Hazy Summer Sun - An Evening Amongst the Gold

As the evenings get darker and the mornings cooler, I am holding on to the moments of sunshine we've had this summer. Just before the wheat in the field behind us was harvested, we managed to go and spend an evening investigating its golden beauty and the tiny sheaves almost ready to carry on their journey.

It has been magical to watch the wheat grow, from nothing but tiny shoots, to a field of gold, the children and I have loved watching the tractors as they drive up and down the fields.

We were a little miffed to have missed the combine harvesters and the actual harvesting itself, however, we were there to watch as the tractors swept up the leftovers and bundled them into perfectly rectangular parcels.

Late into the night they worked, picking up and building a huge hay castle, it was truly magical and should they go ahead and build on the land, we will miss watching the earth change through the seasons. But for now we will enjoy whatever grows there, last year was a beautiful field of oilseed, it’s bright yellow flowers swishing in the wind and turning into tiny rattling pods.

As the nights draw in we look forward to candle lit evenings and snuggly jumpers, blankets and stews, but for now, I hope I can get a few more wears out of my sandals and summer dresses and the children out of some of their clothes, for next year they will no doubt be too small.

What have you been up to this summer?

Fun with Friends at Bradgate Park

This weekend we headed to Bradgate Park with some of my sons school friends, and the mums and dads of course.

Apparently children play better when they are a group, take them walking just the four of you and you'll go on a walk, go with their peers and they will explore, jump and climb.

So off we went for a day out on what turned out to be a super sunny and wonderful day.

As we climbed the hill to see the folly, we got to climb rocks, spot dears and look for newts and frogs in the ponds.

From the top of the hill the views were beautiful, some clever child had bought paper and pencils so there was time for a spot of drawing too.

Lots of rocks to climb on and logs to sit and think on, it was an absolute joy to spend time here and who would have thought we were so close to Leciester.

We looked down holes in the ground to see if we could spot any rabbits, jumped over muddle puddles and explored the castle at the top of the hill.

Finally we found the waterfalls and stream and everyone had a great time stepping over the water and climbing and fishing with bits of reed and twigs.

We walked over four miles and although exhausted today it was great to be out in the fresh air, soaking up some Vitamin D and enjoying the countryside.

Afterwards we went to The Bradgate pub for lunch, we had pizza, which was extremely tasty (I had the Gluten Free option which was also very yummy) and the children played on the wonderful play area, the perfect end to a great day.

Linking up to Magic Moments on The Olivers Madhouse and Country Kids on Coombe Mill

 

A Relaxing Afternoon at Clumber Park

Saturday saw our first ever experience of A&E with my son falling off his scooter and cutting open his chin, it was a sobering experience and it seemed the only person traumatised by it was me.

So on Sunday we decided to take a picnic up to Clumber Park, find a space to kick a ball about and just chill for a few hours.

It's a National Trust park and only costs £6.50 per car to get in, there is lots to see and do and plenty of space to relax.

To start we played football and frisby, or if you are my three year old daughter crispy, then we went down to the lake to look at the ducks on the grass....

Off exploring the reeds and trying to spot fish, we saw two huge carp (or at least I think that's what they were) and lots of baby geese and swans....

Off to explore the woodland, the sun was shining through the leaves and we saw so many different trees, I really loved the church it was beautiful surrounded by rhododendrons....

The lake is beautiful, the magnificent colours of the rhododendrons surrounding the lake and house were stunning.....

We then played on the woodland park, had an ice cream and bought some rhubarb from the park gardens.

It was a lovely day and just what we needed after the rather awful day before.

Linking up to Country Kids on Coombe Mill and Magic Moments with The Olivers Madhouse

Why bother!

As I put the recycling out this morning, I remembered the bins the other day at a local country park we went for a picnic at for my husbands birthday.

With a recycling area and compostable toilets it was wonderful natural area with lots of flowers and birds.

However as we went to go home I noticed the bin, the one located right net to the recycling bins, cans and plastic bottles filled it to the brim and yet right next to it were the recycling bins?

This made little to no sense and the caring side of me almost wanted to sift through other peoples crap to put these things in the right place.

Are people really that ignorant/lazy/stupid that they couldn't take the two seconds to lift the lid up of the appropriate bin and place their items in it?

It really angered me that people could be so flipping selfish, we put ours in the recycling point and then took the glass home as there was no section for glass. It wasn't full and if anything a darn sight easier than trying to precariously place the things in the proper bin.

Rant over, but if you are somewhere that offers recycling please use it. It's there for a reason and every little helps!

Snowdrops at Hodsock Priory

Today we visited Hodsock Priory for a walk around the woodland and gardens that are currently covered in snowdrops. The sight is spectacular and with different events on over the snowdrop period there is plenty to eat, see and keep you busy.

This weekend was the Food and Country Fair which was host to many wonderful local food producers and products.

The walk is perfect for children and with the weather being a little snowy recently it gives you the opportunity to put on the wellies and wrap up warm, although today was the perfect spring day with the sun shining through the trees.

Pretty bridges to walk over

Lots and lots of snowdrops

Pretty woodland

The gorgeous house and gardens

Lovely gothic revival chimneys

The cost is £5 per adult, free for under 6s and then £1 for children between 6-16 so it doesn't break the bank. Onsite in the Snowdrop Village is a Tea Room, Plant Sale and Gift Shop along with History Corner for daily talks. There was also a treasure trail for children which gets their little brains working in order to open the safe at the end and win a little prize.

If you go on a Tuseday you can get a free tea, just print out the voucher from the website, so why not pop along this half term.