POD and the little black pony

Last week we escaped to a National Trust favourite to blow away a few cobwebs. Hatchlands Park is nestled in the Surrey Hills and luckily for us located a short drive away from where we live. The mansion is a family home containing a collection of paintings and fine furniture as well as Europe’s largest collection of keyboard instruments. Hatchlands Park also has some 400 acres of ancient woodland and parkland – the perfect playground for four year old POD.

Having recently explored Willow Wix (the natural playground) and the fairies houses (the fairies were out shopping), we headed to the parkland for a spot of tree climbing. It’s the best feeling breathing in fresh country air and even better when cows with the glossiest of coats are stood just a few feet away. The sun was shining too which is always a bonus and a great excuse to have an ice-cream!

Hatchlands Park is open all year round now and there are often events on. With it being ‘Funday Friday’, there were children’s trails, arts and crafts in a marquee and an array of garden games including giant chess. POD loves it when they have space hoppers in front of the main house and took it upon herself to ride one that was far too big for her. She did succeed in the end albeit after much rolling around in the grass and giggling to herself.

She had her heart set on a pony ride even before we arrived. Waiting patiently in the queue, she occupied herself by showcasing her best whinny impressions and attempting not to laugh!

She was so excited by the time she reached the front of the queue. She collected a riding hat and quickly mounted an adorable black pony. Although initially giving the impression she is shy, within seconds she was telling the trainer about the contents of her bedroom demonstrating what a sociable soul she is.

POD was slightly wary of the pony she rode on at Hatchlands last time although she was much smaller. There was no stopping her on this occasion, she looked more than comfortable sitting in that saddle, her feet in the stirrups and her hands clutching the mane.

At the end of her ride you could see a look of total admiration for this little black pony she’d met less than ten minutes earlier. One of the things I love about photography is being able to capture those special moments and this image below was certainly one of those.

You can read more about our time at Hatchlands Park over the coming days.

Joining Running in Lavender for #MyCapturedMoment.