The Potty Nest

Recently I arrived home to hear cries of “quick come here” coming from the bathroom. Still with my coat on, I bounded up the stairs to find POD pointing at her potty and proudly declaring “I ablute Mummy, I ablute”.

Our toddler had christened her potty. It was no longer a hat, a frisbee or a boat. Or an ark for her bath animals. Much praise followed, not to mention hugging, high fives and star giving. Anyone would think we’d won the lottery.

Since then POD has devised her own potty training regime:

1. Line potty with tissue

2. Sit on potty

3. Say “I on potty”

4. Laugh

5. Pretend potty is a car [or stomp feet in shower]

6. Place tissue in toilet

7. Unravel more toilet tissue

8. Line potty

9. Announce “I go wee wee”

10. Wee in potty

So there we have it, the potty has been reincarnated as a nest. Last night POD said “thank you your Majesty” when I flushed her gubbins down the toilet. This was closely followed with *another* attempt to turn me into a frog.

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How does your garden grow?

IMG_0624If you asked what our garden was like a year ago, I’d have a big smile on my face. It was home to the most incredible willow tree – the focal point of the garden. It’s cascading branches were a real wow factor and it was a huge selling point when we bought our house.

When this superb tree had to be cut down last year, the garden dynamic changed completely. Not only that, the local shops and our doctors surgery became visible as did the overgrown mess at the end of the garden.

It’s taken time to get used to the garden without the willow but gradually we’ve fallen back in love with it again. It’s an amazing space to be in when it’s sunny and we will make it beautiful again. POD absolutely loves the IMG_0617garden, she’d stay out there every day given half the chance.

Although the beds have been full of dandelion clocks and buttercups, we have some absolute gems in the garden too. Bushes include a twisted Hazel, a Laurel and a Rhododendron as well as a number of unnamed bushes with and without flowers.

The most unusual shrub is a yellow Sophora – it’s very pretty at this time of year. As is the blue Santa Barbara. There are also gooseberry and apple trees plus a small spread of rhubarb.

IMG_0620Around our main patio area we have a lovely herb garden which houses a bay tree, lavender, mint and rosemary. Next to that is a magnolia, black tulips and, when they come up, some red hot pokers. Our red Acer has also made an appearance.

We’ve recently created some pot plants which have brought an array of colour to our patio. My personal favourite is a Fushia – otherwise known as Mrs Popple. POD has taken this literally by trying to pop all the heads before they’ve opened. She also pulled a fuzzy purple head off a Venezuela plant. We’re teaching her the difference between weeds, plants and flowers. She’s probably really confused, we’ve been pulling dandelion clocks up for weeks!

IMG_0605It’s an exciting time, the POD Father put some new fencing up at the weekend and a bed became visible again from a sea of weeds. It’s time to plan our new garden now. Before that, we’ll be taking delivery of a climbing frame set for POD which will at least block our view of Boots. She’s going to be the happiest toddler in the World, a small consolation for having a Christmas Day birthday.

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Maoris and a secret garden

IMG_0200As new members of the National Trust, we’ve recently explored the Natural Play Trail at Box Hill and discovered fairies in Haughley Park’s bluebell wood.

Just a short drive away from Hatchlands is Clandon Park – a Palladian mansion created to entertain and impress by the politically powerful Onslow family. It contains a superb collection of 18th-century furniture, porcelain and textiles, much of which was acquired by the connoisseur Mrs Gubbay. The Surrey Infantry Museum provides a rich account of the county’s military history.

Given it was a clear day and we had a tired toddler in tow, we opted to save surveying the inside the mansion IMG_0256for another day. Not to say we couldn’t enjoy a nice relaxing meal in the restaurant before setting off to exploring the wider parkland.

The seven acres of gardens are home to a small parterre, a walled Dutch Garden and Hinemihi, a Maori meeting house brought back from New Zealand in 1892.

Hinemihi is the only historic Maori meeting house in the UK and one of a handful outside New Zealand. It bears the name of a female tribal ancestor referred to as ‘she’. She was carved in the shadow of volcanic Mt Tarawera in North Island close to Rotorua.

