WOODLAND WALKS

Since we've had some not too bad weather for a British Summer. (Seriously Summer where the FLIPPING HECK are you?) Me and Stan have been enjoying our extrememly precious one day a week together. We have been getting out and about as much as possible. Stan has developed quite a nice love for the outdoors. I think having a green fingered daddy helps a lot. Ben spends Mondays with him so I can have an extra day working and they seem to spend most of going out in the backpack (we bought a similar one to this off ebay) or hanging out in the garden planting up vegetables. I'm keen to encourage this nature loving side in S in the vain hope he'll still be into that at 15 rather than all the naughty girls at school. A mother can hope right? Right? Who I'm kidding I know who his dad is....

Anyway most recently we have explored the Arundel Wetlands Centre and fed (thrown) bird seed for all the new ducklings around.

The Friston Forest at Cuckmere was lovely. And a nice change from our normal route of wondering down the river valley to the sea to go rock pooling.

We had an impromptu day at Woods Mill near Small Dole recently. That was great - free parking and a lovely dipping pond which contained SO MANY tadpoles! We are going back this Friday to see if they have legs next. Stan love the book 'Tadpoles Promise' so is really interested to see them grow into frogs! We also spotted a great many damselflies and dragon flies and had the place to ourselves. I want to go back soon with Ben and the backpack so we can explore further....little toddler legs can only go so far!

It is amazing really what is so close to us. I feel very lucky to live in such a glorious part of the UK with the sea and the Sussex Downs just 5 minutes in the car in either direction. Need to make the most of it while we still have a little bit of the precious summer months left!

As you can see, Stanley's exploring outfit of choice is these mega comfy red trousers from Boys&Girls (he requests them A LOT!) and a grey hoodie from H&M he's lived in since he was about 9 months old!

Any of you in Sussex? Any top outdoor tips you'd recommend? I'd love to know if you are local!

ARUNDEL WETLAND CENTRE

So this glorious sunday just gone we took ourselves of to the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust nearby at Arundel. It was a beautiful day and all the trees were a stunning range of shades of yellows, reds and browns, and I'd managed to put Stanley in the perfect Autumnal jumper! The place itself was great - we'd not been before but decided to become members, much like you do the National Trust etc. If we go 3 times a year we get our monies worth, and after Sunday's visit I know we'll go back. There was just the right amount to walk around and it wasn't too busy at all despite the amazing weather. Stanley really enjoyed seeing all the birds, and ducks and there were a few park areas, but not too many to detract from the main event, and all sensitively thought out with the surroundings in mind. It really bothers me when you pay a hefty entrance fee and there are so many play areas and all the kids obviously want to play instead of looking at whatever the heck it is you've paid for!

We had a good explore and there were lots of people walking around with binoculars and fancy long lens cameras and bird spotter books. I decided I'd be quite happy if Stanley was into birds, not that sort of course, I want him to be a mummies boy (I jest). But I'd quite like it if he was sensitive and quiet and into nature....ahhh I can but hope.

We even got to go on a boat, but we didn't see any water voles, just lots more ducks. It was a beautiful journey though, still and peaceful, and all in the foot of Arundel Castle. We can't wait to go back.