PODcast

Project 365: Week #14

This week’s highlights this we are focused on POD. There’s been fun in the forest, silliness in the garden and much excitement over newly hatched chicks. Welcome to Project 365: Week #14

Day 89

Sunday saw us have lots of fun in the Alice Holt Forest with POD grandparents Bubba and Gaggam. This is a photograph of Mummy, Daddy and POD. With Mummy always behind the lens, it’s been a long time since we’ve had one of the three of us together. POD made me a card and a flower for Mother’s Day. I also received a wonderful scarf too.

Day 90

POD naps at nursery but it’s rare for her to do the same at home. The last time she dozed off in the middle of the afternoon was after her Christening in September 2013. She looks so content here.

Day 91

Ladybirds seem to be everywhere at the moment – this little fella looks like he’s smiling. If you read the what I love about photography post it won’t come as a surprise to hear I knelt on stones to get this!

Day 92

Located on the outskirts of Farnham is a 400-year old Grade II listed former hop kiln. It’s home to The Packhouse, a lifestyle store filled with floors of vintage, antiques, furniture and decorative gems. It was a fleeting visit on this occasion but I love exploring the nooks and crannies here.

Day 93

Lighter evenings have meant POD’s been able to play in the garden after nursery. Here she is having an impromptu sing song on top of our old shed surrounded by blossom. Yes that top is on back to front, she likes it that way!

Day 94

Yesterday POD saw several chicks hatch when we left nursery – they were so fragile. We were delighted to see our fluffy friends happily chirping away today. Although taken on my mobile, I love the joy on POD’s face in this photo.

Day 95

Today POD and I had a run round the garden and spotted one of these in a flower bed. It’s the first of the year and suffice to say it’s already been blown!

If you enjoy PODcast, please vote for us in the photography category. Thank you 🙂

Discovering Hinton Ampner

It’s always exciting discovering National Trust sites we’ve not previously visited although we love all the ones we’ve explored so far. Located in Hamphire, Hinton Ampner is an elegant country house with distinctive gardens and woodland sprawled across 1600 acres.

The Hinton Ampner House is current closed due to structural damage from the recent storms. The gardens and estate are open though so you can still explore the grounds which are steeped in 700 years of history.

At the back of the house there are superb views across the South Downs,

many sheep and this little fella – captured on a 250mm lens.

The garden at Hinton Ampner is widely acknowledged as a masterpiece of 20th century garden design.

It’s a wonderful mix of the formal and informal with fine vistas

and beautifully kept lawns.

The rhododendron garden is an abyss of colour with wax-like varieties

and these veined beauties.

A nearby church is surrounded by hundreds of daffodils and trees of blossom. It’s a beautiful area located next to Hinton Ampner’s magnificent walled garden. If you read Spring at Polesden Lacey last week, you’ll know I love them.

The walled garden is lined with 19th century apple and pear trees and is currently used to grow fruit and vegetables. The produce is often used in the tea room and flowers in the house.

There were tulips aplenty lining the greenhouse,

many varieties of plant

and numerous flowers including these yellow ones that look like peppers.

Not forgetting the final treat – a carpet of daffodils along the ancient walls of the garden.

Linking up with #HDYGG over at Mammasaurus.

If you enjoy PODcast, please vote for us in the photography category. Thank you 🙂

LolliBop 2014 announces Hatfield House

LolliBop, the UK’s biggest kids festival, has announced its 2014 festival will take place at Hatfield House from the 15th to 17th August 2014.

Situated just off the A1 in Hertfordshire or a 22 minute train journey from London Kings Cross, the stunning country house and gardens of Hatfield House offer an incredible array of spaces to house LolliBop’s vast activity and entertainment programme.

Renowned for bringing some of the biggest names in children’s entertainment to its live stages, LolliBop also plays host to science and educational zones, craft areas and adventure activities. The 2014 lineup promises to be more diverse; exciting and extraordinary than ever before, with a host of brand new names, partnerships and play never before seen at LolliBop.

Hatfield House is famous for its beautiful gardens and attractions, including the incredible sundial garden and fountains, magical woodlands and the famous knot garden adjoining the Tudor Old Palace where Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her time as a child. It is one of the Treasure Houses of England, making it one of the top 10 most magnificent palaces in the UK.

Festival Director Gareth Cooper said: “For a family destination, Hatfield House can’t be beaten. LolliBop has taken place in numerous locations over the years, and we firmly believe our home for 2014 is our best yet.

The setting is breathtaking – with stunning gardens, lush green areas and woodlands just waiting to be explored – it’s allowed us to open our imaginations and programme an event like never before.

He went on to say they’ve been working hard to secure some of the best-loved names in children’s entertainment. The 2014 lineup will be jam packed with big names for the main stage, alongside an unprecedented number of live theatre performances; plus sporting activities; creative workshops; nature talks and brand new areas and acts, never seen before at LolliBop.

LolliBop is a family event and suitable for children up to the age of 12. Head over to the LolliBop website for more information and to purchase tickets. The full line-up will be announced on 28th April 2014.