IMG_0235An outdoor exhibition of giant photographs was on show in the gardens. It focused on the beautiful landscape and wildlife of New Zealand. POD was delighted to see a photograph of a goat – otherwise known as a moose. She learnt fir cones don’t taste very nice.

Huia’s Dell, the children’s area, was a great place for POD to play closely followed by the running away from her parents game. Clandon Park also offered a flint grotto and we walked through an avenue of trees to a beautiful church. The nearby meadow was just a sea of daffodils.

The fabulous Dutch Garden was originally modelled on the Sunken Garden at Hampton Court. It was clandon 3overgrown, covered in thick undergrowth and had a yew hedge of over 30ft high. That was until a National Trust employee came across it in 1971. Today, the garden is centred around a small statue in a circular pool, with clipped hedges and topiary.

What an incredible find that must have been, discovering a secret garden hidden behind an enormous hedge.

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Fairies and bluebells

IMG_0371Having discovered the wonders of Box Hill, we’re off to explore another National Trust property – Hatchlands Park.

We don’t need to be told twice fairies are hidden in a bluebell wood. POD is a toddler, she adores the outdoors and she’s developed a great deal of affection for her dollies – Boadicea, Bob and Rice.

Hatchlands Park was built in the 1750s and, with over 400 acres of parkland, it’s one of the largest country estates surrounding Greater London.

hatchlands 4Today we’re heading straight for Little Wix Woods in the hope the bluebells are in full bloom. POD is very keen to see the hidden fairies although she’d already declared “I don’t do magic” before we arrived. You’d never know she’s a fan of Ben & Holly.

We passed the rather impressive looking house and garden before making our way up a hill into the first section of woodland. Excited at the prospect of what we were about to see, I’m not even sure we even followed the correct route. We knew we were going the right way though as people heading towards us were smiling with glee – they’d already seen the bluebells. And the fairies.

IMG_0414A long path took us to a kissing gate *sniggers* into centenary woodland. To our left was the Wizard Wix’s Willow Warren, a children’s adventure play area with hand-crafted willow tunnels, domes, balance beams and a totem pole. Another kissing gate gave way to open parkland and Rookery Pond. A few minutes later we arrived at Little Wix Woods.

Two-year old POD could hardly contain herself  “Where are the fairies?”.

But then she saw one in a tree “Look fairy” she shouted with much excitement. This was followed by a request to have the fairy. It was quickly declined.

Hatchlands 2“Look Mummy Daddy, another one” she cried a couple of minutes later, arm pointing towards another fairy.

It was at that point we saw the most incredible carpet of colour. Bluebells in full bloom surrounded us and everyone we passed was grinning like a Cheshire cat. Aided perhaps by the sheer energy of our toddler on her fairy hunt.

It was like being in a magical wonderland.

We said “wow” a lot and we found all the fairies. POD would have brought them home given the opportunity. The phrases “fairy got no shoes” and “where fairy wand?” increased as we walked. Fair point. The fairies in Hatchlands1“bellyolly” have wands and shoes.

Our walk back included POD pointing a stick at a waymarker post in an attempt to turn it into a frog. What an incredible experience, a superb idea by Hatchlands Park. We’ll see you again soon.

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Exploring Haughley Park

IMG_0040The bank holiday saw The Doves venture to Suffolk for a couple of days. There we got to explore the exceptional grounds of Haughley Park – parts of which are only open to the public for limited periods.

Built around 1620, the Jacobean manor house is a Grade 1 listed building and privately owned. The grounds of the estate span some 250 acres and its barn is a popular venue for weddings.

Events held include Haughley Park’s annual Weird & Wonderful Wood – a specialised art and craft event coupled with street performers and acoustic musicians.

IMG_0052Six acres of landscaped gardens surround the house and barn. Our walk started at the kitchen garden where a walled garden boasted herbs, rose arches, greenhouses, fruit and vegetables. The dell on the other hand was a shady woodland garden in a hollow.

Heading across the main lawn we saw mature shrubs, an enormous magnolia and an amazing oak tree that is over 1,000 years old.

Open space is heaven to a toddler and after a brief period of hand holding, POD enjoyed running the adults ragged. There’s nothing funnier to a toddler than running in zig zags, chased by an unfit adult. Our walk across
IMG_0053the parkland was just beautiful with flocks of sheep and their lambs visible as far as the eye could see.

