I often have children in the shop honking the bike horns or blowing through the slide whistles, but today I had a little girl who played Doe a Dear on my new activity walker from Mumbo Jumbo Toys. What a treat and a great achievement! I am really happy for children to play in my shop, but don't get me wrong I am definitely not a crèche (at times a gentle intervention is needed! Usually due to over exuberant swordsmanship on the forecourt!) But having toys out of the box ready to be handled is an essential element of Toy Ahoy.
So often parents and children are distracted by packaging and promised benefits only to be disappointed in hindsight (and see the purchase disappear amongst a heap of other toys when home!). But having the toys out and on display gives us all a chance to see exactly where each child gravitates. Perhaps they are more interested in role play with the fire engines and Budkin figures or maybe more physical game play with the push along animals, or rubber balls?
Patience is the key and often customers who come to Toy Ahoy are on holiday and have a little extra time, life in Somerset is definitely at a slower pace. (Then they rush off to catch the steam train or open top bus, but that's a long way from the rush hour commute!)
When we first opened we were worried that the products on our forecourt would be abused (which they are to a degree!) but it's rarely a problem which is testament to the strengths and durability of wood, and the quality of design. But what I have found to be the most disruptive and abusive factor is the British weather, a wooden xylophone was never designed to withstand the British rain! I often rush outside to rescue them with a towel!
Is it worth it? The simple answer is yes, if I can connect a child with the right toy then the child is happy. Put very simply when the child is happy, then you are too as your precious money has been spent well.
Everyone who buys a gift wants it 'to be the one' a toy that is of the moment or time or place. My forever toy was a tent (though I was about 9 so a little older than the average Toy Ahoy child.) My wife's was a swing ball which she played and played and played. I wonder what my children's will be and how many of Toy Ahoy sales will be the forever toy.
Clunker classic Porlock
4 July, 2010
I was in Porlock yesterday watching a lot of 'big kids' cycle out of town and up the hill on bikes 'not fit for purpose'! It is a clunker cycle race down some pretty steep off road tracks that a lot of tough mountain bikers would think twice about.
When they gathered to leave on their quest there was a strange mix of anticipation and excitement. As you can guess this is no normal race, no risk assessment, no tabards and clip boards and if asked there probably is no race at all! So what's all the fuss about and what is the draw to cycle down a forest track on a shopper or chopper?
Well who knows but it looks like fun! personally I think it's a reflex from the culture of safety we live in. When I was a kid and I went 'out on my bike' it was usually my mums shopper that gave me safe passage through the woods. Hugging the curves and tree roots before the inevitable puncture repair by my dad. Wouldn't I like to do that again? to be young and free, riding through the forest with out style or flair (I can do that!) Slick tyres slipping over the dust and rocks, living on the edge of caution, all sounds a bit rock and roll for the underdog, just my ticket.
When everyone who is 'racing' does so tongue in cheek, it is the hill who is being pitched against not each other. In the tradition of childhood youth, storytelling and the illusion of invincibility, will the hill let you through, just leave you bruised for your troubles, or take you body and soul and swallow you whole! Perhaps the latter happened long ago, I think it's only the word race that pushes the clunker classic under the radar, those involved are open and welcoming, looking for kindred spirits, and possibly trying to work out why they need to do it themselves.
In Toy Ahoy we are super safety concious as any self respecting shop keeper (and father) should be. It is a tricky balance wanting independence and confidence in our children, without limiting their potential and letting them discover their own limits. I was at a wedding a couple of weeks ago and it was said about the groom that he was 'a dream father and a health and safety nightmare!!' It is a fine line to straddle in this day and age as it has always been, with adulthood and maturity brings responsibility and caution. There is a point when you say enough enough, today we are going cycling on bikes unfit for purpose and we will be better for it no matter what bruises and scars we pick up on the way!
Perhaps next year I will have the courage to do just that, step off the spectator stand, dust off the saddle from my mums bike, and go clunker.
Why choose wood?
