
Justin is a London based dad of three. As well as being a content creator, he's also interested in all things tech, law, software engineering, and photography related, and likes to cycle in his free time.

Through his content, Justin aims to show the true reality of personal parenting alongside fun activity recommendations to do as a family. He focuses a lot on sustainability as his family tries to live in an environmentally conscious way.

Follow him [on Instagram](https://instagram.com/alldadstalk).


Twitter

Linkedin

Facebook

Dad, blogger, lawyer

Justin


> Towbar bike rack dream right here!

![thule-bike-rack-005.jpg](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611949416/thule_bike_rack_cover_9572156d95.jpg)

If you follow me on Instagram, you know what a huge fan of anything Thule I am. Last year I have been kindly given a [Thule EasyFold XT 3](https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-easyfold-xt-3-_-934300) for a review and I’ve been using it ever since. I had an old bike rack on my previous car which can only be described in two words: not Thule!

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944772/B8_B847_D2_71_A8_49_DD_9458_11_DDA_654_ABA_1_1825273b71.jpg)

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944778/BD_3969_DE_E3_AF_4802_810_F_8_F9728764_C13_6f6a9450be.jpg)

This fully foldable, compact, and easy-to-use [towbar-mounted bike rack](https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack) for all types of bikes is absolutely brilliant! When I say all types of bikes, I really mean it! Check the photos below, find the 50 year old chopper and you’d know that’s mine 🙂 Bulky, heavy and a bit rusty (shhh) but it fits like a dream in the bike rack. So does Aly’s gigantic bike which comes with a huge basket – apparently her ‘I can’t live without’ insta prop!

![thule-bike-rack-010.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944550/18_DD_199_C_A172_4638_B54_A_AFC_345773317_5bdd61ae7d.jpg)

Here are some of my features of the Thule bike rack:

-   Fully foldable for convenient mounting, handling and storage – the way in which it folds is a big plus for when it’s off the car and into STORAGE!

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944935/E844_E80_B_00_D4_4_EBB_B28_B_DA_418_B71_BB_4_D_16db290e55.jpg)

-   High load capacity enabling transport of e-bikes and heavy mountain bikes – Yes!!! Just check our bikes 😀

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944791/D9_FED_79_A_C565_45_A9_B5_DB_8_ACD_61_B0_E11_E_edf07b1c77.jpg)

-   Easy mounting of bikes through detachable bike arms with lockable Thule AcuTight torque limiter knobs that click when optimal torque is reached – another feature which I love!!

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944646/57_FDF_1_F6_F8_E7_42_FE_872_C_9_E9023_AE_11_EC_a267efff62.jpg)

-   Smooth mounting and adjustment of the bike rack before closing the tightening handle, thanks to the towbar coupling’s initial stability

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944530/6_C59_FC_88_4646_417_D_85_BA_7_D884_ECDA_79_D_6de234fb93.jpg)

-   Ergonomic transport of the bike rack thanks to the integrated transport wheels and carrying handle – Aly can carry it by herself with absolutely no problem!

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944662/808_AF_19_C_B011_4891_A91_A_82_BE_2_ED_5488_F_b1cb546269.jpg)

-   Pre-assembled, no tools required – the GENIUS part!!!

![thule-bike-rack-007.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944517/0_AA_71_EF_6_B9_F3_4726_A5_A6_8_AB_40_C8_CF_1_EC_06838feee4.jpg)

-   Lock your bikes to the bike rack and your bike rack to the towbar (locks included) – yes, they are included and it gives me more piece of mind.

![thule-bike-rack](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944662/808_AF_19_C_B011_4891_A91_A_82_BE_2_ED_5488_F_b1cb546269.jpg)

![thule-bike-rack-014.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944667/3737_D8_D9_AA_0_A_4367_AB_3_A_67442_D39_B512_98a3c815ba.jpg)

![thule-bike-rack-016.jpeg](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944521/3_BF_5218_E_CFEE_4_B8_B_864_A_89694_E66_DF_0_D_31f6f62283.jpg)

You can find below a few photos from my first experience with the bike rack on our Tesla Model X.

You can find all tech behind the product on Thule website, but here are a few more details below that may interest you.


If you follow me on Instagram, you know what a huge fan of anything Thule I am...

Thule did it again - THE dream bike rack for families


> Every once in a while a revolutionary product comes along that changes everything. (Steve Jobs)

One such product was the iPhone. It put the “smart” back into SmartPhone and created an ecosystem which was undreamed-of at the time. And, it’s only been a little more than 10 years since.

