ParkLives - Free Outdoor Activities for all the Family

A few weeks ago I was asked if i'd be interested in trying out one of the activities as part of ParkLives, if you haven't heard of it, which I hadn't, ParkLives provides free activities in your local parks and green spaces.  

I had been wanting to try yoga for a while as i'd been told it may help with my Fibromyalgia. There were a few places with Yoga sessions, but Wollaton Hall was the easiest to get too and meant the family could come too if they wanted.

Unfortunately, there was another event on so it meant paying £4 for the car park as opposed to the usual £2, had the family been with me, we could have spent the whole day there but it kind of negates the free aspect of it so I was a little disappointed. However this is just Wollaton, most other locations have free parking.

When I arrived, Lisa, the instructor was just setting up, it was easy to see where she was because she had the ParkLives banner with her, details of the location are also on the activity booking form so make a note of where you need to meet.

Mats were provided but if you had your own then you could bring it along, I didn't have one so I used the ones provided, I did take some water though.

Lisa was really lovely and I spoke to her for a bit before it started, as I am a complete newbie to yoga I was worried I wouldn't be able to do any of it, especially with the Fibro, however she explained if I couldn't do it to stop or she could give alternative positions for me to work in.

There were a few regulars to the event and another newbie on the session, it was really nice and I felt completely relaxed and not at all like I was being judged by anyone who had more experience.

There are so many different events as part of ParkLives, from netball to frisbee, football to tai chi as well as healthy walking and best of all it's free. 

I can highly recommend checking out what ParkLives has to offer, I for one will be back for more sessions, I may even take the family this time. ParkLives sessions are currently taking place in and around Nottingham, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Manchester and the London Borough of Newham.

NB: This is a collaborative post, however all words and opinions are my own.

Winter Walks and Scooter Rides

This weekend was lovely, bright blue skies and lots to do at the moment. Saturday saw me take my son to the Lakeside to see A Christmas Carol so I wanted to make sure we took them out for some fresh air on the Sunday.

As it was my dad's birthday we went to Wollaton Hall and Park as they had a Christmas Fair on, the Hall is always a treat for the kids to walk around and see the stuffed animals and the park is always lovely too.

Beautiful wreaths around the entrance to the courtyard

Inside the Hall, loved the feel of it all Christmassy

Looking at the Albatross, they are huge!!!

Dental check for the Hippo

Daddy pointing out the different skulls.

Looking at the snake skeleton

Dino fossils.

George, the well known Gorilla. Scary, but everyone remembers him.

Time for a scoot...

Poor tree blown down in the wind. 

Looking out over the lovely lake

Wollaton Hall is a fantastic place, full of history and is a place for the children to see animals up close, it is also Batman's House so that makes it super special ;)

This week we are linking up to Country Kids over at Coombe Mill.