home to Northampton to take on his failing factory. Orders are being cancelled, business is looking bleak, and jobs are on the line, until a chance encounter with glamorous drag queen Lola leads Charlie to make kinky boots to withhold the weight of her and her angels. With the Milan trade show his chance to prove himself, can Charlie come through for the factory and his friends?

Despite being written by 80s queen Cyndi Lauper, the majority of songs were no Defying Gravity, but then again, even Elphaba would have a hard time belting out lines about brogues. 

Lola's songs, on the other hand, were brilliant, with a sexy dance feel to most of them, and a real Whitney-style diva vibe to Hold Me In Your Heart. Kayi Ushe blew me away with Lola's powerful numbers and softer songs alike. Joel Harper-Jackson also hit the higher notes and key changes beautifully, and their harmony together was a highlight of the performance for me.

The Set

The set design for Kinky Boots really caught my attention, with simple industrial pieces switching to suit every scene. I particularly loved that the factory's conveyor belt split into pieces and became a central prop for the dance routine in Everybody Say Yeah, reflecting the change and fast pace the factory was undertaking as it prepared for their new line of boots and the Milan show.

In the film factory lout Don challenges Lola to an arm wrestle but Playful Productions wisely changed this to a boxing match for the musical, which is much easier for the whole audience to see and appreciate. 

The set became a boxing ring with just two pieces of rope across the central unit, and the lighting quickly flashed to imitate photography while the actors performed the show in slow motion. It was a clever, engaging way to illustrate the scene, and both the set and lighting design coloured me impressed.

Speaking of fast pace, the angels' dance routines were certainly that. Half incredible choreography, half acrobatic display, they brought so much fun and sparkle to Kinky Boots The Musical. I can honestly say this is the first show I've seen where my jaw has literally dropped, when one angel leapt high and landed in a perfect box split!

I was astounded to learn after the show that the actors playing the Angels are not full time drag performers, because they pulled it off perfectly, with help from their amazing makeup and costumes. The budget for sequins and gems in this production must have run into the thousands!

Whether in sequins as Lola or suited as Simon, Kayi Ushe was a stand out for me. The script was very similar to the film, in which Chiwetel Ejiofor portrays Lola, so it would be easy to compare the two, but Ushe developed the character for the stage beautifully, exaggerating her words and actions so she really was a larger than life queen strutting before our eyes.

Every character had an element of comedy, which is partly what made the musical so fun to watch, it felt like the audience were invited into the factory banter. The only performance that jarred for me was factory worker/Charlie's love interest, Lauren, portrayed by Paula Lane. 

Having seen Lane in Coronation Street I don't doubt her talent, but the character and her songs just seemed very awkward and pantomime-esque. Maybe it was the direction, or perhaps the fact I've never been to Northampton, where the musical is set, but I struggled to understand why her accent was different to the rest of the cast, too. 

Kinky Boots is one of my favourite films, and I really hoped that seeing it sexed up on stage with tonnes of songs and sequins would live up to it. I'm happy to report that it did, and every piece of the performance tied together to create the perfect feel good show about acceptance and courage.

I had my own lesson in acceptance too, when I looked around and saw all kinds of people in the audience. I had wrongly assumed that middle aged men wouldn't be the target audience, but my dad came along and loved every minute just like the rest of the crowd, who packed out the seats and filled the room with roaring applause. 

Have you seen Kinky Boots The Musical?

Since I work on a very warm ward, I tend to come home sticky, sweaty, and ready for a cool shower with fruity products to freshen me up, and I Love Cosmetics fit the bill perfectly with their affordable range of cruelty free shower gels and scrubs, and bath salts and cremes.

I always opt for fruit scents to awaken my skin and senses, and the I Love Elderflower Fizz Body Wash (£6.50) does not disappoint. I was worried it would be a sickly floral, but the elderflower has cleverly been combined with apple for a crisp and refreshing scent.