31 May, 2010
Why choose a wooden toy over any of the alternatives, I was wondering what you thought and so drew up a little poll to find out. If you think there should be another answer then comment and I will include.
At what age do girls choose pink?
29 May, 2010
I often have grandparents in the shop who will not buy anything for their grand daughter unless it is pink. Whether it be a book or tea set, pink it must be, and the 'girlier' the better. I was wondering where this came from so I did a little research and found that apparently the colour preference of gender started in the 1920's but boys were pink!
Apparently pink was closer to red (certainly after a few washes!) and red is very masculine. At the time girls were predominately blue which was derived from the association of the Virgin Mary's dress and purity.
So when was 'little boy blue' published I thought to myself, surly that's a lot older; and the answer is mid 1700's, and probably sung a lot earlier than that. In the 1940's though the die was set as girls became pink and boys blue and the true catalyst for this is a mystery (to me at least.)
It could have been snow white in her flowing dress and rosy pink apple, or the boy kings clothes, whatever the reason we chose these, they are now the de facto standard. From a shop keepers perspective, colour coded babies are a boon, the last thing I intend is to offend and getting the gender right in respect to the recent addition is essential. I remember being referred to in the female until I was about 11 much to my mothers horror, (she still brings it up now!!)
The Unveiling
5 May, 2010
The Mosaic in the park was unveiled despite the torrential rain on Saturday 1st May.
The response from those that attended with wellies and umbrellas was very positive - I do believe that everyone was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the finished piece. It really has added another dimension to this already beautiful park. The children in Year 3 should all be very proud and I hope that they enjoy showing friends and family their work for many years to come.
I hope that you also have an opportunity to see the mosaic on what will hopefully be for you a sunny day!
The Dunster Packhorse Mosaic was financially assisted by
ARTLife The West Somerset Arts Consortium
Exmoor National Park Sustainable Development Fund (DEFRA)
Dunster Parish Council
Dunster First School
Time for tea anyone?
21 April, 2010
Today I was offered a piece of pizza by a customer’s son, which had been lovingly prepared in the shop, on a wooden cooker! The pizza, like so many cups of tea was imaginary, and of course we all had the best slice we had ever eaten!
When they had gone it occurred to me as a shop keeper what we really sell are props for imaginative play. Be it a kite, wooden cooker or rag doll, they are essential platforms or springboards for their imaginations to run riot. Ironically a child can draw as much joy from a garden worm as an expensive gift, a dilemma we all fight with when buying gifts for our precious ones.
When we dig back into our own childhoods and the signature memories that define our happiness, do we remember the first bike or favourite scuffed shoes? Or can we actually remember being a child playing in that far off world catching fairies and knights at magic tea parties, where the tea pot is never quite empty.
As Robert Brault once said, ‘A child seldom needs a good talking to as a good listening to.’
In my shop a lot of the toys are already out of their boxes, ready to transport your child to that special place. How else would you know if your child wants to play firemen or cars, whether she gravitates towards rag dolls or music if she can’t actually touch and interact with the toy? So many shops stack their products in boxes, sealing the fun away!
It is such a simple thing to do but it makes all the difference and my customers are pleased as well, not only do they get closer to what it is they are buying, they know that it is more likely to be what the child really wants and not what’s been ‘sold’ to them.
So next time I am offered an imaginary cup of tea, I have to remind myself when in this situation I should do two really important things.
Firstly ask for a second cup, and secondly make sure there is cake too!!
Mosaic in The Park
16 April, 2010
Davina has been busy organising this exciting art project and no
doubt my technical skills will be called upon to help fix the
finished pieces in place! Lets hope that the sun shines so that you
can all enjoy playing in the park and paddling in the river -
remember to bring a towel. Also, if you are going to bring a picnic
there is no need to bring a pudding as Styles Ice cream will be on
hand donating a percentage of their sales from the day to the park.
