Hello! Ahhh back to school for the kiddiwinks today, and I am missing them actually. We had a lovely, lovely half term week together, I really enjoyed it. It was relaxing, laid back and enjoyable, and apart from the Left-side-of-the-sofa drama, oh and some Barbie-related friction, my two Little People enjoyed each others company and enjoyed being at home together.
Yesterday, on the last day of the holidays we decided we wanted an outing all together as a family, and as we've recently purchased child-sized walking boots for the LP, a days walk/picnic was planned. It was the very first time we've all been walking together as a family of four :: Little Man came with us on this same hike last spring, but back then Little Lady's legs were just a bit too weeny to tackle five miles of hill and dale.
Not so any longer. She did brilliantly, well both children did, with only a teensy bit of tired complaining just before our lunch stop. It was a pleasure to make this familiar walk as Four, as a Family. So different to walking as a Couple. Slower, more stops, more observations, more excitement, more running/jumping/climbing, more games. Walking as a Foursome was altogether More in many ways.
Here are some pictures from the day :: the walk is in the Yorkshire Dales, a five mile circular route beginning and ending in the picturesque village of Grassington.
:: big grey skies and cold winds as we start the walk ::
:: looking down the Dale as we climb up ::
:: these "squeeze" stiles allow us to pass through dry stone walls ::
:: the sun begins to shine as we cross the high moorland ::
:: walking down through Grass Woods to reach the River Wharfe ::
:: a "moss hedgehog" becomes a new friend ::
:: the grey skies change to blue and we feel the sun on our faces ::
:: down at the river side to stop for a picnic lunch on the flat rocks ::
:: we watch a local canoe club sail down river ::
:: steaming hot tea with lunch ::
:: further down river is this beautiful river beach ::
:: we stop to play in the afternoon sunshine ::
:: selecting stones to throw into the water ::
:: selecting stones to put in pockets ::
:: selecting stones to carry home and decorate ::
:: the stone-decorating in progress before breakfast this morning::
************
When I was tucking the Little People in bed last night, I asked each of them in turn if they had enjoyed the day, if they'd had fun on the walk. Because I had really, really enjoyed it enormously.
Little Lady said yes, she had enjoyed it very much because I had bought her a packet of fruity sweets at the end of the walk.
Little Man said no, he had not enjoyed it because his legs got tired.
Not quite the answers I had hoped for, but still. You can't have everything can you?
xxxx
sigh... I really love your posts and especially the pics... thank you for sharing. I visit your wonderful attic often and living here in Northern Canada, I need the "color fix". Thanks again!
Posted by: cheryl martin | February 23, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Still and all, looks like a lovely and peaceful day; so funny the way the wee ones view things...just the other day my granddaughter asked to make cookies, we got out all the ingredients, she patiently shaped the cookies, waited for them to cool and then decorated...later on, at bedtime, when asked if she had a nice day baking cookies, she replied "ah, it was kinda boring"...I said, "well, why didn't you tell me?" She replied, "I did it for you Nonnie" :-)
Posted by: Vicki | February 23, 2009 at 02:40 PM
I've been thinking today that what was needed for a Monday of quiet after the children had all gone back to school was an Attic24 blogpost to read in peace! So thank you Lucy!!
Your walk sounds like a lot of fun. We really must take our children "out and about" more - we tend to spend most family time at home or at the allotment and I feel we are letting them down a little.
Shame your two didn't quite love the day for the same reasons as you - but it sounds like a very familiar kind of response!!!
Lucy x
Posted by: Lucy Locket-Pocket | February 23, 2009 at 02:43 PM
They'll look back on the day with fonder memories than just the sweets and the tired legs I can assure you. My two 'boys' are 22 and 28 now and they come out with some lovely comments sometimes on days we had many years ago that they took for granted then, but realise now what family building enjoyable days they were. It gives me a lovely warm glow when they do!
Sue xx
Posted by: Sue | February 23, 2009 at 02:53 PM
Oh, I love seeing the photos of your walks. It takes me back to my Duke of Edinburgh award hikes years ago... Thanks again!
Posted by: Lisa | February 23, 2009 at 02:58 PM
You live in a beautiful country, Lucy, so many places close by to enjoy. I am amazed how everything is starting to turn green....not the case here as we are still covered in a blanket of snow. So tired of it. Thank you for sharing your walk...I feel a bit refreshed now!