If I'm feeling especially gross, I reach for the I Love... Raspberry and Blackberry Shower Smoothie (£3.99), which smells absolutely mouthwatering. For a full, fake tan routine scrub I still prefer my good old exfoliating gloves, but if you have sensitive skin or just like a gentle polish the tiny particles of walnut shell should float your boat.

After my shower I like to take a minute to moisturise my body with the I Love English Rose Body Butter (£12), as I feel that little bit more body confident when my skin is smooth and radiant, and it has been keeping my eczema at bay nicely.

If you think you don't like rose scents, this rich butter will prove you wrong. Instead of a heavy, powdered rose, this is a fresh floral blended with pear, red berries, jasmine, and amber to produce a beautiful fragrance that lingers lightly on the skin while the shea butter base sinks in quickly and leaves skin feeling nourished.

I Love Cosmetics have blended shea butter with coconut oil in their exotic I Love Mango and Papaya hand lotion (£2.99), too, making it a deeply nourishing formula. It does take a while to sink in, so it's ideal for massaging into hands or feet before bed to wake up to silky smooth skin.

To further treat your feet this Summer, dissolve bath salts in hot water then letting it cool for a soothing soak. I have been trialling the Violet Dreams variety and found them perfect for pampering my poor feet after a day in sandals.

I Love Cosmetics are rightfully so proud of their scents, they've made it easy to layer them on to ensure the fragrance lasts on your skin by offering full product ranges of every scent. Start with a soak in the scented bath salts or bath creme, apply the Body Wash or Shower Smoothie, then finish with a spritz of body spray. 

Even your home can smell sweetly, with I Love Cosmetics candles and reed diffusers delivering a burst of your favourite fragrance for up to 40 hours. Alternatively you can pop some of the bath salts into small bags and hang them in your wardrobe or sock draw to waft the scent over your clothes.

From the fresh and floral to the gourmand Mango Cheesecake and Minty Choc Chip, it's hard to choose which fragrance to try! Luckily, I Love Cosmetics have a handy Find My Fragrance Tool, and plenty of offers on their site to help you stock up. 

The Dungeons are a group of educational, interactive shows set in well, you guessed it, dungeons around the world, bringing the darkest stories from history to life. Most of them are in big cities like London, Berlin, and Shanghai, but I'm very proud to say that here in Lancashire we have our very own Blackpool Tower Dungeon.

My tickets to The Dungeons were compensated in exchange for honest review.

Please be aware that there may be some spoilers in this post, so if you're brave enough to dive in to The Dungeons blind feel free to hop over to my other Blackpool recommendations, but if you'd like a heads up before you head in, carry on reading.

Immersed in dimly lit tunnels where strange sights and sounds wait around every corner, you can easily forget you're just minutes away from a massive Primark, and a few floors from The Blackpool Tower Ballroom!

Every room sets the scene perfectly, from the doctor's office where you'll feel your skin crawl with leeches, to the Captain's secret cove. Your adrenaline will surge as the lights go out and you wait in suspense to see if you'll make it into his smuggling crew. 

While nothing actually touches you or puts you in danger, The Dungeons are full of clever tricks to keep you on your toes and ramp up your heart rate. Lights will drop, creatures will jump, and somewhere through the tour you'll lose yourself in a smoky mirror maze.

The creatures, as they are called by the tour guide, are the leaders who will show and tell their part of history. Meet the doctor, his assistant, and their leeches as they attempt to cure the plague, Judge Blackheart who will decide if you hang, and the torturer of Lancaster Castle who really does not like Yorkshire folk. 

Despite repeating their lines multiple times a day, the actors don't hold back on making their creature characters as horrible and intimidating as possible. Think awkward eye contact, sudden movements, and the creepiest of smiles to really put you on the edge.

At The Dungeons, you are part of the experience, so be prepared to answer their questions and do as they say- or else. This is what makes it so much fun, especially for your friends and family as they watch you squirm.

