HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Strange though it may sound this will be the last blog until the New Year. We will be closed from Christmas Eve and we will reopen again on Tuesday 3rd of January 2012.

Friday night saw us partying!! We had our Christmas bash and a good time was had by one and all. Some were still going strong in the early hours!!!!We are sending parcels out on express carriage, so are still wrapping and packing. The couriers are very busy but we are hopeful they will arrive well before Christmas. On the spares side we are up to date sending parts out as they come in, assuming we have them in stock.

Last Saturday we had the sheep scanned to see if they are in lamb, and how many each one is expecting. Knowing this enables us to ensure that each ewe gets the amount of food they need, particularly in the later stages. Talking of new arrivals, Maureen has become a Great Grandma and is expecting another Great Grandchild any day.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year from all of us at Adventure Toys. Until next year, take care, Julie.

TWELVE SLEEPS LEFT

The countdown to Christmas has begun. Our Christmas party is booked and we are fending off colds with satsumas, anything to keep our vitamin C levels up!!! I thought I'd read somewhere that chocolate has the same properties, or is that wishful thinking!! I did have plans to share a friendship recipe with you, being the season of goodwill and sharing. The idea of a group of friends feeding a base culture,sharing the mix and then making a cake really appealed at this time of year. Spot the fatal flaw in my plan!!! How do I get a starter culture??and how do I get it out to you all??

Last week our boss headed south to Milton Keynes for a meeting with the European Managing Director of Little Tikes. They had an opportunity to see prototypes for new toys in the development stage, as well as those that will be on the shelves come the Spring. They came back quite excited. There are some fantastic products coming through as well as the old familiar ones, so watch this space. We will try and tell you about them as they come through.

BRAVING THE ELEMENTS

Saturday dawned, there was no snow and the forecast was not too terrible, so no reason to not to go to Northallerton for market day.

Bright eyed, Lou arrived on the market inspectors doorstep at 7.50am to see if we could have a stall for the day. Rumour had it that if you were there for 8.00 you stood a good chance of getting a pitch. We were third in line, but feeling hopeful. By 8.30 we had been allocated a plot, which was just outside Boys, sandwiched between picture frames and hoovers. Lou, Maureen, Neil, Tom and I sprang into action. We had the gazebo assembled, carpet laid (to protect the toys from being scratched, nothing to do with keeping us warm!) Toys were unloaded out of the van arranged and ready for customers before you could blink. Maureen and Tom departed for breakfast, Neil had some sheep to see, leaving Lou and I to brave the elements.

We were ready to face anything, armed with coffee in one hand and a mince pie in the other. As I have always been told, an army marches on its stomach!! (which is probably why I'm not five foot nine and a size zero).We had brought an assortment of toys, the Little Tikes Mobile was built and was catching peoples eye. One little boy was in the car, safety belt on and being pushed down the high street with his bottle safely tucked away in the bonnet before we could pocket his money. The dolls house was also drawing admiring looks. Every time it rained we ushered people in to keep dry. No, no similarity to a Venus fly trap!! We met some lovely people, some who were local, some who had moved to the area recently, and many who had just come through for the day.

Time flew by and before long it was 4.30pm. We had had gusts of wind, showers, sunshine and several laughs. We had introduced ourselves to the local inhabitants and reminded them that we were just down the road and had they visited the shop? When asked if we would be there next week we were suitably non committal. Our knight in shining armour came to help us pack up as the cold was beginning to set in. All in all a good day!! Julie

THE BEGINNING OF ADVENT

One more day and we will be opening the doors on our advent calenders. If your children are like mine they will want a pretty picture and chocolate, and no they don't want the same one as last year! Which means in 27 days it will all be over!

The Container arrived on Thursday and was unloaded in a record time of 34mins 29seconds. The guys thought they would have the rest of the day to put it all away, but no,they had a wagon load of spares to sort!!! No time to waste, it must have been the promise of the Christmas Party that spurred them on!

Before the end of this week we have a load of tractors from Falk coming in. These will make ideal Christmas presents and as an added bonus they are reduced, which will make them doubly attractive. They will be in all sizes and a selection of colours. Just give an eye to our website for more details, or our facebook page.

This weekend we are embarking on a new venture, entering uncharted waters so to speak. Our nearest town is Northallerton, and it holds a market in the High Street twice a week on a Wednesday and a Saturday. This Saturday we are looking to take a stall, and exhibit a selection of our toys. That's as long as it doesn't snow, otherwise we may have a change of heart, we can't risk the toys getting wet!!

If you don't hear from me next week I have been seconded to help Santa and his elves. Julie

WE'RE IN THE FARMERS WEEKLY

The weeks seem to be flying by at a frightening rate of knots. We are already having to look at forward orders for next year!! Jess, Lou and I shared the Christmas Fayres among us. It was good to see some familiar faces, as well as new ones. The car on both occasions was well and truly laden. It is amaizing what we can fit on a table!!!

