Still looking for a winning Bank Holiday day-out that will suit the whole family?
Total MK has the answer – and The Big Outdoor Show is on your doorstep.
Willen Lake is hosting the extravaganza which has plenty for outdoor enthusiasts to literally dive into.
And if you don't want to take to the water, or throw yourself from a great height (just two of the opportunities on offer), the more sedate pastime of watching others getting stuck in will be a winning one.
Total MK swung by yesterday and one of our party was smitten with Carapods, the weekend getaway that you take home again afterwards.
The perfectly compact pods have a whole lot going on inside the mini-space – a double bed, sofa, storage space, TV and DVD.
It's nifty, and then some.
“This is what I want for my birthday,” he said. But with a price tag of £7500 we hope he won't be holding his breath in anticipation...
Visit www.carapods.com
[gallery link="file" columns="4" ids="10985,10984,10991,10994,10993,10995,10996,10997,10998,10986,10987,10992,10990,10989,10988,10999"]Always fancied Kayaking? No space to store a 12ft beast of a boat though?
Worry not, they come in fold up packs these days. Seriously.
The Oru Kayak is inspired by origami, but trust us, this version – made from ultra-durable corrugated plastic – definitely won't get soggy in the wet stuff.
Best of all, the kayak folds up into its own box. It's a fab design, lightweight and can be assembled in as little as five minutes.
Visit www.nestawayboats.com
The kids will love a trip to see the pretty ponies from the Bryerley Equestrian Centre, and there are demonstrations galore to check in with – we caught the Action Sports Tour display team at play with a 'wheely' engaging delivery.
No stay to the show is complete without stopping by to see the beautiful Newfoundland Friends Dogs Rescue at work.
These gentle giants are just as much at home in the water as they are on dry land, and will be showing their agility at water rescues with demonstrations over the course of the Outdoor Show. A must see.
Visit www.newfoundfriends.co.uk
It's not every day you are privileged to get up close and personal to a beautiful fox, let alone two, so a visit to the Exotic Animal Encounter – run by the enthusiastic and incredibly knowledgeable Kelly and Matt - is a great stop-by.
The two inquisitive meercats (or Meepers, to their owners) prove particular stars with visitors, although the same can't be said of pretty little lady Charlotte...maybe because she has eight legs?
Charlotte is a chile rose tarantula, and she isn't nearly as scary as you might imagine – as our team discovered for themselves.
There are giant millipedes and lizards, a python and an owl and even a chatty raven.
It's a winning combination of the weird, the wonderful and the simply cuter than cute – and be sure to say hello to Holly the Raccoon – she's a cheeky girl who loves the limelight.
Education is the key when it comes to many of our weird and wonderful creatures, and The Exotic Animal Encounter is doing a sterling job, shedding myths and replacing with facts.
Visit: www.theexoticanimalencounter.co.uk
A parade of stalls turn up some interesting opportunities, and when you are through with with wandering, find a green spot, kick back and take in the fresh air.
With a full programme of daily entertainment, and seminars with explorers including Alex Jackson, Felicity Aston and – on Monday only – Sir Ranulph Fiennes, The Big Outdoor Show is a fine way to spend this Bank Holiday.
Visit: www.thebigoutdoorshow.co.uk