I am lucky to ride such a revolutionary product to work – a [**Micro Merlin**](https://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/micro-merlin-adult-electric-scooter.html) adult electric scooter – and have been on electric scooters for over 4 years now. Like thousands of other dads, I work in the City. I’ve commuted using the tube or bus for years until I said to myself - insert Joey’s voice from the milk carton ad in Friends here 😀 - “there’s gotta be a better way”.

![Scooting into the future photo 001](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944538/8_A9_C2_DAF_E77_D_4143_9638_5870_C56_CAC_12_87db6ada01.jpg)

Riding a bike is and has always been an option and for good reasons thousands of Londoners are and have been doing it for years. However, getting sweaty into work or showering and changing clothing as I arrived (not an option in most of my jobs) put me off biking for my work commute. I do ride my bike(s) regularly outside of my work commute and I stand behind all efforts to make biking safer and more accessible to everyone within London and elsewhere.

![Scooting into the future photo 002](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944670/7315_DE_3_F_4_C15_414_F_865_D_7_AD_13917008_D_1acc450d59.jpg)

Driving springs to mind immediately. Cars have been around for 133 years so all generations since have been born into a culture constructed more or less around car transportation. Yet, cars get stuck in traffic and pollute our breathing air and have recently been into scandals for faking their emissions. I’ve read recently that a great deal of people in London are living with illegal air pollution – about 2 million – according to the most recent data. Posters all over my kid’s school are asking parents to step in and petition the Mayor to take action.

![Scooting into the future photo 003](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944640/39_A80_CB_9_4_A1_F_4423_B3_DB_9081_DC_40_A812_d50045e2a2.jpg)

We’ve seen ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) @transportforlondon coming into play on 8 April and that’s slowly solving part of the problem. It seems that recorded nitrogen dioxide levels are falling and could reach legal levels within six years. That’s still 6 YEARS of our kids’ CHILDHOOD under pollution, never mind your daily commute to work, school runs or the occasional trip to the farmers’ market, it’s their little lungs we need to think more about and we can only do it if we collectively try and change our mind framework. It’s not only reducing plastic or saving water that should be high up on our agenda, but what we chose for our daily travel and including driving, too.

![Scooting into the future photo 004](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944930/DEC_6_F1_B8_A571_4058_B28_E_14_DE_168_A2071_0ad758e3f8.jpg)

So back to electric scooters then. I believe I was one of the first Londoners on an electric scooter which I imported from the US when I began using it for the daily commute (almost 5y ago) so my research is pretty solid when it comes to this path I’ve chosen. They used to be noisy, heavy and bulky, nothing like the slim, silent & light options we have today.

![Scooting into the future photo 005](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944655/609_F63_D3_3_CCB_495_B_AB_28_5_B5_CED_27_AF_02_d7e7399359.jpg)

I am now riding a Merlin scooter awesomely put together by @microscooter_official – that’s their insta handle – they have an amazing team of dedicated people to make the world a better, greener place. They are makers of fine scooters for both the kids and us dads – you should watch Lucas in action. I’ve included below a few photos of Lucas who is now 5 and he has been on a scooter since before he turned 2. He is now rocking a [**Microscooter Maxi**](https://www.micro-scooters.co.uk/browse-maxi-micro-scooters?gclid=Cj0KCQjw0brtBRDOARIsANMDykaJ3QNyxc2d-O8jeIRKC_Bmjv111yKwXdcMJjArdqQy7Jcki_MbRyMaAvLbEALw_wcB).

![Scooting into the future photo 006](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944542/8_F671_CB_3_7_C96_4075_ABD_6_97_FA_8_FC_4_DA_97_538ee398ee.jpg)

We, as a family are trying to be more and more conscious about the choices we make and it all started before I chose to drive electric. It was at a time when research was revealing the utter dominance of the “single-occupant automobile” (Alan Pisarski) in our daily commuting. To you and me that’s “most of us drive alone in a 4/5/6/7/8 seater to work”. That’s not efficiently using resources and sad ☹️.

