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Volvo XC60 Review Post

- TracyB Leave a comment

Volvo XC60

I was offered the chance to review a Volvo XC60 for several weeks to put it through it’s paces (as an ex driving instructor) as a standard family car and see what I thought about it.

We have a Vauxhall Zafira at the moment mainly for the extra seats for the kids friends and a massive boot for when we go camping as it easily holds all our gear. When the Volvo XC60 was delivered to us and was placed side by side with the Zafira on my small drive, I was actually surprised that it was the same length as the Zafira,  which holds an extra two seats or can be used as an estate sized boot space.

On first look at the Volvo I had expected the boot to be small, and this was simply going on the outline shape of the car itself. There’s no denying that it’s a meaty monster and sturdy as you would expect from Volvo and luckily for us it was pimped to the hilt.

Volvo XC60

The boot space was incredibly deceptive and if you want you can also half the size if it by putting up a divider so your lonely bag of shopping does not roll around as you drive.

One of the hidden advantages is that this bottom panel can be locked. So if the kids have their games consoles on a journey and you want to leave them in the car, you simply hide them under the panel and it locks, Therefore, even if someone broke into the back of the car this bottom panel  would remain locked and hopefully this added security measure will keep those valuables safe.

So yesterday the boys went to school and me and my husband took the Volvo XC60 on a drive out to the coast to give it it’s first major run. I know, you can hand me the ‘Bad Mother of the Year’ award now, but the trip was combined with Christmas shopping, so we could hardly take the boys with us, right?

My husband was eager to drive ,no surprise there, and it meant I could get some pics of the inside and take a proper look at things while I didn’t have to concentrate on actually driving. Granted the photos were taken on my phone and on the move but you can get the gist.

Volvo XC60

The control panel was pretty impressive without being overly technical. It has everything from a sat nav, a digital TV, a DVD and CD player, a phone and a reverse view camera. Not to mention the heated seat controls.

Now I’m only 5f 2  myself I tend to get a restricted view out the rear view mirror on most makes of car, and the Volvo XC60 is no exception. However, they have made an easy, straight forward and frankly common sense answer to this. Simply you can adjust the back seat headrests forward to get a more comprehensive view. Obviously this can only be used if no one is sitting in the back but this one adjustment makes all the difference for me as a driver. I can safely see as much as possible without any obstructions. As an ex driving instructor I can tell you this was huge for me. I am forever moving in my seat to give myself the most information in order to drive safely.

Volvo XC60
The normal view with headrests as usual in the way…..

 

Volvo XC60
The view with NO headrests

There is actually a button to put the headrests down. Be warned though when this button is pressed the headrests do spring down with urgency, so best not to make the mistake of pressing it while you have passengers in the back.

The car was definitely comfortable on a long run out. Both myself at only 5ft2 and my 6ft husband found the seats comfortable for both our needs .The sat nav worked a treat and when we had the radio on it would automatically lower in volume in order for you to hear the directions/ instructions clearly.  We had a play around with the cruise control which was definitely interesting and took a while to get used to not putting your foot on the accelerator. But we both felt this would be a great asset when doing a long motorway journey and wished we had planned a trip to see my family in Devon as we could have really put this to the test as we would be driving from London. However, even on a shorter journey we felt this was still a great advantage to

One of my favourite safety tricks it had was blind spot indicators. Now a an ex driving instructor I can tell you there is absolutely no better safety check than that glance over your shoulder before overtaking on a motorway. But I do admit that on a long journey that this is probably one of the areas that most people with overlook and just use the mirrors. So having a light indicator near your side mirrors is a simple but brilliant reminder to double check before you attempt to move lanes.

Volvo XC60

Now although we tried our best to fill the boot with the Christmas shopping we bought that day, I’m sorry to say it looked a little pitiful in the spacious monster. I would have loved to have tried filling it with all our camping gear for a trip though. But to be fair my husband is a tetris master at packing so would probably have no problems fitting it all in anyway.

Volvo XC60

We now only have just over one week left with the Volvo XC60, and I will be very sorry to see it taken away. We have just a run of the mill family car at the moment which does the job. However, its only when you actually test drive others in this class do you see and feel the real difference. So in the meantime I will just have to make every excuse possible to get back in this beauty and drive it as much as possible before it goes. To say I’m going to miss the heated seats is the biggest understatement ever.

