I've now got us into the habit that we have to get out and about into 'nature' several times a week, or I begin to feel contained and imprisoned. It's so easy to settle into domesticity and confine yourself to the house, but I always feel better for getting out and exploring the wonderful world we live in.
Several weekends ago we spent the Saturday doing the 'chilling out' in the house thing, and then had to go to a new classmate's birthday party. By the time we came out of the party, I felt like climbing the nearest tree myself; I felt really trapped by all the bricks and windows etc! We headed over to Victoria Park in Cardiff to find conkers and wander amongst the trees, where we discovered the most plentiful conker tree I've ever seen at the top of which sat a squirrel systematically stripping the conkers from their shells, nibbling the casings off, and then throwing the discarded conkers down. Luckily The Boy still had his helmet on as quite a few were bouncing off our heads!
En route home, I texted my brother (not the one who's buggered off to Australia, the eldest one) and arranged to go to Cefn Onn the following day. My sister-in-law works in the great outdoors professionally, and their daughter (Fiery Cousin) is a 'wild child' just like The Boy so it's good to get together and let the children be 'feral', just as they should be, while we catch up.
As soon as we arrived at Cefn Onn (one of Cardiff's best kept secrets), The Boy and Fiery Cousin were off! Trees were no obstacle to them, and scooters were soon abandoned in favour of walking up the hillside through the stream. And yes, they both had canvas shoes on. And yes, we let them.
We'd been to Cefn Onn in the Spring when the rhododendrons were in full bloom, and I was desperate to come back and see the colours on the leaves. We were a little early this time, but we did explore up further than the lake this time, where we came across the part-built Summerhouse for the original owner's son. The whole park was originally created as a recuperation location for his son who was suffering from tuberculosis, unfortunately he died before the Summerhouse could be finished, it stands forlorn at the top of the park.
It's a wonderous area to explore, play hide and seek, and stop for a snack! I love how my niece is working the camera, The Boy is sporting his fake smile.
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I'm linking this up to Country Kids and Flashback Friday.
This post is also an entry for BritMums ‘Little Adventures Challenge’ in partnership with Barny, the bear-shaped snack providing a little discovery in every bite. Find out more about Barny here.
Fantastic pictures, those wee Barny fellows get about don't they! I know what you mean about the conker chucking squirrels too, we have a couple of horse chestnuts in the garden and I watched the squirrels sitting up there doing just that!
Lots of lovely photos and a tasty snack at the end. Love the one with them in the tree!
Think the cousins certainly deserved their treat after all that fun
What a wonderful post. There's something rather lovely about being outside in the fresh air. We absolutely love it and there's nothing better than seeing the little ones enjoying themselves. The Boy looks so proud of his conkers! Fabulous photos. Good luck in the competition 🙂
What an amazing trip! i love the fact that they can just play without the materialistic constraints (canvas shoes) i need to take a leaf from your book x
I am glad he had someone else to explore with – loving the helmet on up the tree. This has inspired me to return to the brook where we went in the Summer now.
I've not heard of Barny snacks before. Love your "wild" photos and the conkers that The Boy has found. They look really pleased in the last photo 🙂
I know what you mean about needing to get out – I'm all for lazy sofa afternoons but more than a couple of them and I'm feeling dreadful – making the effort is so much better.
you always know how to have fun outdoors 😀 xxx
what a wonderful post! so much adventure and outside fun which I adore as much as you and the boy (and Fiery cousin – who does not look as Fiery as her name would suggest lol). i love how they both went into the water with their shoes on . i really love the look of that beautiful park x
thanks for linking up x
Lovely post – the photos of The Boy and Fiery Cousin playing together are just wonderful. I particularly like the photo of The Boy with his conkers though, he looks so pleased with them 🙂
It's great when they can share activities together. It looks like Cefn Onn is a wonderful place to explore-a brilliant adventure. Love the helmet too.
It looks like such a fun day out! Lots to do and explore – just how it should be in natures playground. Thanks for linking up and sharing your fab photos with Country Kids.
Oh I love this post and how wonderful Cardiff is with secret spots!!! Your son is too cute and growing up so fast – some great tree climbing skills 🙂
Laura x
Looks like a great place. All we need is water and sticks and we are in our element too. It's great having play mates you can dirty with 🙂
Lovely collages! We are yet to find conkers this year. x x
Great photos and yes so important to get out and about. Commenting for myself and on behalf of BritMums and thanking you for taking part.
Totally understand what you mean about needing to get out. Lovely to break free and find conkers. Wonderful that he has a cousin that likes being outside too.
What lovely photos of the pair of them. So nice to have a cousin to get out with and especially if they are happy to explore freely. They look like they have fun together!
Lovely to see the boy playing with his cousin, and great to see that the canvas shoes didn't stop them having fun – but then I'm the one who let my daughter walk in the mud in her plimsolls 🙂
Lovely photos & great to see how much you are all enjoying the on set of Autumn. Thanks for linking up again.
Fab photos! I absolutely get what you mean about being stuck in doors. Both me and Little Man go stir crazy if we end up stuck indoors. Love the tree climbing 🙂