![Scooting into the future photo 007](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944783/C7_D2956_F_1643_450_F_BCA_7_2_F74652_E2_E58_e7ab719fce.jpg)

Long story short, even if you’re driving electric, parking is scarce and prohibitively expensive in the City – unless you happen to work in the Westminster City Council area – kudos to WCC for being so ahead of their time with their parking policy which encourages commuters to go electric (in case you didn’t know: you pay £0.81 per first 10 minutes and stay for the max duration of that bay). To compare, parking outside my office in Moorgate cost £4.80/hr and I have to move the car every 2 hours – that’s expensive even for high earners and affects my work productivity also.

![Scooting into the future photo 008](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944521/3_AC_00_DF_9_68_F6_483_D_9979_A98_E3_AAD_46_B3_e0ee7b27fd.jpg)

## In the pipeline

Last but never least, they are now working on a brilliant electric car and my other half is determined to get hers in 2020 when it arrives in London. It comes with a scooter 😉.

More about it [**here**](https://microlino-car.com/en/microlino).


Like thousands of other dads, I work in the City. I’ve commuted using the tube...

Scooting into the future - with the Micro Merlin


Almost every Sunday I’m taking my little ones to the farmers’ market. It’s not much for the fresh veggies, occasional live music or for hoping to run again into my celebrity neighbours (see you on Sunday, Thandie!;) but for best pizza served here in this tiny corner of London, made by two true Napolitano guys and their tiny fire oven on wheels.

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-oven-and-box](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874240/6_E1_DFE_03_4_E36_4_C51_9535_437_D29_ADF_5_F9_7d8f09da8c.jpg)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-protective-gloves](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874097/1_C451_FC_4_803_A_4748_BF_3_B_59525_B1_DCC_4_A_40b0aa48bb.jpg)

Because I do love my pizza. Occasionally I enjoy making my own in the kitchen oven, but until now I didn’t realise playing with dough and fire can be easily achievable in my very own garden.

While it is determining all of us to spend more time in the outdoors and less on the sofa waiting for the alarm sound of the kitchen oven! I must add that my neighbours were a tad jealous in the beginning – but don’t worry, they have already tried my pizza and some of them are now making their own arrangements for getting their own pizza maker 😉

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-toddler-little-tikes-car](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874239/0_ED_817_E7_DBF_2_4239_AC_54_81_C87_F75660_F_d52d5dd0ce.jpg)

After careful research and weighing up what was truly important for me (especially in terms of #sustainability), I decided to go for the [Ooni Pro Pizza Oven](https://ooni.com/) because it had most of those key features which ticked my boxes and keep me happy in the most cooking/baking circumstances:

-   HOT – this oven gets to the required temperature and is ready to cook in 20 minutes counting from lighting it up

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-get-those-matches-ready](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874240/01_B8_B35_F_6514_440_E_80_F7_1389_DE_97_B822_125b38bfe1.jpg)

-   FLEXIBLE – I like choices and so I enjoy the flexibility of fuels I can use with it; this is a portable oven so no matter where I take it in our city escapes, I can fire it up with wood, charcoal, wood pellets or gas (2 extensions bought separately for gas or pellets). By default it comes ready for firing it up with wood/charcoal which is my usual choice of fuel anyways as it gives the pizza that special taste.

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-set-fire](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874239/3_D6_ECA_29_3_C2_D_4457_86_CB_8_FCC_173_FA_41_C_a7930b608d.jpg)

-   VERSATILE – I can cook smaller or larger (up-to 16-inch) pizzas & a range of our family’s favourite dishes or bake bread – I’m a bread maker enthusiast 🙂

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-no-smoke-without-fire](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874097/0_E10_C430_1_AAE_4_A78_9_B5_B_5_F464811_D892_96ecac9d7c.jpg)

In the box you’ll find the [Ooni Pro Pizza Oven](https://uk.ooni.com/) with Stone baking board (4 parts easy to assemble), an oven door with built-in thermometer (for when you’ve had enough of those delish pizzas and want to go for cooking other dishes – please ensure you’re using special cookware inside the oven – or bake bread), a pizza door with postbox-style entry (this is the one I recommend to use for pizzas), a wood & charcoal burner tray, Essentials Guide & Manual, Allen key and Ooni Pizza Oven Gloves.

I also got a Ooni 14 “ Classic Pizza Peel and a Ooni Infrared Thermometer which I would add to the essential pizza-enthusiast’s list of handy tools.

