Adventures Archives - Page 29 of 36

Abinger Roughs

Our quest to explore sites protected by the National Trust continued last weekend with a visit to Abinger Roughs. Charles Darwin, the famous naturalist and geologist, walked on the Roughs while staying at Abinger Hall in the 1870s.

Located in Surrey, Abinger Roughs is a hidden area of woodland with ancient trees and grasslands. We’d not visited before so it was wonderful to spot a rabbit and a pheasant before we’d even entered the car park!

The woodland is full of ancient trees with some gnarled Oaks up to three hundred years old. It was the perfect place to blow away those cobwebs after a week indoors!

We saw an ancient Oak which at first glance looked like it had uprooted itself but it hadn’t. Part of its trunk was hollow but it remained strong – the shape of it’s branches made it a great tree for climbing. It was too big for POD but we saw another family having the best time there.

It had been incredibly wet for a few days so we stuck to the pathways, admired the views and took in those fabulous woodland smells. POD took the opportunity to jump in and out of many muddy puddles.

Our three year old adventurer also enjoyed running along ahead. The photograph below encapsulates everything we love about the countryside!

The strange look on POD’s face was the result of asking her if she’d seen an elephant. She had her back to me and asking that question was an attempt to get her to turn round. It worked but she was then on the lookout for the elephant!

Abinger Roughs provides a great habitat for birds including great and lesser spotted woodpeckers, nuthatch, tree creeper and the wood warbler. We heard many a bird but saw very few – no doubt staying away from our rather excitable toddler!

We were so busy enjoying our walk, we completely missed the granite memorial for Samuel Wilberforce, the Bishop of Winchester. Known as ‘Soapy Sam’, Wilberforce was thrown from his horse in 1873 and the memorial marks the spot where he fell.

We did see one of the WW2 pill boxes. These formed a stop line during the war to protect London from invasion. We must have a look at these and nearby Netley Park.

There’s also a natural play area at Abinger Roughs which will be a great place for POD to play once it’s dry. It’s a lovely area to have a picnic too – Daddy was delighted at the thought. Or perhaps he was thinking about our roast lunch!

Linking up with #HDYGG at Mammasaurus and #CountryKids at Coombe Mill.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Fun at Bocketts Farm

Bocketts Farm is a working farm located in the Surrey countryside. It’s a wonderful place to visit as there’s a mix of large and small animals – not to mention a range of play areas. Peppa Pig came too albeit in hairslide form!

After filling our bellies, we headed over the to the Big Animal Barn. There we saw Zebedee the zebu, sheep, lambs, cows, a large pig, a donkey and several excitable goats. POD wanted to feed the animals but decided it was far more entertaining to watch Mummy being slobbered on.

After much hilarity in the Big Animal Barn, POD befriended nearby ducks and geese. These two even formed a heart shape for us!

Next were the racing pigs and a few bearded goats before meeting horses, ponies and donkeys. POD wanted to know all their names!

She then enjoyed climbing, sliding and making tea in one of the outdoor play areas before testing her tractor skills. She would have been on a digger too if someone hadn’t beaten her to it!

POD missed two giant astroslides in the new heated playbarn as she sped past but found more tractors to drive, trampolines to bounce across and cows to milk. Not to mention a whole host of ride-ons!

Inside Little Hoppington, POD saw a variety of small fluffy animals before handling a guinea pig, a rabbit and a chicken! Definitely the highlight of our visit – just look at that happy face!

We’re linking this post up with #whatsthestory here on PODcast – this week’s Linky is here if you’d like to join in.

Butterflies in the Glasshouse

We’re frequent visitors to RHS Wisley but there’s something special about their Butterflies in the Glasshouse event.

The state-of-the-art Glasshouse is huge, it’s 40ft high and occupies an area equivalent to 10 tennis courts. Inside are tropical, moist and dry climatic zones as well as a world class plant collection. The palms, creepers and bright flowers make you feel like you’re in the jungle.

Whenever you go to the Glasshouse, you can expect to see rare and endangered species not to mention beautiful orchids. An annual event, the exotic butterfly event is held in the tropical zone where you’ll find lush foliage and dramatic flowers. It’s environment is similar to that of a tropical rain forest so it’s warm.

A butterfly spotter guide is provided when you arrive so you know what to look for and what you’ve seen. POD was hugely excited about seeing the butterflies even though she did refer to them as “butt-flies”. There are also gigantic chrysalis sculptures in the Glasshouse for the duration of the event.

The butterfly below is a Blue Morpho – it’s the most fabulous colour blue when its wings are open. It teased a few times but it was adamant that shot wasn’t there for the taking!

This is an Asian Swallowtail covered in pollen.

This is two Owl butterflies looking like they’re watching you.