Fun at Claremont

Claremont is a beautiful National Trust Landscape Garden located in Surrey. Described as somewhere where the views change, the water sparkles and the secret glades wait, it was once a Duke’s retreat and the playground of Princesses.

From the turf amphitheatre (the only surviving example of its kind in Europe) to the serpentine lake, bowling alley, grotto, Camellia Terrace and Belvedere Tower, Claremont is a superb place to visit. There’s even a Thatched Cottage filled with Victorian toys, games and clothes to play in. And a wooden play area.

The walk around the serpentine lake was wonderful. We saw many varieties of bird, hundreds of daffodils and we always enjoy admiring the knobbly trees!

Whenever we visit Claremont, we love to have fun in the Ha-Ha. It’s a hidden ditch originally created in the 18th century to keep livestock away from the pleasure grounds without spoiling the view.

POD loved running down into the Ha-Ha and up the other side with Daddy, she had the best time. There was much zig zagging as we followed its path, finding dried leaves perfect for throwing in the process. There was much giggling!

POD loved exploring the surrounding area too. She jumped across the log stepping stones, bounced on moss

and smelt the flowers.

She also found a great stick which she adopted as a her wand.

The lake was almost as popular as the Ha-Ha on this occasion. She sat by the waters edge under Daddy’s watchful eye poking her stick in and out of the water before taking a stance near the path ‘do magic’.

It was a spur of the moment visit to Claremont following POD’s gymnastics class. Unplanned trips are just the best!

Linking up with Country Kids at Coombe Mill, Magic Moments at The Olivers Madhouse and the Mid Week Blog Hop at Super Busy Mum.

Please vote for PODcast in the photography category. Thank you 🙂

What’s The Story? | 31st March 2014

Hello everyone, welcome to What’s The Story? for w/c 31st March 2014. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful stories last week. They’re always such a joy to read and I love that there’s such variety.

Thank you again to everyone that nominated me in the MAD Blog Awards. I’m thrilled to be a finalist in Best Blog Photography. My post this week is focused on storytelling through photography and why I love it.

If you’re new to What’s The Story? it’s a photography based Linky which enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. It’s open from 6.30am every Monday through to the following Sunday.

To join in all you have to do is share a photograph and the story behind it. You can write as little or much as you like and your photo/s can be from any time – old or new. You can link up a old post too if it’s relevant.

Feel free to use the What’s The Story? badge or link back here – I’m happy to share your post in return. Please do take the time to comment on some of your fellow bloggers posts when you can. It’s always worthwhile checking back later in the week so you don’t miss any gems!

Have a great week #whatsthestory

Silent Sunday

Project 365: Week #13

Day 82 was definitely the highlight of this week. We participated in the Sport Relief Games at Queen Elizabeth Park – running the Sport Relief Mile and walking about 5 miles on top of that. It was also the day I heard I’m a finalist in the photography category of the MAD Blog Awards! Day 85 was pretty good too as I got to explore Polesden Lacey for a short time. It’s a bit of a flower fest this week but hopefully one you’ll enjoy.

Welcome to Project 365: Week #13.

Day 82

POD went on a train to London for the first time today, she also experienced escalators and the tube too! We participated in the Sport Relief Games at Queen Elizabeth Park running the Sport Relief mile and raising £200 in the process.

It was an awesome day and we had the best time. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, I discovered I was a finalist in the photography category of the MAD Blog Awards. I’m really chuffed so if you voted, thank you very much.

Day 83

The garden was covered in a frosty glaze early this morning. This solitary daffodil lay horizontal in a bed although it did recover thankfully. The same can’t be said for the magnolia as its pink petals are now tinged with brown.

Day 84

We didn’t get to walk to nursery today but I did grab a few minutes in the garden before we left. This gem caught my eye, it looks rather spectacular close-up, almost like a miniature fire!

Day 85

Spring had most definitely sprung at National Trust owned property Polesden Lacey. A fleeting but incredible visit that just kept on giving. This carpet of daffodils was breathtaking

and this plant caught my eye as it looks like its housing baby apples!

Day 86

This succulent always looks incredible when it’s covered with water droplets. I see it on our walk to nursery. It’s so difficult to capture with a macro lens though as it has so many layers. It has turned into a personal challenge!

Day 87

It’s sad to see how many flowers have been affected by the frost but this gem is still going strong! Another delight from our morning walk to nursery.

Day 88

What a gloriously sunny day! POD has her grandparents over so we’ll be enjoying lunch in the garden shortly. I spotted this while we were having a little tidy up.

MAD Blog Awards Finalist – Photography

Given PODcast only launched in January last year, it’s hard to explain how thrilled I am to be a MAD Blog Awards Finalist. Especially in the Best Blog Photography category. But thrilled I am – over the moon in fact.

THANK YOU, thank you, thank you to everyone that nominated.

As parents it’s not difficult to find excuses to take photographs of our children. We want to remember all occasions like they happened yesterday.

We want to capture the special moments so they stay with us forever. Whether it’s a feeling, an emotion or something that happened for the first time.

