Riverside Pleasure

One of the things I most love about being on holiday is the large amount of time we spend outdoors as a family. Whether we are by the coast or inland, in a house or Connievan, it feels great to simply be outside in the fresh open air together. Pottering, pootling, playing, picnicking. Walking, running, jumping, balancing. Lounging, laughing, chatting, pondering.

Since coming home from our holiday in Dorset, J and I made a joint decision to take a few hours out of every weekend to be together as a family, out and about. A weekly outing of some sorts. It's an easy thing to say in words, but not at all easy to make it happen. It takes planning and preparation, effort and enthusiasm. But it is perfectly do-able if we are determined to make it happen and ignore the plaintive resistence from our offspring. The trick is to get out of the door as early as possible, with a promise to return home in time for lunch. A few hours kids, that is ALL. It won't take long, promise.

Of course, once we are actually on our way, it all becomes much easier, especially if we keep the journeying short. We are very, very lucky to live close to such glorious countryside, and there is no shortage of nearby places to go. On Sunday morning we chose Riverside. Miraculously, we had parked the car by 9.15 and set off to walk along an easy footpath beside the river Wharfe. We were headed for that small river beach on the left side of the river, but chose to walk along the right hand side first before crossing over via a lovely stone bridge.

This is a beautifully built bridge, quite grand compared to the little rustic ones we usually come across in the Dales.

The footpath passes under a stone arch....

....then steps take you up to walk along the top of the bridge and down the other side.

Here is the beach look, a lot smaller than usual due to the river water being quite high. But it is a perfect place to stop, rest and have a play.

A mixture of sand, pebbles and grass, it's not that dissimilar from being by the sea, although obviously the sounds are different. No waves breaking, but there is the equally pleasing sound of bubbling, gurgling water as the river flows and tumbles over rocks and pebbles. And the sound of the wind in the trees is blissful. Bird song too, more peaceful and tunesome than the squawk of seagulls.

The Little People absolutely love riverside play. There are grassy hillocks to climb and turn into castles and fortresses. There are flat stones to skim across the water, and there are smooth, rounded pebbles to stack into towers. Actually, this tower was my own work. Well, I did have my Little Assistant helping me, but his help was mainly verbal. Chatter, chatter, chatter.

Just like on a coastal beach, there is often treasure to be found on river beaches.

River washed glass.....

....and fragments of pottery. None of these treasures were found by me. They were found by J and the Little People and sweetly gifted into my outstretched hand. They know me well.

We spread a little picnic blanket on the grass and enjoyed some mid morning refreshment. White bread rolls spread with butter and jam, chunks of dark chocolate and a flask of fresh coffee.

J and I sat a while and watched our Littles play. I think this has to be one of my favourite pastimes, and it fills me with such happy pleasure to watch my children play outdoors. I love their physical energy, their inventive games interwoven with stories. I just love to see them content and happy with the natural world (and each other) to play with.

It was a windy day on Sunday, but on the beach we were relatively sheltered. Gradually we noticed that the clouds were being blown across the sky and the sun began to peek out. It was absolutely blissful to feel the warmth of the sun on my face.

J went off to the waters edge with Little Man who has developed a remarkable talent for stone skimming. I continued my lazy appreciation of all that I could see, hear, touch.

I lay down (another of my favourite pastimes) and watched the sky.

I watched the scudding clouds race across the blue sky and I listened to the wind in the bare branches. And I listened to the sound of my family chatting, shouting, cheering, laughing.

It was wonderful.

After a while I got up and took a little wander. Admired some tiny yellow flowers....

....and the pure clarity of the river water. Sunshine, ripples and dancing shadows.

A great place to play for sure.

Just before 11 now, and by mutual consent we all decided to say goodbye to the river beach. The wind had suddenly whipped up a notch and despite the sun it felt very cold.

On the return walk, Little Lady found this amazing birds nest at the side of the river bank. She was absolutely bowled over by it, the first birds nest she had ever seen. We placed it back where we had found it, although we did bring the feather home with us to add to my collection.

Such a lovely few hours, such simple pleasure and happy family time. We had the best of the weather too, as by the time we were driving home across the hills, we could already see the rain heading in over the valley. And not long after we arrived back home, it absolutely chucked it down.

I am writing this and thinking to myself that I really hope the memories of that morning have entered into the hearts and minds of my Little People and lodged hard and fast. I so so so wish for them to remember it all, to treasure the memories just as much as I do. Fingers crossed.