The unveiling will be at 4 pm so I do hope as many of you as possible
can attend to give your support. The children involved should all be
very proud of their achievement and have thoroughly enjoyed working
under the guidance of professional mosaic artist Adam Stanley - who
based in London has relished being able to come home to Minehead to
work on this project. The results are stunning and Davina loves the
fact that a lot of the reused broken ceramics were found in a nearby
Dunster garden - it reminds her of the excitement she had as a child
when finding broken crockery in the earth at her Grandpa's allotment.
Toy Ahoy will be donating prizes for those of you who are lucky and
skilled in the games on the day.
We must acknowledge and thank the following for funding this project -
ARTLife, Exmoor Sustainable Development Fund(DEFRA), Dunster parish
Council and Dunster First School.
inner space
25 March, 2010
I have just been hard at the camera, snapping away for the web site and all that is pure in the Toy Ahoy world. As we gear up for the spring and Easter, fresh stock has arrived and in need of webilization (no there is no such word but perhaps soon!!)
Personally I shy away from using the regular stock photos from my suppliers. It's not that their photos are bad, but more that they are everywhere, with every site a clone of the next. So its to the moors or in this case (and weather!) the bathroom of all places, it's ideal with natural light and space enough to make a set and then go crazy on digital.
I hope you like them, I will be taking the boys out for kite flying soon, we've got a great selection of kites in the shop but rather disappointing piccys. (Even the supplier photos are too poor in my opinion!!) But the kites themselves are superb, they all fly (yes really!!) are well made and of course lots of fun. All we need is sun, wind, and space and we shall tickle the heavens.
Book day
12 March, 2010
What a morning, today is book day which means dress up your child in their favourite book character, but as a book seller we are positively drowning in books. So what was it to be, lots of choices and lots of possibilities but in the end it had to be digger the dog. No 2 son has always loved this one as we all have, so Digger the dog it was to be.
Davina quickly whizzed up a dogs mask with some rusty art skills, in true Korky Paul style, a swishing tail, a bone (important story element!) and of course the book in question. I had the joy of taking him and thankfully all our hard work was worth while as the school is awash with book characters, lots of Hogwart's fraternity, a great Dennis the Menace and quite a few fairies or Snow whites. Brilliant and all done before breakfast!! Next time a little preparation (and organisation) may be in order. But job well done.
Now today I have dressed as an undercover agent, a dark attaché case, newspaper with eye holes, coffee and of course a big cake! What could go wrong.
Its all a bit fishy
15 February, 2010
Yesterday we had a great family day out to new Blue Reef Bristol Aquarium, and the exhibits are marvellous. Those responsible for designing and setting up the colours have really done their home work. It is so often that exhibits like this are let down by poor lighting or shabby windows. But not here, the diversity and breadth is great, and the use of colour throughout is exemplary.
As part of the ticket you get a 3D imax about whales, which I felt was very heavy handed in the message of their impending doom. I have much respect for conservation but found this wearing and perhaps too bleak for my little boy who just wants to grab at the 3D floating fishes.
The irony in all of this eco message is that the exit is through the shop, which is stacked to the gunnel's with plastic fishes, and rubber whales! I do my utmost to stock toys of a diverse mixture which I think of as quality and not land fill.
Most of my stock is timber based and so has a recent carbon footprint, but I am not plastic free (though wouldn't that be great.) I just hope that the choices of toys I make have a higher ratio of play value than their cost which ever way you look at it. Still it was a great day out and we all had a fantastic time, I especially liked the cat fish where the wild walk used to be.
New year new start trade fairs and brilliant stuff1
1 January, 2010
2009 was a great year for Toy Ahoy and this year we are battening the hatches ready for hyperspace! Well perhaps not exactly hyperspace but some where in the stratosphere. It is trade fair time of year with all our suppliers vying for pole position, bristling with new toys and new ideas. Of course there is a lot of chaff with the wheat and we approach the fairs with both excitement and intrepidation, but what is certain is that Toy Ahoy will remain focused on good quality traditional toys and not drift into the abyss of plastic which seems to have beset many toy stores. So here's to keeping our feet on the ground ready for the future.
