As many of you will know having a family with different ages can become a bit of a juggling game – trying to find something that everyone will enjoy. We were determined to enjoy our summer this year, lucky enough to have all of mine still agreeing to spend time with me from 19 down to 4!

The rucksacks are ready and everyone is hunting in the bottom of their wardrobe for that elusive sleeping bag. The girls in the family are currently shopping for acceptable wellies to wear to such a cool event (and alternatively flip-flops if the sun shines), the teenage boys are trawling through YouTube listening to the tunes of bands that they will get the opportunity to see live. This weekend has been earmarked for setting up the tents and making sure they have survived teenage camping nights and toddler’s den sessions in the garden. As you can tell we are all very excited!

Penn Festival is set to better itself on last year’s outstanding success with some really lovely bands – including much to the oldies delight a run of 80’s music including The Beat, Altered Images and Soul 11 Soul. How embarrassed are my children going to be whilst I relive my teenage years?The beauty of this year’s Penn Festival is that there is one of the two stages is set up in a massive big top tent, so whatever the weather, rain or sunshine there won’t be any interruption to the festivities.

As for those younger members of our family they won’t be disappointed Bigtopmania will be in attendance and ready to teach everyone some great new circus tricks and Kindred Café will be there with their three big bell tents offering healthy, child-friendly food such as cereal, toast, milk and sandwiches which the children can eat in between kite making, biscuit decoration and helicopter making! And our favourite Noodle Nation will be one of the many stalls offering mouth-watering temptations (and please Noodle Nation do offer those great child size portions you did last year!) along with the mouth wateringly delicious homemade ice cream from Bleasdale's, served from rather nice tricycles!

So if a fantastic atmosphere, a lovely relaxing vibe, African drumming workshops, reggae music workshops, circus lessons and chilling out sounds like the kind of family day out/weekend you would like, what are you waiting for? Book now and we will see you there – probably in the authentic South American coffee bus offering free trade coffee for all!