One of the things I love about visiting our local country parks is that there are still huge areas of all of them that we have yet to really explore. There is always a new path to head down; a different direction to take and new things to see and do.
The main paths in Black Park and Langley Park are buggy-friendly too. This makes them perfect for a long walk with both my girls, especially when it’s just the three of us out together. We can just go where the mood takes us and Jessica can rest when she gets tired. Sophie quite likes to sit on the footrest and ride too at times. It’s not too bad when the path is smooth but it’s a bit too much hard work on uneven paths. Thankfully Sophie is usually happy to get off and walk if I ask her to!
The sky looked very moody over the lake. I thought we might be in for rain. We had waterproofs with us, and for once, I’d remembered to fit the rain-cover to the buggy. It stayed dry though.
The girls enjoyed collecting sticks, stones and pine cones along the way. These soon became fairy wands, creating a little magic along the way. One of Jessica’s sticks became a “mummy fairy” with a big leaf wrapped around it for a skirt. She was chattering away to it later as she rode in the buggy. It was lovely to hear the imaginary conversation between her and her fairy. Another reminder that magical childhood moments can come from the simplest of things.
We passed an ice cream van along the way. It seemed a good moment to stop for a rest and to enjoy the sunshine. Thank goodness for wet wipes though!
I knew there was a geocache hidden in the woods. It was off the main path and marked as being unsuitable for wheelchairs. I thought we’d give it a try though. Jessica had had a good rest and was happy to walk for a while and the buggy was light enough to carry (and easy to fold if necessary). It wasn’t too bad trying to get it through the woods in search of the geocache.
Jessica and Sophie stopped on the way for a quick game of Poohsticks on the little bridge across the stream. The water wasn’t flowing though so it wasn’t a very successful one. We had a little check for trolls as we crossed – trip, trap, trip, trap. Unfortunately, Sophie was looking a little too closely for a troll and tripped as she reached the other side. Thankfully she didn’t end up in the stream – just with very muddy hands and sleeves.
“Don’t worry,” said Jessica, “things can always be washed!”
The wet wipes came in useful again! I cleaned up the worst of the mud and we continued on our way. We had to abandon the buggy a few feet away from the geocache which we managed to find after a little bit of searching. The girls always love finding larger caches where they can do swaps. This one was quite damp inside though so we just signed the log and made our way back out of the woods.
The promise of a trip to the playground helped make the walk back to the lake a little more appealing. I usually try to leave the playground to the end of our walks around the country parks. The girls are much more willing to go for a long walk if they know there will be a playground at the end of it!
This year we’re taking part in #30DaysWild – a challenge from the Wildlife Trusts to get outside each day in June, do something wild and connect with nature.
What a lovely post. Your photo of the lake is stunning. I’m glad Sophie didn’t end up in the stream! I love those big stick dens that lots of children add to when they’re playing in a place, so sweet.
Nat.x
Thanks Nat. I was quite relieved she didn’t end up in the stream too! x
I love that photo of the lake too. Jessica reassuring Sophie that things can be washed is so sweet – a sign that you value the importance of outdoor play. The playground at the end of a long walk is ALWAYS a good bribe. It is amazing how much energy they then find to play after being tired from the walk.
I have really enjoyed seeing all you 30 Days Wiĺd posts across your social media posts – very inspiring x
#countrykids
Thank you Karen, we really enjoyed doing #30DaysWild. I usually make sure they are wearing clothes I don’t mind them getting mucky when enjoying outdoor play and it always makes me chuckle when the girls remind me that things can be washed! 🙂
It’s great to see the girls enjoying a walk in the country park with you, they always seem so happy to take everything in their stride. I bet you’re always relieved when the pathways are buggy friendly, I can imagine it’s much easier to have the option for when Jessica gets tired. I love the serious look on her face as she eats her ice cream, it’s clearly an important task!
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Thank you Fiona, it’s always good to know which places can be easily explored with the buggy! I’ve been making a note of them when out and about with Sophie! 🙂
Aww I love Jessica’s response to Sophie falling over, how cute! It looks like you had a lovely walk and it’s always good when there’s a park to play on afterwards too #countrykids
Thanks Emma. Having a park is always a good incentive to encourage them on a walk! 🙂
Ooh, that dark cloud looked ominous! I hope it didn’t pour while the girls were having fun! It’s always lovely to see the two sisters together. It’s obvious that they have such a good bond 🙂 #countrykids
Thanks Dean – thankfully it stayed dry for us despite the dark clouds! 🙂
I love to go for walks in the woods with my kids. Looks like you had a lot of fun! #CountryKids
Thank you – we enjoyed our walk 🙂
This is so lovely, we love heading into the woods for a couple of hours of den building – fun for all ages I say
Just popping over from #countrykids
Laura x
Thanks Laura. Den building always looks like lots of fun – we need to give that a try at some point 🙂
Love this, you know how much I love a woodland walk ! Beautiful photos and that one of the lake and the stormy clouds is stunning! #countrykids
Thank you. I loved the view of the lake with the stormy clouds – was quite relieved that it stayed dry in spite of them though! 🙂
I love how imaginative and creative they are with the things that they find. We have yet to go geocaching – which reminds me to pop it on my summer bucketlist. #countrykids
Thanks Joy – it is lovely to see them use their imaginations 🙂
looks like you had a lovely time exploring, I love simple days like this just heading out to explore. wonderful pictures 🙂 I love how your daughters made the sticks into fairy wands- just shows how nature can encourage their imagination! #countrykids
Thanks Naomi. Fairy wands are a favourite with my girls 🙂
I’ve come to the conclusion it is best to prepare for all eventualities. This summer has been crazy with regard to weather. Wet wipes are really useful and a fellow geocacher told us they also help if you are ever to get stung by nettles. #CountryKids
Oh I didn’t know wet wipes help with nettle stings. That’s a good tip to bear in mind.
Brilliant pictures as always, I especially love the view across the lake with those dark clouds looming #countrykids
Thank you Emma. I loved that view although was glad that the rain held off! 🙂