Congratulations, you've survived the tour! Commiserations, you've been found guilty of being part of the infamous Pendle witches, and must hang for your crimes. If you pass the safety checks you'll be ushered to your death by an executioner and strapped firmly into a row of seats. 

Your heart rate will rise with the seats as they're cranked higher and higher in a dark room, until a fiery Viking face speaks the last words you will hear, and your body suddenly drops back down to the floor with a rush of cold air. 

It's exhilarating, it's frightening, and it's absolutely hilarious- though perhaps not as much as the souvenir photos that are snapped halfway through your fall. 

You might need a stiff drink after that shock, and luckily there is a licensed pub on site where the staff stay in character and can tell you the latest scandals and gossip of 1896. Stop by the souvenir gift shop, then raise a glass to making it out of The Dungeons alive.

I'd recommend a trip to The Blackpool Tower Dungeons to anyone, even big scaredy cats like me! The idea is that the fear adds to the fun, so you'll jump, shriek, and scream, but laugh a lot, too. There are one or two slightly cheeky jokes, but aside from that it's great for couples, friend, and even families, with a recommended age of 8 for younger visits. 

The Setting

The Blackpool Tower Ballroom is famously the big location on Strictly Come Dancing every year, and always looks amazing, but it's even better in person. While the cameras keep all eyes on the dancefloor, I was able to look around to the gallery and the grand, decorated ceiling that has overlooked thousands of dances in its time. 

It's a lovely piece of Lancashire's history and tourism, and a luxurious place to enjoy afternoon tea. The talented organists who play the Wurlitzer live from centre stage boost the atmosphere even further. Between them and the dancers, it really felt like stepping back to a time when dances were the place to be.

The Dancers

I stepped into the ballroom under the impression that any of the diners could get up and give the dancing a go. What I wasn't expecting was a dancefloor full of couples who knew every song and step, and performed them perfectly! 

While I felt way too shy to join in alongside such brilliant dancers, I was more than happy to sit and watch them glide around the floor. Some of them looked to be in their 80s and it was obvious from their elegance that these were dances they practised and perfected over many years. 

I'm not ashamed to say I had a little tear in my eye watching them sway and step in perfect rhythm, it made for such a special experience and I'm very grateful to them for that. It has definitely made me appreciate the art of dancing more, and I have a newfound respect for the Strictly celebs who learn these dances so quickly!

The Service

Every member of staff I met at The Blackpool Tower was efficient, friendly, and just wonderful. It felt like they genuinely enjoyed their jobs, and they really helped to enhance our visit. 

Francis greeted us with the warmest welcome at the door, before Leia showed us to our seats. Once we were settled our server, Bethany, introduced herself, took our drinks order, and checked over our dietary preferences, advising us to let her know if there was anything we didn't like so she could change it. 

We also had the pleasure of meeting Maggie, who kindly took some snaps of us from different angles, and was always smiling when we saw her.

The Food

Unfortunately the low point of our visit was the afternoon tea itself. Perhaps I've been spoilt by other teas I've tried, but it was a little lacklustre, especially against the grandeur of the setting. 

The sandwiches were egg mayonnaise, tuna mayonnaise, cream cheese and cucumber, and ham and cheddar, and they were fine but could have benefited from a garnish of salad or a few crisps as they looked very plain on the plate.

The scone tier was much better, with large scones full of cherries, and ample cream and jam alongside them. 

Usually the cake tier is my favourite, but I wasn't impressed with the selection in the ballroom. There was a small square of rich chocolate brownie, a slice of Victoria sponge, and a berry coulis topped with synthetic cream. With jam and cream on the scone, sponge, and coulis dessert, the flavours just became repetitive and the afternoon tea would have benefited from more variety. 

Both the Victoria sponge and dessert were in plastic packaging too, which suggested to me that they were bought from a food company rather than prepared fresh. I appreciate the ballroom may not have a full kitchen, but perhaps they could work with a local supplier to bring in fresh, higher quality food for their teas. 

