Forest adventures

The Doves were craving some fresh air after a week cooped up indoors. Luckily for us we were greeted with a beautifully sunny day.

Given I’d had surgery a few days earlier, we decided on an amble in a nearby forest. Clearly I’d forgotten this required clothes, the majority of which I couldn’t fit into with a plaster cast on my arm. I ended up opting for one of The POD Father’s fleeces with my tracksuit bottoms and trainers.

POD was uncharacteristically quiet in the car, typically falling asleep just before we reached the Alice Holt forest. Initially unimpressed at being woken up and strapped in her trike, POD quickly became accustomed to her new surroundings.

After just a few minutes, we came across some wigwams made from trees, perfectly positioned in the middle of the forest. They offered incredible views of the forest and all its splendor. Located just off a main path, it was a peaceful setting. The sun beamed through the gaps in the trees.

It was all too exciting for POD and in no time she was off her trike in a bid to explore the woodland. Thanks to her love of Peppa Pig, muddy puddles were first on the agenda. Whilst shouting “muddy puddle”, she stepped into each one, then jumped up and down in it chuckling to herself. She was having a whale of a time.

When there were no more puddles, POD followed the edge of the path to see what she could find. It wasn’t long before we heard her shriek “Whatsatt?”. It was a tiny, yet perfectly formed, fir cone. Her face lit up with a huge smile when she realised it wasn’t going to eat her.

Finding a stick on the path was a monumental discovery. After cries of “stick”, she proceeded to wave it around while she walked telling everyone she passed what it was, much to their amusement. A stone and a clump of moss were also retrieved from the pathway. These were held in one hand with the fir cone and the stick was waved with vigor in the other.

POD soon realised the seat of her trike made an excellent place to store her findings. Before long sticks, stones and leaves were added to an ever increasing pile. Her collecting came to an abrupt halt when she spotted a stream. Shallow enough to walk in, POD saw it as a giant muddy puddle. She trotted through the stream with her sunglasses on upside down. She likes to wear them like that.

After a short ice-cream break, most of it ended up on the grass, we ventured into another part of the forest. We were surrounded by so many leaves, it felt like autumn. It was great to see POD kicking them as she walked. She’s not had the opportunity to do this before and she loved it.

It didn’t take long for her to escape the path for the woodland. She ran as fast as her little legs would carry her, kicking leaves as she went. Running in a little ditch full of leaves she tripped and fell. Instead of complaining, she let out the most enormous giggle. The leaves had cushioned her fall and she’d bounced as she tumbled onto her back. It truly was a magical moment, she found playing in the leaves hilarious.

There was no stopping her after that. POD dug up mud using sticks. She wiped it on both her wellies like paste. And across her legs although she didn’t think we’d seen her do that. It was great to see her get really grubby especially as she’ll pick up the tiniest speck of dirt on the floor at home.

After playing with mud, the unthinkable happened, POD asked to go to bed. Although she changed her mind when home, I think this was a sign she’d had a really great time.

This post is for Country Kids from Coombe Mill which is about enjoying outdoor time with your kids. If you have an outdoor post you’d like to share, click on the badge below.

We’re also linking up with Magic Moments at The Oliver’s Madhouse. POD’s first experience of leaves was the perfect magic moment although we had many more in the forest. Check out the badge below to get involved.