One of the things I love most about getting out and about exploring is discovering new places on my doorstep. One day last month Sophie and I went for a walk down a little lane near our house. We’ve walked down it once before with Jessica but only for a short distance before Jessica got tired and wanted to turn back. This time we had a full day ahead of us and I was determined to explore the lane further, especially as I’d discovered there were a few geocaches to find along the way!
It was a beautiful warm sunny day; one last lingering moment of summer before Autumn finally took over. Sophie had put on her fairy wings and brought her fairy wand and was ready to find magic in the woods.
We found our first conkers and filled a pot ready to take back home and put in the corners of the bathroom to keep the spiders at bay. For the last couple of years I’d tried and failed to find a horse chestnut tree locally so was very happy to discover this one! We also found our first geocache nearby.
As we walked along the footpath through the long grass we could hear crickets chirping although couldn’t quite spot them. Eventually we managed to see one sitting on a blade of grass although Sophie was more interested in hunting for sticks and leaves!
The walk then took us into the woods where we came across a “witch’s cottage” – a disused and derelict house in the middle of the woods. Places like this always make me wonder about the history behind them – who lived there, why did they leave and why was the house left to fall into decay. We managed to get close enough to peek through the windows and see the fireplace and the inside of the house.
The walk through the wood eventually lead to a lane which joined the main road leading back home again, where we managed to find a second geocache, having failed to find several others along the route. I’m sure most of the ones we missed were there, I just didn’t manage to find them before Sophie made it clear she wanted to move on!
It was quite a long walk for little legs and I have to say I was very impressed that Sophie coped so well with it. It’s probably a little too far for Jessica though and the path is definitely not buggy-friendly so will definitely need hubby to come with us if we ever try it again with Jessica – that way she can ride on Daddy’s shoulders if she gets tired!
Wow geocaches look pretty interesting! I have lots of friends that are really into it, I hear it is great fun. Maybe we should try it sometime too 🙂 Looks like a lovely day out (and me too – I’m always very curious about abandoned houses… the mystery!). #countrykids
We’re still quite new to geocaching but we’re enjoying it so far 🙂
What a lovey walk. Fun to find a derelict house too. Love how nature is claiming it back. Trees in front of the fireplace makes me smile. Good for Sophie walking so far, although I’m sure the fairy wings must have helped. #CountryKids
Thank you – yes, I think having the fairy wings and making it a bit of an adventure helped a lot! 🙂
It’s so nice to discover new places in our local area. I recently discovered a bit of woodland near our home and I can’t wait until all the children can cycle so we can explore some more. That house looks intriguing. Have you thought of doing a bit of research to find out why it’s been abandoned? x
I have tried a quick search online to see if I could find out more about the house but nothing’s come up. Maybe I should try asking in some local facebook groups to see if someone knows more about it x
I love her fairy wings and outfit – so cute. Lovely photos.
Coming over from #CountryKids x
Thank you – I love the fairy wings too 🙂
What a great adventure for you and Sophie, I bet she loved having special mummy-daughter time along the walk. Geocaching always looks fun so I bet you were super excited you managed to find some so close to home! That witches cottage looks fab, I bet it felt really spooky seeing it up close I always wonder what the history behind cottages like that one is. I hope you manage to explore this walk with Jessica one day too, I’m sure she’ll love it.
Thanks for linking up with me on #CountryKids.
Thank you Fiona – it’s definitely a walk I’d like to do again with hubby and Jessica there too 🙂
Such a lovely walk! I have that problem with geocaching too – if we don’t find it in the first couple of minutes of looking the children get very bored and no longer care so we end up either giving up or leaving daddy hunting by himself (I want them to continue loving it and not get bored)! I love that house too – I am the same, I always want to know the history behind houses like that. And your cricket picture is amazing! #CountryKids
Thank you – yes I think it is important to try and get that balance of spending time looking for the geocache but not too much that the children start to lose interest in it. I’m hoping as I get more experience, finding them might become a little easier! 🙂
What a beautiful fairy! I love the ‘witches cottage’. Places like that would probably creep my children out but I’m fascinated by derelict and abandoned buildings and the story behind them.
#countrykids
Thank you Heidi – the cottage was a little spooky but fascinating too. I’m not sure I’d want to venture there on a gloomy afternoon but on a sunny day, it was fine! 🙂
Aw she’s such a cutie, especially with her wings on, and she looks so grown up these days! That witches house is so cool an d like you I want to know it came to be the way it is today! Xx
Thanks Caroline – it’s intriguing isn’t it? I’ve not managed to find anything more about the history of it.
What a discovery! A derelict house 🙂 looks kinda spooky with all the vines and it being over grown. A great adventure #CountryWatch
Thank you – it was a little bit spooky but quite fascinating too! 🙂
Looks like a lovely walk and another to return to. Daddys shoulders always more fun than a buggy too x
Can’t beat a ride on daddy’s shoulders! Definitely going to try and do it again sometime with hubby and Jessica.
What a wonderful walk and the outdoors is such fantastic place for natural learning about life cycles and getting kids interested in wildlife and looking closer for the small animals and creatures that live around us.
Just popping over from #CountryKids
Laura x
Thanks Laura – I love spotting mini beasts when out on an adventure 🙂
Awww this looks like the prefect place to explore, I love the Sophie wore her wings! It sounds like you had lots of fun, #CountryKids
Thanks Jenni – I did love the fairy wings! 🙂
I’ve never tried geocaching but lots of people say how great it is – I really must try! Sounds like a lovely walk #CountryKids
It’s good fun and helps add some more interest to a walk 🙂
Its always nicer when you are having fun on walks, you get tired less =)
Like this one. That insect is just an awesome finD! #countrykids
Oh gosh. Sophie has grown and a proper outdoor girl she is. That looks like a fun walk and I love her fairy wings.:) x #countrykids
Oh what a fun way to spend the day. I find houses like that fascinating too, such a shame it’s been left to go derelict. My sister did a project on decay and photographed lots of places like this, it was really interesting.
Nat.x