Disclaimer: Contains scenes of misread signposts, soggy socks, and unexpectedly long hikes. No sheep were harmed in the making of this blog post.

May Half Term Madness – Into the Rain We Go!

May half term. That beautiful time of year when families across the UK pack up their wellies, raincoats, emergency snacks and “definitely educational” activity books and head off in pursuit of quality bonding, scenic views, and *hopefully* a pint somewhere picturesque.

For us, this year’s adventure kicked off on Bank Holiday Monday. Destination: The Lake District. Departure time: 7am (courtesy of our son, who treats all holidays as if he’s clocking in for the early shift).

The skies? Biblical.

But spirits? High(ish).

After a heroic road trip from Somerset all the way to just south of Kendal — fueled by coffee, “are-we-there-yets,” and a Audible playlist that veered wildly from Disney to drum & bass — we arrived to a warm Cumbrian welcome… and horizontal rain.

Tuesday: All Aboard the Windermere Water Taxi

Undeterred by the weather (and frankly out of dry socks), we took to the waters of Lake Windermere like modern-day maritime adventurers. Thanks to the Windermere Ferry service, we spent the day bouncing between Bowness and Ambleside, embracing the drizzle and pretending it was all *very atmospheric*. Our son loved it

That evening, we stopped by Devil’s Bridge. According to local legend, the Devil built the bridge in exchange for a soul. Unfortunately for him, he was outwitted by an old woman who sent her dog across first.

Moral of the story? Never play chess with Cumbrian grandmothers.

Wednesday: Steam Trains and Signpost Sabotage

Finally — finally — some sun! We immediately left the house before it could change its mind. Off we went to Ravenglass to board the narrow-gauge steam train to Dalegarth. The train ride was a 40-minute joyride through the countryside, featuring sheep that appeared to have *very* loose interpretations of fencing.

The plan? A gentle 1-mile stroll to a waterfall. Easy.

The reality? We proudly misread the signpost, confidently marched off in the wrong direction, doubled back 30 minutes later, re-read the sign with adult supervision, and *finally* climbed a steep hill to the elusive waterfall. It was… dramatic. But worth it. Plus, no one cried, not even the grown-ups.

Thursday: Rain, Rabbits, and Beatrix Potter

Back to classic Lake District weather: sideways rain with a hint of melancholy. Perfect for embracing the world of Peter Rabbit. We visited Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s charming house and literary HQ, which gave us major cottage envy (and an irresistible urge to redecorate in floral wallpaper). The afternoon saw a mini miracle as the clouds parted just enough for us to squeeze in a few more National Trust properties. A win for culture and dry trousers.

Friday: From Lakes to Rock Houses

Time to say farewell to the fells — and hello to the Midlands! En route to the UK Games Expo (UKGE), we made a scenic stop at Kinver Edge and Rock Houses, which had a mix of Hobbiton meets history lesson vibes. Our son was fascinated by the Stone Age campsite, although slightly disappointed that no actual cavemen were available for autographs.

That night we stayed in glamorous Walsall, in a Holiday Inn at Junction 10 (we know how to live). At breakfast, we spotted some familiar faces from our Taunton board game group who, in a classic UKGE twist, had an Airbnb drama and were now our accidental breakfast buddies. Nothing like bonding over buffet sausages and last-minute logistics!

First-Time UKGE Adventures, Free Games & Puzzle Triumphs – A Family Day at the NEC

Saturday was a big day. Not just because it was UKGE, but because it was the *first time ever* that my wife and our son were joining me at the Expo. Board game rites of passage incoming.

Early Birds, Pre-Booked Parking & Walking Warm-Ups

We’d done the sensible thing and pre-booked parking — a classic dad move that saved us a fiver and the soul-crushing experience of circling car parks like a vulture. From there, it was a 10-minute walk to the NEC halls, which doubled as our morning cardio.

Tickets were sorted in record time (a minor miracle at a convention) and then… **bam** — straight into the Expo crowds. It’s a bit like stepping into a beehive if all the bees were holding dice, tote bags, and caffeine.

Family Zone Takeover & Familiar Faces at CGE

My wife and our son quickly made a beeline for the Family Zone — a wonderful oasis of beanbags, bright colours, and age-appropriate fun. Meanwhile, I did what any good board game fan does: I *wandered*. Aimlessly. Blissfully.

Soon enough, I stumbled upon the Czech Games Edition (CGE) and Pegasus stands — and, lo and behold, found some friendly faces from the board game world. Catch-ups were had, games admired, and yes, I managed to not impulse-buy an entire shelf (yet).

9 Hours Later… Still Smiling

It’s strange how quickly nine hours can fly by when you’re demoing games, chatting to designers, and generally geeking out. In the late afternoon, I suddenly realised I hadn’t picked up the game I’d *actually* wanted to get — **Kutná Hora**.

Cue mild panic.

Luckily, I was able to message **Stephen** — one of Taunton’s most legendary board gamers — who came to the rescue like a tabletop knight. Not only did he secure me a copy of Kutná Hora, but he’d also met one of the game’s designers and snagged me some **signed promo cards** too. Honestly, I owe him a pint and probably a board game expansion.

Hotel Tetris & the Long Drive Home

After such a full-on day, we returned to our trusty hotel in Walsall. Bags were packed (somehow now twice as full), car loaded like a very nerdy game of Tetris, and alarms set for the final leg home.

We left at 7am on Sunday, and by 9:30am, we were back in Taunton — tired, happy, and only slightly poorer (financially, not emotionally).

So, what did we learn?

– UKGE is surprisingly kid-friendly.
– My wife is a board game convert (at least in the Family Zone).
– Our son now believes all good days should come with free games.
– And if you need a copy of Kutná Hora in a hurry, Stephen’s your man.

Until next year’s Expo — or our next misadventure — keep rolling those dice and packing your waterproofs. You never know which one you’ll need more.