Ruby's Rocking Reviews Ep.04
Alpaca Walk
Hi everyone, it's me Ruby. This week in the wilderness of the beautiful Essex countryside me, my nan and grandad went on an alpaca walk, it was great to combine the exercise of brisk walking with something fun! My grandparents go on a long walk everyday so I was hoping I could keep up with them!
To start, members of staff introduced us to the eight male alpacas that would be doing the walk with us. Our alpaca was called Opal and his best friend Smoky Quartz, who was in front as they were both born near the same time. Rupert, who was the oldest, is 13 years old so he had to lead the pack. Unfortunately, under 14s cannot hold the alpaca but it's definitely still worth the experience because you can walk alongside. Throughout the walk the alpacas would stop to eat from the bushes. Fun fact: alpacas can eat stinging nettles.
After the walk, which lasted roughly an hour, we visited the billy goats and we could feed them a branch of leaves. The guide explained the history of the goats; it was really fascinating listening to some of their stories. One of them was flat horned, which meant he didn't have curved horns like the other goats, this goat was in a fight with a pygmy goat and sadly that goat lost a horn so it is called the unihorn. They explained that most of the goats have been rescued and eventually go to homes where they are cared for.
Following on from the goat feed, we saw some of the female alpacas, there were 11 or 12, some with baby alpacas on the way and the leader of their pack was called... Ruby Matriarch.
Finally, we visited the pygmy goats, we got to stroke and even hold the baby goats. The one I held was 5-6 weeks old and was going to a home.
I enjoyed holding the goats as it felt really special. I would love to go again.
Ruby Xx
Ruby's verdict: 9/10
Overall experience: It was a magical experience, a fun way to spend a couple of hours walking and trying something new.
Price: 2 share 1 alpaca, £40 for the pair
Fun factor: I enjoyed so many laughs on my walk and learnt new information about alpacas.
Contact: www.blackwateralpacas.co.uk or 07813 290 708
All experiences must be pre-booked. T+C's apply. Experience on the day may vary and is open until the end of September. Total experience time is 2 hours.
Ruby's Rocking Reviews Ep.03
West Ham United Kicks PL Sessions / London Stadium Tour
Hi everyone, Ruby here. This week I've reviewed the West Ham United football PL foundation and a tour of the London Stadium, which is the home of West Ham United from 2016 and also home to the London 2012 Olympic games.
The foundation is open to ages (8-16 years) and a place where you can train and improve your football skills. The coaches give you lots of tips and are always willing to help you if you need it. There are multiple sessions for boys and girls on different days. Every Monday 5pm to 6:30pm, which is the session I attend.
I feel this training helps us develop and improve as footballers. You can practise and complete drills. Here are some of the drills we do: passing drills, moving into space to create angles so you're always around to receive the ball and mini matches. I've been twice and it is really enjoyable. I found the sessions fun, helpful and it's good to play with children of different ages and abilities.
When doing the stadium tour I visited the dressing rooms, which had the players' shirts hanging up. I also got to walk in the footsteps of them because I walked through the tunnel onto the ground where I sat on the manager's chair. We even got to go into the manager's office and walk past the frames of West Ham legends, with more information about them. To my amazement, I ran a part of the Olympic track, which hosted the Olympics; London 2012. Our guide was very informative and answered any questions. (Tour may vary)
Interesting facts about London stadium: 60,000 seats for football, 80,000 capacity for concerts, community track and 428 wheelchair viewing spaces.
I would do more training and perhaps visit the stadium again but I have already treasured that moment.
"COYI!"
Ruby Xx
Ruby's Verdict
Football Foundation: 8.5/10
London stadium tour: 9/10
Overall experience: Enjoyable, useful and I look forward to learning new football techniques. The stadium tour was good. I got a feel of what it would be like as a player and visited areas you wouldn't get to see at a match, well worth a visit.
Fun factor: Fun for all ages, great as a gift.
Price: West Ham Community foundation sessions are free. Stadium tour: fees apply.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (sessions)
www.london-stadium.com (fees apply)
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Ruby's Rocking Reviews Ep.02
Junior Gym Session review at Everyone Active
Hi, Ruby here! Recently, I visited the newly opened leisure centre in Hornchurch ‘Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre’. The old centre was knocked down over the past few months. I have fond memories because I used to swim there with my school and compete in athletics.
For my age group, I could use up to 18 different pieces of gym equipment. From 11-15 years old you can join the junior supervised gym sessions at Everyone Active. Firstly, you have to attend an induction session before the gym sessions because a member of the Everyone Active staff will show you how to use the equipment and you get a chance to trial each piece, I found this good to ask any questions you have and the staff were helpful and friendly. However, during the regular sessions someone will not be going round with you but there will always be someone there if you need any assistance. I think that it would be good to have a set routine or plan to make the most of your time to find out what you enjoy doing and what works well for you individually.
This was my first time in a gym so I was feeling a little nervous but also excited to see what I could use and I was surprised that so many of the machines had TVs on them so you could watch television while exercising! How fun is that!
I found out during my induction that girls usually choose to exercise more on cardio, which includes the following machines: treadmills, exercise bikes and cross trainers. This helps improve your overall fitness including running and football which are my favourite. In contrast, boys usually practise weights, which includes cable machines, leg extension, seated row and overhead press. Rowing is good for both cardio and weights. On average, for juniors you set the weight at 5 to 10 and you can check this at your induction session to make sure it is right for you. Also, there are floor exercises to practise gymnastics, warm up and stretches.
The junior gym session lasts 50 minutes and the induction lasts 40 minutes. On average, there are 10 children usually at a session (you can do stuff separately) but because of Covid restrictions the gym at present have to limit the numbers to 5. After you have finished on each piece of equipment you have to make sure you wipe it down afterwards with the sanitiser. The most popular day to go is Monday between 4:45pm - 7:45 pm.
If you feel comfortable you can go in on your own (without a parent) after school, otherwise with an adult.
My favourite pieces of equipment were the treadmill, exercise bike and seated row.
I would definitely go again and possibly try other things like swimming and badminton.
Ruby Xx
Ruby's verdict: 8.5/10
Overall experience: Helps to improve general fitness and to promote healthy lifestyles.
Price: £3.70 peak & off peak junior ( other fees may apply)
Fun factor: You can watch TV while you get fit!
Contact: Harrow Lodge Leisure Centre, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch, RM11 1JU
www.everyoneactive.com / 01708 454 135
Booking is essential during Covid 19.
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