The Experience

While you can eat better afternoon teas elsewhere, it would be difficult to find one in a setting better than The Blackpool Tower Ballroom. It must have been breathtaking when it first opened in 1894, and it's still spectacular now. 

You can buy tickets to visit the ballroom without having afternoon tea, so whether you're a dancer, history buff, or Strictly Come Dancing superfan, I would recommend booking in to see it for yourself.

Horwich, a tiny town just outside of Bolton, is home to lots of charity shops, beauty salons, and cafes, with Chill at The Cowshed being the most beautiful of the latter in my opinion. Shabby chic Cath Kidston-esque decor meets sleek beachy vibes to make a really lovely spot for lunching and chatting.

My mum had kindly gifted me a voucher for their afternoon tea for my birthday, so I booked in to celebrate my new job in style. Straight away I was impressed with the customer service on the phone- the lady was so polite and advised me the best time to visit for a calm afternoon where we wouldn't feel rushed.

Surprisingly, the scone tier was my favourite. Ordinarily I'm not keen on scones, especially fruited ones, but The Cowshed got them spot on.

Already generously sandwiched with jam, cream, and strawberries, we had no choice but to eat them like burgers rather than in halves. The scones themselves were soft and tasted really fresh, with plenty of plump raisins throughout, and the juicy strawberries on them were a really nice addition.

Alongside the scones were almond meringues sandwiched with chocolate ganache. Personally I prefer a chewy macaron with buttercream or fruit in the centre, but my boyfriend favoured the crisp meringue. They were just the right size for after the scone and before the top tier.

The top tier held a tiny jar of trifle, which was nice to see. I always appreciate something novel, and the cold jelly studded with pineapple pieces was nicely refreshing after the scones, though after all the cream in the scones I didn't need custard and cream on the trifle, too.

Carrot cake buns were also on the top tier, complete with lots of buttercream and little sugar carrots. Really I should have taken mine home as I was already stuffed, but I soldiered on and found the cake to be nice and moist with a good spice.

My What's Up series is widening its horizons! This time we're stepping out of England and putting the spotlight on Erddig, a National Trust house in Wrexham, North Wales.

My food and drink at Red's True Barbecue were provided in exchange for honest review.

My sister has raved over Red's True Barbecue many times, but it never seemed like my kind of place. I tend to choose carb based dishes instead of meaty meals, so I was intrigued to read that Red's were launching some lighter plant based and fish options, making the menu inclusive for vegans, veggies, pescatarians, and religious diets alike.

The new discoveries, as I learned on my trip to the Manchester branch, are the findings of an annual trip the team makes to America, to taste what's new on the barbecue circuit and even compete themselves. Their passion even helped them to earn the title of 1st place outside the US!

Stepping into the restaurant, I definitely noticed that it's a casual, fun place to eat. The interior is dark and industrial, with wall features made of neon lights. The table we were seated at was part of a spacious room off the main dining area, so despite being dark, it didn't feel cramped or unpleasant, it just made for a different experience.

Although the vibe is casual, the service wasn't rushed or half hearted. Every member of the team was excited to talk to us, and the servers were polite, friendly, and happy to tell us their own favourites.

I may be teetotal but it's still nice to have a 'treat' drink when I'm out, and the mocktails at Red's left me spoilt for choice. I tried their Berry Mojito and Hawai-Tai, which combined red bull with passionfruit syrup, and both were fruity, sugary, and utterly delicious.

If you like your drinks with a kick, there are boozy malt shakes or an extensive range of cocktails, including a black cherry slushie for an adult twist on a childhood favourite.

Before my visit, I had never considered myself a rib person. They're usually just too much faff for such little meat, but the ribs at Red's were actually my favourite starter! Thanks to the low, slow smoking the bone just slid straight out and the fat was soft and melty, not chewy.

The same applied to the pork belly, something I usually avoid, but the honey glazed crackling was surprisingly good, and I especially liked the crunchy mixed slaw served alongside it. It was lightly dressed with balsamic vinegar rather than mayonnaise, allowing it to cut through the richness of the pork.

