Westonbirt

Last month we headed off to the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury, for the first time in ages as we'd been disappointed the last few times we'd been and much preferred the wares on offer at the Vintage Bazaar in Devizes.

Well again, it wasn't as good as it used to be, I got a few bits and we enjoyed going to the other vintage offering in the local church but if we're going to drive all that way it needs to be worth it. Well this time we were prepared as we'd planned to take the kids and squeeze in a visit and picnic at Westonbirt Arboretum on the way back. This was the best part of the day, the weather was stunning, the rhododendrons were blooming and it was actually quite quiet.

Again, with a new camera, I was a little snap-happy! But the colours were stunning, especially against the very blue sky.

I took my iPhone and have been trying to get to grips with Instagram, as I've been dying to get on it. A link to my profile is at the top of the page.

Half-Term Fun at Westonbirt

I decided to take the kids to Westonbirt Arboretum this half-term, I have a membership but usually find that we don't use it enough, it's been so long since our last visit that there is now a new visitor centre!

It was well thought out and designed, with toilets, information point and even a coffee stand, which are all well placed after a longish drive!

As you followed the path to the woods, there was this lovely shepherds hut which today played host to the volunteers with the childrens trail, they were all very helpful and happy to explain, we got a map, with a trail quiz and pencils and even paper bags to put all our treasure in.

The trail took us down paths we'd never explored before and the kids liked finding all the quiz stops along the way, they happily participated in all the art in nature activities.

The trail was a good length, we took the buggy for the littlest, who's now three as she got tired along the way. The paths were muddy so we were glad of our hiking boots/wellies but the weather was lovely, so mild for this time of year.

 The autumn colour was out but it's not been a spectacular display apparently due to the weather we've had this year, but the red leaves are my favourite and I thought they were stunning.

I think that there might be more Autumnal colour in the Silk Wood where the Japanese Acer's are but sadly we didn't have time to go over there on this visit.

At the end of the trail at the education centre they were helping the children make clay mushrooms and leaf crowns using their treasure from their bags.

The older girls were sceptical about having a go but when they saw what was happening they joined right in and enjoyed it, the volunteers here were also really welcoming and helpful.

A lovely end to a lovely day.

Special thanks to my chief photographer for providing the images and letting me use them ;)

Jumble Day Out

Saturday was jumble day!  Map printed out, cash in purse, I was all set.  Then the other half offered to come (with kids!) to make a day out of it, so I hastly packed a picnic, got the kids ready and off we set!  Sadly much later than I'd planned so we weren't going to get there for the opening, but we had a lovely drive down and it was nice all being together.

We eventually got there about 12pm, lots of cars in the car park and down the lane but it wasn't busy inside, which with having the kids was good!

There was a lovely selection of stalls all still with lots of goodies to offer and even though perhaps the best had gone, it as nice being able to browse without a fight!

Thanks to my eldest girl for the pics, she's very good with the camera and is much better at getting un-posed pics!  I sadly wasn't sure which stall's were who's, I would have liked to put blogs to faces!

Apologies if my eldest took pictures of your lunch or borrowed items from stalls just to show me, she does mean well and she does know not to steal!

I got a few good purchases, apologies as I have no idea who's stall they were from and I can say that all the prices were really good.

Fabric pack £1, necklace 50p

Various items that the girls chose, all no more than 50p each, I had to get the ballerina cake decoration my mum used to have some of these for our birthday cakes!

Beautiful set of Wedgewood plates, £4

We indulged in a selection of the WI goodies and tea, much appreciated after a long drive!  Then it was time to proceed with more of the day-trip, so we set off back into Gloucestershire to Westonbirt Arboretum.

It was a little chilly for the picnic(!) but we ate quickly and then warmed up with a good walk/exploration around the old part.

We were most surprised to see these two trees out in full bloom, it was such a lovely splash of colour within all the other wintry looking trees.

We all had such a lovely day out, come on Spring, I'd like more of these being outdoors days!  Roll on to April for the Spring Vintage & Handmade Fair too, hopefully it will bring another forest visit too!