thereallifeofrileigh

Image of pitched up 8 man tent

Family Camping at Bala Lake, Wales – Our tried & tested gear list to keep kids warm, entertained & fed.

From freezing nights on airbeds to foam rockets that kept the kids entertained, here’s the family camping essentials we actually used (and loved) on our Bala Lake, Wales trip. A tried and tested gear list to keep your next adventure warm, fun and stress-free.

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Image of group of people on Bala Lake, canoeing, huddled together for a photo

Family Camping at Bala Lake: Canoes, Waterfalls & Campfires

Our annual camping trip to Bala Lake was pure chaos and pure joy rolled into one. Picture this: 40 people, seven tents, one campervan, beaming sun by day vs freezing nights, toasted Babybels on the fire, canoeing on Bala Lake, a waterfall swim… oh, and me falling 8ft off a fence. It was bloody amazing and we wouldn’t change a thing.

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Image of cove beach surrounded by rocky cliffs

North Landing: Caves, Pebbles & A Spiritual Cleanse (Sort Of)

A pebbly paradise with caves, cliffs, and just the right amount of British beach chaos. After four days camping at Haven Blue Dolphin, we ended our trip exploring North Landing, from soul-soothing sea views to painfully pretty pebble walks, mermaid-worthy caves, and classic “bikini one minute, jacket the next” weather. A perfect family adventure with a salty splash of history.

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close up photo of two cats, one tabby, one white/grey

Goodbye, Sam: Helping the Family Heal After the Loss of a Pet

Losing a pet is heartbreak in its purest form, especially when you’ve got little ones asking where their furry friend has gone. When we lost our beloved cat Sam, it shook our whole family. In this post, I’m sharing how we helped our children process the loss, honour his memory, and navigate grief with love, honesty, and just a bit of humour. If you’re facing the same goodbye, I hope this brings comfort and a few ideas to help you and your family heal.

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