March 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Burn Hill
A couple of months ago I made a post about a walk I made around Burn Hill near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. At the time I didn’t know anything about Burn Hill. By coincidence I was looking on the Modern Antiquarian Website this morning (I deny being a hippy - I just have a geeky interest in ancient landscapes) and found this…
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Sick Boy = Short Walk
Boy Wonder was sick yesterday so, as school won’t take him back until he is sickness free for 24 hours, we are both feeling a little housebound.
A short walk in the woods was on order…
Although it was only a short walk there was plenty to explore. Including dens left over from last summer…
The bluebells are stating to grow (hopefully they’ll be in flower before we...
3 tags
Larkrise to Candleford
With the realisation that I am probably leaving this part of the world for a while I need to visit all those places that have been on the “one day” list for ages. So, poor dog is being dragged all over the place - no more of her regular walks up and down The Ridgeway, this might be her last chance to explore some other corners of Oxfordshire.
Today we have walked from Larkrise to...
January 2011
8 posts
1 tag
BBC - New guided walks offer outdoor fitness on... →
The natural setting of Marsden Moor offers the opportunity to kick start your fitness resolution this month with a selection of new guided walks.
Weather gives rare butterfly a boost on Exmoor... →
ONE of the country’s rarest butterflies is flourishing on Exmoor thanks to a return to more traditional seasonal weather over the past year.
Burn Hill, Buckinghamshire
Yesterdays walk was a short circular route around Burn Hill, Nr Stone, Buckinghamshire.
I must admit to it not being the most exciting walk but in the summer time when there’s a litlte more bird and insect life around this might be a suitable walk to take with the kids in tow.
As you can see by the elevation profile the walk is around Burn Hill and not up it at all - as far as I can...
December 2010
1 post
September 2010
4 posts
3 tags
Kids vs The Mountain
I’d love to say we made it but.. that would be a big fat fib.
We managed to get up 750 of the available 950m. Which means I’m a pretty proud parent. Small (the smallest member of the walking party) has little legs and is probably in a minority of 4 year olds when she says she tackled one of the Lakeside Mountains of Cumbria. She managed to walk higher than a lot of much taller adults...
Five go up a Mountain
Actually there’ll be 8 of us: 3 adults, 4 kids and 1 dog but I decided not to count the grown ups to create a better heading ;0)
After Boy Wonder’s forays up Yeavering Bell and some of Yorkshire’s smaller hills he has decided he is ready to take on his first official mountain. Spured on by his slightly older cousin we are taking the boys, their younger sisters and the trusty...
August 2010
2 posts
Dog owners told to 'poop scoop' in countryside -... →
- and when you do scoop your dog’s poop DON’T hang the bag in a nearby tree!
2 tags
July 2010
10 posts
Press Release - National Trust Opens Outdoors Shop... →
Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk: walk of the week -... →
This week’s exclusive National Trust walking route takes in Brancaster Staithe harbour, the coastal path and plenty of birdlife.
And the bonus of walking in Norfolk - it’s pretty flat :-)
“A Cool Camping Craft for Kids (and Adults!)”
– A Cool Camping Craft for Kids (and Adults!) | The Stir
Love the pictures of little boats - I wonder if Boy Wonder and Small will manage to make some…
5 tags
Mission (nearly) Completed #ME0019
As per my previous post today was Mission:Explore ME0019 Day. The Mission Team, AKA the kids and me, trawled up and down the High Street of a local town searching out the letters a-z.
A to….
The mission was 96% successful, which is pretty good. We competely failed to find a “y”! Plenty on pub signs, number plates and house names but we decided that taking a letter from the...
3 tags
Mission:Explore ME0019
Today’s challenge for the kids:
Collect 26 photos of the letters a-z in different places. (Full details of the mission can be found in Mission:Explore by the Geography Collective.)
Prepare for two over excited children with cameras tearing up and down the High Street.
A post of our mission, with our pictures, will be made later today.
1 tag
Am I a bad parent?
Just had a call from a mother of a boy (now referred to as Child X) that my son goes to school with...
Child X's mum - Just wondered if you knew Boy Wonder was here?
Me - He did mention he might knock to see if Child X could come out to play.
Child X's mum - Oh, just thought I'd let you know where he was.
Am I the only parent who lets their 8 year old go out to play? If so it's a shame kids don't get to play outside and explore without having a parent watch their every move.
4 tags
So what's so great about Soft Shell?
We’ve just taken delivery of some soft shell jackets for children. Soft shell has been taking the walking and hiking world by storm over the last couple of years and people we have spoken to that wear soft shell love it (I bought a Marmot Soft Shell Jacket before our hiking trip to the Brecon Beacons and I can confirm that I am a big fan of soft shell).
The fabric is windproof, rainproof,...
GreenSpace: Knowing more about plants and wildlife... →
Interesting and valuable viewpoint - I have been trying to get my kids to take more interest in their local environment (with the help of Mission:Explore we’ve been getting out and about quite a lot recently). This week I will challenge them to find some Yellow Archangel, which I am assured is a plant local to these parts.
