Packwood +2

I can't believe it has been two whole years since Packwood opened its new visitors facilities. Packwood was a little favourite for us even when there was a tiny gift shop with a vending machine and portacabin toilets! We are quite easy to please! But when they opened their literally AMAZING visitors centre in 2013, our visits to Packwood increased. In the first week of its opening, we visited twice :o !

Louie and I feel so at home at this gorgeous place, the staff are always friendly and go the extra mile for you. One time, they even baked me my own birthday cake! (Chocolate and raspberry, it was delicious!) 

But this time, we visited with Anna, Isaac and Alistair as we needed to evacuate our house! Surprise decorating was on Pappy's to do list ;)

So, the story began when Pappy told us to go out early. We arranged to meet the Stephenson's at 10:30 but we were out the house at 8:55. Someone forgot the boot socks. After a quick hop in to a random kids clothes shop in the local village of Knowle, fluffy socks were purchased (with a 30% discount, score!) and the day was well and truly saved. Fluffy socks were very needed!

We started our day with coffee and flapjack, snuggled on wingbacks in front of the fire reading books. I mean, what more could you ask for?

Next on the bill was a wander around the Kitchen Garden.  Kiddo's played in the Pottering Shed, Mama's took photos. It was a little slice of heaven.

After a quick pit stop, we found our way to the meeting room and spent a long time making paper chains. Louie's grew rather speedily and we met a gorgeous little boy who liked to stick the papers to his chin to make a beard, that child was a legend!

Then it was time for lunch. As usual, someone wanted to sit on their own and he was a little star. After he finished eating, colouring ensued, including high levels of concentration with the Storer tongue, well and truly out.

Of course its not a real visit to Packwood without getting covered in mud and of course, the welly walk didn't disappoint (though it wasn't as muddy as it has been previously, no wellies were harmed in the making of this blog...). The rain came down and we learnt the hard way that stick dens don't really provide much cover and Louie and I fell in love with a rope swing which provided everyone with some wholesome entertainment!

We worked up quite a thirst which deserved hot chocolates all around, spot on.

Now someone had such a good time, that they may have protested so much all the way home, that we may have to visit again tomorrow... we shall have to see!

Thanks again Packwood, you were great, thanks for being awesome!

After School

This evening Mr Bee and I had a little trip out to Calke for a good play and walk after school.now the evenings are drawing in, it is harder to get out and about and much easier to stick a cosy film on and snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate! So instead, we shifted our bums into gear and had a hot chocolate at one of our favourite haunts.

It was super quiet as most people had already gone home, but we did make friends with a lovely little boy and his mummy in the play park! We stayed until the sun had gone and the moon was the brightest light in the sky. It was just lovely.

Adventure-ing

This weekend we decided upon a trip to Belton with our dearest pals, Vito and Becka. We spent the day freezing playing in the adventure playground, making sure that everyone had a go and not just Louie!

It's no secret that we miss these two far too much since they left our city, we all wish we could see them more, but days like these make it so worth it - even if a little bee was in a terrible mood!

Morning

I love the quiet drive to school with the bee, overlooking the lovely Leicestershire countryside. Each morning we wave towards Old John, presiding over Bradgate Park and always stare in awe and wonder at the beautiful patterns in the sky. It is such a thing of beauty.