After a decent drive from Cologne we're in the Nuremberg area for the next two days. The first day we've got time in a water park which is a welcome rest for the legs having got in a few ten thousand steps over the past couple of days. On our drive this morning we moved between dense fog and lovely blue skies with autumnal scenes.

We weren't sure what to expect once we were got to the pool but the weather is once again sunny and we're able to enjoy the outdoor pools (heated of course). I can imagine this place is heaving in the summer as they have beach areas and a swim up bar, with only one guy serving though and a queue of people two deep waiting to get served we didn't bother. We then headed over to the wave pool area with large inflatables which kept them entertained for a long while. Robert then wanted to do some somersaults in the diving area so Liliya and I explored the slides. Technically she wasn't old enough for any of them as you needed to be six but she's been well trained to be flexible with her age up or down when it comes to travelling 😂.

This time last year we went to a water park in Denmark and she was a bit hesitant to go on any big slides so this was a refreshing change especially as she had to go down them solo.

Robert and Al joined us and tested out some of the even bigger slides that had a minimum age limit of seven but as no one actually mans the slides and there wasn't a height restriction we just went for it.

We did a couple more outdoor pools then spent some time relaxing in the thermal baths before doing more slides and a final go in the wave pool. We'd only bought the 4hr water pass and you have to buzz yourself out otherwise you're charged extra so it was a bit of a rush at the end then Robert declares he's lost his band whilst getting dressed! It's a 100€ fine if you don't return with your band and after a few minutes looking around whilst also needing to leave to not be charged extra we decided we'd try sneak 2 kids through the turnstile together. As we got to the exit we saw one side was being carefully being monitored so that wasn't going to work but we might have luck via the other barrier. By this point I think we'd overstayed our time as the automatic gates wouldn't let us out and we had to go to the lady at the entrance with Liliya tucked down between Al and I. The lady scanned 3 bands, opened the accessible entrance and we made a speedy dash for the exit. Eek not ideal, Robert was very apologetic though.

We had just a short 15 minute drive to the playmobil motorhome parking where we're staying for the night ready for the next day. We were right next to a German aldi so did pop in for a few foreign treats before cooking our first meal in the van. Without an evening drive it does mean the kids actually get to bed at a reasonable time and get a good night's sleep.

The next morning we're taking things easy thinking the park doesn't open till 10am but then I find our tickets and it's actually 9am. The kids don't want to miss any time (it's 9.05!) and so begins a mad rush to get ready and out.

We're in the park for 9.30 and the kids immediately remembered where they were and headed straight for the castle with its secret passages, jail and climbing areas.

It's a really well designed park with plenty of seating areas around the sides for parents to chill whilst the kids run around living their best life. Last year we came in the summer so did warn them there would be no playing in the padding pool areas at this time of year.

There's still plenty to do though and they actually find some areas they didn't do last time such as the water boat area where they spend ages together inventing a pirate story.

Next it's over to the farm to milk the cows then off to the climbing frame.

After that they go on the paddle boats which they didn't do last time (probably too long of a queue) and after 10 minutes they are sufficiently worn out and in need of a pick me up snack.

There's a cute design your own character station for a small charge so I figure it will be a nice momento, they get to name their person as well, Liliya uses her alter ego Lily so it wasn't just a case of them spelling her name wrong.

After that they are off to the police station where they enjoy playing a game of matching pairs, they explore the helicopter, the sun comes out and it's time for our picnic.

For once the kids don't actually want food, instead they want to go in search of gems in the pirate area, I know they will happily spend all day there if allowed so we at least make them eat a sandwich before dropping them off whilst I search for a spot to lay down and pretend I'm sunbathing, all this place needs is a rum bar, which wouldn't be out of place in pirate land 😜.

After a while Al gets roped into treasure hunting, even getting left their whilst the kids climb on board the pirate ship. He comes back sits down then finds his hands all bloody, he's only gone and cracked his head into a tree branch!

Our days out wouldn't be the same without some sort of drama I guess! He goes and treats himself to a Nutella pancake, the kids must have smelt it a mile off as all of a sudden they find their way back over for a cheeky bite.

Next we venture over to dinosaur land, the kids insist this is new rather than they just didn't get time to visit last year 😂 Once again it's so well designed, lots of secret underground tunnels and lots of climbing, despite us telling the kids there are so many lands to visit and should they want to see them all we do have to limit their time in each place every time we try this there is still the same conversation to be had.

Mermaid land is next and even though this is set up for more summertime play the kids still enjoy filling buckets with water and building dams, they do end up with soaking wet feet of course but thankfully they are having too much fun to care.

It's then over to the Wild West and more treasure hunting, another place we didn't visit on our last trip.

I do wonder how long they would sit and dig if we didn't remind them there's still things they've told us they want to see that we need to do so after each kid had the same amount of gems it was time for the final land, Princess land. Robert wasn't overly impressed whereas Liliya lost it at seeing the unicorns that you get to wash and brush, Robert instead chose to go climbing until I spotted a water based treasure hunt for gems at which point he shouts 'bro are you serious! Wait wait for me!' Who'd have thought searching for tiny pieces of plastic in a large shell would bring so much joy.

We still had the bouncy trampolines, indoor climbing frame and playing with actual playmobil left and only an hour to do it all.

Of course we ran out of time leaving only 5 minutes for the indoor climbing area but thankfully the kids didn't feel short changed and expressed their thanks for another exciting day.

In a last minute decision, our friends who we were planning to meet tomorrow have decided to come camp overnight with us so we're hoping the kids will go to sleep easily so they join us inside for a drink and a catch up.

For the first time, whilst Al goes into the bottle shop to get supplies, I do the cooking. Fajitas, which was a big hit with the kids.

We've now got a couple of hours driving so the kids listen to some Winnie the Pooh and Lion the witch and the wardrobe, with any luck at least one if not both might be asleep by the time we arrive.