Just Me Being Mrs B

Kelloggs, Swimming and Olympic and Paralympic Hero’s

- TracyB Leave a comment

Although my boys are now 12 and 14 when they were younger there was one thing that I always thought was important. This was never going to be one of the things they had a choice in doing. They were made to do swim lessons until they were safe and comfortable swimming in the deep end. After that I left it to their choice. Both my kids still love to go swimming either with us as a family or with their friends independently. This is a life skill that will be with them forever and I can be calm in the knowledge that if they do water activities at all I know they are strong enough swimmers to at least help themselves should it be necessary.

Obviously the Olympics in London this year caused such a buzz for everyone and so it’s the right time to introduce more children to sport. This one is aimed particularly at swimming……….take a look below.

The importance of getting your kids swimming with our Olympic heros

Watch our video with Ellie Simmons to see the importance of swimming at the ASA Swimtastic Awards

Swimming is a skill that all kids should learn and a skill that remains with them throughout their lives;  and a great form of exercise which promotes both health and social skills in young people. The aerobic exercise doesn’t place stress on developing joints and the water provides a therapeutic environments for children, including those with disabilities.

One of the enduring images of the Paralympics was of swimmer Ellie Simmonds crying tears of joy as she overcame exhaustion and fatigue to beat her rivals to yet another gold medal. Ellie eptimosises the spirit of the Paralymics, overcoming adversity to become a world class sportswoman who has inspired a generation.

Not surprisingly the 18 year old is a huge advocate for the sport of swimming, considering the opportunities it has given her in her life and last weekend she joined a number of other British swimmers to celebrate the role of swimming in the lives of ordinary Brits at the ASA Swimtastic Awards.

Hosted by former Olympic swimmer and now commentator Steve Parry, the awards celebrated some of the country’s most outstanding non-elite achievements in the pool.

Held every year, the awards recognise children, as well as those responsible for providing swimming lessons. The awards are divided into ten clear categories and recognise achievements made through the Kellogg’s ASA Awards Scheme.

Watch our video to learn more about this year’s winners and see how Paralympians and Olympians, such as Ellie Simmons, have inspired people to get involved.

Check out the video here

A bit of this, that and the other.

- TracyB Leave a comment

It’s all gone past in a bit of a blur………………………the last month or two!

I hope I am not the only one who feels like this. Thankfully I have photographic evidence to prove that it all took place.

Where do I start?

There’s been a bit of this:

My 42nd *cough* birthday!
1 week scout camp for my youngest
A trip to Duxford…. Love it there!
10th Anniversary of my Dad passing away :((

 

Good ‘ol Hamleys

 

Hubby’s birthday

A bit of that:

YAY………….the Paralympics!
Goalball
GB wheelchair tennis………..AMAZING!
Wheelchair basketball…………MANIC GAME!
A new secondary school for my youngest!
My youngest turned 12………….now that makes me feel old!

Oh and a LOT of the other:

A biggy at last 🙂
Ok admittedly they are not always big!!!!

Looked like a huge goldfish????

So there you have it, my life in pictures- and if you flick through them really quick it’s like one of those picture books!!

What have you all been up to?

 

A-Z of recent times

- TracyB 1 Comment

A-Arguing…..yes it has started early in the hols with my 11 and 14 yr olds who do NOT get on together!

B-Brother…..I have 2 but my older is travelling over from America and we all haven’t seen him for a long while so should be fun.

C- Cornish Pasties……………one of the treats of visiting mum, the best Cornish pasties!!

D- Danny Boyle……oh what a genius job he did with the Opening Ceremony.

E- emotional as my youngest left primary school and exhausted after all the Leavers celebrations.

F- Family History………….I had the full run down of where we all came from as my younger brother has researched it all in recent months but saw the pics for myself in a recent visit.

G- Great Britain………..C’mon, the nation is proud!

H- HOLIDAYS! at last the long awaited and sometimes dreaded school hols……..I for 1 am glad not to have the early mornings

I- Injustice as my bank account is hacked to the sum of £590 and used for online Bingo!!!!!!!!! Bizarre.

J- Joking

K- Kids………cannot live with them and cannot live without them!! Wish they would just get along and make everyone’s life a little easier.

L- Laughing………..a weeks worth with a stay at my mums!! Don’t ask but she thought Ciabatta bread was called Carburetor bread!!!!!

M- Medication…………has been increased and added to……….but still in pain.

