Anna is a big fan of Thomas the Tank Engine books and, indeed, her train track, complete with Percy, James and Thomas as they whizz around the track as she pretends to be station Master, setting the points and stopping them at the station before pressing the 'go' button again. (The worrying side of Anna also finds it hilarious when she makes them go crashing into each other too!). She is not the hugest fan of the TV series unless the show features a lot of Thomas in the episode (Anna is never interested unless it features the big time stars. Always the diva!!!).
Well, after such big success at Lllangollen and with James wanting to use up some of his holiday allocation, we decided to visit 'Thomas Land.' For those of you not familiar with the world of Thomas, it is situated at Drayton Manor Theme park, close to Birmingham.
This was Anna's first time at a Theme park so we were not sure how she was going to react to all the screaming and mayhem (and that was just her parents!) but it was going to be an adventure.
Due to our inability to get out of the house before midday most days (I have to get Anna to playgroup at 9am in the morning, which she starts in 2 weeks time. It is going to be a miracle if I ever do it!!!), we stayed the night in a hotel close to the theme park on the night before. This was a good idea except Anna thought it was far too exciting when she found herself in a sofa bed which is bigger than a normal sized double bed and her Mummy and Daddy sleeping in the same room!!! Eventually she did fall asleep but then proceeded to fall out of bed at least twice (the bed was very low to the ground so no injuries), which staggers belief when she was in a bed which was 3 times her normal bed!!!
Therefore, a bleary eyed Anna arrived at Thomas Land feeling rather tired! However, thankfully, excitement soon overtook any weariness that she may have felt. As soon as she saw Thomas going 'Peep Peep' on the track, Anna ran as fast as her little legs could carry her, through the gates of Thomas Land and into her own paradise!
We had arrived early so there were not many people around. However, despite the information stating that rides did not begin until 10.30am, we were lucky enough that the attendants actually started letting us ride from 10am. Anna quickly made her way to 'Harold the Flying Helicopter' and just yelped with sheer joy when her very own little helicopter transported her very high into the air and round and round and round. Anna had never ever been on any amusement ride before so we were unsure how she would react but, of course, Anna loved every second. As soon as she got off, she ran out, shouting 'What's next Mummy and Daddy'.
Of course, we had to take a train ride with Thomas so, after Anna choosing that we must sit in the Annie carriage (Clarabel just isn't up to it!), we went for a train journey through the theme park before returning on Percy, whilst Anna chatted away to both engines for the entire journey both there and on the way back!
We then proceeded to go on Diesel, the manic train who just shunted you back and forth until I felt very sick indeed. Anna wanted More!
We then went on Bertie the Bus which is basically a mini bus (made to look like Bertie) which then goes around like a huge big wheel but much faster, going both forward and back and getting stuck in mid air for quite a while! This actually proved to be the biggest hit of the day and we were made to go on it 8 times throughout the duration of the day! After the 6th ride, James couldn't handle anymore and said that he would need at least 4 days to recover from Bertie. Anna shouted 'More please Mummy'.
The 3 of us then decided to ride on Anna's very first rollercoaster - the Troublesome Trucks. Now, considering that this was a young child's ride, I thought the Rollercoaster was actually really scary (I am the woman who thought Nemesis at Alton Towers was a bit too tame!!!). It went really fast and tilted really dramatically at times. Of course, Anna just giggled throughout it!
It wasn't long however, before Anna realised that there were even bigger rides to explore. So, with Anna literally dragging her Daddy, they went on the old-fashioned carousel with the galloping horses! Anna was convinced that she had won the race when the ride eventually stopped.
On reflection though, I think since becoming a Mum, I feel incredibly more vulnerable! After discovering the delights of the bigger rides. Anna asked to go on the Big Wheel next. Heights don't bother me so the big wheel has never been a daunting prospect. However, while sat in a basket at the top of that big wheel, looking out over the whole theme park and swinging from side to side like we were about to drop, I suddenly felt a little scared. Not for me but because my brain was questioning whether Anna was entirely safe. Of course, she was entirely safe and it was just my mummy instincts kicking in and being over-protective for a brief second but it is strange how Motherhood, without even realising it, makes you see EVERYTHING with entirely new eyes.
By lunchtime, Anna was definitely slowing and we even thought that she may have fallen asleep in the afternoon. However, Anna wasn't going to miss one second of the excitement and, after a quick fuel stop (she even turned down her yogurt in favour of getting back out to the fun stuff), we were back out in the thick of it.
It wasn't long before Anna was yearning for Thomas Land though and, so, we spent the afternoon amongst Bertie, Harold, Thomas and friends.
However, as the day was drawing to a close and the light was beginning to fade, James and I couldn't resist a ride for ourselves. So, being the entirely responsible parents that we are, we dressed Anna in the biggest raincoat we could find and headed for the Canyon Rapids. Anna's eye were beginning to get heavy and, for the first time all day, she asked to be carried whilst in the queue. However, as soon as we sat down in our 'boat thing,' Anna found the last bit of energy and then giggled herself silly as she saw her Mummy get soaking wet as a huge fountain of water decided to empty itself all over me! Strangle though, it felt like it was a perfect end to the day.
It is now that I am the gushing Mummy for a minute and I make no apologies for it on this occasion because I am MASSIVELY proud of my little girl!!! Without realising it, James and I decided to go to Thomas Land on the day after a Bank Holiday. Of course, it probably wasn't as busy as if we had gone on the actual Bank holiday but it was still a little crowded. Now, thankfully, Thomas Land has quite a few attractions and therefore queues were not too bad but, by mid-afternoon, one or two queues were half an hour or so. (We had been very lucky in the morning and for the vast majority of the rides). Even though there were children who were much older than Anna who were having tantrums and misbehaving, Anna was truly AMAZING!!! She waited patiently for every ride and listened when we explained that it wouldn't be long but she would have to wait her turn. Her excitement never wavered despite having to wait at times and I honestly could have cried with how much pride I felt for my little girl throughout the whole day. I made sure that I told her numerous times how proud I was of her and that is probably the reason why I left with half the contents of the Thomas The Tank Engine Gift shop!!!!!
So, as we wearily walked back to the car (we were one of the last cars in the car park), we all had huge smiles on our face. Anna was asleep within 2 minutes of sitting in her car seat and she didn't even get to hear the whole of Dancing Queen which is Track 1 of her Abba album. Now that just goes to show what a great day she had!
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