Last Sunday was a quiet day. The previous week had been tough. We were very busy and I was ill. Not a great combination.
By the weekend all I wanted to do was as little as possible. But, Sunday dawned bright and sunny and we didn’t want to waste it. So, we walked to a new cafe that has opened about a mile away and had a lovely lunch (we will definitely return!), enjoying the fresh air and the kids chatter.
The wee girl fell asleep on the way home, so we left her to sleep in the stroller when we got back, while we played nearby in the garden.
The boys found grasshoppers!
Who would have thought that grasshoppers would result in such companionable silence from these two. Completely absorbed.
While they watched the grasshoppers (and tried to get them to hop) my husband was making more progress with the invasive grapevines that are choking virtually every tree in our back garden and are out of control on the rocks.
After the last grasshopper obliged and hopped off, the boys got to work helping their dad haul vines away from the rocks.
And of course, there were sticks!
The 9yo was particularly pleased with his: I am the grim reaper!
All in all, a good hours entertainment, a much needed nap for the wee girl (who is still getting used to preschool!) and a very useful session of gardening :)
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!
Looks like lots of fun. It always amazes me how long children can stare at grasshoppers and other small creatures for. Hope the little one is enjoying Preschool. Daisy has started too and comes back happy but tired and hungry xx
I was impressed at their concentration! The wee girl comes back happy but tired and hungry too :)
I don’t often see an insight into this wilder side of your garden, I love those huge towering rocks even if the vines are a problem. Looks like the boys made good progress on beating their retreat and a lovely close up of the grasshopper. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
Yes, my husband has done a good job of clearing so that we’re actually able to get back there now :)
Wow those vines are huge! Grasshoppers are great fun, they always surprise me with quite how far they can jump :) #CountryKids
They are huge, I think they’ve been allowed to grow wild for years!
Busy boys and wow! Your back garden is beautiful. :) I used to like grasshopper when I was a kid- it was great fun. xx
Thank you, it is a great space for the kids :) Our garden is full of grasshoppers and crickets :)
That last photo made me chuckle – that’s a great stick to find! Watching grasshoppers is so much fun – glad your boys enjoyed it so much and helped their dad clear those huge vines too. Sounds like they enjoyed their afternoon in the garden very much :-)
It was a cool stick, he thought it was brilliant :)
Blimey those vines are huge, and how lovely how fascinated kids are by nature its a wonderful thing x
It is wonderful to see them so engaged by something so simple :)
Look at the size of those vines-wow! I am rather envious of the rocks in your garden-they look fabulous :)
The rocks are cool, husband wants to turn them into a climbing wall…!
Once all the grapevines are down does that mean you’ll be able to use that amazing chimney? Your garden is rather magical place for children whether sticks, grasshoppers or rocks.
It is a wonderful garden for the kids, and yes, I think we might be able to use the brick oven next year :)
I have lovely memories of playing with grasshoppers when I was a kid. Would so love for T to have the same. Btw, hope you’re feeling better! #countrykids.
Thank you, I am much better. There is so much wild life in our garden, it’s great for the kids x
Oh wow, those rocks are an amazing feature to have in your back garden. I bet the kids love (or will love) climbing on them! #countrykids
We don’t let them do too much climbing yet, but it’s only a matter of time!
I too find myself fascinated by the chimney, but I was wondering if it is actually meant to be an outdoor oven, or just left over from a former dwelling. Not that the grasshoppers and grapevines aren’t also interesting, of course!
We believe that it is an outdoor oven and now that we have de-vined it (!) we might actually be able to use it :)
Very cool. What a backdrop for an outdoor kitchen/ dining room!
Absolutely! I have dreams of being able to use it next summer… but there is rather a lot of work that needs to be done before I can do that!
I don’t think I’ve ever been so close to grasshoppers before. Pretty impressive.
Your grapevine reminds me of the slightly smaller version in my mum’s garden – brambles. It took my brother ages to get rid of it.
They are quite cool, and they can jump a really long way! The garden is full of them :)
Lovely pictures! It’s really hard to get yourself out when you feel poorly but often fresh air is seriously underrated as the best medicine! Hope you’re all better now. x
It really is, isn’t it. I always feel better after a walk x
Hard work done well that looks like! Phew! I’m tired just looking at the photographs of your hubby pulling down those vines – I’m glad the boys helped out a bit at the end, after the fascination with the grass hoppers (which I also remember being in awe of as a child). That outdoor fire place / chimney thing looks incredible too! Fabulous post.
Thank you! My husband is working hard trying to get some control over the wilder parts of our garden!
My boys would love looking for grasshoppers. Middle man found a grim reapers stick yesterday that is now in my boot! Glad you are feeling better x
Thankfully the grim reaper stick remained in the garden :)