Dads are all about technical details though so here goes:

-   Dimensions: 29.13 x 19.29 x 31.1″ (740 x 490 x 790mm)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-freshly-made-pizza-dough](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874097/0_E6_CD_8_AE_5_BA_9_4_F17_AA_42_9_A34_B060738_C_b9d01469fa.jpg)

-   Unboxed weight: 48.5lbs (22kg)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-smile-to-the-camera](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874101/50_A1_FCBD_C922_4_E32_9_EF_5_EF_3_C10_BC_2105_a573ca5889.jpg)

-   Cooking surface: 17.7 x 17.7″ (450 x 450mm)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-help-always-welcome](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874101/B183_BDA_1_F435_4_C8_F_B2_C2_BF_47983_FCC_06_bbc8e410b9.jpg)

-   Brushed stainless steel with ceramic fibre insulation

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-adding-tomato-sauce-to-dough](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874236/5119_A376_CA_74_4_BD_3_BEBF_455_F4_C237054_ba471e9ff0.jpg)

-   15mm cordierite stone baking board

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-make-sure-the-temperature-is-right](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874236/1_DF_75_D94_E53_E_4915_858_F_4_B264373840_C_524b663478.jpg)

-   Ooni Pro Gas Burner - which is compatible with large propane tanks (normally used with barbecues), as well as 1-Lb propane tanks along with a suitable adaptor. Maximum power: 7kWh (20472 BTU)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-master-chef](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874101/F6361_C8_B_BA_39_4469_AF_61_536_AD_288479_B_0412bd7105.jpg)

There is a fine Father’s Day giveaway on my [AllDadsTalk](https://www.instagram.com/alldadstalk/) insta grid, one lucky winner will win a Ooni Pro prize pack which includes the Ooni Pro, Ooni 14” Classic Pizza Peel, and Ooni Infrared Thermometer. Enter [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/ByR2yzlnduW/) or [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/ByQru2nlXvs/).

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-ingredients-ready](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874097/76_AA_5_C94_36_FA_42_CF_91_C9_97_CAF_53563_B0_4d74124fb7.jpg)

Being able to prepare dishes I enjoy outside our kitchen is rather cool.

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-pizza-in-the-oven](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874236/77_FD_2_B00_76_C0_4_EF_8_8474_5_DE_71_BAFE_4_F6_0d4b4c3176.jpg)

It encourages the kids to spend more time running around in the garden, help us prep fresh ingredients and eventually making the kind of great memories I want them to have when it comes to spending time with their dad.

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-presentation-pizza-on-peeler](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874236/ED_303_D65_D6_A0_4296_9_ABA_B59461_CC_6_A9_C_b280c5dab7.jpg)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-handle-peeler-with-care](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874236/924_B2_C7_E_C29_A_4_EC_6_A139_75_EB_41_E8_B979_52c0b787be.jpg)

This article has been written in partnership with Ooni, the Ooni Pro has been gifted and all thoughts are mine. So is the pizza I just made 😉

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-pizza-ready-on-plate](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874236/4693_AD_11_DBB_5_42_A6_95_EA_AB_7182_E777_D7_bc80557908.jpg)

![ooni-pro-pizza-oven-pic-peeler-ready-hot](https://res.cloudinary.com/juicecultus/image/upload/v1602874239/A397_C1_F5_2_F8_E_4915_B578_4710_F39_BACF_9_aaee7aae03.jpg)

Gotta leave you now, daddy's gotta chop some wood! Happy baking


Almost every Sunday I’m taking my little ones to the farmers’ market...

In crust we trust... And in the Ooni outdoor oven


I don’t remember my parents’ old TV much (except that it was black & white and rather dusty), but I do remember that the entire family was watching one movie each week. As a child, Friday was my only movie night and half way through I was always falling asleep.

![Embrace Dirt Photo 001](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-001.webp)

Most of the time I had my brother and three sisters keeping me busy hide and seeking in the garden or running wild on the football pitch. Our summer holidays were well spent going fishing with my dad, yet I remember vividly the generous sized sandwiches my mum was always carefully placing in our picnic basket. I was a lucky child who spent most of his childhood in the countryside, way long before my university days and a fun career in law in this buzzing capital.

![Embrace Dirt Photo 002](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-002.webp)

## Tech balance

What I was trying to highlight before the various memories started to get me all emotional, is that my son doesn’t live the same childhood I did. Neither does my daughter. Lucas may have cooler shoes and lots of screens that he can already easily access, but he doesn’t have the woods I grew up in. In the beginning I found his fast learning entertaining, I was impressed with how fast kids pick things up, Lucas wasn’t even two and he knew how to access apps on my phone or on the iPad. Currently he’s not even 5 and he’s asking Google Home for baking recipes and YouTube access. While I’m a tech fan who follows all trends and updates, and encourage my children to learn as much as they can with the help of technology I know that too much time spent inside is less time spent outside.