On Thursday we are expecting a container in from Poland containing toys from Little Tikes. Hopefully with Thomas The Tank Engine Beds, Rainbow Chairs, Grand Coupe Cars and Push and Ride Walkers to name but a few. It will be all hands to the pump to unload it. Yes we manually unload all the boxes. The guys will then be kept busy putting it all away, hopefully before it gets dark. Some of the items will not be put away, and will be sent straight out to our customers.

I'm saving the best news till last. On Friday we were so excited, ok yes we are easily pleased, but this was big news for us. The Farmers Weekly magazine at the beginning of October decided to compile a Christmas shopping special that would showcase some of the finest products produced on British Farms by British farmers. We submitted a couple of things we thought its readers might be interested in, that we thought could be appropriate, along with no doubt countless other businesses. Low and behold, there we were on page 77, we had been selected along with I think 9 others. The sucessful item was the Big Fork lift Truck. I'm not in on a Friday, and they did not let on if they celebrated, but it was certainly worth celebrating.

Till next week, when we may have news of another container!!! Julie

CHRISTMAS, IS IT REALLY COMING???

We can't ignore it any longer!!! Christmas is coming whether we like it or not. The lights have been switched on in the cities and Friday 2nd Dec, Santa Claus will arrive in Northallerton complete with horse drawn carriage. Hopefully without the snow!! Saying that the weather is usually unpredictable.

On Wednesday 16th of November we are exhibiting at Solberge Hall for their Christmas Craft and Fashion Fayre on behalf of the Conservative Association. So if you are not busy, why not pop down and see us between 1.00pm and 8.00pm. We would love to see you. At the moment we are deciding what to take, baring in mind we cannot fit the whole shop on a display table!! We will no doubt try. Thursday evening we are going to another Christmas Fair, this one is for Scruton Playgroup at Ainderby School from 7pm - 9pm.

We have just got in some ideal stocking fillers, or presents for friends. Safsof, make a selection of soft play sports items. Their rugby ball is dense enough to practise your passes and is good for little hands to catch. There is also a badminton set, bowling set and two balls, one blue and the other green. The added bonus is that these are reduced, so you can't go wrong!!

I will let you know if we manage to fit all the toys in the car, and how the day goes. Till next week, happy shopping. Julie

THERE IS ALWAYS HAPE!!!

The adrenaline has subsided and the shed has been restored to its former glory. We are no longer finding things in strange places so you could say everything is back to normal. Or as normal as it gets. Halloween and Bonfire night have been and gone and we seem to be continually reminded that Christmas is just round the corner. Looking out at the frosty morning I am more likely to believe it is on its way. Nothing like a blast of cold air to focus the grey matter.

Since I have mentioned the dreaded word I may as well continue. Dolls houses make fantastic Christmas Presents. One of my favourites is made by a company called Hape, made out of bamboo and birch plywood.

This one comes with solar panels and a moveable staircase. You buy the frame and then choose the furniture, just like a real home, but a fraction of the price!!

We do have a selection of other houses to suit taste and pocket, some are made by a company called Plan. One that we particularly like is the Victorian dolls house

Here is a bit of information about Plan. Plan create toys that inspire children's imagination as well as promote their physical and intellectual development. Proving that it is possible to maintain superior quality standards while steadfastly following a path of environmental and social responsibility. All Plan Toys are made with clean, natural rubberwood from rubber trees which no longer produce latex. To keep the rubberwood pure, no fertilizer is added to the soil for three years before the trees are cut. To strengthen the wood, Plan Toys use a special chemical-free kiln drying process. They are assembled using a certified E-Zero glue in place of traditional toxic wood glue. Plan use only safe, non-toxic water-based dyes on all of their toys. Soy and water-based inks are used on their printed materials. These inks are more readily biodegradable and can be recycled more efficiently than standard chemical ink.

Have a look and see what you think. Rumour has it they are threatening snow for the end of the month. If you don't hear from me next week I have either hibernated or got a cheap flight some where warm!! Julie

OUR OPEN EVENING, READY OR NOT!!

What a week!

There were fleeting moments when I did wonder if we would be ready in time, but with a colossal effort from everyone we transformed the shed. We built all the kitchens, workshops, two of the beds, and a selection of table and chairs for everyone to see. The walls were adorned by swings and sledges which we suspended from the beams. It was certainly the best makeover I have seen in a long time.

The shop was not excluded, it too received its fair share of pampering. Tables were removed so that guests could circulate more easily, and keep dry if it was a wet night. Toys were moved round so that the new ones that had come in could be easily admired. Goodie bags were filled with toys and either a pen or pencil as well as the leaflets from companies we endorse to be handed out to all the ladies.