Veggies can tuck into garlic mushrooms on toast or jackfruit nuggets for their starters. The toast with was soggy and spongy so I didn't enjoy that, but I was super excited to try the popcorn. I've never had jackfruit before so figured that a restaurant that knows their barbecue would be the best place to taste it, and Red's didn't let me down.

Rather than being pulled to emulate pork, chunks of jackfruit are baked then coated in a light, seasoned batter, and served with a zingy roasted red pepper and tomato dip that complemented it perfectly.

The new mains cater for everyone, with grilled salmon and an Alabama fish sandwich, a superfood plate and meat-free tray, and Memphis pork belly served with bacon and garlic kale to mention just a few.

My favourite from the selection I tried has to be the new Moving Mountains vegan burger, which you can add pulled jackfruit to. I'd heard great things about this soy based burger and it met my expectations. The patty had a true barbecue burger taste, and the inside was juicy while the outside had crisped up to deliver a good mix of textures in every bite. I also felt it was lighter on the stomach than your average burger. 

The new sides offer lighter options too, with charred broccoli and baby gem lettuce with chimichurri joining the line up alongside barbecue treats like pit beans and fries topped with pulled pork and chipotle cream. Personally I felt these sides just made the meal too meat heavy so it was great to have fresh and flavourful vegetables instead.

The menu is large and varied, but the dishes are developed by true barbecue lovers rather than churned out by a chain.  Too often the token veggie dish is a boring bean burger, but times are changing, and in my opinion the plant based dishes at Red's True Barbecue were the best of the bunch. They were not an afterthought, but well considered dishes that would satisfy anybody, whether you're a full time veggie, flexitarian, or just fancy something new. 

After successfully setting up shop in Altrincham and Bramhall, the team at Tre Ciccio (pronounced 'tray keech-ee-o') decided to come to Ramsbottom, a tiny town I love to visit. Their mission? To bring an authentic taste of Italy to Manchester, inspired by their own excellent experience at La Terrazza, a family run restaurant in Calvanico.

'What's Up' is a very fitting title for this post, because one of the main reasons to visit the Cumbrian town of Ulverston is Hoad Hill, and its lighthouse-like monument. We visited this weekend and couldn't have asked for a better day. Beautifully clear blue skies, sunshine, and a bitter breeze that was most welcome after the short climb to the top. 

The walk starts through Ford Park, a setting that is obviously well used and much loved within the local community. They have a woodland trail, a main hall where classes such as seated yoga are held, a courtyard cafe, and perhaps the cutest garden I've ever seen. Tucked at one end, through what looks like a fairy door, is a tiny wedding chapel, while the other end has a modern room built for childrens' activities. Evidence of the crafting is found all around the garden, with Alice in Wonderland themed suncatchers, big knitted bees, scarecrows, and even a papier mache dog faithfully guarding it all. 

From the garden you can take a number of trails to the top or stop at the benches along the way and enjoy the view across to Morecambe Bay. The path we took was pretty steep in some parts, but we took it steady and reached the monument in around 20 minutes. The monument was closed that day but frankly I was thrilled not to climb any more steps, and more than happy to gaze out at the town, the rolling hills, and right across to Morecambe- after snapping some obligatory shots, of course.

If you'd like to see more of Ulverston you could take a different trail down from the monument, but we chose to travel a little further afield to somewhere altogether unusual. A 10 minute drive from Ford Park will take you to Conishead Priory, a Buddhism and World Peace centre tucked out in the countryside. As we turned down the driveway, I certainly didn't expect to see a temple adorned in gold rising over the hedges, but the peaceful, natural setting is really the perfect place for reflection and respect for the Earth.

The centre is surrounded by its own woodland, which leads to a shoreline. We skimmed stones, searched for 'treasure' (sea glass and shells) then wandered back through the wood, working up an appetite for the world cafe where vegetarian food is quite literally made and served with love. The monks run it all and treat every visitor so kindly, making it a very calm and positive place to refuel. I chose a cheese scone and raspberry lemonade, and sat in the sunshine to enjoy it before going to visit the temple itself. 