Merry Christmas one and all
18 December, 2009
Thought I should just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and No2 son did this
great card I couldn't resist publishing to the world!!
It's been our busiest Christmas ever here in the toy shop and not
surprisingly too, (this being our third) but what has gone well are the web
sales. It's a slow and peculiar job building customer trust for online
sales. Slow and steady growth is the ticket (which we can manage!) Today is
the last Christmas posting day so things have cooled off a bit thankfully
and I can concentrate on my shop customers more fully.
Still plenty of work to do before now and Christmas as we are open right up
till dusk on Christmas Eve. Then its doors closed and away from the shop for
the family and me for three whole days!! Then back again until the Children
are at school, then we get a holiday properly. But more about that another
time!
Tree O'clock
5 December, 2009
Tree o'clock, it's tree o'clock. Saturday 5th, up on the moors behind Dunster planting Oak trees with the family, what a day. We managed 290 in all, (lots of help not just me and the boys!!). We also had a treat riding in Graham Smiths wheels (lead forester for the Crown Estate) The boys had fun putting the chain saw helmet on whilst riding through the forest, felt like true lumberjacks.
Great day with lovely lunch provided too and not sure if we managed to set a world record or not, but hopefully what ever we managed we'll beat next year. Thanks to all including the Crown Estate, Exmoor National Park and of course the local school and scouts.
Diabolo daring do!
28 November, 2009
Last night went with a bang, we had lots of customers involved in the diabolo demo, many with some great tricks that gave our sponsored diabolist a run for the money! We had flaming diabolo's, fire clubs, and tricks gallore, sold a few and strung new cables for those wanting to up their game.
What a night, but the real question hanging in the air is how can we top that next year!!
Christmas is in the air
27 November, 2009
Tonight is late night shopping, we have a dastardly diabolo demonstration and are prepared to enjoy all that the Minehead weather can bring (which seems mainly rain this morning and loads of it!) But the blue sky is coming and along with a mystery celebrity to do the actual switch on, so all should go swimmingly!! The council sponsored Christmas lights are up in the high street, so here in the Avenue, there will be a different type of ambiance! At the heart of which is Toy Ahoy with festive paper chains and candy canes, flashing diabolos and daring juggling. We will hopefully be the talking point of the night, now what was that quote, oh yes 'to get the ripest fruit, one must go out on a limb.'
Do you remember your first bicycle?
19 November, 2009
When my Father chats about Christmas and what it is he enjoys about the season one of the things that crops up is how he loves to see the children out on their new bikes on Boxing Day – all wobbly and aided by their own Fathers. It obviously evokes happy memories –from being a child and also a parent.
The balance bike has had enormous press over recent months and understandably so. At Toy Ahoy we have a great model that stands out at not only great value for money (£59) but it’s simplicity of design and solid construction. Aimed at children between the age of 3 and 6 it has an adjustable seat, pneumatic tyres and a timber frame which incorporates a carrying handle. Great for carrying home from the park when little ones are all pooped out!
The idea behind the balance bike is very simple. It has no pedals and children are encouraged to ‘walk’ the bike, building confidence and momentum. In no time at all they are free wheeling and have gained the skill to balance without the aid of stabilisers and having to learn to pedal at the same time. When they are old enough they will master a regular bike in no time at all. The same is true if you learn to ride a scooter before tackling a pedal bike. We also have a selection of French wooden Scooters available.
So let us hope Christmas is dry and bright so that those children who unwrapped balance bikes on Christmas morning can have fond memories riding their new with no pedals!
Diabolo the devils demonstration
6 November, 2009
We at toy ahoy are really looking forward to the Late night shopping on the 27th November, and to celebrate this we are having a free Diabolo demonstration, a craze which is sweeping the nation at the moment.
It's origins are closely linked to that of the yo yo and are believed to come from China in the 12 century. The whip and top is also from this vein and works in a similar way but on the ground rather than in the air.
But what ever you taste in spinning things, the diabolo is an infectious skill based game that has many levels of mastery (and accessibility) for both young and old. And just in for those dark evenings are the diabolos with flashing lights (see illustration courtesy of our suppliers).
