Welcome to the Doves look back on 2014, kicking off with the first four months. While it may seem odd splitting the year into three parts, little did I know how many photos I’d taken! Or how many poignant moments there were. Or how much POD had grown!
The year kicked off with a visit to Alice Holt, managed by the Forestry Commission, where POD got to test out her scooter for the first time. The experience was short lived but she enjoyed keeping her helmet on while she walked!
We’ve explored many National Trust sites over the past 12 months, January saw us discover Witley and Milford Commons and Bookham Common for the first time.
Other National Trust sites we visited included Clandon Park and Abinger Roughs plus we had our first outing to the wonderful Bocketts Farm too.
Spring seemed to arrive early at Winkworth Arboretum and we saw wild horses at the Devils Punchbowl. There were also a lot of photographs taken of butterflies in the glasshouse at RHS Wisley. Firstly with POD and then with a group of photographers attending an early doors session.
The Sport Relief Team Honk Blogger Relay took place in March. A person to person relay from Lands End to John O’Groats, it was a route of nearly 3,000 miles involving nearly 200 bloggers, their family and friends. The Fleet leg involved @MummyBarrow, @bruceb_uk, @lady_briggs, @navininika, @andywebbdj and @missuswebb.
In Wokingham we were treated to delicious warm bacon rolls, lovingly prepared for us by Suzanne from @3childrenandit. She was part of the group cycling to Reading which also included @gourmetmum, @BelindaAlbasini and @Owen2306. The total money raised by Team Honk for Sport Relief peaked at £31,800 (the target was £20,000).
We also had fun with leaves at Claremont, were surrounded by alpines at RHS Wisley and daffodils at Polesden Lacey. We donned Summer clothes at Sheepleas and in the garden plus we got really lost at the Devil’s Punch Bowl after ignoring the map!
The Dove family headed over to Stratford in the latter part of the month for the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games. We raised £200 for Sport Relief in addition to our Team Honk efforts.
Having explored Hatchlands Park in early April, we returned when ponies, bluebells and fairies were on the agenda. We also checked out another beautiful National Trust site – Hinton Ampner.
We did an Easter egg hunt round the garden for POD and enjoyed skimming stones over the Bank Holiday. RHS Wisley was high on the agenda too and we spent a glorious day there with @AnnieSpratt and her children.
What a bumper start we had to the year! You’ll find part two here and part three here. Happy New Year everyone!
Lovely recapping on these photos, I remember so many of them.
Wow such amazing days out and wonderful photos! Just love your pictures and POD is the perfect model x
Awww 2014 is a real fun year! Looking forward to the next parts =)
Such lovely photos. It is wonderful but also bitter sweet to see how much our children grow and change over the year x
I have just been through mine, I love looking back at memories we have made together. These are some great pictures to treasure to, looks like you had lots of outdoor fun which is the best kind of way to have fun x
What a lovely way to look back at the year and you have the perfect star for your beautiful photos with Pod! Happy New Year!
What a busy and beautiful year! Here’s hoping 2015 is at least as much fun 🙂 x
Some glorious pictures and so many outside. You’ve explored some wonderful places.
Brilliant compilation and gorgeous photos, Charly. What a year! xx
That’s a lovely way to remember the year – and already you can see how POD a has grown this year. Happy 2015 x
You take such wonderful pictures of your family and the time you’ve spent together. Quite a year you’ve had. Here’s to another great one 🙂
Ahh so nice to look back. You really did take so many photos and it almost shows Pod growing up. 🙂 may there be many more exploring adventures this year!