Picnic in Hylands Park

What a spectacular weekend of weather to end May 2020 which is now officially one of the driest May's on record. Keeping up with our outdoor exercise we made the most of the glorious weather by heading out for a picnic at Hylands House in Chelmsford (whilst maintaining social distancing). For me Hylands House brings back memories on the inaugural Chelmsford marathon which I ran a few years back (and got my best ever marathon time!). However today we got to really explore the grounds, the gardens and the serpentine lake as the children's area was still closed off due to Covid-19.

We had a lovely picnic on the lawn right in front of Hylands House, discovered the flint cottage, played some garden bowls and even a spot of badminton. Brandon is really showing how his fitness has fallen off since the lock down started as he was complaining of having very tired legs just walking around for a few hours (I suppose the heat didn't help). We couldn't walk quickly as Joshua was still hobbling around after his fall on the bike at Hadleigh yesterday.

The beautiful Hylands House.

Some lovely flowers in the house gardens.

Holly exploring the gardens.

These hedges are cut to look like large bowling pins!

A canopy of beautiful flowers.

Holly wanted me to take a picture of the lilly's in the pond.

Holly enjoyed scooting around the grounds but was often going off a bit too far as we hobbled around with Josh.

Holly by a sun dial and the 75th VE Day plaque.

Another request from Holly for me to take a picture of this caterpillar.

Love the way Holly is looking up to Brandon in this picture.

The flint house that used to be home to the servants of Hylands House.

Brandon exploring the flint house.

A stunning view of Hylands House with beautiful blue skies.

What better place to settle down for a family picnic.

And then a bit of lawn bowls in front of the house.

Holly takes her shot at the jack.

After our picnic we found the serpentine lake where the kids wanted to dip their feet in the water to cool off.

Brandon and Holly soon followed Josh.

And then they were met in the water by a family of ducks.

Hadleigh Cycle Park

Today we continued to enjoy the British summer and getting some fresh air and exercise be heading out to the Hadleigh Olympic bike trails. Holly has only been riding her bike for about 4 weeks so this was a bit of a tester to see if she could cope with some of the easier trails. So I didn't take my bike this time so that I could keep an eye on her, but next time hopefully we will be able to take mine as well.

Holly did amazing and spent most of her time on the skills track. Within no time at all she was managing the meandering bends and the undulating mini bumps. Brandon was helping me to keep an eye on her and guide her around the course. Joshua however went off way to confidently and injured himself within minutes of being there and could no longer participate. Basically he took one of the rock jumps and some how jumped over the track, down a bank and flipped the back over on the side of his leg. So he has been hobbling around ever since and didn't get back on his bike - this suited me as I could use his bike and mess around with B and H.

Probably the best bit of the day though was the fact that by pure coincidence we bumped in to Min and Lea over there which was just amazing. We've hardly seen any family since the lockdown started 10 weeks ago and we all miss them so much. So it was just amazing to see them both and to have a brief catch-up. One thing is for certain - when this Covid thing is done and dusted we will never underestimate being able to go out and see family again! 

Holly's first time at Hadleigh Cycle Park since she has been riding on 2 wheels.

She spent all her time on the skills course and did amazing. Not a single fall.

I kept her on the flat sections at first before moving on to the more bendy and hilly parts.

Great action shot of Holly riding.

It didn't take Holly long to get to grips with some tight cornering.

Lovely picture of Holly in action.

And Brandon was never to far from her, no Joshua though as he was injured.

Langdon Hills Trail Walk

Half term has been a complete write off due to the Covid-19 lock down. Whilst we did give the kids a break from home schooling, I still had to work from home and so we haven't really been out other than for our daily exercise. So as soon as Friday night came around I was desperate to get out and so we decided to go for a nice evening walk around Langdon Hills, and it was heavenly.

It seems like years since we have been to Langdon Hills and it was really nice exploring some of the trails and seeing the kids playing in the woods. The boys even discovered and stunt dirt bike track hidden away in the middle of the woods - so that will get a look in next time we go. The two boys went out wearing face masks which we have brought ready for Holly and Brandon's return to school next week. It's weird seeing people wearing masks and hiding their faces.

Be afraid - a masked Josh coming through a woodland trail.

Holly was running and scooting everywhere.

I loved just watching the kids playing in the woods.

Family walk at Langdon Hills with the two masked boys backing up their Mum.

Holly found some really good hills to scoot down.

Holly looking out over a smelly field of horses. 

The end of another week and some quality family time chilling in the sunshine.

Thorndon Park Walk

This weekend we headed over to Thorndon Park for our weekly change of scenery and to get out in the fresh air as a family. As with Lake Meadows last week, it was fairly busy but everyone was staying alert and social distancing. 

We had a lovely long walk around the lake and exploring the woodland area and the kids all found a tonne of falled tree trunks etc to climb all over. The only downside this week was that the cafe was closed and therefore no ice-cream.

Holly and Brandon doing some tree climbing.

Brandon was almost stuck here for a minute with a stump dangerously close to his undercarriage!

An unusual hollowed half pipe type of tree trunk.

The insides have turned to saw dust.

Josh chilling on a tree (and yes we made him wear a cap as he still hasn't had a hair cut!).

Family walk time exploring South Thorndon.

Holly found this bridge with swamp land either side to get to the other side of the lake.

Ready built den for the kids to play in.

Didn't see any fish but plenty of bird life out on the lake.

The Thorndon lake fish statue.

Trouble is looming.

We left Tina behind and went off to explore some deeper parts of the woodland.

Luckily no trip to A&E but not through lack of trying by Joshua!!!!!

Holly exploring new trails. 

Look closely at the bottom of this hollowed out tree - its a Holly Tree!

As always we took a football for entertainment and it very nearly went in the lake on several occasions. 

Tina giving Holly a helping hand.

You are never too old to climb around on a tree trunk.

My life, my world, the reason I live - right here in this picture.

Holly and Brandon enjoying themselves at Thorndon.