train spotting

we spent the afternoon at jarditrain - a garden that has been lovingly (very very lovingly) transformed into a miniature landscape showcasing 25 trains running on more than 650 metres of track. There are little villages, stations, lakes, rivers, mountains and more than 500 figurines.

when you enter (after you've been buzzed in) the rules of the establishment are explained to you in no uncertain terms (the children are asked to come to the front and listen carefully). The rules themselves are pretty obvious - no chucking stuff on the tracks or leaning over the fence that protects everything from little (and big) hands. But the manner in which you are spoken to makes it very clear that this is the owners dream and paradise and you should feel privileged you have been permitted to enter (despite the fact that you have paid).

Having said all that the kids loved looking for the figurines (they give you a list of things to look for when you enter) and the pièce de resistance comes after the tour of the garden when you get to go into the hanger......if you can manage to avoid watching the film of the making of the garden......you can head straight for the 4 big child height tables full to bursting with Brio. Tracks, trains, bridges, stations, people........the works. Little boy was in his element and didn't even look up for about 2 hours!