This black and white one is a Tree Nymph.

And this is a Clipper.

It’s a wonderful experience seeing the butterflies at RHS Wisley. This year you can book a timed slot if you’re visiting over the weekend. It’s so much better, we arrived first thing and didn’t queue at all.

After the butterflies, POD had a practice on her scooter and we had a relaxing wander around the gardens. We then checked out the new food hall – sampling coffee and cake in the process!

If you’d like to see more photographs, head over to Butterflies in the Glasshouse (part two).

Linking up with #CountryKids at Coombe Mill and #HDYGG at Mammasaurus.

A taste of Moorea, Tahiti

This photograph was taken on our honeymoon in 2004. Located in the South Pacific, Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. It’s 2,700 miles from Hawaii and 3,500 miles from Australia.

Travelling to Tahiti the day after our wedding probably wasn’t the best idea we’ve ever had. But we weren’t to know our flight would be grounded just before take-off due to failed air conditioning!

Our airport welcome was like no other – it was a very happy place. There singing, dancing and garlands of tropical flowers were placed around our necks. Tahitians and visitors to the country are often seen with a flower in their hair too. It’s a tradition that if you’re single you wear a flower behind your right ear and if you’re spoken for it’s the left.

Our first stop was Tikehau in the Tuamotu Islands which is described as one of the Pacific’s best kept secrets. A beautiful beach bungalow that overlooked low-lying atolls was home for the first few days. We chilled, we snorkeled and we ate. It was our chance to slow down after a hectic few weeks and the perfect start to our honeymoon.

The Society Islands, which include Tahiti itself, are lush and mountainous – a complete contrast to the tranquility of the Tuamoto Islands. Beaches are lined with palm trees and the turquoise lagoons are crystal clear. Moorea (Mo’orea) was formed as a volcano several million years ago and is the result of a geologic hotspot in the mantle under the oceanic plate.

Our accommodation in Moorea was an overwater bungalow with direct access into the lagoon. There you could feed the fish that darted about your legs with bread that was left by staff. At night you’d see fish swimming underneath your coffee table through a glass panel in the floor.

The two restaurants and bar served us well. One evening we got the opportunity to experience a Tahitian dance. A colourful show that mesmerised its audience with fast paced dancing and thunderous drums. The POD Father was one of the lucky visitors invited to join in!

One night we ventured out of the resort for dinner. During our walk to the restaurant we saw the ground was littered with numerous holes around ten inches in diameter. We didn’t know what they were so we crept really slowly for a time. They were crabs – giant land crabs. Hundreds of them would simultaneously dart into the ground when they sensed you approach. We ate on resort after that!

Swimming with sharks and stingrays was our most memorable excursion. The sharks were fed while we were in the water and although slightly nerve wracking it was amazing. Stingrays are beautiful creatures – quite calming to watch. Another trip out saw us travel by jeep up the mountains. It was a hairy journey, terrifying at times, but the panoramic views from the peak were outstanding. We were rewarded by the guide in a local brewery who made us drink c.10 shots one after the other!

Tahiti is the most amazing country and the people there are wonderful. It was a truly memorable honeymoon.

We’re linking this post up with What’s The Story?, a weekly Linky that enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. The Linky for w/c 27th January 2014 is here.

Also joining The Gallery at Sticky Fingers where the prompt for this week is Rewind.

Family fun at Clandon Park

Having recently explored Bookham Commons, The Majestic Commons and Claremont, last weekend saw us visit another National Trust property.

Located at the foot of the Surrey Hills, Clandon Park is a spectacular example of a Palladian mansion. Built by a Venetian architect for Lord Onslow in the 1720s, the estate has been passed down through generations of this famous family.

Although the Winter season, there is still family fun to be had at Clandon Park. We headed over for their Wildlife Fact Finding Trail which had us following boards around the garden.

The clue “the first creature you seek along the trail has two large ears and a cottontail” was our starting point. From there each board provided us with facts and a clue to the next board. Questions such as “Who is the home maker who likes a fresh bed?” “Whose wings rattle?” and “Who changes colour in Winter?” kept POD occupied.

The grounds of Clandon Park include a beautiful parterre which is a formal garden of planting beds in symmetrical patterns. Edged with tightly clipped hedging, POD enjoyed running around them before Daddy jumped out from behind a hedge! POD then attempted to make a bid for freedom running to the front of the house!

Clandon Park is also home to a wonderful Dutch Garden which was originally modelled on the sunken garden at Hampton Court. And this fabulous flint grotto.

We love the Hinemihi, POD even knocked on the door at one point to see if anyone was inside. This is the only historic Maori meeting house in the UK and one of a handful outside New Zealand – it was brought back from there in 1892.