Like testing a new swing,

blowing a dandelion clock,

or licking a lolly.

We might just want to remember that impromptu lie down because she didn’t know you were there.

As well as the moments, we enjoy storytelling. We like to share our adventures so you can picture yourself there too.

Whether a boathouse and the wooded valley at Winkworth Arboretum,

the Devils Punch Bowl with its incredible views, fascinating history and wild horses.

or spotting exotic butterflies in a state-of-the art Glasshouse.

As well as keeping a record of our adventures, I love to photograph the detail in the every day. Capturing the magic? I don’t know but it’s very exciting, a bit like butterflies in your tummy.

It’s what makes me lie in the mud waiting for a ladybird to scale a blade of grass.

It’s what makes me to walk to nursery when it’s cold and foggy.

It’s what makes me capture water droplets when it’s pouring with rain.

It’s what makes me photograph a leaf to show you how delicate it is.

It’s what makes me kneel on the gravel so I can get under a flower.

And it’s what makes me lie under a tree even though I know I’m being watched. But I love every single minute.

Spring at Polesden Lacey

Polesden Lacey was chosen by Mrs Grenville, an ambitious Edwardian hostess, as the ideal place for entertaining. Owned by the National Trust, the property is surrounded by breathtaking views of the Surrey Hills.

It’s the perfect place to have a picnic in the warmer months. Or you can just grab one of the comfy chairs and admire the landscape around you. You can see why Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, had her honeymoon here.

The house is adorned with beautiful flowers including this sweet smelling honeysuckle. The tulips along the South Terrace add a splash of colour – so great to see those brights back again!

Once you’ve taken in the views from the South Lawn, it’s time to explore. If you’re lucky you might see a pheasant. Not for long though, they’re speedy little fellas – even if you walk really quietly!

The Sunken Garden and Rock Garden is a sight to behold. It’s a wonderful area where you’ll find all kinds of alpine treats

and unexpected treats like these beautiful cowslips.

Over from the croquet lawn, you will see the herbaceous border.

The garden team are currently in the midst of a project to mirror the existing border on the other side of the wall.

After admiring the Frameyard and Bridge, if you pay a visit to the Winter Garden you’ll find these beauties

and many plants and flowers. There are 20 varieties of snowdrop at Polesden Lacey.

The Cutting Garden and Orchard is especially interesting – particularly the display of gardening artifacts and advertisements from a hundred years ago. It’s not long before you’re enticed into the Rose Garden by these fabulous gates though – I’m a sucker for a walled garden too!

This part of the garden is great to visit whatever the time of year. Now Spring is here, it’s a joy to see new life popping up everywhere. Just look at these pansies!

If you came out of the garden here and looked left you’ll see those breathtaking views of the Surrey Hills.

I stayed put in the Rose Garden and saw a fuzzy friend looking for treats

as well as this flower that almost looks like it has two tiny apples inside it!

Mrs Grenville transformed Polesden Lacey into the perfect setting to host her lavish parties. A visit inside the house will provide a true sense of this as you get to find out what she was like. We’ll be doing that next time we visit.

Admirals Walk almost took my breath away, I may have actually gasped! This pathway down to the woodland on the estate really has to be seen to be believed. Spring has most definitely sprung at Polesden Lacey!

Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games 2014

Sunday 23rd March saw the Dove family head over to Stratford for the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games. We have fond memories of Queen Elizabeth Park having experienced the incredible wall of noise in the Olympic Stadium during London 2012. It was a spectacular day, one that will never be forgotten.

Last weekend we traveled to London. It’s was POD’s first time on a passenger train (having only been on the chunnel to Bruges) so it was all very exciting. The escalators and the tube afterwards equally so!

The weather wasn’t on our side when we arrived so the waterproofs were on pretty swiftly. Once the dark clouds had passed we were greeted with sunshine so we fared pretty well.

We amused ourselves while we waited to go into the park by pulling silly faces

and taking in the wonderful view of the Aquatic Centre.

Daddy wore a Sport Relief t-shirt, coupling it with the Elvis sunglasses I wore for the Team Honk Relay

I went for the Sport Relief all-in-one I’d purchased for the Team Honk Relay – the red afro and deeley boppers were absent on this occasion.

After a fun warm up, which included POD showcasing her dancing skills, we were off! Daddy ran with the buggy and I displayed a innovative speed waddle in an attempt to keep the knackered pelvis in its place.

The surroundings were fabulous, seeing the Orbit brought evoked so many memories

as did the Olympic Stadium.

After a speedy photo, we ran over the line to collect our medals.

The excitement was too much for POD who had peaked too early and worn herself out!

We then had a wander around the event village before enjoying a ginger beer while we waited for our wood fired pizza.

Sport Relief has been incredible this year, I’m so proud to have been a part of it. The Fleet leg of the Team Honk Relay has raised £1,300 (Team Honk overall a whopping £30,000) and our Sport Relief Games, albeit not in the same league, raised £200. We ran a mile, walked about five, and next year we’ll better that. It was a great family day out and POD loved all the medals.

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