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!

A BIRTHDAY WALK

My birthday is actually tomorrow, Monday, but seeing that it is a Monday and actually I and Ben have to work we decided to do a little something nice over the weekend instead. We were due to go camping with friends but their little one was poorly so we decided a cold night in a tent would be no fun at all.... So last minute we decided just to take a drive 5 minutes to Devils Dyke for a walk. We are super lucky that where we live we have the sea below us and the Sussex Downs behind us, all within a very short reach. The weather was perfect for a walk, not too hot and no rain. Stanley enjoys being in his back pack so off we set with the promise of a cream tea at Saddlescombe Farm!

the start to our walk 

beautiful wild flowers

hiker's rest

amazing cream tea for two

friendly chickens

sleepy sheep

Stanley's first cupcake all to himself (although he didn't want much more than the frosting!)

on our way back

perfect english countryside

countryside catalogue poses!!!

So then Monday I turn 34. THIRTY FOUR!!! How did I get to be so old?! This birthday has come round so quickly. I also feel that I don't need to celebrate it so much anymore, maybe a baby does that to you. I'm sure Christmas this year will be the same. I'm excited about Christmas for Stanley, not for me. Anyway we have good friends popping in for cake this afternoon, and that will be enough for me. Maybe I'll feel different when I hit the grand old age of 40, I think I'll want a huge party then! But for now, tea and cake and friends suits me just fine.

Hope you all had lovely weekends.
S & s

PS Sorry for the picture quality, I only had my iphone with me, not my fancy pants camera.