Northampton Active - White Water Rafting

Recently Northampton Active got in touch about visiting to try White Water Rafting.  It's something I've never tried before and a place I've drove pass many times and wondered what about so decided it was a big fat yes!

Myself and daughter (12) turned up at Northampton Active on a very grey rainy Saturday morning not quite sure what to expect.

After quickly signing in you go upstairs to watch a short information video.  It is up here any family or friends not taking part can stay dry and grab a cuppa.

The video was informative & fun and then it was time to get suited up for your 2 hour session.

To help keep you warm a wetsuit is worn over your own swimming costume/shorts and then a jacket is worn over the top, life jacket and helmet.  Wear shoes you don't mind getting wet, some old trainers will do the job perfectly. Once suited up it is swiftly down to the course & into your raft.  The rafts were bigger than I expected, 100% safe and easy to get in & out of.  My daughter was a little nervous of falling out but the instructor noticed this immediately and reassured her.

Image from Northampton Active

Our first lap of the course was fairly dry but don't be fooled you do get wet! The wetsuits really help but by the end we were all a little cold but it really was FUN!

You complete a few laps of the course, jump in, lie down for part of the course and plunge down a rapid! My daughter wasn't so keen on the jumping activities but happily watched the rest of us & there was no pressure from the instructors.

I would 100% recommend and happily go back.  Myself & my daughter want to try paddle boarding in the spring and she'd like to have a go at kayaking (she's done it before & enjoyed it).

Obviously at this time of year it's going to be cold but it was bearable and you warm up quickly afterwards.

I would advise to go, have fun, get wet and take some warm snuggly clothes for afterwards.  If you have active teens or looking for ideas to get them off the PlayStation give it a try.  The white water rafting is for 12+ and the tubing is for 7+.

They offer white water rafting, white water tubing and holidays clubs (£30 per day for ages 7 to 17) at this time of the year.  For full details check out their website https://www.northamptonactive.com/  

**Disclaimer I received a free 2 hour session for 2 people in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own & honest**

Brunch at La Terraza Upton, Northampton

This morning we went to La Terraza in Upton for brunch.  I didn't know they had a breakfast/brunch menu so was very pleasantly surprised to be invited. Their breakfast menu is served 9am till 11.30am (except Monday's) and has all the usual suspects but with a little twist. Potatas bravas is served with the breakfast completo, eggs benedict and eggs Florentine. Sandwiches and toast are ciabatta which I love.  There is a good mixture of vegetarian meals and kids are catered for.

The Upton La Terraza branch feels warm and cosy.  Today was pouring with rain and the lighting made it feel welcoming. We ordered breakfast completo, eggs benedict for the adults and a sausage sandwich and jam on toast for the children.  We enjoyed everything. It was presented well and good quality ingredients. I'd happily recommend and return.

La Terraza would be the perfect place to pop for a coffee and chat after the school run or treat breakfast.  I noticed on Twitter they also do a match day/park run special.  If you have a full breakfast or breakfast sandwich show your matchday ticket or park run barcode and you'll receive a free takeout coffee. Parkrun is every Saturday 9am at Upton Country Park. Next time you are nearby pop in.  The staff are friendly and children are welcome.

More pictures over on instagram Life in the Mum's Lane Instagram

**disclaimer I received this meal for free in exchange for a review.  All opinions are my own and honest**

Bill's Restuarant Rushden Lakes Review

I was lucky enough to be invited to Bill's at Rushden Lakes for a meal this week and enjoyed the rare chance to have an evening without children and a relaxed couple of hours.

Bill's is located on The Boardwalk and is spacious inside & out. They offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and have cosy booths, large tables, outside seating and stools at the bar. I loved the décor and mixture of lighting.  It felt warm and welcoming with soft background music.

For a Thursday it was quite busy with only a handful of empty tables.  We were serviced efficiently and with enthusiasm and met the very charming manager Nigel who was engaging and obviously ran a well oiled ship.

Our food was lovely.  We had calamari, chicken and sesame dumplings to start (Bill's spicy chutney was delicious and had a kick).  I had the very tasty pan fried chicken with wild mushrooms for main.  It is a long running family joke that I always order chicken despite the restaurant or menu but this chicken was honestly amazing! The mushroom sauce was full of flavour and I wish I could recreate it at home but sadly I am no Masterchef contestant. My partner had chargrilled rib eye steak with perfect crispy chips.  We ummed and ahhed about pudding but decided to treat ourselves as we so rarely get out on a school night and they were both gorgeous. I opted for lemon méringue pie which was zingy and rich but my eyes were definitely too big for my belly and I left some.  My partner had the spiced pear and raspberry eton mess.  He said the spiced pears were delicious and still had bite which was perfect. 

Due to driving mocktails were consumed and we opted for the pear and ginger cooler which was nice but lacked a little flavour and the blackberry and lavender cooler which was amazing! It had a real sweetness and zesty flavour and was a perfect mocktail.

Overall we had a wonderful evening.  Great service. Colourful yet relaxing décor. Good food.  Lovely manager. Free parking (always a winner) and an exciting looking cocktail menu; next time I'll have to try one.  The hedgerow fizz sounds right up my street.

We've already planned to come back for brunch with the kids.

Have you been to Bill's at Rushden Lakes yet? What was your menu pick? I love knowing what other people eat! If you fancy a browse at their menu a link is below.

Bill's Rushden Lakes

**Disclaimer I received this meal for free in exchange for a review.  All opinions are 100% honest and my own**