Thursday lunch time saw Phil Braithwaite and his team setting up their display. They brought numerous trees, shrubs, cyclamens and some beautiful flower arrangements that could be ordered for Christmas. There was no turning back. By six o'clock all the companies were installed and set up ready for the off , excitement was building. It was setting in for a wet night, would anyone come? Thankfully a little water did not deter those brave, hardy souls who turned out.
Lewis and Coopers quenched our thirst with a choice of six wines, two red, two white, a delightful fizzy one and a dessert wine. There was also Christmas pudding and cake to absorb the alcohol. Roots warmed us with some mulled wine and olives. Nicky had a fantastic array of hats for any occasion. While Anita told us how best to do our makeup, and if we should need our outfit altering Louise was close at hand. In case the stress becomes too much Karen eases us on our way. Finally Jess provided us with stockings for the little ones to hang up.

It was fantastic to see so many new faces, and familiar ones. Thank you to everyone who helped to make the evening a success and we look forward to seeing you all again soon. Julie.

OPEN EVENING THIS THURSDAY!!

Congratulations to New Zealand, Rugby World Cup Winners. Not that I doubted it for a minute, but I was heard to be cheering on the French as they went for their try. You have to encourage the under dogs, and they did put up one hell of a fight. I never expected the score to be so close. Talk of close, our Open Evening is approaching at great speed and all the staff are all beavering away. The weather is so unpredictable that we have rethought the idea of a marquee. No, I'm not saying anything other than you need not worry about your heels getting stuck in the grass and you will not need your thermals!! You'll just have to come along and see.

Coming along on the evening as well as the ones I told you about last week, we have, Roots Farm Shop. They have promised us some festive tasters as well as bringing a selection of festive gift ideas. I hope we have time to nip home for tea first or if you're not there early I can't guarantee there will be many left.

Nicky from Get Ahead Hats, is bringing a selection of hats for us to try as well as a variety of accessories. Dressing up for us instead of the kids!! You never know when you might need one.

Karen Portsmouth, Practitioner of Life Alignment for the past 5 years, and now also a practitioner of Home Alignment. Life Alignment is a means of gently accessing and releasing the effects of unresolved experiences and traumas as well as limiting beliefs and negative programming. She will have her plinth (work bed) with her and will be happy to give short sessions, or to discuss any of the work that I do.Adventure and play are both such vital ingredients in our lives.

We originally had just the six rural businesses coming, but like Topsy it has grown, by half as much again. So we now welcome Louise Drummond, a seamstress. She will do any alterations you want, or make anything from curtains to wedding dresses.

Anita Turnbull is a Beauty Consultant, and has a vast experince working years in the beauty industry. On Thursday she is coming armed with her makeup bag and is happy to do makeovers as well as answering questions. Her husband Howard may be coming along too. He is a joiner and has just set up his own business.

You know where I am going to be on Thursday evening. No excuses, there is nothing of merit on the television, so come and join us. We would love to meet you. A tipple in one hand, a taster in the other, and Christmas presents solved what more could you ask for??

Next week I'll tell you how it all went. Till then I think there will be plenty to do, see you all on Thursday, Julie.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS!

There has been some debate about my saying the rugby was safe in the hands of the Welsh. Unfortunately we now have a final consisting of the French and New Zealand sides. Wales battled on and very nearly succeeded. There will be the usual lively exchange as to whether the Irish referee, with a French father, should have refered to the fourth referee before sending off the Welsh Captain. Everyone will have their own view, that's what makes us unique. Imagine what it would be like if we all thought the same. Ok, there are those occasions when we can't always make our minds up. For instance when we are faced with the tricky decision of whether to go with a gooey chocolate praline dessert or sticky toffee pudding. Or in the boys case, whether it is a caramel rocky or a penguin. They have had so many they can now guess which joke will be on the packet! Sorry it seems a long time since breakfast!!

In the case of our Open Night it is more likely to be we will try them all, especially Lewis and Coopers wine tasting. There is a rumour that they may just bring some of their prize wining Christmas pudding! So far everything seems to be going to plan. Who else do we have coming? Braithwaite's are a family business based at Leeming Bar......On the evening they will be providing a demonstration of tree grafting, a selection winter baskets and planters, ideas for Christmas door wreaths and Holly wreaths, fresh flower Christmas decorations for tables, a selection of trees, shrubs and roses suitable for gifts and a gardening quiz with prizes! We also have Pink Owl Designs popping in. Jess designs and hand makes a selection of soft furnishings, cards and gifts using unique fabrics. She has just come back from Thailand, and Cambodia weighed down with material, so we can expect something very special and a little different.

Next week I will tell you a little about the other small businesses that are sharing their skills and produce with us. What we all have in common is that we are passionate about what we do. Until then, keep warm and dry, Julie