In the woods

When we woke up on Saturday the sun was streaming through the window and it was so warm. As hubby had to work i decided to take the kids out to a little local wood. Its somewhere i used to go a lot when i was a kid to walk the dog or with a friend for a picnic, then as a teenager just to hang out with my friends ( not doing anything bad by the way).

Its quite an interesting place, its a small woodland in the middle of a lot of big houses tucked away with three entrance points still with there original gate post from the hunting lodge that once stood in the middle of it.

This was back when the area i live in was all open space and, marsh lands covered in rabbit warrens going down to the sea.

This is the hunting lodge that was then used as a girls school till it was demolished in the 70's. You can read some information about the history at http://wyrearchaeology.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/life-and-times-of-towers.html  This is also where i got this photo from.

These are the original gate posts there are three enterences and past each of them they have these sheep gates

I had taken with us a picnic and some bread to feed the ducks. Fred has quacked non stop since the last time we were here. It was nice just to be able to sit with my flask and enjoy the sun and the quiet whilst they were eating sausage rolls and biscuits and i had my flask of tea.

The kids fed the ducks, well Fred ate his bread!!

I had taken with us some woodland activity sheets. They have ideas of things to do and this one included a list  and pictures  of leaves from different trees common to woodlands in this country that the children had to find. We also had a little booklet chart of leaves that had better pictures of the leaves and buds and seeds, nuts etc to help us identify them. The kids loved this idea and we set about hunting them out. Ewan held the chart and Molly had the clip board and sheets.

You can get these things from The Woodland Trust  http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

I can't believe we actually managed to find them all, there are so many trees, the little book was a life saver. We had so much fun and the kids just enjoyed being out and about and being free to run round and climb the trees. We collected samples so that the kids could take them to school as show them what they had done over the weekend.

After another sit down by the ducks(different pond!) i headed home with very tired children. 

When we got home whilst i sat down and tried to get my Granny square blanket finished (really nearly there now) Ewan decided he wanted to make a book about what he had learn't.

This is the result and i am so proud of him, he can't wait ti show his teacher and the beaver leader.

Its great to be able to spend days like this and its free. There is always something to do. The children enjoy it so much and its great to see them so happy.

Bye for now x