An Evening Stroll

We had to move out of our house for a few days this week whilst the builders relaid our downstairs floor. So, in search of some peace and quiet, we headed to a little Airbnb property in Fiskerton, just outside of Southwell.

I love this area of Nottinghamshire, Southwell itself is a wonderful town with plenty of cafes, shops, the minster and of course the Bramley apple, with a fabulous heritage walk that takes you close to the original Bramley tree.

Our little home for the week was in a small village, with a great little pub and plenty of walks close by. We headed out after dinner in search of the last few rays of the sunshine which had proved so illusive all day.

Marching down the lane, the children headed towards the fields, over the fields and across the train tracks, we later got talking to the signal box operator and he told us this one will be closing in October, which is rather sad.

Through the long grass we headed, picking up some dandelion clocks on the way, a favourite pastime of the children and it never gets old. As the children and their Daddy ran through the grass it made me think about how much we need to get outside more, especially since we'd spent last weekend packing up the house ready for the builders.

With the sun shining down on us, walking down country lanes past white painted houses, it felt a bit like we were in France. We'd taken some bubbles, so we stopped in the lane and blew them, the children chasing them all too excitedly as they floated down the road.

Do you like to go out for an evening stroll? With summer on the way it will certainly make it easier.

An Evening Stroll

I have mentioned the fields of gold behind our house before, they are slowly fading, but we have managed to get out and walk through them a few times.

A familiar sight we had seen driving in the car, but one we had never really got to explore. In our new home that has changed and we get to see the beautiful fields behind us as they grow and change.

We got to stop and look at the seed pods, it was great to see the actual part of the plant they make into the oil.

I love the fields they look so beautiful, especially when the sun is shining on them.

We carried on walking to see what was further round the corner and if we could get to Bestwood Country Park from the top of the hill. We couldn't but it did mean that we got to play with our shadows, I love how these two can be at each other one minute and the best of friends playing nicely the next.

From the top of the hill you can see for miles, we could see planes coming in to land at East Midlands  Airport and the cooling towers at Radcliffe on Soar, which are about 12 miles away.

There are more fields beyond these and we can't wait to see what they've got growing in them, we know we can get in to Bestwood Country Park from just a bit further down the road, so once the weather gets nicer we will take a long walk over there.

Linking up to Country Kids on Coombe Mill

Black & White Photography Project Week 38

We took our neighbour to the hospital this week and whilst we waited for her we visited the park, it was a gorgeous morning and the sun was shining. The blossom was starting to emerge and made for a beautiful upwards shot! Beautiful in colour but equally as lovely in black and white.

Newstead Abbey - History and Exploring

This last few weeks have seen illness in The Mummy Diary house so I haven't been up to writing much.

So with the sun shining and the family together (hubby has been away for a week) we decided to head out to the Car Boot followed by a trip to Newstead Abbey, we haven't been here with the kids before so it was a lovely place to take them.

I love the imposing facade of the Abbey (which wasn't actually ever an Abbey apparently) it was simply stunning against the blue skies.

First we walked down to the waterfall, you can walk behind it and it is a lovely experience for the children.

View out from behind the waterfall, I like to wonder who might have stood looking out from here.

Lots of space to run....and run!

The back of the house, beautiful with the blue backdrop.

Lots of lovely peacocks, loved this one walking up the stairs

The gorgeous walled garden, stunning blossoms and hedges

I love finding out brickwork and gates, so beautiful.

Looking into the pond, no fish just pond skaters...

The rose garden was beautiful...

Next, to the Japanese Gardens, these stunning gardens are all laid out presumably to make for wonderful features to paint, images to think and write about, you can see how this would have been  inspiration.

Next, to the rock garden, up and down the rockery

And finally into the woods to do a bit of exploring and bug finding...

We only found a few woodlice...

Finally a quick walk along the path ledge and off take part in the easter activities, my son decorated a cake and my daughter made an easter themed plate.

We had a wonderful few hours at Newstead, it is a wonderful place steeped in history and magnificent  decoration and architecture.

Linking up to Country Kids over on Coombe Mill

Weekend Box Review

We were recently sent a Weekend Box to review, a life saver on a rainy afternoon.

The box comes addressed directly to the child, so it is an exciting bit of post especially for them to open.

Although I am not sure if it was just my ineptness but without ripping the box it was a little difficult to get into, maybe just ‘super’ glue.

However once in the box is an endless treasure trove which I can see a child looking forward to opening every month with something to something to Cook, something to Make, something to Explore and, something Green.

With stickers, pictures and activities all beautifully colour coded in paper bags (great as everything is recyclable) it is a wonderful box of fun for children of all ages (even us grown up children).

First of all we made the our rocking springy birds, we ended up using an extra piece of card to the one supplied in the box so the children could make one each, but with everything included even glue you don’t need to worry about making sure you have anything in (only slight issue was the glue had gone all jelly like and wouldn’t actually stick but this isn’t a problem with the Weekend Box more the supplier of the glue).

Simple and easy to follow instructions guided us through the making process, my son was able to follow them on his own and he is almost six.

I think you’ll agree these are rather cute…

Next up was the sound explorer activity, a fun activity getting the children to make sounds like animals and match the animal to the sound.

Next we attempted to make the Robot Voice box and with practice, I am sure we will get it to work but as the video states it does take a little practice, the video itself was really interesting and informative and was certainly great to find this, I have even made a note of it to pass on to school as it was so interesting.

The whole idea behind the box is great, although we like to get creative and craft it is sometimes difficult to think of things to do and to get the children interested in the actual craft at hand, however with the aid of the stickers and characters from the box it was much easier to get them to work through to the end.

Each activity has a card and a bag which is colour coded, perfect for older children who can work through the box themselves if they want.

A subscription would make a great gift for a child either at Easter, Birthday or Christmas and I am sure this would be appreciated by both child and parent.

It fits through the letter box so there is no need to worry about being out and the bright colourful packaging is easy to see and something for children to look forward too.

It only costs £7.50 (inc P&P) which I think for a weekend of activities I think this is reasonably priced, and it doesn't have to be limited to rainy days, get out in the garden with a blanket on the grass and make in the sunshine.

Best of all the lovely people at The Weekend Box are offering my readers their first box free with code ELLIE28 so what have you got to lose? Why not pop on over and try this fantastic box of activities, perfect for your own children, grandchildren or if you just fancy a treat for the children a month.

NB We were sent this box to review, however all opinions and pictures are my own.

Weekday Park Fun

Well, I think it is safe to say spring is officially here and what better way to while away the hours than at the park.

We have a few local parks and they are all wonderful in their own ways, one I don't use much is Woodthorpe but it is a really great park with a tropical house and lovely walk to the playground. It even has it's own golf course.

Looking at the waterfall and fishes...

Trying to spot the bananas, nothing on this tree...

Smelling the tropical flowers...

We loved this bird of paradise flower, really beautiful...

Pretty orchids...

Stopping to look at more flowers...

There are the fish, basking in the sun...

And finally we spotted the bananas...

Playing peepo through the trees...

A really sunny day and lovely to walk around the park...

Pretty view through the trees to the grange...

Stopped off for a hot chocolate (I love hot choc no matter what the weather)...

Looking at mosaics, this one represents the old train line that used run through the park in to Nottingham.

Linking up to Country Kids over on Coombe Mill