A thirty acre landscaped woodland garden provides decorate trees and flowering shrubs. A rich seam of lime-free soil runs through the east woods allowing rhododendrons and azaleas to flourish. Naturally occurring bluebells covered acres of old woodland. Although not  fully in bloom due to the weather we’ve had, they were an amazing sight.

We were lucky enough to see a deer dart through the woodland too which resulted in POD accidentally wandering into the blue carpet. Much to her amusement.

Haughley Park bluebellsAfter the delight of the bluebells, she had tree trunks to climb, sticks to collect and a mushroom to admire. Then we returned to the delights of the parkland once more, where we even had a couple of lambs come over and say hello. What an idyllic setting for a great walk and some active play.

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Discovering Box Hill

IMG_9809Box Hill is a summit of the North Downs in Surrey. It featured prominently on the route of the 2012 Summer Olympic cycling road race events.

Unsurprisingly the drive up Zig Zag Hill provided us with pelotons of cyclists and many a Lycra clad bottom.

We’d set our hearts on the Stepping Stone Walk which takes you down the River Mole where seventeen hexagonal stepping stones cross the river at the foot of Box Hill. It just sounded wonderful.

Before heading off, POD enjoyed a children’s box while we devoured pasties, cake and coffee. Not our typical  IMG_9823food choice but necessary that day. Energy levels up, we grabbed a map and we were off.

At Salomons Memorial we were greeted with panoramic views across to the South. Just incredible. A path with downward steps then took us through a wood where we saw beautiful yew trees with gnarled trunks. It was then we discovered there were 275 steps to the river. Not ideal for a buggy and a toddler. We’d been so keen to see those stepping stones, we’d not reviewed the route first.

Unperturbed and with our sense of humour firmly intact, we enjoyed a leisurely Hilltop Stroll and visited the Box Hill Fort. We then opted for the Natural Play Trail which was a great alternative for a two-year-old desperate for some outdoor funIMG_9831. We even got to hop across some stepping stones near the Natural Play Trail archway.

POD found a stick on Donkey Green which she introduced to many a shrub before having a rest on the knobbly roots of a beech tree.

There were bivouacs, wooden play areas and bridges for her to explore, tree trunks to clamber across and muddy puddles to jump into. And sit in – albeit unintentionally. We even saw a rather enchanting picnic table with toadstool chairs on the circular route.

IMG_9855Before we knew it we were back at Donkey Green where we took in those fabulous views once more. No doubt we’ll be back to explore the magic of Box Hill again very soon – especially now we have our shiny new National Trust membership.

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The life of Riley

IMG_9729Newlands Corner has had a coating of snow or transformed into a bog the last few times we’ve visited – much to the delight of our toddler.

Not today, the sun is shining, the sky is *mostly* blue and the car park is full to the rafters. There are families everywhere, some even enjoying a picnic, and a group of bikers presumably discussing engine sizes. Described as an area of outstanding natural beauty, Newlands Corner boasts the most amazing views. It’s a fabulous place and just a stones throw away from the mysterious yet beautiful Silent Pool I recently wrote about.

We had the usual toddler paraphernalia to take on our walk and the buggy for when the inevitable tiredness newlands cornerkicks in. POD also deemed it necessary to bring Rice, one of the three favoured dollies, as well as her basket – complete with fruit and veg. All became redundant within minutes, adding to the buggy’s ever increasing load. Wind in her hair she was off, running along the bridal path, before sitting down and closing her eyes to have a pretend nap. As you do.

Having realised it was a challenge to remain upright and run down a hill, it wasn’t long before the fruit and veg basket made a second appearance. Replaced shortly afterwards with snacks and a bottle of water. Just in time to see a huge bird appear in the sky.

IMG_9768In the woods, POD was able to climb trees, run about and explore. We found a trunk with what looked like the head of an elephant, beautiful trees with twisted trunks and an upside down beetle. We’re so glad we moved to Surrey, POD really does lead an easy life. Then again she is only two.

Our walk was followed by a rewarding treat at The Barn on the opposite side of the road to the Newlands Corner car park. There we had a well deserved coffee and the most divine piece of carrot cake. POD had a sample before showing nearby diners her collection of fruit and vegetables.

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