N- NEED a proper holiday, with sunshine and things to visit……….oh and the money to enjoy it!!

O- obviously the Olympics!! Something I wasn’t too bothered about until the opening ceremony and now watch everyday

P- Paralympics! I have been so into the normal games we have bought tickets to a paralympic event to get into the spirit of the whole thing and want to see the Olympic park.

Q- Queen………what a star to get involved in the Games with Mr Bond himself!! Brilliant.

R- Relax………..a few days away and I did just that.

S- SUNSHINE………..yes we had it ………for a week, but oh how lovely it was. Please come back soon.

T- Travelling. To go and visit my family I have to travel from London to Plymouth. Worth the travel but oh sooooooooo tiring for me.

U- Unwashed!!! Not me of course but my youngest on his return from his week long scout camp………………..NASTY!

V- visiting family and relaxing, which I managed to do last week.

W- Wedding! Yes I’m excited to have a family wedding next week. I cannot wait, have a new frock and everything!

X- X marks the spot……..not for treasure but my fishing spot. Have been again and looking to sort my next day there!

Y- YAWN………….more than a regular occurrence for me regardless of how many coffee’s I have.

Z- Zonked!! No other word for it. I am officially Zonked to within an inch of my life at the moment.

Life since my trauma!

- TracyB 2 Comments

So I haven’t posted for a while since my trauma in London a few weeks ago- if you haven’t already then check it out here . It has taken me a while to get over the shock.

But I have also had a lot of mundane normal stuff going on. My youngest is in yr 6 and due to leave so we have been organising the Leavers party

We wont mention the Ralph Lauren Polo top I had to drive to Ashford for on my birthday!!

CD photo books and after school picnic’s and water fights!!

In between that I had my birthday. Yes *groan* another year older and wiser. Although I had to drive to Ashford designer outlet for my son’s Leaver’s party shirt (typical) I had a great day. It was very chilled, me and the OH had a lunch out and did my pressies when the boys came home from school.

A nice roast dinner out with the boys!
Complete with dessert

Sorry for the bad pics they were taken on my phone by my youngest in poor light!!

Anyway, moving on I came home to these…………

I also managed to squeeze a relaxing day fishing with the OH ( YES I DID SAY FISHING!) and I caught………………………………….wait for it……………………………….57 fish!!! AMAZING!

Ok I will admit some of them really were tiddlers however I was pleased to be catching some slightly bigger ones too.

Now concentrate on the size of the fish rather than the state of my barnet!! It had been raining people!!!

Sadly, I really have got into this fishing malarkey- even to the point of taking the hooks out after the catch!!! Something I thought I would never do.

Then we had some Groupon vouchers to use up for Namco up in London. I must say the deal was fab as we got over £50 in tokens for only £14!! Now I wasn’t expecting too much of the place, never having been there myself. I thought we would be in and out in an hour. How wrong could I be we spent several hours in there enjoying bowling, bumper cars, and arcade games!!!

The boys racing each other on the bikes!
The 3 of them gearing up for the race!

So that’s me caught up I think. I’m now preparing myself for an emotional week as my youngest goes through the traditions of the last week of primary school!

Cue the tears……………………………….

What have you all been up too??

Ok who mentioned the ‘C’ word……….Christmas!

- TracyB Leave a comment

It’s sad that we haven’t even experienced our summer yet *cough* and already Christmas is being mentioned!!! Shoot me now!

But in all fairness if you have kids it’s best to get organised and be ahead of the game, so………………………………………………………………………..

Sneak Preview Of This Year’s Must-Have Christmas Toys

Log on to our live and interactive WebTV show to get the inside track on Argos’ Top 10 Christmas Toys countdown

Show date: 19th July

Show time: 3pm

Christmas may still be five months away, but millions of children will already be starting to think about what they want in their stocking come December the 25th.

Every year, there’s a must-have list of toys that all children are desperate to get their hands on, so what will be the big hits of 2012?

Last year it was all about talk-back toys such as Dance Star Mickey, a talking robot for girls called Fijit and Sesame Street Let’s Rock Elmo. In previous years it was all about kids’ construction toys, with the Real Construction Deluxe Workshop topping Christmas wish lists in 2010.

As the UK’s leading toy retailer, Argos will once again announce their Top 10 Christmas Toys list, a prediction of this year’s most-wanted toys and games.

