Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

We love going to Waddesdon Manor as it's excellent for families, often has various activities on and isn't too far from home. Currently they have Winter Light at Waddesdon: Bruce Munro.

Waddesdon Manor

We arrived late morning, and went to see if we could get some tickets for the house (I've not been round but readitdaddy and C have) but it's so popular the only time left was very late afternoon so we passed this time. We headed down to the stables to "hug a husky". There were about 8 lovely husky's to stroke, cuddle and have your photo taken with. You could even sit on a sledge and have your photo taken pretending the husky is pulling you along a snowy scene (for a small price).

hug a husky

When we could finally drag ourselves away from the huskys we had lunch outside the stables as the cafe was really busy. The garden chairs had thick sheep skin throws on so no cold bottoms whilst enjoying yummy pumpkin soup, hot dogs or the NT must have scone and tea.

cosy and warming seats

A did quick check to make sure that the reindeers and Santa's sleigh would be ready for christmas day.

fly reindeer fly

 Then we took a stroll down the hill to the plant centre for the christmas food market, plenty of local food and drinks to try and lots of gifts to buy, we didn't come away empty handed.

we found these dens to explore on the way to the plant centre

 We had a walk back up the hill and through the play area. It's a really fantastic woodland play area, the footpaths were lit up, the trees and also reindeer along the way. There is something for every age from swings to zip wires that keep the kids amused for ages.

one of the play areas

can you spot the owl

We then took a trip down Miss Alice's Drive, it's a wonderful woodland walk with something to explore at every turn. Lots of different bug hotels, board hotels to lift (sadly only found a worm), stepping stone logs and weave a fence.

checking under the board hotel

stepping stone logs

Once we got back to the top of the hill and the house again we took a look around the aviary, its a magnificent looking structure with some unusual birds housed there.

day turns to night

 By now the sun was just setting so with glow stick in hand we headed off to winter light at Waddesdon.

glow stick

 These are 6 works of art displaying light in different ways and to an amazing effect. It was lovely to see young and old exploring and enthralled by the installations. We had to walk round twice to see it again as it got darker.

Brass Monkeys

Water-Towers

Tepees

Parliament of Owls

Mynah Words

River of Light

I think River of Light was our favorite installation, I had to go to the bottom of the hill to get the view looking up

River of Light

warm wet weather gear for kids

We love to get out for a walk what ever the weather and Charlotte also has a forest school session at school once a week so this time of year we are in need of something warm and dry to wear.
We really needed a new rain coat for her and ended up in Millets finding this perfect 3 in 1 jacket by Peter Storm.

look at the lovely warm and bright coat

 It has a lovely furry cream inside jacket which is ditachable from the waterproof outer shell so it will do for most of the year round. She loves the very bright pink of it, it really is as bright as the pictures show and the snuggly warm jacket inside is great for keeping the cold out. It's got plenty of pockets, inside and out, and a good sized hood. There are clips and zips to hold the two jackets together and even a pocket and clip for an ipod and headphones.

Whilst browsing the store we spotted these water resistant fleece lined trousers, again by Peter Storm.

water resistant trousers

 Leggings just aren't warm enough and jeans aren't nice to wear when they get wet so these look ideal for exploring days. They are a bit boyish looking, combat trouser style. But I don't think Charlotte has picked up on that yet and is happy to wear them as they keep her warm.

fleece lining

 We haven't tried them in the rain yet to test how water resistant they are. The first time she wore them she let the bottom of the leg drag on the ground and the fleece lining adsorbed quite a bit of moisture, but most of the time they will be worn with wellington boots. The trousers have an adjustable elasticated waist which is excellent for my skinny girl.

jacket and trousers in action

Bring on the cold damp weather my girl is read to go.

Bucklebury Farm Park, Bucklebury, Berkshire

This is a fantastic farm park that a friend recommended we visit. We had never heard of or seen the place advertised before considering its not far from us.

It wasn't too hard to find, there were no brown signs until you are on-top of the farm but Bucklebury is well signposted. There is a large car park and nice walk to the entrance, passing a stream, chickens and sheep along the way. The indoor areas all looked new with benches for packed lunches, and a play area at the end. Next door was a lovely new cafe and new (but basic) toilets beside that.

slides and soft play

 Outdoor hand washing facilities were really good, and we liked the pictures of how to wash your hands properly on the indoor toilet, would like to see them outside too. Lots of antibacterial stops provided along the way too.

We picked up a couple of bags of animal feed, and headed straight to the petting area. We returned a few times to check up on crunchie and badger, charlottes favourite hamster and rabbit during the day as they were so lovely. There was a really helpful member of staff on hand to assist and answer any questions.