Looking forward to seeing you on the Friday night 27th November for the late night shopping and lights on.
Customer reviews
8 October, 2009
Today I had a brilliant email from a customer which I felt was worth putting here.
Thanks Chris! That's brilliant - can't wait to get my package. By the way, this is the first time I've used your site and it's wonderful - I've just recommended it to my antenatal group buddies and we all agreed that we'll be sending round the website link to our rellies as a heavy hint for a source of Christmas presents! For the babies, that is...! And I can't wait for our little one to get older (he's only six months now) so that I can buy him more stuff, like the wooden weapons and the kites and the fire lantern and the swing and the push along wooden blocks.....oh, and I could go on....!
What else can I say
Parent Talk
16 September, 2009
I could not resist using this fantastic picture that Christopher recently took on North Hill for our website – Toyahoy.co.uk. The setting is stunning and conjures up images of great artists painting in the landscape – Somerset is truly beautiful and we thoroughly enjoy bringing up our two boys in this glorious environment.
The easel proved to be last years must have Christmas present amongst our customers and I am sure it will be just as popular this year. Great for painting outside, whiz them out in the garden and keep the mess out of the house! It also boasts a magnetic side and we have a wide range of magnetic kits that make a great accompanying present. Brightly coloured letters and numbers make learning the basics more appealing and fun. The magnet covers the entire surface area of the letter so there is no danger of children swallowing little magnets that may come unattached with curious fingers.
There is also a range of fun magnets by Djeco, which encourage hand/eye co-ordination, and their imagination. Each figure has a different fancy dress costume – pirate, Indian, mermaid, and they can gain confidence in telling tales, and making up adventures for the characters they create.
Out on the Moors
29 August, 2009
Number two son and I had great fun on the Moors this week taking pictures for the web site. The weapons are always his favourite, though he did have a lovely time putting the Stylish Eve magnetics on the easel too. I feel we are so lucky here at Toy Ahoy to be surrounded by such amazing country side that it would be a shame not to get out into it at every opportunity.
The summer has been erratic (as usual) but there have been dramatic cloud shapes and wonderful sunsets between the storms, we watched the steam train last night from Dunster beach just before the rain swept through and it looked like some scene from The Lord of the Rings. Magical.
Seeding stars!
10 August, 2009
Last night we set off a lantern from the garden and what a simple and magical experience. It took a few minutes to warm up after lighting the fuel cell but then it gently lifted off in to the evening sky. As it got smaller and smaller it eventually became so small it was just a star.
twitter
16 July, 2009
just started to twitter, which is proving to be great fun and a different dimension to the web for us here at Toy Ahoy HQ. I enjoy talking to our customers and getting to know where they come from and why they are here I thought that this may be a way to add the human eclectic element to the web.
Half way though July and the French Djeco art kits are selling well, it is always good to change and refresh the stock especially for our regular customers. But this time I am rather pleased to have bought umberella's. So often people ask if the goods are made in China, and here I am proud to say they are. Who else could deliver craftsmanship to such a product and with the famous Djeco artwork they are truly stunning. Good for rain or shine, young and old, just what you need for the British summer!
Naturally sweet tooth
15 May, 2009
Natural flavour, colour and ingredients, all hand made and still taste great! It sounds like an impossible task but the Original Candy Company managed to do just that and we at Toy Ahoy are delighted to add them to the range we stock.
We have chosen just a few flavours of Lollies and Candy canes but we felt any more would just confuse every one. Besides we don't need any more excuses to test the product.
The Red Baron flys again!!
17 March, 2009
Today the sun is shining and the March winds blow, so what should you do? well go fly a kite obviously, and what better kites to fly than those from Spirit of Air. We have spent a while finding kites which have great design, style and fly really well. The Baron is really something in all these respects, the photo does not really do it justice.
So on the beach this summer, I'm sure your be flying high, with your Toy Ahoy special. And if it's power kites you want well then perhaps you should come into the shop and chat to Chris!
