PODcast

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.

A little bit of magic

The berries that hang over our flapping fence make a happy sanctuary for birds. They love to sit on top of the bush and treat themselves after rummaging for worms!

Incredibly a couple of flowers have already appeared and several bulbs are poking their heads above the soil. Even the pots on our patio are showing signs of life.

Buds are appearing on the Bay Tree and Rhododendron bush plus the fuzzy heads on the Magnolia tree are starting to burst.

A tree covered in algae proved too much of a temptation not to photograph.

And this dew covered cobweb was spotted nestling in a pile of logs.

How wonderful to see a little bit of magic in the garden already. Linking up with How Does Your Garden Grow? at Mammasaurus.

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.

What’s The Story? | 20th January 2014

Hello everyone and welcome to What’s The Story? for w/c 20th January.

Thank you to all of you that joined in last week, so many amazing posts! Especially enjoyed Honeymooning, A few of my favourite things, Team Honk Relay has begun, Child’s play is infectious, Where does she go and Honeymoon. We loved the photographs that came from Reflection part 3, Happy Birthday Oliver, One foggy day and Throw those curtains wide.

What’s The Story? is a photography based Linky that enables you to share the stories behind your photographs. It’s open from 6.30am every Monday through to Sunday.

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

You’ll find What’s The Story? posts from previous weeks here if you fancy catching up or indeed seek inspiration!

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.

Have a great week everyone #whatsthestory

Silent Sunday

Project 365: Week #3

This week’s post comprises of visits to two National Trust properties and macro photography practice. Not to mention dressing up for Sport Relief and seeing Mr Grasshead go wild!

It’s been a varied week, welcome to Project 365: Week #3.

Day 12

An adventure in the forest the previous day meant we stayed indoors and POD created a monster with no name. I couldn’t resist an algae close-up!

Day 13

We visited a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest – the Majestic Witley and Milford Commons. Managed by the National Trust, it’s described as a rich and varied landscape buzzing with wildlife. We saw the most incredible heathland views and secluded woodland glades.

Day 14

Another quick practice with the macro. In the rain.

Day 15

Today was about making being silly for Sport Relief. Donned in a Sport Relief all-in-one, deeley boppers and a headband, I ran round the garden for the local paper. The Team Honk Blogger Relay kicked off in Land’s End last Sunday and finishes at John O’Groats in March. There are over 200 bloggers involved with my leg taking place on 6th February. You can read about it here.

Day 16

Mr Grasshead has gone wild – he was bald two weeks ago!

Day 17

Flowers in the garden – here’s hoping Spring is coming early.

Day 18

Today we visited the National Trust’s Bookham Commons which comprises of ancient oak woods, grassland plains and tranquil ponds. POD had a great time jumping in muddy puddles – a few trees had fallen too hence the background!

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

Immink organic childrenswear

As an adventurous family there’s always a need for good quality clothing that lasts. POD is involved in a range of crafting and painting activities at nursery with bouts of outdoor play. The weekend however sees us exploring the outdoors – we’re often off discovering what Surrey has to offer. There’s nothing better than breathing in that fresh country air and blowing away those cobwebs.

Immink is an organic childrenswear brand. Their clothes are made in Norfolk and they’re designed with active children like POD in mind. Their clothing is perfect for her outdoor adventures as it’s comfortable, practical and great quality. Immink clothing is made from 100% jersey cotton too so the fabric doesn’t irritate her sensitive skin.

POD absolutely loves the long sleeved t-shirt and skirt she received from Immink. They work well together but if we’re going somewhere especially messy can wear the long-sleeved t-shirt with jeans or jeggings.

She loves that it has a yellow duck print on the front and often requests to wear it! Despite numerous washes it still looks great and its retained its softness. As has the skirt. Both have aged beautifully.

POD enjoys wearing Immink for breakfast, in this instance accompanied by a frilly skirt,

and while she’s re-organising Cinderella’s bed. Although sometimes she’ll just relax in it and watch Tangled on DVD.

Most importantly this 100% organic cotton jersey is perfect for layering when we’re out in the countryside. Here’s POD looking very thoughtful wearing her duck tee before we set off on our forest adventure.

Immink have such fabulous clothes that really are designed to last. To view the full baby and childrenswear ranges, please visit the Immink website. Alternatively, you can see them at Bubble London on 26th and 27th January 2014.

Disclaimer: We received a duck print t-shirt and twill skirt for the purposes of this review. Opinions are our own.

The new one

First came the red one. A beautiful coat purchased for POD when she was a year old. She was out of it so fast we bought a bigger size of the beige one.

You couldn’t see her hands initially but she grew into it quickly. Here she is skimming stones with Daddy.

The beige one survived many a muddy puddle.

And it was loved by everyone right to the very end.

The new one is from the same retailer as the red and beige ones. It’s wonderful. Soft to the touch and comfortable. POD is disguising her joy in this photograph.