How to get back to nature when camping (The... →
Once you’re set up on a campsite, there’s not a lot to do. So why not go on a nature trail?
The joys of illegal wild camping →
“Camping outside organised campsites in England is against the law. It’s also great fun”
June 2010
2 posts
My turn: Camping tips offered | camping, tips,... →
Tip no. 1 is the best camping tip I’ve ever read ;o)
May 2010
11 posts
Walking and cycling days out in the countryside... →
Walking, cycling and camping fans in the south-east of England may wish to reserve some time in the coming weeks to enjoy the activities being organised to promote the area’s countryside.
(Source: Ordnance Survey)
Sir David Attenborough laments health and safety... →
The veteran natural history broadcaster said he learned many of his skills “fossicking” or searching around the countryside for birds eggs, insects and flowers.
But today children are prevented from spending time alone in the countryside because of traffic and fears of abduction. As a consequence the country risks losing the next generation of naturalists.
4 tags
Vaude Eddie Back Pack
A box of new backpacks arrived at the Camping Kidz office yesterday and caused much excitement when we found the new Trixi and Eddie bike packs.
These look quite different from the other Vaude packs we have in stock. In solid colours, instead of bright prints, these are likely to appeal to older children who like the look of adult bags but don’t have the shoulder width for carrying them.
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2 tags
3 tags
Camping Bookings Up
No surprises there…
The recent spell of warm weather has reminded us Brits how great our summers could be and the Camping and Caravanning Club has seen bookings increase by 6% year on year for the late May Bank Holiday Weekend.
With 2009 bookings up on the year before this is a clear indicator that the great British Summer Holiday is making a strong come back.
With economists predicting...
Dales and Lakes: Countryside Code →
4 tags
Mission Complete #ME0016
Another drab Sunday so another consult with Mission:Explore from the Geography Collective and mission number #ME0016 was selected.
“You are now a dog.
Let a dog take you for a walk and then think about how you sensed the world differently.”
We put our trusty hound, Harri, on a long lead and followed where her nose took us. Harriett is very much creature of habit and took us on one...
Sissinghurst Castle Estate, Kent: Walk of the week... →
The National Trust grounds surrounding Sissinghurst, which inspired the prolific writings of Vita Sackville-West, provide a gentle walk around the castle and through classic Weald countryside.
Ben Fogle: Camping holiday is great option for... →
Fogle states: “I think people are realising that camping is a fun and cheap alternative to overseas holidays. That combined with the sophistication and good value of camping … is making it far more accessible and enjoyable.”
“Sohpistication” isn’t a word I would associate with our family camping trips :o)
BBC News - Loch Lomond camping ban public... →
A three-month public consultation on plans to extend a camping ban on Loch Lomond’s eastern shore has ended.
4 tags
Exploring - with a little help from the Geography...
The Geography Collective are Guerrilla Geographers - their recent publication, Mission:Explore, is a book full of challenges to get kids (and adults) exploring their environment and questioning the world. A collection of 102 missions - there are some simple things to get you thinking about where you live (ME0052: sketch the view from a window) and some more challenging missions to get you thinking...
April 2010
36 posts
Brits Carry on Camping but Leave the Laptops at... →
Intersting survey results considering the Camping and Caravanning Club have installed WiFi at their sites (and I take my laptop/GPS/iPhone camping with me - am I the only one?).
British families rate camping as top holiday –... →
Back-to-basics camping trips are the UK family holiday of choice, survey reveals.
Last chance for say on Loch Lomond wild camping »... →
The Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park Authority says that it has already received over 250 responses to its proposals and is keen for interested people to use the final days until 3 May to have their say.
Camping Checklist - Camping Essentials List |... →
A pretty good list of what not to forget on your camping trips.
The only thing I would add would be baby wipes or hand sanitiser… and I would probably put the hammock next to the kitchen sink!
How to Successfully Go Camping With Young Children →
“Camping with young children can be fun! Remember to plan in advance, invite another family, leave toys at home and plan age-appropriate activities.”
It all sounds so simple but good advice so often is.
“Countryside rangers from the [Gloucester] city council are offering to take...”
– BBC News - Gloucester residents invited to hear city birds sing
National park's cold war secrets unearthed | UK... →
Ministry of Defence allows release of material that sheds light on activities at Danby Beacon in North Yorkshire.
BBC News - Plans for Lakes expansion 'do not need... →
Calls for a referendum over plans to extend the boundaries of the Lake District have been criticised by the Labour party.
RSPB: Make your nature count 2010 →
Gardens are alive with wildlife in summer. Swifts and swallows have returned from Africa; hedgehogs fill their bellies with worms after their long winter sleep and trees, hedges and shrubs become nursery schools for a host of baby birds.
There is so much going on, right on your doorstep. An amazing variety of creatures are waiting to be discovered.
Taking part in Make Your Nature Count is...