Located within the Surrey Hills Area of Natural Outstanding Beauty is the wonderful Sheepleas. Managed by the Surrey Wildlife Trust, this site of Special Scientific Interest is a mosiac of woodland and grasslands and a haven for wildlife.
It was wonderful to wear Summer clothes and feel the warmth of the sun on our skin. POD ran through the woodland like a little fairy shouting “come on Mummy and Daddy”. She had a renewed sense of freedom and a spring in her step – perhaps because she was without her coat, hat and wellies.
The name ‘Sheepleas’ is a pointer to its centuries-old use as sheep-grazed meadows or ‘leas’, supporting the local wool industry. The Cowslip Meadow is a well-known Spring phenomenon with visitors coming from far and wide in April and May. Last year this meadow was crowned Surrey’s ‘Coronation Meadow’ – a project created by HRH Prince of Wales to select a wildflower meadow in each county of the UK.
Although the Cowslip Meadow is a sight I’d love to see, today’s walk was a leisurely affair. We just followed the pathways, took in the sunshine and said many times we couldn’t believe how warm it was. It must have been almost twenty degrees that day.
The picnic area provided a great space for her to run around although she stopped occasionally to take in the butterflies and birds overhead. There was much chasing too and she quickly realised Mummy and Daddy can’t run in circles quite as fast as she could!
POD made a beeline for a bench when she got something in her shoe, in turn presenting the most idyllic scene.
After more running around, POD made her way to another bench where she sat and pondered. It wasn’t long before all three of us where trying to squish ourselves on this tiny bench and much hilarity ensued as a result!
As we were leaving the picnic area, the strangest thing happened. POD climbed on a bench for an impromptu lie down. She didn’t even notice I was there with my camera, capturing what was a really wonderful moment.
No walk would be complete without sticks. POD threw this one to a passing dog but he wasn’t interested in playing so she reclaimed it!
Walking back to the car, it was hard to believe the sky was as blue as it was. Just beautiful.
Linking up with Country Kids at Coombe Mill , Brilliant Blog Posts at Honest Mum and What’s The Story? here on PODcast.
Thank you to everyone that nominated PODcast in the MAD Blog Awards. I’m over the moon to be a Finalist in the Photography category. If you enjoy my photographs, I’d really love it if you could vote for me.
Looks like a very nice sunny day. I love that the weather is so much nicer now. I hope it stays this way. Gorgeous photos as always!
i lived in surrey for most of my childhood and have never heard of sheepleas! it looks lovely, reminds me of somewhere i used to go walking with my grandparents ..can’t remember the name of it though.
Lovely photos – either it was very sunny in Surrey or your little girl was very brave wearing a summer dress! So pretty… I love the one of her lying on the bench x
Lovely post. They all love a bench don’t they- we have to stop at everyone we see at the moment!
I know I say it all the time but your photos are truly stunning. Congrats again and again on the MAD blog photography category. I am so proud of you. I was pleased to see so many I voted for on the list. I already casted my final vote for you. I am in awe of your pictures they are amazing. Best of luck my lovely to win. I look forward to seeing you there too! 😉 Great post here glad you got out to enjoy the blue skies. They definitely were stunning that day!
lovely views and pictures, i love to go outside when the weather is lovely
My goodness! What beautiful photos hun. Where is PODs dress from its gorgeous. The suns out here in East London but its still a bit chilly – It cant make up its mind. Can’t wait for the sun to be out and warm too… Look forward to all the summer photos 🙂
Lotte xo
BericeBay – London Lifestyle Blog
I love these photos Charly, it is POD in that beautiful white dress that does it. Move over purple coat, I have a new love! Delighted to see you as a MADS finalist and I’m looking forward to catching up with you there. A beautiful and idyllic looking Country Kids link up.
I LOVE the contrast of her pretty dress and shoes against nature, so lovely. I also think this is a great post at showing how just because a girl is in a pretty dress, she can still get stuck in and play with sticks and run around 🙂
That really does look like a gorgeous place and how nice to get a taste of summer so early in the year.
