Black peas are a local delicacy to us and really not to be missed. Around this time of year they're all over the shops and everyone is talking about them. If you haven't been to Lancashire or North Manchester though, you may never have even heard of them...


Just like green peas, black peas are a legume, and they're eaten boiled into a mushy pea. They've loads of names including Parched Peas, Mapple Peas, Chestnut Peas and Pidgeon Peas, but generally they're just Black Peas. They're actually Purple Podded Peas and they are slightly less sweet than green peas, with a hint of nuttiness and a firmer texture, so they maintain their shape better. Their skin is soft and thin and breaks down well when they're boiled, which is another benefit over mushy green peas.

We're getting quite proficient at drones now and our latest review is the NIKKO Air Race Vision 220 FPV Pro Drone with FPV. This is a larger drone with camera and a first for us - the option of a first person view, via a specially designed 4.3" full colour LCD screen and the optional headset which are included in the pack.


The box claims it'll be an easy to use drone, with six different one touch stunts, variable flight modes and variable speeds, so it offers lots to the novice as well as the experienced pilot. NIKKO's partner the Drone Racing League is the global leader in professional drone racing.


Inside the really sturdy reusable storage box are your 30cm (12") drone itself plus rechargable 7.4v Li battery and USB charging cable. The LCD Screen and attachment for controller, Controller (plus option of joysticks or pads), FPV goggles, SD card, 4 x AA batteries for FPV screen and 4 x AA batteries for controller and of course, spare blades.

We reviewed Winter Wonderland last year and my boys had an excellent time. This is an all-inclusive event, where your children are entertained and happy and everything is included in the price you pay on the door, so you don't end up spending far more than you intended.


You can read my full review of Winter Wonderland 2016 here and we've now been this year and my  Winter Wonderland 2017 Manchester Review is here...

Winter Wonderland is the UK's largest indoor fun park and features more than 50 family rides and attractions under one roof. The 22.000sq metre event hall at Event City is transformed into world of light, sound and magic.

Monopoly is possibly the most famous (and infamous) family board game and has given rise to many editions, one of the latest being the Monopoly Gamer Edition. This is Monopoly mixed with Nintendo gaming and it works very well. No more £10 notes, you are collecting gold coins and Power Up boosts and you can even play as your favourite Nintendo characters.


The Monopoly Gamer Edition comes with a Nintendo Character Pack, so instead of Iron or Cruise Ship, you can be Mario, Donkey Kong, Yoshi or Princess Peach. They are very nicely made and definitely fun.

Why The Whales Came is a classic Michael Morpurgo children's book and today my 7 and 9 year olds and I were guests of The Lowry to review their first theatre performance by the amazing cast of one - storyteller Danyah Miller.


We were 15 minutes early and treated to a surprise game of giant Battleships. My boys were really into it, but sadly our purple/pink team lost by quite a margin. It was a great warm up to the show and I didn't realise it at the time, but as it ended and the lights went down, it became evident the Battleships compere was actually our Storyteller Danyah Miller herself.

Labyrinth is a long-standing best-seller among family board games and it's easy to see why. The rules are easy to learn and although chance plays a large part for a novice, experience, tactics and skill can create an expert and a much more competitive match.


The game is comprised of a board with fixed maze parts, 34 movable maze parts, 24 Treasure Cards, 4 player pieces and instructions. The maze parts and Treasure Cards all need to be pressed from large card sheets, so allow 10 minutes before first play.

Our lives are so full these days that the idea of giving your washing machine a servicing clean sounds like one of the last things on the job list, but it's so easy and takes so little effort. Your machine and your clothes will really thank you for it!


Dr Beckmann are well-known for their fabric stain removers, but they'll also look after the appliance that cleans your clothes. Limescale, mud, soap residue and all kinds of nasties lurk in the crevices and pipes inside your washing machine, making it smell unpleasant and even marking clothes. They also clog up your washing machine and cause breakdowns.

My tap water is incredibly soft. Limescale isn't an issue, but peat is and I have to clean my washing machine regularly or I end up with dirt-stained clothes. Dr Beckmann Service -It Washing Machine Cleaner is my usual choice and they've just reformulated their ingredients to include Active Carbon. The active carbon has a huge surface area and clings to dirt like a magnet, removing more grime and making your machine even cleaner.

I'm always notoriously unprepared for Christmas, but this year I've promised myself that I'll actually be organised and here are some of the things I'll be doing to get ready. It really does make sense to start thinking early, as it spreads out the cost and time you need to commit. It relieves stress and it can even save you money.


Create Your Own Food Hamper

Food shopping costs more at Christmas because we feel a need to buy one of everything and two if we already know we like it. Spread the cost by slowly buying things that'll keep over time and don't buy in excess. Get a big box, make a list before you start, stick it to the top of the box and KEEP TO IT. There are some great offers in supermarkets as they try to encourage you to buy early, then buy again nearer Christmas as you panic.

The Oregon Scientific SmartGlobes are traditional globes with a 3D AR twist and we've been sent the Starry 2in1 Day and Night Globe for review. The globe contains a light and when you turn it on, you can see 88 constellations superimposed in position over the Earth. There is also an accompanying free app. with thousands of facts about Earth and beyond.


There is quite a bit of plastic protective packaging in this box, but it's very quick to open. Inside you have your globe and it's base. You will need either 3 x AA batteries or a USB charging cable and power source to operate the light as they are not included.

Tonight we attended the VIP Family Launch of the Big Imaginations Festival. This is a huge Family Theatre Event which encompasses 9 Shows over 18 Days at 26 Venues in the North West. The Launch Event was followed by the first North West performance of Child Of The Divide.


The journey into Manchester was uneventful and all the traffic was going the opposite way, and as soon as we arrived we were offered a plate full of delicious Z-Arts CafeZ veggie and vegan curries with all the extras, so it really got off to a great start!