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Comments

[MARGARCIMON]

Hi, LUCY!!! Me siento como si estuviese ahí con vosotros, qué domingo tan maravilloso!! Guarda este momento como un tesoro, amiga.
Besos y ¡¡¡a tejer!!!

[Red]

My baby is only 1 yr old and I look forward to having times like this with her and her father.

[Kelly]

Touching, even though the TV is blaring here, it was peacefully quiet while reading your post.

Thank you for the wonderful break in my loud day. :)

[Wendy]

I feel like I got to visit the Dales... sigh

[Jacki]

What a beautiful post..... I felt like I was right there with you, enjoying your morning of riparian entertainment!

[Mari]

Hi Lucy,
I'm Mari from @BritMums, you've been nominated for a BiB award and I'm trying to find an email address to contact you on with some information.
Could you please email me on [email protected]
thanks so much
Mari

[bluettine]

What beautiful landscapes!

[Anna]

They will remember all that lovely time together..happy childhood and happy parents!God bless your family and your ways of bonding :)

[Linda in Waterloo]

Wow - very lovely blog!

[Becca]

Hi, just wanted to say congrats on your BiB nomination. I've been reading your blog for a couple of years and think it is well deserved. Are you going to the Brit Mums conference? would be lovely to meet the lady to makes such wonderful creations.

[Ellen]

Those little yellow flowers are Colt's Foot, also known as Son Before the Father since the flowers come out before the leaves. Thank you for sharing your beautiful day.

[Taylor]

What a delightful family experience!! I'm glad the weather held out for you. Thanks for sharing your great pictures.

[Naomi]

Lucy, those memories will truly lodge themselves in the minds and hearts of your children. Our family spent many Sundays on little beaches beside the river Wharfe as I was growing up and I have such happy memories. Your writing and pictures have made me well up thinking about them! There's nothing quite like a Yorkshire river - the sound, the gentleness and power at the same time, the little worlds of adventure in every little corner. Ah, I miss it - for my children too I miss it. Your obvious love and enthusiasm for these places will be in your childrens' hearts too, I am sure. xx

[Michelle]

I loved your post! Our family has made very much the same decision finding that we could potter around the house and garden and while away the weekend time, without actually having spent time doing things together. I really enjoying reading your blog.

[Cathy]

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; make His praise glorious. Say to God, How awesome are Your works! Through the greatness of Your power Your enemies shall submit themselves to You. All the earth shall worship You and sing praises to You; they shall sing praises to Your name. Selah Psalm 66:1-4 On this earth day let's remember the One who made it!

[Clare J]

I find having time out with my children at the weekend is what makes work bearable, I love the weekends.

Family time is so important, I notice it more and more as children would prefer to be on the game consoles and adults glued to their phones.

It's the best thing it brings you altogether and gives you a sense of purpose together. I love telling my children stories about when I was little out exploring with my family.

These seeming 'old' or 'outdated' ways of doing things are what is needed more and more in this society.

Glad you had a great morning out, we strode out on Saturday battling the wind and soaking up the sun, it was a glorious day. xx

[Shannon]

What a lovely family adventure! One of the joys of blogging - should your little people forget this wonderful day, they can always revisit with a scroll through your posts.

[Judy]

Lovely photos Lucy - I remember visiting here when we lived in Yorkshire and my own boys were small. It's lovely to have that family time together, simple pleasures and fresh air. Love Judy.

[ukcitycrafter]

What a great resolution - to make weekend memories for you and your family.

[PJ]

kids + nature= contentment...love that you shared the journey with us! Love the bridge and treasure glass!

[emelie]

What lovely pictures from your family outing! Surprised to see the tiny unassuming yellow flowers; I thought they were native to Sweden and only growing here. "Tussilago" (Farfara)or "Colt's foot", the earliest sign of spring...

[Caroline Hegwer]

How lovely! After a really hard week in Boston, your pictures ring a smile to my face.

[Ger]

Thanks for such a lovely blog! I have found your crochet tutorials absolutely brilliant and your updates about your life and where you live are fab to read too. Thanks a mill :)

[Pom Pom]

Your husband is a good egg.

[Nikki]

What a beautiful Sunday... I adore reading your posts, I grew up in Somerset, and now live in Melbourne, your blog makes me feel closer to home. Thank you.