Over the years many parents and grandparents have come to rely on the annual list to get the inside track on what will be on children’s Christmas lists so they’re ahead of the game when they start their festive shopping.

So what will be the new craze this year? Will digital toys continue to dominate or will we see a return to the retro? Log on to our WebTV show where all will be revealed.

We’ll also be discussing the importance of toys and how different types of toys not only keep your children entertained but also help them learn and develop key creative and problem solving skills.

Watch our live and interactive WebTV show from the launch of Argos’ Top 10 Toys Christmas event with [Richard Woolfson Child Psychologist, Mummy blogger and Toy Buyer at Argos]

The above guests join us live online at http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/sneak-preview-of-this-years-musthave-christmas-toys

on 19th July at 3pm
Click here to submit questions before the show http://www.studiotalk.tv/show/sneak-preview-of-this-years-musthave-christmas-toys

 

 

Lost in London…….aged 11 yrs!!!!

- TracyB 6 Comments

No not a story about me as the 11 yr old but my own son.

Monday saw us heading back up town for another audition (remember my youngest is a ‘luvvy’ at heart and wants to be an actor). Anyway this really is nothing out of the ordinary for us. A short notice call a few days before with address details (normally quite obscure tiny offices in London’s backstreets) so we headed off as normal.

Audition done and return journey in process until…………….

Yes we went to get on a tube when my son walked on and the doors closed!!!! Leaving me on the platform…………OK PANIC NOW.

So told screamed at the guard that my son was on his own only to realise the tube he got on was going in the wrong direction that we were going! CAN THIS GET ANY WORSE??

Again the guard seemed a bit too chilled for my liking when he said I should go to the operations room WTF????? No you take me there and bloody tell someone my 11yr old son is on the tube going in the wrong direction…….EXCUSE ME IS ANYONE LISTENING TO ME ( i’m the mad shouting, hysterical lady crying down the phone to her husband telling him she has lost her son!!!- I know not a pretty sight)

However, by the time we got to the operations room they then had to calm me down to tell me they had my son at the next station with the guard!!!! OMG OMG OMG

So went back down to platform and got on next tube, still bawling my eyes out ( what a bloody picture) with people looking at me as though I was a complete loon (understandable I think).

Turned up at the next station and burst into tears again as my son came up and gave me a huge hug!!!

He was calm, and I asked him what he did.

‘Well I thought I would get off at the next station and wait for you to come along. But a nice young man offered to get off at the station with me and tell the guard what had happened’ ( there are some nice people out there! but we still warned him afterwards of the dangers).

So 11 yr old is calm, and 41 yr old mum is a complete wreck?????

He told me that he wasn’t panicked but he was worried about me because he knew I would be having a meltdown- talk about role reversal!

Anyway, all’s well that ends well and all that. For me I don’t think I have ever been so stressed in all my life. My M.E is affected considerably with stress and for the last few days I have been unable to do anything or eat properly so I know that is definitely the fallout from Monday!

However, everything happens for a reason and now we have at least got a contingency plan- if separated go to the next station and the other will follow!!

 

 

 

What happens when you turn 40!

- TracyB 2 Comments

Life begins at 40 is what they say. People can start new things, try new things, and start to get some of their lives back as the children start to get older. For some it can be new relationships, new house, new country even.

I’m not sure what has happened to me since I turned 40 almost 2 yrs ago. Things have changed for me in so many ways:

*I now have a long term illness that stops me from working and makes me quite dependant on others around me

* After years of stating I would NEVER camp I now am a complete camping covert

* I am now old enough to have both of my children at Secondary school ( from September)

* I am now the owner of 2 cats- after never being a ‘cat lover’!

* I have now started knitting and LOVE it

* I know walk using a walking stick!

HOWEVER THERE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED THAT HAS ME CONCERNED FOR MY MENTAL HEALTH………………………………..

* I now LOVE to go FISHING!!!!

I know I know there must be something seriously wrong!

The tip of my fishing rod with a passing duck!!
My first catch………..no laughing allowed!
Each one is getting bigger……YAY

We headed out after the youngest went to school and set up, it was a lovely day and very peaceful. In fact I didn’t want to leave and have already booked my next trip out on the calendar!!

SO LIKE I SAID……………………………………………….I’M WORRIED ABOUT MY MENTAL HEALTH!!!

Crazy things can start to happen when you turn 40…………BE WARNED PEOPLE………BE WARNED!