![Embrace Dirt Photo 003](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-003.webp)

So not long ago, I started to question my own parenting style. Do I encourage my children to spend as much time outdoors as my parents did with me? Do I initiate any outdoors experiences where I can be a part of? The answer is I could always do more and that is my main focus at the moment. I believe that it’s our duty to help our children’s cognitive, emotional and physical development be at their best, therefore ensure they build resilience and imagination, two things that in my opinion are so important for achieving an accomplished life.

![Embrace Dirt Photo 004](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-004.webp)

This year Persil wants everyone to ‘Embrace Dirt’, taking time away from screens to fully involve themselves in the educational and therapeutic qualities of the outdoors. I read something interesting a few nights back, that children are very active by nature and they tend to learn and develop brain connections through experiences, therefore sitting for long periods of time, while staring at a screen, is a very unnatural behaviour for them. Persil recognises the importance of children playing and embracing dirt – as such, they have been promoting the benefits of outdoor play for over a decade. Together with experts and partners, Persil is committed to helping address this outdoor to digital play imbalance.

![Embrace Dirt Photo 005](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-005.webp)

![Embrace Dirt Photo 006](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-006.webp)

![Embrace Dirt Photo 007](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-007.webp)

## Screen-time is alone-time

A new study has revealed that, by age 7, children will have spent 2 years and 3 months of their lives in front of a screen. More than half of that time is ‘mindless’ screen time – spent without family or friends, in solitary, screen-based activities. That’s a scary figure of 456 days of alone screen time by age of 7 versus 182 days of outdoor free play...

![Embrace Dirt Photo 008](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-008.webp)

![Embrace Dirt Photo 009](/images/blog/embrace-dirt/embrace-dirt-pic-009.webp)

## Dirt is good 😀

Currently we are having so much fun embracing the outdoor play thanks to Persil! This mud-kitchen is keeping the little ones busy for hours and it’s often such a great way to actually keep us all entertained! If you wish to get involved in the Dirt is Good campaign go to [persil.com/dirtisgood](http://www.persil.com/dirtisgood).


I don’t remember my parents’ old TV much (except that it was black & white...

Embrace Dirt - Green Time vs Screen Time


Not long ago 😀 (exactly one year ago!) my other half packed up a light suitcase (not light enough according to my packing up male standards) and we hit the road towards Cornwall.

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944521/3_B2_E122_E_0_CA_4_484_C_8201_67_B87_F212_A77_38180f1112.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611947712/B3216_D16_1_A2_E_4_E6_E_81_C5_2_EEA_5_E24_C932_b46c390157.jpg)

I only found this draft a few moments ago and I thought I should just go ahead and publish it because I don’t believe there are too many parents who know about this place. It really is a brilliant day out for any family which wants to explore a bit of nature while having learning about the this educational charity and social enterprise.

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944931/DB_84366_D_CEA_2_4168_B778_C57377_D4140_D_bf18488b7e.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944547/10_E71_C54_400_A_4460_AD_45_D6_AB_139_B7848_5f4afb5ff9.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944538/7_DBA_7_F65_E19_A_45_B8_8_B00_18_E6_BF_1_D88_C5_f711fdb362.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944540/8_D947_A1_C_4_A62_411_D_BA_50_D76_FFA_0976_B4_63e351076c.jpg)

The visitor destination in Cornwall is nestled in a huge crater. Here, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to some striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events.

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944649/70_FF_1627_9_ACC_486_F_82_EF_80_E81_B598274_15fb9bf91e.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944662/949_E1_DD_9_26_A7_47_E7_B7_FA_94_ED_80_CDC_099_b5d0cee05f.jpg)

Here it is, the Eden Project! You’ll find here lots of great topics like sustainability and supporting local communities. I am really curious to see what has changed/ been added so we may pay Eden another visit!