Crunchie

Staff also warned us to look out for the escaping goat. We did a wonderful circular walk taking in most of the animals and giving them all a feed. Donkeys, deer, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas, ponys, wild boar, guinea pig, rabbits and llamas. There were so many to see. We did find the escaped goat too - approach with caution!

goats and reindeer

 There was a woodland adventure area with dens and an agility course, an outdoor play area, inflatable pillow, trikes, go carts (readitdaddy and I didn't really race each other like 10 year olds!) and a zip wire.

outdoor play area

 There were 2 nature walks with markers pointing out interesting facts about the age of the trees, types of trees or the animals or birds who might feed in that area. There was an excellent look out (if slightly scary to climb) on one walk with a view across the valley and the deer.

nature walk

 The tractor ride was excellent, going out to feed the deer and the staff again were excellent and really knowledgable, happy to answer any questions. Charlotte got the chance to help collect eggs from the chicken shed, and again the staff were really great.

up close to Big Ron on the tractor ride

 We had lunch in the cafe, which was wonderfully warm on a cold wet day. The food was really nice some really yummy bread with my soup. But I did find woody/stalky type bits in my soup, I brought this up with the lady clearing the tables and she said I'll be back... but didn't return! The cakes were excellent though which compensated a bit.

feeding sunny the deer

We had such an excellent day and were there for hours, we will definitely be going back. Even the cold wet November weather couldn't dampen what a great day we had. 

Hill End Outdoor Education Centre, Oxfordshire

A trip to Hill End brought back many memories of school trips and guide camps for readitdaddy and I (obviously not guide camps for readitdaddy, unless there is something hes not telling me!).

Spotting on twitter that they were having a craft fair and also forest trail we couldn't wait to go along and take Charlotte.
Following the footpath round the site brought back so many memories. We love the big hill end sign that welcomes you from across the field as you arrive.

spot the hill end sign and domes in the distance

 We had a good look round the craft stalls and brought a couple of christmas presents. Then went for an explore around the site having a peek at the accommodation blocks and trying to remember which ones we stayed in. The new dome buildings were made a few years ago to prove that unskilled workers could build houses. A fantastic idea and wish one was open to have a look inside.

lovely afternoon light through the trees

 After having a climb on the play areas we marched up to the top of the hill, trying to avoid the rather speedy cows, to have a look at the fairy ring and the wonderful views.

top of the hill

 We walked back down the hill to grap a yummy cake. Sadly it was the end of the day (we arrived a bit late) so we didn't think we would have time to complete the forest trail, so did a little detour on the way out and explored the water conservation garden then to look at the willow sculptures and Charlotte and readitdaddy getting lost in the willow maze.

willow sea serpent!

 We had a quick look at the agility trail and completely failed in our attempt to get through the spider web and then it really was time to leave.

we did spot a couple of jokes along the way

 We had a fab hour exploring and remembering how much fun we had there when we were little and Charlotte now can't wait for her turn to come in a few years time when school goes to visit.

Tackling the 50 things to do before your 11 and 3/4 list

We love completing things from the 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4 list. The scrapbook is often in my handbag and we've almost memorised the list so we are always on the look out for fun things to do. We will write up the scrap book and get our stickers and then come home and update the 50 things website. Without realising it Charlotte not only is having lots of fun outside exploring, she's also mastering her writing, typing, keyboard and mouse skills.

So what things has Charlotte managed to complete so far.

1. Climb a tree - finding that perfect tree can be tricky but once mastered she doesn't stop.

a great tree to climb at Harcourt Arboretum

2. Roll down a really big hill - I love how when ever we find a slope big or small you will find a gaggle of kids rolling down again and again.

a perfect slope at Greys Court

4. Build a den - we are yet to build the perfect den but we have started a few in different places, or cheated and added to others we have found along a walk

we spotted this den at Wittenham Clumps and "improved it"

9. Eat an apple straight from a tree - couldn't wait to do this one

We found a large orchard at Upton House

14. Dam a stream - we got caught in the rain and whilst sheltering under the trees spotted a perfect place to make a dam

our dam at BBOWT Lashford lane fen

16. Make a daisy chain - a perfect reason to sit and relax for a moment in a lovely field and make daisy chain crowns.

a princess at Basildon Park

19. Play pooh sticks - of course we had to go to "the" place to play this, Days Lock, Little Wittenham.

Days Lock

22. Explore inside a tree - Harcourt Arboretum has some wonderful old trees for this.

I'm going to disappear

23. Visit a farm - what better day to visit a farm than go to see the baby lambs.

Earth Trust lambing day

24. Go on a barefoot walk - we don't have grass in our back garden so this was actually really exciting for Charlotte. Such a simple thing that we hadn't actually thought about.

no stopping her at Chedworth Roman Villa

26. Hunt for fossils and bones - we didn't have to hunt for this we spotted it on a walk. Charlotte took it to school to show her friends.

found at BBOWT Lashford lane fen

28. Climb a huge hill - we are often going to the top of wittenham clumps to look at the views across Oxfordshire. The hill at Cliveden was one heck of a climb too, all worth it for the views.

top of Wittenham Clumps

41. Plant it, grow it, eat it - thanks to the fab lunch bag and seeds with Charlottes national trust lunch at Hughenden we got to grow some cress

growing cress

42. Go swimming in the sea - we cheated and went abroad for this one, to the lovely warm waters of Tenerife and even had fish swimming round our feet

getting deeper

 There are a few things I've missed out but a great start and given us some fab ideas to make our walks and days out more interesting.