On Saturday I had the most wonderful day. Together with a friend I took Esther, William and Matilda to see the animals at The Rare Breeds Centre in Kent. It is not far from where we live and is a lovely day out for little ones. Esther and William certainly seemed to have a wonderful time. And I did too. I wish we could have days like this every weekend. The weather was glorious, the company comfortable and I felt that we were all able to relax a little and really enjoy our day. I also knew that David was being able to really focus on his work for a few hours with us all out of his hair.

We began our day in The Granary restaurant. I like to get to the farm early and have a cup of tea here because it has a lovely patio area with a sand pit for the children. If you arrive early, like we did, then Esther and William get to have a wonderful time with the sand pit and house all to themselves. Francesca and I were able to enjoy a chat and a nice cup of tea while the twins were busy playing.

Early Morning Sand Play

The restaurant also has a ride on car with two steering wheels, which is a win win situation for us. So many places don’t think about twins!

A car good enough for two!!

Once the centre was open we made our way to the children’s barn where little ones can meet different animals and get to touch them, stroke them and talk to their handlers.

Esther and William love looking at all the different animals and are sometimes brave enough to touch them too. They know to be gentle and they also know that afterwards they need to wash their hands.

Looking at the Ducks

Bonding with Bunnies

Do you talk Duck?

William was especially brave on this visit. We went into a small enclosure with some goats and one of them mistook William’s hair for straw and tried to eat it! Poor William fell over where they goat had such a hold on his hair! Once we rescued William the goat tried to eat the straps of Matilda’s Baby Bjorn with Matilda in it. Not sure I will feel so brave about visiting goats again but my children really were rather brave.

Good Morning Goats

After the barn we made our way to the creepy crawlies hut where Esther and Willliam searched for snakes and were amazed to find a real life dragon!! Iguana was their new word for the day.

A dragon!

After this we went to wash our hands before heading off to the playground. Esther and William loved climbing, sliding, swinging and, of course, playing in the sand.

Mid Morning Sand Play

After a snack break and some time out for drawing …

Drawing Time

… we went to explore the discovery garden.

I think that this is my favourite part of The Rare Breeds Centre. It is a quiet haven of colour and surprise. It is home to beautiful butterflies and enormous pumpkins as well as a magical waterfall. Esther and William love it too because of all the things I have mentioned but also because there is yet another area in which they can play with sand!! The Rare Breeds Centre really has thought about its littlest visitors.

Miniature Church and Windmill

Falling in Love with a Little Stone Pig

Wonderful Waterfall

Beautiful Butterflies

Lunch Time Sand Play

After discovering the gardens we headed off for an ice cream cone which Esther and William devoured. They do love their ice cream! Whilst I fed Matilda Francesca was introduced to Fudgy Bear and his adventures on a farm. Whenever we go out for the day I like to take books along with us that are relevant to our visit. I think it helps Esther and William better understand their day and also provides a welcome break from charging around. On this day the weather was much warmer than we anticipated and so it was refreshing to sit down with an ice cream and a book.

Fudgy on the Farm

On the way back to car Esther and William asked to see some more animals and so we visited the pastures to stroke some sheep.

Gentle Sheep

Before leaving we went back to the water area for one final wash of our hands. For Esther and William I think splashing at the sinks was one of the highlights of their day.

For me it was flowing conversation with my children and a lovely lady that I am lucky enough to call my friend.

I hope that we will all return to The Rare Breeds Centre very soon.

Wash Hands!