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944649/83_C0_F453_3932_47_DB_B136_6820021_D3790_1a601c341c.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944679/569590_EF_6_BF_2_4_AD_9_9_FAE_A24_FAA_075370_69f60c9820.jpg)

That was then…Now it’s time to go on and explore a wilder and more exotic landscape! That’s why I am entering the Yellow Zebra Safaris competition which includes some of my dream ever locations! My other half Aly @allmumstalk has been talking forever about going on a safari honeymoon as we got married two years ago (on our 1oth anniversary) but never made it to our honeymoon! Winning this may make me the best insta husband ever ;))

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944756/7583752_C_1_CD_2_498_A_9251_0_C707_D5945_A3_fd30a5ded8.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944766/AA_03_E003_DEE_5_4890_84_C3_48130_E00_D8_BE_a97d4bdb44.jpg)

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944940/F80_C5_FA_4_F9_E0_4_C2_D_B64_E_BB_657_C0_EE_996_ada878eeb7.jpg)

P.S. I like to believe that my photography skills have improved since and capturing a lion in the wilderness with my new Zeiss lens could only add some great memories to the photo album.

![eden-project-cornwall](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944766/A2594_C23_FD_13_4_E5_C_85_BC_F88_E56_CBB_657_d2fd657bdf.jpg)

Let me know what you think if you have already visited it! Or if you’ve been on a safari!


Not long ago 😀 (exactly one year ago!) my other half packed up a light suitcase...

Cornwall travels. Eden Project


If you’re still shopping for your kid’s Christmas gift, here’s a review that might help you decide easier, without having to undergo endless trips to the overcrowded Disney shops and way too busy malls.

It was rather easy for us to decide on a gift for our toddler as he had continuously been asking for a pair of pedals to attach to his little balance bike. As if that’s the right solution to start peddling! But transitioning a toddler to a pedal bike can be a bit challenging, therefore for the past couple of months I went through an entire process of researching and testing the best available options. We went to a few bike shops and tried on several bikes, but I’ve also spent a few good hours each week in the online shopping world reading thousands of reviews and hoping to find the one that clicks. And then I found it: one bike they said it grows with your child.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944526/5_C3_C19_CF_6273_452_D_AA_33_4_F9_E8_B493_F64_baa2efba65.jpg)

As intrigued as I was, I started checking out feedback from people who already purchased one. But despite of being a young company, lots of happy parents’ praising words pushed me to make contact.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944645/55_ACCCA_8_1_EC_0_4_DD_9_807_B_10_CEE_584_F954_165ad05aa1.jpg)

Simon Evans of Irish company LittleBig Bikes is an engineer and cycling enthusiast who developed a great concept of a balance bike designed to grow with your child after spending time working in a bike shop. Here he observed how parents always came back getting a new bike each time for different ages.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944654/451_BE_870_D534_4_EFF_ACDE_094943_AEFFFA_c2ead81eb6.jpg)

My other half Aly [@allmumstalk](http://allmumstalk.com/product-reviews/ride-with-them/) already wrote a reviewing piece on the same bike (we are that thrilled about it!) and mentioned that our toddler’s first balance bike was a good start, yet the lack of inflatable wheels made the ride uncomfortable once he was really confident in gaining speed. The LittleBig new bike came with proper air tyres and that’s only one of the main reasons I wish I knew about from the beginning. It also took me less than 20 minutes to put it together while I have to say it’s rather easy to change it from balance mode to pedals.

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944645/55_ACCCA_8_1_EC_0_4_DD_9_807_B_10_CEE_584_F954_165ad05aa1.jpg)

The bikes are designed & hand assembled in Ireland and they come with a sleek design and a great price attached if you consider the approximate 5 years investment. Therefore, that’s my number one choice for a Christmas present if you haven’t covered the bike chapter yet. It’s one way to make the tiny humans’ confidence grow while they become more independent and eventually, in my case, better riders than their own dad…

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944516/0_AE_19_A70_D246_49_FE_B0_A1_11229011513_D_11d3225074.jpg)

Next pit stop: Christmas tree shopping!

![littlebig bikes](https://res.cloudinary.com/dpgowkqsr/image/upload/v1611944645/52_D42_C00_6059_42_D4_955_E_1_FC_10_C65_F783_d29e1116bf.jpg)


If you’re still shopping for your kid’s Christmas gift, here’s a review...

Outdoor

Thule did it again - THE dream bike rack for families

Scooting into the future - with the Micro Merlin

In crust we trust... And in the Ooni outdoor oven

Embrace Dirt - Green Time vs Screen Time

Cornwall travels. Eden Project

It’s beginning to look a lot like... LittleBig Bikes