The beginning of the week was very hot and humid. In all honesty it was making everyone pretty grumpy.
So, I decided we should go for a short walk to get some fresh air and perhaps escape the heat a little by heading to a local wood.
My mother is visiting at the moment, and I want to make the most of our days, and in my Scottish it might rain tomorrow way, I can’t sit inside all day when it’s glorious outside; even when really it’s really too hot to do very much other than sit in the shade…
A friend had recommended a park, Whip Hill Park, which is part of the larger Middlesex Fells Reservation. We often go to Virginia Woods for a walk, but that is a drive away.
Whip Hill is just a ten minute walk from our house. Up hill.
The complaining started before we even left the house, the 6yo in particular was not keen to go for a walk in the heat.
It took half an hour of cajoling to get everyone sun creamed and ready to leave.
With the wee girl in the stroller, we set off. It really was hot!
I kept the 6yo going with promises of shade under the trees and a snack when we arrived. But of course, having not been to this part of the Fells I wasn’t quite sure what we were heading into.
Onwards and upwards, literally, and we made it.
You can (of course) drive in and park near the beginning of the trails, so we followed the road into the park and set the wee girl free. She was happy to be out and running. Her hot and bothered brother, not so much.
Within minutes he had claimed the stroller. A six year old in a stroller makes for a good work out!
The first surprise was the discovery of a beautiful old house and walled garden owned, I believe, by the Whip Hill/Stoneham Conservation Commission.
Past the house we found the start of the trails. Leaving the stroller behind, we headed off into the woods and I breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that the dappled shade might lift spirits a little.
However, everything about the 6yo’s body language in these photos tells me he really wasn’t impressed. The set of his shoulders, the frustrated pulling of the hat.
So, we found some rocks and sat down for a rest, and some stroking of leaves :)
Juice and a snack revived everyone a little, but after a bit more of a wander and some obligatory playing with sticks, we made for home.
Once back on the paved road way the 6yo claimed the stroller again, and the wee girl walked hand in hand with her older brother, chatting all the way. Bless him, he did try to keep up with her chatter, but his look of slight confusion here says it all!
This part of the Fells was lovely, the trails looked great and it seemed a bit flatter and less rocky than some other areas in the Reservation, making for easier walking for the kids. We will definitely be going back, although perhaps when it’s a little cooler!
Generally speaking, our outdoor adventures are fun. The kids love being outside, and I do too. Over the summer, I want us to make the most of our days and the weather.
Sometimes though, not everyone is quite so keen and things don’t go to plan. But, that’s the way it is with kids, and an hour outside is better than nothing, even with a soundtrack of I’m tired and too hot… :)
I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill, as always. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!
Now that looks like a lovely day! Nice post :) xx
Thank you, it was a beautiful spot for a walk x
It’s funny how days turn out, sometimes they work when you have little expectation and other times are harder work, I think your hear really affected your middle one this week, though I have only so much sympathy as we are stuck with 12 degrees and rain at the moment so I’ll happily swap! Thank you for joining me for Country Kids
Have to admit I don’t expect much sympathy for the heat (!) but I think the humidity has really taken its toll this week, on the 6yo particularly. And you’re right, you just never quite know how the day is going to turn out, so often an outing will start with protests, but end brilliantly. This time, not so much!
Oh the fun and games of getting them out the door. It doesn’t seem to get much easier as they get older, but most of the time, its worth it. I can imagine the coolness of the woods must have helped with the heat. If not completely. Hope you find lots of shade. #CountryKids
The shade definitely helped, although I think the 6yo was too grumpy by that stage, bless him! It was worth getting out though :)
You never really know which way it will go with kids do you. Looks like a great space to have close to home though.
No, you don’t! But, it’s always worth a try :)
Oh that looks like a lovely place for a walk! Even with a grumpy 6 year old!
It was, despite the grumpy 6yo :)
Its been awhile since we did a walk like this! I suddenly miss walking! #countrykids
It was a lovely walk :)
Oh, I’m the same as you-better to get out, even with the accompaniment of moaning! That house looks amazing though x
Absolutely, always better to get out for a bit :)
It sounds like you had a lovely walk. I always think a walk isn’t the same without some moaning from the children (or is that just mine). I find walking through the woods is good for the soul and mind #countrykids
Ha, you might be right, it wouldn’t be quite the same without a little moaning :)
Looks like a great day out forget the moaning. (hehe) Your photos are lovely too., made me want to go to the woods again. xx
Thank you, it was a beautiful place for a walk x
I love that house and vegetable garden. Your little boy really did not look impressed, I had forgotten how moody boys can be x
No, he really wasn’t impressed! The house was beautiful, and such a surprise x
Its actually quite refreshing to see this sort of thing happens to other people. Looks like a lovely walk even if hot and bothered x
Yes, I did decide that I’d be honest that it wasn’t our most successful outing, but I was still glad that we made the effort :)
I love your 6 year olds face when your little girl is chatting to him and it looks like you had a very interesting walk despite the grumpiness. Her shoes are so cool and sparkly :)
It was a lovely walk, even with the grumpiness :) The wee girl does love her purple shoes!
There is something magical about a trip to the woods and a great way to get rid of some pend up energy :)
You’re so right, I love walking in the woods x
I adore walks in the woods and forests. So simple but shows that you can have outdoor fun very easily if you explore a little.
Absolutely, such a simple, but wonderful thing to do x
I love walking through woods. It’s so magical. This is such a beautiful place to explore! That old house looks really interesting too. At least you managed to get some fresh air, despite grumpiness haha. And you managed to capture him smiling. :-) You’ve taken some really lovely photos! I hope you had a great day despite the stroller workout and moody pants! Thank you so much for linking up to the new #whatevertheweather! :-D xx
I certainly got a stroller work out :) I was just glad to get out and having a walk through woods always makes me happy. It was a lovely place to go, even with a grumpy 6yo!
I love the photo at the end of your littlest looking up at her big brother who’s clearly a little unsure of what she’s saying! It’s hard to keep up sometimes isn’t it!?
A lovely walk in the woods, it’s so much fun to see them out enjoying the countryside and I love the house and veg gardens. Just beautiful!
Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather :) x
It’s virtually impossible to keep track of all her chatter :) The house was a surprise, and so beautiful.