Fantastic photos and well done making it as a finalist 🙂 x
I love your photos and it looks like you had a beautiful family walk. Congratulations on being a MADs finalist – I’ll see you at the awards ceremony as I’m a finalist too, in the travel category!
Aw what lovely pics, looked like a fun day out 🙂 x
Stunning photos, and she looks beautiful and fairylike in her dress!
Beautiful photos! I lived in Surrey until I was 9 and we moved to North Wales, although I don’t remember the place much i have fond memories x
POD looks like the fairy of Sheepleas in her pretty dress! It looks wonderful. xx
Gorgeous photos. Well done for being a Mads finalist good luck xx
You are discovering some truly beautiful places and those pictures of Pod are just wonderful.
Lovely sunny day and beautiful little girl 😉
The photo of POD on the bench really is an all time favourite, just beautiful x Can’t believe it was warm we bough to run around in that dress, I’m very jealous, it was -8C when I left the house this morning again!
Congrats on becoming a finalist. I am so pleased for you. You’ve become my inspiration regarding photography since I got my new toy. I love your photos so much. I WILL be voting xx #whatsthestory
Gorgeous spring photos xxx Huge congrats on your MADS shortlist! Luckily I will be there too 😉 gin at midnight? :))) x
aw what fabulous pics and such a cutie looks like you had that rare thing called sun too x
Amazing how different the sun makes everyone feel!! Lovely x
What a good picture looks nice and sunny as well ./x
You’ve got some beautiful shots, and she does look like a fairy 🙂 It really is a relief to wear summer clothes, we’ve been in them for a while now!
Wonderful photos that really show he promise of Spring. Well done on your MADS nomination! You really deserve it x
Some of my favourite moments is catching my wee man unaware! What a glorious day you had. We have yet to be able to take our jackets off but are thankfully welcoming some sunshine at least! #countrykids
Beautiful photo’s hun. Well done of being a finalist! Good luck. POD looks so beautiful x
Such gorgeous photos 🙂 Love how kids can have fun just with simple sticks and the great outdoors!
Such gorgeous photos. I still love the one of POD on the bench minding her own business with her shoe.
Beautiful photos! Looks like an amazing place to visit. Congrats on reaching the finals in the MADS 🙂 xx
I could have sworn I commented on this post already but it seems my comment didn’t show! I just wanted to say what beautiful photos they were and how gorgeous her dress looks in the black and white 🙂 fab post as always x
POD looks like a little Alice in Wonderland. You have captured some lovely photographs, well done on your nomination, well deserved. I’d love to see the cowslip meadow.
Beautiful photo’s well done on the MADS!
Love seeing your photos and the story they tell. I have voted in the MADS congratulations xx
Lovely pictures x it looks like an amazing place too.
Wow, wow, wow! I just love your photography and am absolutely thrilled to find you in the Best Photography finals – you so deserve your place x PS Your daughter should be modelling for a catalogue, such a little beauty 🙂
Beautiful! But where did that blue sky go??
Congrats on the nomination – very well deserved x
Just stunning stills, your daughter is beautiful!
Lovely photos & a gorgeous day. Boo can never resist a bench either! X
A summer dress – I hope the first of many posts to come with summer dresses in them!
stunning shots! what a pretty dress! x
Sticks are essential to every walk. Fab photos as usual x
Great photos, I particularly love the one of her laying on the bench. Beautiful post!
Well done no the MADS – you completely deserve it!
Lovely photographs, as ever. You almost convinced me it is nearly summer (I had to check the date of the post!). I love the idea of primroses and cowslips in a meadow..we used to make a “pilgrimage” in February to so-called snowdrop valley near Wheddon Cross for a similar type of thing. #Brillblogposts.
I love picnics, this is such a great and cheap way to spend a quality family time
That looks and sounds magical! The pictures are incredible, she really does look like a little fairy. Now we just need that lovely weather to come back again….
#CountryKids
Beautiful photos as always. Your little girl is so beautiful in her dress too. Looks like a lovely day xx
Gorgeous photos. Wow, I’m impressed that white dress is still so white! Looks like a gorgeous day. #countrykids