Having had a good run around and completed the trail, POD took it upon herself to have a sit down. It’s hard work being a 3 year old!

Now she’s a little bigger, hopefully next time we visit Clandon Park we’ll be able to explore inside the house. Now that would be exciting!

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Butlins Just for Tots breaks

Recently awarded Gold in the Mumsnet Family Friendly Awards, Butlins is launching a unique short break option, designed exclusively for families with little ones. Everything from the accommodation and food right through to the entertainment and activities have been designed solely with younger children in mind.

Held during term-time, to ensure families of pre-school children can escape the holiday rush, these breaks provide little ones with the perfect environment to show parents just what they can do.

Stars such as Thomas & Friends™ and Angelina Ballerina™ will be part of a ‘free-to-play’ entertainment schedule where shows are repeated throughout your break with timings to suit early-risers and early bedtimes.

Helping hands are available throughout the resort too to ensure parents can spend as much time with their tots as possible – without the usual stresses of a family break. Innovations include:

Bespoke meals by Annabel Karmel MBE – to ensure parents never have to hear ‘I don’t like it’, one of the UK’s most trusted experts on feeding families, Annabel Karmel works with Butlins on specially-designed nutritious and tasty meals that will go down a treat with everyone.

Pushchair Porters – a unique service upon arrival to help parents transport their toddlers and belongings from the car to the room with minimum fuss.

Photocall ‘Firsts’ – photo opportunities at attractions around the resort where roving photographers capture the extraordinary moments that parents must not miss, from the biggest smile on the tot’s fairground to when they get up close with their favourite TV heroes

Nap-time Buggy Walks – customised quiet route maps to help little ones drift off through the landscaped gardens and out along the beautiful beaches that neighbour the resorts.

’Just for Tots’ has every hour of the day covered, entertaining little ones at every turn:

Drop-in style activity sessions and shows that are repeated throughout the break – so it doesn’t matter how long your little ones take to get their shoes on or finish their breakfast.

Butlins will be offering “learn-to sessions” so everyone can see their little ones achieve big things like learning to swim and ride a bike.

Wake-up activities every morning for early risers and bedtime stories with favourite characters to end the day.

A pool party for pre-schoolers in Splash Waterworld with the big rides switched off and replaced with water toys to create a calmer atmosphere for your ‘water babies’.

All their favourite TV heroes under one roof to cuddle and watch in specially designed shows that are shorter in length (perfect for easily distracted toddlers).

Everything happens within walking distance of your accommodation at our family-friendly resorts so you can wave goodbye to car seats and ‘designated drivers’.

The first ‘Just for Tots’ short breaks will take place from April 28th at Butlins Bognor Regis and Skegness, with 4-night Monday to Friday breaks running across all beachside resorts (Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness) until September this year.

For more information visit www.butlins.com.

Disclaimer: Post in associated with our role as an official ambassador to Butlins.

Discovering Bookham Commons

Bookham Commons is a network of footpaths and bridleways set in 450 acres of ancient oak woodland, grassland plains, ponds and wetlands.

Cared for by the National Trust, Bookham Commons is one of the most thoroughly studies areas in Europe – the London Natural History Society has surveyed wildlife there since 1941.

We took to the surfaced bridlepaths for this first visit rather than exploring the secluded pathways to the glades and streams. Although the latter looked beautiful and hugely tempting, the recent rainfall made it hard work with a buggy and a 3 year old.

POD was so enthralled by all the muddy puddles she didn’t even need her coat – she running almost from the off. It was a miracle she didn’t slip over although she did come close a couple of times!

Horses in a nearby field were a calming distraction. Despite being a distance away, she was apprehensive at first although she did warm to them. She then peered through a gate to have a look at a pony before returning to her puddles.

There’s a lot to see at Bookham Common including a wide range of plants which attract large numbers of insects, in turn providing a food source for the birds. You can see rare Hawfinches or during the Summer, the Willow Warbler and the Nightingale.

If you’re lucky you might spot the rare Purple Emperor or Silver-Washed Fritillary butterflies. Moorhen, Roe Deer, Sparrowhawk, Yellow Flag and Grey Herons also reside there.

The bird hide provided wonderful views across the ponds which were home to many ducks. POD attempted to be quiet but had to ask what the dried maggots she saw were and who they were for.

She loved playing Poohsticks with Daddy and there were many opportunities to do so. A few times she threw her stick in with such gusto it didn’t quite make it down the river bank but she got the hang of it soon enough.

In a nearby field a couple of donkeys came towards us to say hello. As with the horses, POD was wary of them at first but was soon chatting away to them asking what they were doing.

We also came across a few bird’s nests which was great as POD’s not seen any before.