I had never been to a temple before, and loved that the glass doors let in the sunlight and beautiful views of the garden. The statues and images were brightly coloured, and it was surprising to see that the offerings left to them included quinoa puffs, shortbread, and chocolate brioche- these deities have good taste! While the area was sacred, it was also very welcoming, with guests being invited to join in meditation sessions. I chose not to, but soaking up the atmosphere from the people and natural soundings was enough to leave me feeling blissful. 

Have you visited Ulverston? For more Cumbria inspiration and inspiration read about my break in the lakes.

Oh I do like to be beside the seaside, I do like to be beside the sea, so when I was offered tickets to see The British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport, of course I jumped at the chance and decided to make a little trip of it so I could show Boy all the best bits of one of my favourite places.

We arrived around lunchtime so our first port of call was filling our rumbly tums. Nostalgia Tearooms is popular with older clientele but being a granny myself I really enjoy sitting in the sun and enjoying the homely food that's served by waitresses who wear proper frilly aprons and caps to match the vintage tearoom vibe. The staff are really friendly and their potato hash (or 'tater ash' if you're truly Northern) reminds me of my nana. 

Full of food, we decided to walk it off, and walk we did, totalling 19,797 steps that day! There are loads of good places to stretch your legs in Southport. First we strolled through the park, which has fountains, swans, a miniature railway, a fab children's playground, and even pedalos to take around the lake in Summer. Sadly they weren't out when we visited- much to Boy's relief. If you have children and a picnic you could easily spend hours in the park alone.

Since we have neither sprogs nor picnic, we ventured on to the beach, crunching razor clam shells and hunting for sea glass and other treasures the shore washed in, then followed the steps up to the pier. Despite visiting many times, this was one attraction I'd somehow missed. At the end is a little cafe-come-arcade with all sorts of old games, and on a clear day you can see right over to Wales and The Lake District. It was breezy but so peaceful to just sit there and watch the world go by.

A trip to the seaside almost always calls for ice cream, and with an even bigger walk in mind I decided it was high time to refuel with a chilly treat from Rossi's on Neville Street. Their homemade ice cream is rich, luxurious, and our Maltesers and chocolate orange cones were both delicious- I was very sad when some of mine dripped while I was absentmindedly stroking a stray cat!

The big walk I had planned was a short drive away, over on the RSPB marshes and bird reserve. Purely by chance our visit coincided with the migration of the many hundreds of geese who had flocked there, ready to take off to warmer climates. All day and night we saw (and heard) them flying overhead. It was a sight to behold, but one that made me quite sad, as I worried some might not make it there or back. I began to feel the same way about us as we walked out on the salt marshes, spotting dog prints in the sticky mud, crabs in the murky pools, and samphire sprouting by the path. If you need time and space to think, this is the place to be. The walk is very quiet and calm, but also feels very long, so be sure to wear your comfiest shoes.

After a shower and tea break back at our guest house, it was time to wrap up and head to Victoria Park (yep, another park) to see those famous fireworks. Apparently they're something of a tradition, and judging from the thousands of people lining the park and streets, one that's well loved in the town. Sadly I think that raised my expectations a bit too high. There were two displays on the night, the first of which was amazing, with fireworks twirling and trailing sparkles overhead to a soundtrack including The Greatest Showman, Whitney Houston, and a speech from Stephen Hawking that made me quite emotional. The second display was Rocky themed and unfortunately fell victim to a few technical hitches. While I appreciated the beauty of the fireworks, I felt that both shows were quite short and I left thinking "was that it?". Like the park, perhaps this is something best enjoyed by families who can experience the wonder through their children's eyes. My advice is to enjoy the atmosphere and make the most of it- take children/nieces/nephews/young siblings, put glitter on their faces, feed them a few doughnuts, and watch them have a ball singing and dancing along.