Posted by: cathleen | February 23, 2009 at 03:12 PM
You make me want to fly across the ocean just for some of your walks.
Posted by: Susie | February 23, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Ahhh Grass Woods - fond memories - thank you for reminding me :o)
We have a book which would serve you well: Yorkshire Dales Walks with Children by Stephen Rickerby published by Sigma Leisure - www.sigmapress.co.uk - ISBN no:1-85058-569-5 Great children length walks with lots of stimulating questions and things to look out for - we've not used it much but used the Gloucestershire equivalent to death as we lived there when ours were the age of yours - check it out :o)
Posted by: Anne Bebbington | February 23, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Your posts are beautiful, so full of happiness.
Posted by: A Thrifty Mrs | February 23, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Trust children to inject a touch of reality into what looked like a blissful day. They never quite see it the same was as us do they?
Posted by: Ali | February 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Oh bless those little people so scrummy, so quaint, so normal!
Posted by: claire | February 23, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Thank you for taking us on a walk with you... I enjoyed it!
Posted by: Gina | February 23, 2009 at 04:55 PM
The sun found you Lucy! He knew how much you love colour!!! The little moss hedgehog is very cute. I bet your LP will look back in years to come and remember what fun it was to go on long walks with their Mum and Dad.
Posted by: simone | February 23, 2009 at 05:06 PM
I would love to come on a walk with you.. looks beautiful :)
Posted by: Josie-Mary | February 23, 2009 at 07:14 PM
Children are quite honest, aren't they!? I am sure they will look back on the day with many fond memories. It sure is beautiful there...and green! I am still dreaming of spring. Have a great day! Liz
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 23, 2009 at 07:20 PM
Oh my god! What an absolutely beautiful place! The view from your window is always a joy, but that is some wonderful walk.
Thank you for keeping so many of us sane, I can't wait to get home from work and see if you've had a day I can only dream about!
Posted by: Luci | February 23, 2009 at 07:29 PM
What a lovely way to end the holidays. You are very lucky to live so close to such beautiful walking country. Hope the lovely weather lasts. Karenx
Posted by: Karen | February 23, 2009 at 07:33 PM
Aaw, what a lovely walk you had. Gorgeous pics too. We had a lovely walk on our holiday with our youngest singing "are we there yet" all, yes, ALL the 2 miles back. Lovely!! Kathy
Posted by: kathy | February 23, 2009 at 08:06 PM
wow, wow, i love that area, so green and breathtaking..Its a beautiful place...
Posted by: lulu | February 23, 2009 at 08:14 PM
Oh Lucy, the pictures of the walk are just beautiful. I was 'made' not too far from that neck of the woods.
As for Barbie friction...have you ever been rail-roaded into sewing Barbie outfits?
I have , years ago and the foot control on my sewing machine blew up....all those thicknesses to sew through, it was a swimsuit as I recall. Those were the days.
b.t.w. satay noodles again for dinner. Great recipe. Thanks.
Posted by: Linda | February 23, 2009 at 09:22 PM
once again you send me down memory lane, this time to family caravan holidays in Grassington
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | February 23, 2009 at 09:36 PM
Lovely, lovely photos, I felt like I went on that walk with you. And my legs didn't get tired! Thx for sharing your day.
Posted by: DeborahW | February 23, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Feeling jealous that you get to enjoy such beautiful walks. Kids are funny. Apparently when Billy Connelly did a tour of the UK with his kids the thing they liked best was the tape they listened to in the car :-).
Libby
Posted by: Libby | February 24, 2009 at 01:40 AM
Your landscape is breathtaking in its beauty, in the eyes of this adult.
I am laughing at the evening reviews of that walk given by your little people. It's grand that they can tell you exactly what that thought. All the same, bet that the seeds were indeed planted for the joys to be gathered on future walks.
Thanks for taking us along. xo
Posted by: frances | February 24, 2009 at 02:57 AM
Love the pics Luce! Thanks for sharing again.
I love going on the hikes with my wee ones. Expecially our oldest (21) because he always complains about joining along but when we get our destination he has the most fun out of us all. The girls like to see if they will be able to see a moose or something. I'm always hoping we don't. As long as they all have fun and they aren't sitting in front of the tv, I'm happy.
Just think of all the wonderful memories you will all have from this trip. :)
toodles! xxxx
Posted by: Kar | February 24, 2009 at 05:44 AM