Persephone and Polly on tour...

And so the Rooke company took their production on tour in their very own yellow tour bus. It was a very middle class affair. First up was a comedy of errors at a lovely little eco-friendly campsite in-between Forfar and Arbroath. It’s the second time Persephone and Polly had been to a campsite suited better to Jamie Oliver’s kids than themselves but hey…if you can’t beat them, join them. The comedy and error came when Daddy realised he’d forgotten half the tent and had to make a four hour round trip back home to collect it. (Note to self - the tent is in two bags, not one). The girls didn’t mind as there was a world of ponds, fields and forests to explore. Mummy however was a little ragged by the time Daddy triumphantly returned with tent in hand. A few burgers and sausages later and everyone was much cheerier, with enough energy to stay up far, far, too late running round a field. Who’d have thought it could be that much fun?

Next day was a quick trip to Arbroath and a walk along the cliffs looking for nesting seabirds. Here the issue with our mission quickly became apparent, as due to a late night of running round a field, Persephone and Polly were a little out of sorts. Couple this with a distinct lack of nesting seabirds to keep the interest up, and it was no surprise that we didn’t tally long before heading back to middle class camping land for a spot more running round fields and pond fishing. A campfire added a spark of enthusiasm into the evening, along with the obligatory melting marshmallows and chocolate bananas. Really, we like to make sure we keep on the script in our bourgeois productions.

 Polly was very excited about the tour

 Teamwork unpacking the tour bus

 Polly realises Daddy forgot the tent

 Polly and Persephone working in harmony

 Persephone being just so

 The girls were really impressed by Daddy's fire

 Polly followed Persephone around a lot

 Polly being just so 

Mummy and Polly being just so

And then it was onto a midsummers night’s dream in Banchory. A little early perhaps, but who’s counting. En route we stopped off at Steptoe’s Yard outside Montrose, which if you’re ever passing is well worth a visit. It consists of about 5 acres of the largest stash of every kind of bric-a-brac I have ever seen in my life - a hoarders dream, a minimalists nightmare - much ado about nothing. Persephone and Polly were by now very excited at the prospect of things being just as they like it at Nana and Baba’s house which helped keep everyone amused on the journey – well that and Niomi being sick four times. Then passed five blissful days of sun, castles, gardens, hills, food, horses and the great outdoors. The girls even got a sneaky softplay in, and Mummy and Daddy got a sneak munro bagging. All was good and a standing ovation should be given to Nana and Baba for their hosting of the tour.

 Persephone loves ice cream

 The girls loved getting their hands dirty at the allotment

 Daddy and Polly

 The girls really loved climbing hills

 Polly wondering where the voices were coming from

 Persephone was the star of the show

 For once it was Persephone chasing Polly

 Mummy and Persephone being just so

Persephone

 Posing

 Playing

Everyone loved sliding

Final stop was really all’s well that ends well. We hit our first family festie at the Mhor Festival. With the sun splitting the sky and set in one of the most picturesque of festival locations, this offering to our theatrical tour really hit home and was a resounding success. Most festivals are built round adults with things for the kids added on. The Mhor Festival seemed to be the other way round. And after 2 days of hula workshops, bubble making, bushcraft, disco yoga, fairy teaparties, sliding, dancing and great food. We returned home exhausted.

Persephone and Polly on tour might have been as middle class as it could get, but it was certainly a top class holiday in all our books - we all loved it 😄

Fairy Persephone

 Flying Persephone

 Chillaxing Polly

Videoclip: Mhor Festival

Best Festie view ever???