The next morning I woke up with the lovechild of a sinus infection and flu so I'm afraid we did cut our trip short, but '22 hours in Southport' doesn't have quite the same ring to it. We stopped off at Dobbie's garden centre, which has a great cafe, farm shop, and seasonal displays, but my original plan was to drive 10 minutes over to Churchtown. This little village has gorgeous botanic gardens with a mini farm, lovely pubs to lunch in, adorable old buildings and shops, and even a Peaky Blinders themed bar! I'd highly recommend a visit if you're in the area.

Where would be your favourite place to spend 24 hours?

My tickets for the British Musical Fireworks Championships were compensated in exchange for honest review.

"Let's go to the Royal Armouries" they said.

"It's not all armour, they've got a bit of everything!" they said.

'They' refers to my mother, and 'they' were very wrong, as I found out for myself when I visited the museum on Saturday. 

The museum is a few minutes from the motorway, right next to Leeds dock and just around the corner from an (expensive) car park. As we arrived there was a wetsuit-clad crowd preparing to dive into the canal itself as part of a triathlon- not something I would do on any Saturday morning, let alone a chilly September one! Luckily I could watch them through the museum cafe's floor to ceiling windows while I warmed up with a hot chocolate.

Sufficiently sugar fuelled, we began to explore the museum. The first exhibit is possibly the most amazing of all, and a really innovative example of design. The staircase leading to the other floors wraps around a tunnel which is hung with hundreds of pieces of armour and weaponry on the inside. Directly beneath it is a sort of table with raised mirrors, each facet reflecting the artefacts above it.

Climbing the stairs themselves, we reached a floor where we could see the pieces close up, read their descriptions, and find full suits of armour. It was at this point that I suddenly realised that these were real tools of wars and battles that had most likely injured or even killed real people, which was quite unsettling. There were such detailed, intricate designs, incredible engineering, and even examples of how swords were created hundreds of years ago, and it made me quite angry to think that humankind created weapons of torture and destruction before electricity, vehicles, and even vaccines.

I appreciated that the museum made me think more deeply about what was in front of me, and visitor engagement was encouraged throughout. There were virtual reality helmets where you could see through the tiny eye slits of the helmets, and stations to watch and listen to films depicting battles. To further bring them to life, there was a wall hung with pieces like a bill, a mace, and a dagger, which triggered a knight to explain how they could hurt him when they were touched. Not only was this exciting for younger visitors, I liked that it was a good way for visitors with impaired vision to feel for themselves and hear a description. The sensory element continued through the use of light scents in certain exhibits, such as a cinnamon and clove fragrance in an area paying mention to the spice trade.

Currently the museum puts the focus on a different legend each weekend, such as Mulan and Boudicca. This weekend was all about Arjuna the Warrior Prince, and children were invited to watch an animated film, create their own crowns, and watch a storytelling performance from a lady in traditional Indian dress. It wasn't a story I had heard as a child, so it was fantastic to see visitors of all backgrounds learning it, and of course it was a brilliant way to entertain the children. 

The Royal Armouries really does cover all areas, encompassing everything relating to armour under one roof. Aside from weapons and legends of the past, the museum touched on modern day, with exhibits for anti-war, including arms being made into art, crime and the battle against guns, and even a little case on the swords from Lord of The Rings! Despite every artefact relating to violence, I felt that the curators had done a really good job of presenting the information without making it upsetting or fearsome, which is further helped by the building itself being spacious and bright, and visitors speaking normally instead of in hushed museum tones.

I hate to say this, because entry was free and I really do appreciate what the museum do, but by the end I was all armoured out and very, very bored. We were there for 4 hours, lunch included, and each sword and breastplate began to look the same. It's so worth a visit, but unless you are a huge history or battle buff, I'd suggest either taking a lunch break in one of the two cafes or picnic area, or skipping sections altogether. The only one I'm sad to have missed is the crossbow range, where, for a small charge, you can give the bows a go- a sure fire way to pack some action into your visit! 

