Compare the Market’s #SundaySwitch is a nationwide initiative to show people how easy it is to switch energy tariffs and get a better deal. So, we’re challenging families to switch their suppliers and then switch pastimes, spending their savings on a new family activity to enjoy together.
The weather at this time of year tends to be pretty bad, so the boys’ half-term activities revolve around things such as trampolining, swimming, going to the cinema or just playing in the garden and on their bikes between showers.
For a change of scene, Bernie and I decided to switch things up, swapping south Wales for a visit to friends and family in Folkestone. It was an exciting road trip for the four of us, piled into the car and heading over the Severn Bridge. Joel is 12 and Seth seven, so finding activities we can all enjoy together can be tricky, but we had a few options up our sleeves.
The weather had chosen to switch as well. A bizarre and slightly menacing February heatwave had swept over the nation, so we decided to spend some time outside and do something a bit different – you could even say educational (but don’t tell the boys). And so, on a sunny springlike morning we set off for Port Lympne Reserve, a safari park run by the Aspinall Foundation.
I lived in Kenya between the age of five and 12, as my dad had a teaching post out there. It felt apt to take Seth and Joel to see animals I’d grown up around when I was their age, and it brought back memories of the African savannah. As a child, I loved going on safari and wanted to show the kids an approximation of the experience. After all, who doesn’t love a baby rhino?
With 780 animals from 90 species, set in 243 hectares (600 acres), Port Lympne is a big day out, so we hitched a ride on one of the old green army-style trucks around the park. The boys really loved that and I reckon it was Bernie’s favourite part – bouncing around as the ostriches and gazelles wander past, inquisitive about us gawking explorers.
I love the majestic giraffes. We got really close to them while they were feeding – incredibly, the giraffes from different regions of Africa have different markings. Seth’s favourite animal, though, was the powerful and sleek tiger, which, because it was a warm day, was snoozing in the sun.
The other animals seemed to be enjoying the weather too, and the meerkats were curious about us, hopping up to the barrier to say hi in a funny squeaking noise (not like Sergei on the TV ads). The boys thought they were really cute and small enough to sneak home. In fact, they wanted to take all of the animals home. We had to teach them to “look with their eyes, not their hands”. At that age, they just want to interact with the world by touching and poking everything.
The meerkats were a highlight
Later, Seth got lost in a maze. Typical! To get him out, we stood on a platform above and shouted “Left, right, right, left” to direct him. More good bonding for us all.
Today reminded me of how much I enjoy being out as a whole family – even if it’s not exactly relaxing. Despite the age difference, the boys get on really well. The gap is starting to show more, so it was nice to do something together where everyone was involved in the shared experience – even if, at one point, the shared experience was saying I resembled the big warty pig in the mud.
Exploring the grounds of Port Lympne Hotel
After wood-fired pizzas and discovering a few more species, we headed back to Folkestone. The boys were shattered, but still managed to ride their bikes on the beach while we enjoyed a beer in the last of the spring-like sun.
Lo and behold by the next day the rain clouds were back, but Port Lympne had made its mark. Later in the week we’d head to the Natural History Museum in London for more animal education on the request of the boys – although, sadly, there wasn’t a meerkat in sight.
Switch things up yourself and spend a few spare minutes this Sunday seeing how much you could save with #SundaySwitch, a nationwide initiative to show people how easy it is to change energy suppliers with comparethemarket.com. T&Cs apply
