Plutonium Sox

Natalie Ray October 10, 2021 Health and Fitness

Accessibility: Assisting a wheelchair athlete in the Brighton Marathon

For many of us, accessibility is an issue that goes under the radar. We might read an article or see something on the news about how difficult it can be to access certain services as a wheelchair user. We get cross about it and say something supportive. Then, we move on because it’s not our issue. Recently, I had an insight into the accessibility of a mass participation event for a wheelchair user. An insight that perhaps marathon organisers have never had. As someone whose only experience with a wheelchair in the past was crashing my husband into a lift…

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Natalie Ray September 24, 2021 Lifestyle

Future proofing for parents [AD]

As most of us are all too aware, life can change in the blink of an eye. It’s one of those things we don’t like to think about, let alone talk about or actually plan for. But we need to face up to the fact that we won’t always be there. As parents, it’s even more important and yet even harder to plan for. Here are a few uncomfortable truths about future-proofing for parents. Life insurance matters It’s easy to put life insurance to the bottom of your list of priorities. After all, getting life insurance quotes is important, but…

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Natalie Ray September 15, 2021 Holidays

Family road trip itinerary: West Midlands to Scottish Highlands

This year, many of us have rediscovered the staycation. British weather is far from reliable but our countryside is beautiful and there’s always loads to do. If you’re thinking about a family road trip from the Midlands, the Highlands of Scotland might not be your first choice. After all, it’s a really long way away. But if you break up the journey with some overnight stays and a few National Trust days out, it becomes a little more reasonable. We spent three weeks this summer driving from Worcestershire in the West Midlands up to Aviemore in the Highlands. We broke…

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Natalie Ray September 15, 2021 Being a work from home mum

Why I am no longer taking complaints or requests (or running marathons)

There comes a time as a parent when you realise that everything you do is about the children. Get up, make lunches, try to persuade them to get ready for school, fail and drop them off late. Pick them up from school and drive them to swimming, dancing, singing, horse riding or piano lessons (delete as appropriate). Cook dinner, begin the bedtime battle. Collapse onto the nearest bed/sofa as soon as they settle down. Nod off until it’s time to do it all again. In between there’s work and a vague and useless attempt at keeping fit enough to run…

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Natalie Ray August 29, 2021 What's on West Midlands

Best October half term and Halloween events West Midlands 2021

It’s lovely to be looking forward to the October half term and Halloween in the West Midlands with family days out back on the cards. Events are taking place across the region with many suitable for children of all ages. There are a few events aimed at adults and older teenagers too. I have a long list of other West Midlands attractions that usually host an October half term or Halloween event that haven’t confirmed details for 2021 just yet. I’ll keep the post updated regularly as I find out what is happening elsewhere. For more things to do in…

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