The buggy wasn’t used at all so POD’s little legs did become weary after a time. A ride on Daddy’s shoulders proved highly entertaining especially when his head became a steering wheel. POD then pulled his ears when she wanted him to go left or right!

With so many wooded areas to explore at Bookham Commons, we’ll certainly be back. What a great discovery and a good one too given it features in the Doomsday Book.

We’re linking this post up with What’s The Story? the photography Linky that enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. The Linky for w/c 20th January 2014 is here.

The Majestic Commons

We’re lucky to have so many National Trust sites to visit in Surrey. From Winkworth Arboretum and Claremont to Polesden Lacey and Hatchlands Park, we’ve seen quite a few now. But there are many, many more to explore and of course re-visit.

With POD at home one day during the week we try to get out and discover new places. This time was the turn of Witley and Milford Commons, described as a rich and varied landscape buzzing with wildlife.

It’s designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

When we arrived we were met with heathland views of burnt orange. The bridlepath was also littered with patches of lush green moss.

Having spotted some interesting looking trees, including one that resembled a duck, we headed towards the secluded woodland glades. You could already sense there was something special about these Commons.

Majestic trees that seemed hundreds of years old wore coats of moss and algae. Quite a breathtaking sight at times. You could almost imagine you were part of a fairy tale and the trees danced after dark!

POD found the excess water squelching underfoot highly entertaining. As was finding sticks of varying sizes and placing them in pools of water.

Although we’d missed it en route, the rain returned shortly afterwards. Little drops closely followed by a huge downpour. Our exploring cut short, we rushed back to the car only for the sun to appear!

It’s said on a late spring evening you might hear the song of a nightingale at the Commons. And during the warmer months they’re alive with bird song from Tree pipits and Woodlarks. We’ll most certainly be back, hopefully next time with a picnic!
Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

Forest adventures at Alice Holt

The smell of damp conifers was incredible after all the rain. Inhaling deeply you could almost feel the fresh air kick start your lungs. The sun was shining, there was hardly a cloud in the sky and it was mild.

Managed by the Forestry Commission, Alice Holt covers over two thousand acres of Corsican pine with 350 acres oak.

The forest looked awesome. A shiny sheen was visible on the leaves and there was green moss was everywhere. Like an immense carpet framed with bracket and conifers. Rays of sunlight peeped through the trees making the ground below sparkle.

The pirate sheep in the timber play area is always a hit as POD can climb the side ropes to get on board and steer. She loved pretending to be a pirate with Daddy, shouting “you can’t have my treasure” up above.

There were a lot of puddles to wade through after that and POD tested the majority. Christening her new coat and snazzy welly warmers in the meantime.

POD likes to collect things when we’re in the forest but today was all about escaping. Running off as fast as she could with Mummy and Daddy chasing behind. It was the most hilarious game ever!

With the crash helmet in place, it was time to test out the new scooter. POD decided to keep her helmet on afterwards providing on tap entertainment to unsuspecting passers-by. Nothing like a bit of forest fun in a beautiful woodland setting to blow those cobwebs away!

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

The beauty of nature

After the explosion of colour we experienced in the Glasshouse at RHS Wisley, there’s a mixed bag of photographs this week.

The garden has taken a real beating recently. A leaning fence flaps like a bird when the wind blows and the ground resembled a giant puddle up until a couple of days ago. Quite a relief the willow tree in the garden is no longer there – beautiful as it was.

It feels too early but buds are beginning to appear and flowers are starting to bloom. Rosy red apples remain in a nearby tree. The birds are happily chirping away – even at night-time.

These signs of life coupled with the occasional bout of sunshine are a fabulous reminder of last Summer.

Having fun with our toddler in the garden, even it if meant chasing after her with a blob of Factor 50 in your palm, enjoying alfresco dining and taking lots of photographs.

We saw a glimmer of those heady days when we visited friends in Sussex recently. It was chilly when we ventured out for a walk but the sky was blue and the sun shining. It is the best feeling when fresh country air hit your lungs!

After navigating our way through muddy woodland, we crossed open fields scattered with frosty leaves. Then whilst walking down a lane we saw a butterfly basking in the sunshine. A strange yet welcoming sight for January. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Spring was on its way?

Linking up with Mammasaurus for How Does Your Garden Grow?

Older Posts

Newer Posts

Adventures

Abinger Roughs

Fun at Bocketts Farm

Butterflies in the Glasshouse

A taste of Moorea, Tahiti

Family fun at Clandon Park

Butlins Just for Tots breaks

Discovering Bookham Commons

The Majestic Commons

Forest adventures at Alice Holt

The beauty of nature

Adventures

Visiting Mayfield Lavender Field, Banstead

A wander at Frensham Little Pond, Surrey

7 reasons to love Barracudas camps

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