A sunny day at the start of half term seemed an ideal opportunity to head over to Ankerwycke to see the snowdrops. Just across the Thames from Runnymede, Ankerwycke is home to the ruins of a priory and the Ankerwycke Yew – a 2000 year old tree rumoured to be one of the spots where Henry VIII courted Anne Boleyn. It’s a beautiful place for a walk, but wellies are definitely an essential item as the walk across the fields to get to the yew and priory is a very muddy one, especially in February!
We had the pleasure of Grandma’s company too as we set off over the muddy fields and made our way towards the yew and priory. Last time we explored Ankerwycke we took the longer circular walk. I thought this might be a little too much for Jessica so this time we took the shorter route.
The girls stopped at the bridge for a game of Pooh sticks. Sadly, the water in the stream was barely flowing so it wasn’t very successful!
The snowdrops were out all around the yew and the priory. It was such a pretty sight. Trying to stop Sophie picking them was a challenge though!
I was right to take the shorter route. Jessica was tired by the time we reached the yew and stopped for a lie down on the bench. She still manages a reasonable walk but it’s not quite as far as it once was.
Once Jessica got her breath back, the girls had a closer look at the yew. It was quite fascinating to look inside the big trunk and see the tangle of branches everywhere. Sophie was small enough to be able to get right inside!
There are a few geocaches along the walk. Most of the ones along our route involved solving a puzzle to find the co-ordinates of the geocache. The girls didn’t quite have the patience to wait for me to work them out though – maybe I’ll manage to find them next time! We did manage to find one geocache near where we’d parked the car though.
The girls’ wellies were thick with mud and the attraction of the big puddle was too much to resist. It was one of those moments when I wished I’d thought to put them in puddle suits as both girls managed to get their trousers completely soaked and I only had one change with me! Fortunately I did have a blanket to cover bare legs and the journey home wasn’t too long!
Ahhh love that photo of all of you. We haven’t managed our usual snowdrop photos this year yet. Its such a small window of opportunity isn’t it?
Thank you Karen – we missed them last year so it was nice to get to see them this year 🙂
Looks like a perfect little explore and just the right amount of walking time for Jessica. I love photos of your girls, they always look so full of life and totally at home exploring in nature. Wow to the old tree, I bet it has a few secrets to share!
Thank you for sharing with me at #CountryKids
Thanks Fiona – it was a lovely little trip out and so lovely to see the tree and the snowdrops 🙂
Snowdrops and puddles sounds like the perfect day out! Lovely photos.
Thank you. Can’t beat muddy puddles and so nice to see the snowdrops too 🙂
That tree trunk looks amazing, the snowdrops really have been beautiful this year haven’t they #CountryKids
They have – it was lovely to get to see them this year 🙂
The snowdrops looked beautiful and the place looked amazing to explore…mine love a tree they can get into #countrykidsfun
It’s always fun to be able to explore the inside of a tree, isn’t it? 🙂
Lovely photos – I think we’ve missed the snowdrops where we are for this year. Thank you for sharing #countrykids
Thank you – I ended up missing them last year so it was nice to catch them this year 🙂
Oh gosh, we had a day like that with my two today. Both of them ended up getting covered in mud and water and they were just in normal trousers. Your photos are beautiful and the snowdrops look lovely, I’m glad you had a lovely day.
Nat.x
Sounds like your two had lots of fun! At least clothes can be washed! 🙂
My Emily was desperate to pick snowdrops when we did something similar near us. My two usually end up very wet and muddy from puddle jumping too!
Looks like your had a lot of fun 🙂
#countrykids
They are hard to resist aren’t they? Can’t beat a bit of puddle jumping 🙂
What lovely photos of you all. I especially love the one with Grandma. 🙂 Muddy walks are the best 🙂 #Countrykids
Thank you. I do love a nice walk – mud and all! 🙂
I do love snowdrops, I’d love to see this 🙂 And who can resist a muddy puddle?! #countrykids
Thank you Sara. Muddy puddles are lots of fun! 🙂
Hopefully they will have more luck with pooh sticks next time. Looks like a great walk. The tree is amazing! We still haven’t been geocaching yet but it’s on our list. The snowdrops are beautiful. Stopping by from #CountryKids
I’m sure we’ll have another go at Pooh sticks next time we find a stream that looks more suitable! 🙂
Love that photo of Sophie in the tree. I haven’t seen many snowdrops this year, so loving seeing everyone else’s photos #CountryKids
Thank you Lauren. She was quite fascinated by the tree – it is such an interesting one to look at! 🙂