Would you visit Royal Armouries?

When I think of the top bloggers, I can't help but feel that part of their success has to be from being that little bit out of reach. They're the girls next door who could be your best friend, but they carry a Mulberry handbag, drink champagne for breakfast, and roll out of bed looking ready to hit the runway. 

I don't necessarily see that as a bad thing. If 'top blogger' were listed on a job search website, those enviable possessions and qualities would be the requirements, that's just the way it is and I'm happy for those girls who get the balance right between having those things while also building a real relationship with their readers. But I don't want to be one of them. 

It would all be a lie, I would be showing you a lifestyle so different from my own. I carry Primark bags, eat Greggs doughnuts for breakfast, and roll out of bed with cystic acne and a moustache that's coming along nicely. It's not Insta-glamorous, but my aim isn't to curate glossy images of a perfect life, but to share my own in a way that makes my readers laugh or feel inspired and supported, like some of my own favourites, CodieKinz and BrummyMummyOf2. Neither kind of blogger is superior, and I am hoping that we will see the goal posts widen and there will be room for both at the top table- them photographing their avocado toast, us wiping chocolate off our dresses. 

If I want my readers to be inspired by my writing, I have to be first. Looking back over my 200+ posts I see them as a learning curve, but I'm not proud of them all. Some don't fully represent who I am now, some were clearly written in a rush to have content scheduled 3 days a week, prioritising quantity over quality. That has to stop, I need to love every piece I put out to the world, and the best way to do that is simply to write about the things that I really love, the things that show you who I really am. 

Any lifestyle blogger will know the gamble of asking your audience to read purely because they're interested in you. It feels narcissistic to say 'come and read about my life!' but I'm hoping that I can share my loves in a meaningful manner, and make this blog a cosy, positive place. I'd like to inspire people to spend time exploring coast and country, loving nature the way I do. I want to highlight small shops and local events to celebrate the hard work behind them. At the very least, I want to make people smile or smirk as they read. Maybe that will never be as popular as the top bloggers, but at least I'll be being true to myself and recording memories that really mean something to me. That's the blogger I want to be. 

Not to be hipster here, but my sister was in love with llamas and alpacas long before they were plastered on, oh, everything, so a few years back I bought her a llama walk, and for my birthday she returned the favour and gifted me an alpaca walk experience.

The alpacas live in the children's zoo at Walton Hall and Gardens in Warrington, Cheshire, and from the moment we arrived we were taken aback by how lovely a setting it is. The children's playground is immaculate, with varied and inclusive equipment, and the zoo is home to all kinds of animals, many of them rescues.

The animals we were there to see were Topaz, Jim, and Malbec, a trio of adorable alpacas. With temperatures in the 30s lately, I was worried that it would be too hot for them to walk, but we soon saw that they had been sheared and even given paddling pools to chill out. They're only taken out a maximum of 3 times a week, and always at quiet times to keep it as fun for them as it is for the visitors. We gave them leaves as a peace offering, slipped their harnesses on, and set out with keeper, Peter, alongside us.

Peter was really friendly and laidback, telling us all about the alpacas and their friends, the grounds, and the hall itself. It was given to the people of Warrington to enjoy and it totally fulfils its purpose. Not only is the hall a stunning wedding venue (and alpaca photo backdrop), there are formal gardens, crazy golf, and a huge pond filled with turtles and koi carp. It's a shame I don't live closer because it's such a relaxing, well kept place to visit.

The alpacas were so fun to walk, as they generally stayed calm and gentle but showed us their personalities as they grew used to us. Jim, the multicolour one, was the cheekiest of the trio and even had a quick bite of the flowers on my sleeves! They certainly enjoyed seeing the sights and nibbling at everything in reach, treating their walk as one big buffet. They loved throwing themselves into bushes to scratch their backs, and quite a few dog owners and visitors loved spotting us strolling down the paths.

Both of us loved the experience, and it's definitely one we won't forget in a hurry.

What would you name an alpaca?