Hello again to all readers!

VERY DIFFERENT FESTIVALS

Until the 30th September The Jane Austen Festival takes place in Bath. Even if your grandchildren do not know of her books - they will love to see everyone wearing period costumes, the decorated streets, the music and dancing. Find more details at www.janeausten.co.uk

At www.wealddown.co.uk see The Weald and Downland Open Air Museum Autumn Countryside Show on the 6/7 October -"We plough the fields and scatter".Take your grandchildren to a celebration of how the countryside used to be with steam engines, plough horses, tractors and much more. There's also a Walks Festival from 10th - 14th October for all the family, with farm visits, storytellers and characters from the museum's past.

One of Granny Look's earlier newsletters informed readers about a "Dig for Victory" at the allotment in St. James Park. The Dig for Victory Harvest Fair takes place at the allotment on 29/30 September. See www.royalparks.org.uk/events for all the fun things to do including farm animals to pet, crafting miniature scarecrows, jam making and pickling, by actors in 1940's costume. There's something for all ages - including grandparents!!

The Little Angel Theatre is a puppet theatre which holds a Saturday Puppet Club and family fun days, where the children can also play with puppets and create their own dramas. From 14th September to 28th October they are presenting "Give us a Hand" a delightful show featuring long stringed puppets that are rarely seen these days. Look at www.urbanpath.com/london for details.

DIFFERENT DAYS OUT

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds has nature reserves throughout Great Britain and Ireland - all offering interesting days out with a variety of birdlife, lakes, walks and they have facilities for differently-abled visitors. You can look at all their reserves on the map at www.rspb.org.uk

Want to do something really different with your grandchildren How about The American Museum in Britain?

This is a beautiful country house that traces the way of life from colonial to mid-19th Century America, with an American Heritage Exhibition where grandparents and grandchildren alike can have fun with touch screens, question boards and lots more. There are also gardens and trails for the more adventurous! See www.americanmuseum.org for lots more details.

Brokerswood Country Park is the last remaining corner of the ancient forest of Selwood - a place to explore and enjoy all year round - and it offers something for all ages - including grandparents! Woodland walks, a fishing lake, children's play areas and a light railway, are just a few of the things you will find at www.brokerswood.co.uk

DIFFERENTLY- ABLED GRANDCHILDREN

Granny Look knows that some of her readers will have differently-abled grandchildren, so hopes this will be helpful information for them.

The well known Toys r Us group produces a Toy Guide for differently-abled children and you can view this on line at http://www.toysrus.com/sm-differently

Granny Look also has some suggestions in her Toys and Gifts section including for blind and autistic children. www.grannylook.com is the place to go!

www.whizz-kidz.org.uk is a very informative and invaluable source of information and also encourages differently-abled children to contact them with their experiences.