Top tips for camping with families

- TracyB 6 Comments

Top tips for camping with families

Having just had a week away at half term camping in Dorset, I started thinking why I love being away camping. Something that would have had me breaking out in a sweat a few years ago. So I thought I would share a few top tips for camping with families.

Top Tips for camping with families
This is me and my friend celebrating getting set up and starting a week away!

THE TRICK IS TO BE ORGANISED!

 Print off a camping list…

Of any of the main camping equipment online. Or make your own using their list as a starting point. Check the  list against your equipment several weeks before you go. Tick off the stuff you have and listing the stuff you need to get.

Make a shopping list..

Make a shopping list just for the time you are away. PLAN YOUR MEALS and take the basics with you. So, if your plan is to have a curry make sure you have the jar of sauce and then buy your meat fresh on the day.

Cool box and freezer blocks…

A good cool box and freezer blocks are essential for milks and butter to keep cold. I tend to freeze a pack of bacon and sausages to take for a cooked breakfast on our 1st morning there. They will also act as freezer blocks for the first day but will have defrosted well for the first mornings breakfast.

Go prepared…

Go prepared for cold and warm weather this is the UK after all.. Woolly hats and hot water bottles for the colder evenings and possible shorts and sun cream for warmer days.

Take games…

Take games suitable for your children and family to play. We take Uno cards and several decks of cards for Black Jack and Solitaire. Pens and writing pads for Hangman/ Battleship. These really don’t take up much space but can provide a few hours of entertainment on a rainy day. Don’t forget games for outsidetoo, such as,  football/ bats and balls/ Frisbees. These will all help keep the kids entertained after dinner in the evening.

Get the kids involved…

Get the kids involved by giving them some responsibility. Let them pack a small bag of things they want to bring for their own amusement like books, head torches, trump cards etc. Also during the camp try giving older kids a chore, such as, filling the water bottles, washing up, or taking rubbish to the bins etc.

Take Flasks…

Take flasks because not only are these fab to take out with you during the day for a sneaky cuppa. But we fill them at dinner time to make teas and hot chocolates before bed. Instant hot water when the kids are tired and don’t want to wait for the kettle to boil.

Take a windbreaker…

Take a windbreaker to mark an area close to your tent space. These can help create a great cooking area if your tent does not have a porch. Also they are easy to uproot and take with you for a day at the beach, presuming you get sunshine.

Disposable BBQ…

Disposable BBQ’s can be picked up for a few quid in most places. They are great alternative to take to the beach for a lovely evening with a Hot Dog or Burger thrown in for a cheap and easy dinner. Sometimes we don’t even bother with the BBQ.  We just use one of our single stoves and a frying pan for the same results. They are portable so make use of them.

Relax and enjoy…

Relax and enjoy the time. There doesn’t need to be a strict regime like at home. No one will be knocking at your door. The ironing and cleaning do not need doing. Have a break from social media. Take each day as it comes, late mornings/ late bedtimes/ extra snacks and treats. THIS IS YOUR HOLIDAY AFTER ALL!

Let me know if you go camping and have some tips I haven’t mentioned here.

I’m off! ……….on holiday that is.

- TracyB Leave a comment

Before you get all excited and start asking me which exotic, sunny, warm and relaxing part of the world I am heading to I will say one word……………………………..CAMPING!

Now that put it in perspective didn’t it. That means this country, hoping for sun, dodging the rain, and occupying an 11 and 14 yr old so they don’t kill each other, all under the roof of my fab ( huge) tent.

YET I LOVE IT AND CANNOT WAIT TO GO.

Madness I hear you say but once we have set up and settled ourselves these are a few things that make it relaxing and enjoyable:

No one knocks on the front door

No TV for the boys to be glued to

No games consoles so boys will talk to us

Mostly our phones are off!!

Time for us all to be together

No real schedule

Everyone mucking in with- cooking, washing up etc

NO CLEANING!! (a major bonus)

Time to do what we want to do without the rosta of kids clubs and parties

Beating the kids at Black Jack

A great RELAX

So I will be going cold turkey on all things technical ( except my camera). No Facebook, no Twitter, No Blog or reading other blogs……………………………Like I say cold turkey for 6 whole carefree, chilled out days. Come rain or shine we are going to have a fab time.

Therefore, without further ado I wish you all a GREAT HALF TERM and I will see you on the other side.

Wish you were here and all that……………………Happy Half Term.