Meet the big toy car!
10 December, 2008
We thought it was about time we put the shop name on the car so everyone can see and wave at us when we are about town.
Pavement Pirates the Winners
21 October, 2008
These were our favourites from the two days and will be receiving the special swashbuckilng prizes!!
The two days were a great success, with little pirates coming from far and wide to decorate our flag stones with flag ships. As part of the Nations Big Draw (over 1000 events throughout the month) we are proud to have taken part.
Many thanks for all the help from those that took part drawing and those behind the scenes.
Pirate Solomon
21 October, 2008
Our budding apprentice Pirate Solomon getting into the swing of things in the shop.
Environ-Mental
15 October, 2008
Buying toys is fun but in today’s consumer world we have other pressures to consider when making a purchase – an environmental one.
At Toy Ahoy in Minehead we carefully select colourful, fun and educational toys that are produced by companies with strong green ethics and a social conscience, so that you may enjoy choosing award winning toys knowing that we have done the background research for you. Wood sourced from carefully managed and replenished plantations is a priority. Plan Toy use natural rubber wood from trees that are no longer able to produce latex; that would otherwise be burnt. The wood is then stabilised using a chemical free kiln powered by a renewable energy source.
Environmental does not mean dull. The bright colours are achieved by using water-based dyes. Soy ink decomposes faster than regular ink and can be recycled more effectively. Also, wooden toys do not damage as easily as plastic and can be quickly repaired with a spot of glue and when they are all played out are far more biodegradable.
Your reward for choosing quality toys? They will last longer, maybe even for the next generation of your family to play with, but they will also help ensure that they too have a beautiful world to play in.
I often have children in the shop honking the bike horns or blowing through the slide whistles, but today I had a little girl who played Doe a Dear on my new activity walker from Mumbo Jumbo Toys. What a treat and a great achievement! I am really happy for children to play in my shop, but don't get me wrong I am definitely not a crèche (at times a gentle intervention is needed! Usually due to over exuberant swordsmanship on the forecourt!) But having toys out of the box ready to be handled is an essential element of Toy Ahoy.
I was in Porlock yesterday watching a lot of 'big kids' cycle out of town and up the hill on bikes 'not fit for purpose'! It is a clunker cycle race down some pretty steep off road tracks that a lot of tough mountain bikers would think twice about. 
Why choose a wooden toy over any of the alternatives, I was wondering what you thought and so drew up a little poll to find out. If you think there should be another answer then comment and I will include.
I often have grandparents in the shop who will not buy anything for their grand daughter unless it is pink. Whether it be a book or tea set, pink it must be, and the 'girlier' the better. I was wondering where this came from so I did a little research and found that apparently the colour preference of gender started in the 1920's but boys were pink!
The Mosaic in the park was unveiled despite the torrential rain on Saturday 1st May.
Today I was offered a piece of pizza by a customer’s son, which had been lovingly prepared in the shop, on a wooden cooker! The pizza, like so many cups of tea was imaginary, and of course we all had the best slice we had ever eaten! 
Davina has been busy organising this exciting art project and no
I have just been hard at the camera, snapping away for the web site and all that is pure in the Toy Ahoy world. As we gear up for the spring and Easter, fresh stock has arrived and in need of webilization (no there is no such word but perhaps soon!!)
What a morning, today is book day which means dress up your child in their favourite book character, but as a book seller we are positively drowning in books. So what was it to be, lots of choices and lots of possibilities but in the end it had to be digger the dog. No 2 son has always loved this one as we all have, so Digger the dog it was to be.
Yesterday we had a great family day out to new Blue Reef Bristol Aquarium, and the exhibits are marvellous. Those responsible for designing and setting up the colours have really done their home work. It is so often that exhibits like this are let down by poor lighting or shabby windows. But not here, the diversity and breadth is great, and the use of colour throughout is exemplary. 
