the Scrabble

Project nearby ? Well worth it if you haven't been there. If it's any consolation, London is grey and miserable.

need to lash the rigrats and the GLW to the mast whilst heading off to find a good, solid granite pub selling Doom Bar for yourself. Just tell them "I may be some time" as you set out into the maelstrom.

I lived in Falmouth during the early 90s and whilst I haven't been back since then, I do miss a huge, steaming proper Cornish pasty on a cold day. With a bit of ketchup and if you're feeling devilish, perhaps some brown sauce. This is probably not much help though right now.

Buy XBox. Your kids will thank you......and will make your day bearable.

It is fun, but not much fun in the rain. Tried it. Too much of it is outside.

One of those giant bottles like you get for being Manager Of The Month.

Drop off a couple of decent pasties and a bottle of cider and I'm sure they'll make you a cuppa and ply the kids with all sorts of unhealthy cakes and pastries. Dad's got the stove going in the front room, and it's toasty in there.

Alternatively, jam everyone in the car(s) and bundle yourselves off to Boscastle via the scenic Bodmin Moor route to the north coast (it's an hour's drive) to visit the Museum Of Witchcraft; that ought to tickle the little so and so's fancy for an hour or two.

Here it is: http://www.museumofwitchcraft.com/

I am assuming of course that you're not of a 'Harry Potter is evil' persuasion? The Museum does come with a health warning: "People with Children of a sensitive disposition are warned that some of the exhibits are controversial."

Human sacrifices! Shrunken heads! Wicker Men! Bring it on!

Otherwise, the aquarium in Plymouth is the best in the country, and that's about 45 minutes east of Looe, over the Tamar Bridge (which is itself worth crossing, just to gawp at the Brunel railway bridge alongside it).

Here's the aquarium link: http://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/

It used to be brilliant when it was in the old Marine Biological Association premises on the Hoe, but in its new home it's by all accounts even better.

Man eating sharks! Sea-horses without guitarists! Conger eels as long as your arm!

In Falmouth is excellent.

Also check out the Pandora Inn at Restronguet/Mylor where the kids can fish for crabs off the pontoon - does good food & beer, and the Ferryboat on the Helford where the kids can play on the beach while you do the food/beer thing. Quite sheltered here, and you can go from here to the National Seal Sanctuary at Gweek - kids will love this.

Eden is great with most of the interesting stuff indoors, and you could try Fowey which is a lovely little town.

We've got better weather coming later in the week - if you can stomach more driving then go down to Sennen at Lands End where you can hire wet suits and body boards. Should be good surf later in the week and there's a decent cafe/restaurant on the beach.

I don't really know East Cornwall I'm afraid - west is best!

a virtue out of getting wet, take the brood to Polzeath and take surfing lessons from the Surf's Up school on the beach;

Details here: http://www.surfsupsurfschool.com/

Pete & Jane or one of their staff will take the whole lot of you out into the surf in wetsuits with foamies and you'll have a great time.

There's a great beach cafe and shops to buy last summer's T shirts from at reduced prices. Don't forget to drop by the Post Office at the back of the beach to get your pasties, my darlins.

Or, if you've got the requisite waterproof kit, explore Glendurgan Gardens, above the Helford river, which is my favourite National Trust site in the whole county.

Details here: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-glendurgangarden

It's much less well known than Heligan, but actually much better for kids. Make sure they have a go on the Giant's Stride (warning: high risk of adult lunacy here too) and get lost in the brilliant maze.

Next door Glendurgan is excellent too.

...in the same place around 5 years ago, with our 6 month old daughter . It poured down in a way I'd rarely seen before, (and I live in Lancashire). We gave up after 3 days and went home, only realising a few weeks later that the lack of entertainment elsewhere had resulted in the conception of child No2, so it was a success of sorts.

the aquarium in Plymouth but Mr Fox beat me to it. I don't know if The Monkey Sanctuary is still going near Looe, but if it is then I'm sure you'll find a leaflet on it. There's Porfell wildlife sanctuary near Lanreath (google it).
Alternatively, if you do decide to visit Boscastle, via Bodmin Moor, you could call in to The Church House Inn, tucked away down the back lanes at Linkinhorne (six miles north of Liskeard), on the way back, where I'll be ensconced with another Massive member...hang on.. I'll rephrase that... with another Word blog and magazine reader, from 6pm until 8pm this Wednesday. A simple country pub with Sharps and Skinners beer. They do meals for a fiver between 6pm and 7pm (opens at 6pm) and welcome children.

is always worth a visit too.

The telegraph museum is fascinating

Website is a little dull => http://www.porthcurno.org.uk/