every child should experience Britain’s quintessential summer fruit as it should be.A family day out picking at a local farm from June to mid-August should have vintage results, or, for a faster fruity fix, try Sweet Eve. This home-grown variety

of Gondwana to learn all about the local animals, looking out for tracks and, er… animal dung. After an exhilarating few days tracking the white lions, families can head to the white sands of the Western Cape to Last Word Long Beach hotel in Cape Town, which

of getting acquainted with the local cuisine, and even those with the most pernickety of palates should find a plate to please at one of the resort's seven restaurants and snack bars. Dining options range from local seafood specialities at the Baan Talay

.homebase-hols.comSECOND-HAND SHOPPINGFreecycle (www.freecycle.org)This is the place to give stuff away for free, and put up a 'wanted' notice for something you might wantJumble sales and Car Boot FairsThe place to head for the cheapest bargains. Look out for events in your local newspaperopr

Education to whom you could also talk. Local authorities may also have someone responsible for those who are gifted and talented.Gifted children often need more support at school, but not necessarily more structured activities. They may need to be allowed

:  why not load bikes onto the car, nip across the Channel and try a short-haul holiday to somewhere like Brittany? It has superb beaches, rocky coves for shrimping expeditions, organic markets and fish supplied by local fishermen, which also puts money

and rhinoceroses. Only children aged six and over can go on the safari ride, but everyone can get enjoy the Ulusaba Cub’s Club. Activities include following animal tracks and cribbing up on local wildlife and map-reading skills. For each completed task, your child

are travelling with babies and toddlers who are too young to ski, you will need some kind of childcare. This may mean taking grandma; it may mean travelling with a family specialist, such as Ski Famille, who offer childcare or it may mean booking a local crèche

(we released it into our pond but I don’t think it has thrived). Snails get fed to our greedy hens, books are read and then sold on at school fêtes or other local fundraisers. The mountainous heap of jiffy bags was passed on to my former employer

local pharmacy, as pharmacists are a good source of medical advice and often speak English. They may also be able to find an English-speaking doctor for you.2. PaperworkIt is really important to have the right documentation when travelling abroad, so