2009 was a great year for Toy Ahoy and this year we are battening the hatches ready for hyperspace! Well perhaps not exactly hyperspace but some where in the stratosphere. It is trade fair time of year with all our suppliers vying for pole position, bristling with new toys and new ideas. Of course there is a lot of chaff with the wheat and we approach the fairs with both excitement and intrepidation, but what is certain is that Toy Ahoy will remain focused on good quality traditional toys and not drift into the abyss of plastic which seems to have beset many toy stores. So here's to keeping our feet on the ground ready for the future. 
Thought I should just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and No2 son did this
Tree o'clock, it's tree o'clock. Saturday 5th, up on the moors behind Dunster planting Oak trees with the family, what a day. We managed 290 in all, (lots of help not just me and the boys!!). We also had a treat riding in Graham Smiths wheels (lead forester for the Crown Estate) The boys had fun putting the chain saw helmet on whilst riding through the forest, felt like true lumberjacks.
Last night went with a bang, we had lots of customers involved in the diabolo demo, many with some great tricks that gave our sponsored diabolist a run for the money! We had flaming diabolo's, fire clubs, and tricks gallore, sold a few and strung new cables for those wanting to up their game.
Tonight is late night shopping, we have a dastardly diabolo demonstration and are prepared to enjoy all that the Minehead weather can bring (which seems mainly rain this morning and loads of it!) But the blue sky is coming and along with a mystery celebrity to do the actual switch on, so all should go swimmingly!! The council sponsored Christmas lights are up in the high street, so here in the Avenue, there will be a different type of ambiance! At the heart of which is Toy Ahoy with festive paper chains and candy canes, flashing diabolos and daring juggling. We will hopefully be the talking point of the night, now what was that quote, oh yes 'to get the ripest fruit, one must go out on a limb.'
We at toy ahoy are really looking forward to the Late night shopping on the 27th November, and to celebrate this we are having a free Diabolo demonstration, a craze which is sweeping the nation at the moment. 
Today I had a brilliant email from a customer which I felt was worth putting here. 
I could not resist using this fantastic picture that Christopher recently took on North Hill for our website – Toyahoy.co.uk. The setting is stunning and conjures up images of great artists painting in the landscape – Somerset is truly beautiful and we thoroughly enjoy bringing up our two boys in this glorious environment. 
Number two son and I had great fun on the Moors this week taking pictures for the web site. The weapons are always his favourite, though he did have a lovely time putting the Stylish Eve magnetics on the easel too. I feel we are so lucky here at Toy Ahoy to be surrounded by such amazing country side that it would be a shame not to get out into it at every opportunity.
Last night we set off a lantern from the garden and what a simple and magical experience. It took a few minutes to warm up after lighting the fuel cell but then it gently lifted off in to the evening sky. As it got smaller and smaller it eventually became so small it was just a star. 
just started to twitter, which is proving to be great fun and a different dimension to the web for us here at Toy Ahoy HQ. I enjoy talking to our customers and getting to know where they come from and why they are here I thought that this may be a way to add the human eclectic element to the web.
Half way though July and the French Djeco art kits are selling well, it is always good to change and refresh the stock especially for our regular customers. But this time I am rather pleased to have bought umberella's. So often people ask if the goods are made in China, and here I am proud to say they are. Who else could deliver craftsmanship to such a product and with the famous Djeco artwork they are truly stunning. Good for rain or shine, young and old, just what you need for the British summer! 
Natural flavour, colour and ingredients, all hand made and still taste great! It sounds like an impossible task but the Original Candy Company managed to do just that and we at Toy Ahoy are delighted to add them to the range we stock. 
Today the sun is shining and the March winds blow, so what should you do? well go fly a kite obviously, and what better kites to fly than those from Spirit of Air. We have spent a while finding kites which have great design, style and fly really well. The Baron is really something in all these respects, the photo does not really do it justice. 
We thought it was about time we put the shop name on the car so everyone can see and wave at us when we are about town. 
These were our favourites from the two days and will be receiving the special swashbuckilng prizes!!
Our budding apprentice Pirate Solomon getting into the swing of things in the shop. 