Beautiful Nature - A Walk Amongst the Bluebells

I love this time of year, the beautiful blossom, bluebells and fields of yellow are all signs that summer is on its way.

We have some wonderful woodlands around Nottinghamshire and one place we have been a few times is Bunny wood, named as one of Britains best woodlands for bluebells and I couldn't agree more.

As we headed down the winding paths, dappled in sunlight, we passed piles of logs and instantly broke in to The Gruffalo, the sun cast a wonderful warm glow on us and it was a pleasure to walk through the woods, listening to the birds as they twittered away.

We stopped and looked at the bright yellow fields of oilseed and took a few pictures, these two melt my heart with there love for each other, even if they can spend hours bickering. When it all comes down to it, they love each other.

 

We stopped to look at the fungi growing from the trees, making note of it so we could look it up in my sons nature book later, we did and it is called a Dryad's Saddle

The children found a fairy door in the bottom of a tree and stopped to see if anyone was home, this is what I love about woodland walks, they offer up so much for your imagination.

With few people around they allow you to be silly, take your time and not worry about what is happening in the world.

My Month of November

I have never needed my camera more, this month has been hard on the soul. With a funeral, illness, accidents and the events of Paris, which we visited earlier this year, there is nothing I have enjoyed more than photographing and styling to empty my head of its cloudy whirlwind of emotional mush.

The more photos I take, the more I love fall in love with my camera. Taking pictures of the children, places we visit and food acts as a journal, helping me to recall the wonderful memories we have made throughout the year. Days like this one, spent sauntering through the wonderful Elvaston Castle grounds, the children let their hair down and enjoyed the cool autumn day by running through the leaves and mud, collecting twigs along the way.

Autumn brings with it a mixture of emotions anyway, gone are the sandals, sun hats and summer dresses and here are wooly jumpers, tights and welly boots. I am definitely more of a summer person, as much as I love snuggling in the front of the telly, I would prefer to be out and about, preferably without having to don heavy coats and itchy hats that make my hair frizzy! Maybe it's time to invest in some nice jumpers so I can layer up more.

The cold weather isn't all bad though, being out and about means we can stand huddled together drinking hot chocolate,  quickly eating food without your gloves before your hands start to freeze. Getting home to a warm house and roast dinner and snuggling up on the sofa.

Being indoors means baking, making and creating and with so many deep autumn flavours to chose from and so many pretty colours and themes to be able to use, autumn definitely has its pros. My heart hasn't quite made it into the cold days yet but it will and then we can all wrap up and get cosy. 

Hopefully, once the Christmas tree is up and the house is looking festive things will feel better. We headed to our local garden centre on Saturday to welcome Santa, it was rather cold but afterwards we headed to the park with some warm sausage rolls and then on to the pub for a hot chocolate. We met up with my brother, his girlfriend and her daughter, which was nice. I am so up for more family and friend get-togethers, just need to find some more time at the weekends and finish off our house.

Hopefully the next few weeks won't go too quickly, I need time to plan presents, food and enjoy the festivities as they start to take place. Christmas always seems to slip by so quickly and before I know it we are into the New Year.

How do you plan your weeks running up to Christmas, I need a planner me thinks!

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.