A couple of years ago I started a family tradition of asking everyone for their Wow Moment of the day during teatime.

I soon lost interest in the tradition but child two has taken on the role of asking everyone for their highlight of the day. The rules state that you have to come up with something original rather than just agreeing with the last person.

Usually, Mrs Guru and I just look at each other with a smirk after a day when our main objective has been to make it to bedtime without a tantrum in public.

“Er, I had a nice coffee this morning” is one of my favourite choices.

For once, I had a proper wow moment.

A friend had invited me to join his monthly full moon swim, which takes place at various locations on the Island. He has managed quite a few, but I waited until August before considering such things.

On this occasion we met at the Compton Farm end of Compton Bay. The steep steps make for a death-defying clamber down when you are carrying a bodyboard and wetsuit, but the view from the top is one of my favourites.

I was also carrying a Taste The Difference Victoria Sponge, since it had been a little while since I’d been invited to a party and had rather forgotten what people bring to such things. Plus, it was all I could find whilst rushing out the door after getting the children to bed.

After sharing my victoria sponge with bemused strangers and catching up with an also-invited old school friend after 17 years of non-contact, the moment finally arrived as the light of the moon began to appear over the cliffs towards Blackgang.

About 30 or 40 people jumped into the sea and my Wow Moment was just seconds away. Remarkably, it wasn’t the moment that I realised that one of my fellow swimmers was skinny dipping and I began to giggle like a schoolgirl.

As the full moon to our left lit up the sea, the summertime fireworks display at Alum Bay lit up the sky to our right. And so, I happily bodyboarded whilst the assembled swimmers cheered the arrival of the moon like they’d never seen it before. 

I had a celebratory slice of sandy victoria sponge, whilst everyone else tucked into the barbecue.

The next day, my chance arrived as I was asked for my Wow Moment and began to share my tale.

“Sorry Daddy, it has to be something from today, that’s one of the rules” said child one.

​Oh well.

We are big fans of Blackgang Chine with its oddball collection of moving dinosaurs, talking bins and waterslides. Many of our best days out have been held there, particularly now child one is tall enough to go on most things. For many of us, it offers both nostalgia and new curiosities each time we visit.

Robin Hill has the same owners and also offers a cracking day out, over a much larger area. Our favourite bits are the toboggan run, the African themed playground and the new treetop jumping nets but there’s enough to fill several hours.

However, my nose began to bleed and my head rotated three times on our most recent visit to Blackgang Chine when we discovered a ticket for four has now gone up to £100 during peak season. Discount codes and money off vouchers for Blackgang and Robin Hill are rarer than the residents of Dodo Valley, so it ended up costing us a similar price to Alton Towers where ticket prices are higher but 2 for 1 vouchers are ubiquitous.

A four-person family ticket to Blackgang Chine way back in 2008 would have cost you £35 whilst Robin Hill was £31. According to the Bank of England’s inflation calculator, that would put 2018's prices at £46 for Blackgang Chine or £41 for Robin Hill

To be fair, a lot has been invested in both parks in the last 10 years. For example, back in 2008 I don't think Robin Hill offered evening events as part of the ticket price and Blackgang Chine didn't have as much of a daytime programme. Also, they didn't used to have peak and off-peak prices, so it's not a very fair comparison. I’m sure there are also multiple other expenses which have increased and both parks always looks clean and freshly painted, unlike the flaky-paint you find at some cheaper parks.

Anyway, rather than wishing it was 2008, let’s have a look at seven ways to get better value out of a trip to Blackgang Chine or Robin Hill:

Ruthless pennypinchers on a family holiday with the wider family should attempt this strategy:

• On the day before your visit make a generous gesture such as buying your mother-in-law an ice cream (“I’ll get the ice creams today folks!”). Bargain hunters may like to get a multipack from Sainsburys.
• On the approach to Blackgang Chine or Robin Hill confidently offer to pay again (“We’ll get this today!”). You might like to refer to the in-laws as ‘mum and dad’ to really butter them up.
• At this point, they will most likely respond: “No no, we’ll get this, you got the ice creams”. This works particularly well if they haven’t yet seen the admission price.
• Loudly accept their generous offer and encourage the children to give them three cheers. This move locks them into a watertight agreement to pay for everyone.
• Busy yourself in the gift shop whilst the transaction takes place.
• Gently slap your father-in-law on the back and say ‘cheers Dad’ as he coyly puts his credit card back into his bum bag and wonders if he has gone into his overdraft.

Got any other suggestions for discounts at Blackgang Chine or Robin Hill? Please feel free to comment below...