Alternative

Today was mostly foggy. It was another trip to Calke, this time it was ensuring Nana knew the way to Calke, the cottage, the hairdressers and inbetween. Of course, it was a great excuse for a walk in the great outdoors. We took one of the many walks around the park, exploring the pools and weirs before stumbling upon 'The Old Man of Calke', a tree over 1000 years old (yes, one thousand!). The views were breathtaking, even amidst the fog which didn't recede all day. The boy fell in love with a sword and helmet, playing with them so happily all day. It really was the cutest.

Lyveden New Bield

This morning started early. I had flatbreads, tomato soup and cheese scones ready and finished before 9am. By 9:30 we were on the road to visit Lyveden New Bield, a National Trust property in Northamptonshire. So many roads were closed, four to be precise, leading to a mildly stressful drive. Thank goodness I have a good sense of direction. I don't know how I didn't give up and turn home. Luckily it was made up for having driven through picturesque chocolate box landscapes and villages I have read about in history books.

 And then we arrived.
The sky was blue and the clouds were beautiful. This amazing, unfinished Elizabethan manor stands surrounded by grass, with an empty moat. Such hopes and dreams. It was amazing.

After our picnic of flatbread sandwiches (which turned out more like pittas), we wandered around, exploring the orchard and pond. We climbed up the terraces and basked in the spring sunshine, enjoying it whilst it lasted. Louie took photos by hanging my camera from a tree, he is a funny thing.

 It was a stunning day. We did plenty of squelching and hunting for signs of spring. Louie played wizards with a stick he found, shouting 'smelly harbours' at everything (he was trying to say 'expelliarmus' from the HP books/films). I think everyone visiting fell a little bit in love with him and his little quirks!

Once home, we baked a birthday cake, had dinner, baked brownies for pappy long after the sun had gone to sleep and tucked ourselves up on the sofa with a film.
A busy, but wonderful day. 

After a jam packed week, Mr Bee and I needed some peace and quiet time for just Mummy and her little boy. It feels like I have barely seen him all week, with having so many visitors in and out, I have been the last of his priorities. With a picnic packed up and the car filled up, we hopped onto the motorway to Packwood House in Warwickshire.

 

 

 We munched our lovely picnic but not without interruptions. First it was the gardener with a very loud strimmer (see above!) and then all of the wasps in the vicinity decided they wanted a piece of our picnic. So we gave up and went for a walk instead.

 The kitchen garden was even more beautiful that I remember from our last visit. But by far the best feature was the little pond in the centre with watering cans asking 'Please Help Yourself to Water Our Garden', of course we obliged. Such a simple way to keep kiddies (and big kiddies...) entertained!

 And off he went to the main garden...

We played hide and seek in the yew trees, ran endlessly on the lawn with shoes off and admired the view from the secret tree seat.

And not forgetting the good hour we spent fascinated by a huge marble run!

Just what the doctor ordered. 

Autopilot

Our planned picnic at Bradgate Park backfired when I went on autopilot and ended up on the wrong road which just happened to be the road to Calke Abbey... so we changed our plans! We had a lovely picnic in the shade of the walled gardens before heading off to the garden of imagination for a good long play.

 The boys played for ages in the greenhouse which was growing tomatoes, peppers and grapes. There were some juicy, ripe tomatoes that smelled delicious. Everywhere you look were signs of summer, with beautiful flowers and fruits ready for the picking.

 

And to end the day, Mr Bee rolled all the way down the steep hill in front of the house, ticking off yet another activity from his 'Things to do before you are 11 3/4'!