Weather from the BBC

So it was officially the wettest April on record, I guess it was always going to be after the BBC announced their hose pipe bans! Please BBC, don't go forecasting of a BBQ summer next!

Rain, rain we don't care!

There is no keeping my 6 indoors whatever the weather is up to! In fact I think they possibly stayed out longer in the rain last weekend than usual! Whether it was a quick jump around in the garden or a trek down the banks of the river they really didn't mind that it was raining and cold. Clio in complete denial insisted on wearing her new birthday leggings and t shirt and going bare foot, seemingly unaware it was only six degrees outside! 

Our Trampoline saves the day

I love these Pictures of Jed and Theo after a wet day with only indoor play at school. They couldn't even wait to change out of their school uniforms, instead dashing straight from the car to over the lane to our trampoline. There they let off steam for an hour while it poured down on them. They were having so much fun I just left them too it and resigned myself to another wash load that evening.

Lucky on the Farm

We are lucky to have the space and freedom here on the farm, but even if we didn't live here I think my children would still need to find a way to release some energy outdoors and I know many of you agree too as I have had some lovely links to the site in April through sun and rain.  Thankfully the week here ended so much better than it started, we even cycled to and from school, a 5 mile round trip with some serious hills!

April's Winner for Country Kids

Once again choosing a favourite link up for the month for the lovely Coombe Mill kids sun Hat has left me agonising, some lovely outdoor learning ideas from Cerys , simple fun days out that really worked from PixiesPocket , Nicola and Emma B and Great coverage of the National Trust 50 things before your 12 from The Boy and Me , Jane & Neil ‏and Littlesheep but I have finally decided on this one from  mumofthreeboys for their amazing trek up Snowdon as shared in this post http://mumofthreeboys.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/hiking-up-mount-snowdon-with-young-three-children/ . Angoe, Please DM or email me your details to send our sun hat out and coax out the sunshine for summer!

Joining In

Please stay with me supporting outdoor adventures for children into May, grab the badge and link up. Anything with kids outside is welcome, from fun in the garden to a family day out.

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A day out to Marwell Wildlife Park

Long car journeys can be tough with the children. We know this only too well with 6 of our own and a visit to the grandparents taking upwards of 4 hours before adding stopping time. One way to make light of a long journey is to split it up with a fun and active trip along the route. For us there are many different routes to take to Sussex and we have stopped before successfully at the Tank Museum http://www.tankmuseum.org/ and the Fleet Air Arm museum http://www.fleetairarm.com/ both of which the children thoroughly enjoyed so Marwell Wildlife had a lot to live up to with the children on the way home from our Easter visit to Yia - Yia (Greek Grandma). 

Never far from Coombe Mill

We had barely arrived, Guy was just guiding us towards the giraffes, when Nick heard a strangely familiar voice from behind

"There's Farmer Nick!" Would you believe some of our previous Coombe Mill guests were there for the day and spotted Nick. Just the most extraordinary chance meeting!

Incredible Animals

Marwell have a great selection of all the more exotic animals from Africa and Asia that the children were keen to see. The giraffes and Rhino stole the show for us but Nick picked up plenty of future ideas for the farm, as if our Wallabies weren't exotic enough!

In true thrifty and outdoor style we had packed a picnic. Something we nearly always do on a day trip http://www.coombemill.com/blog/post/2011/09/09/Picnics-a-favourite-with-the-kids.aspx Definitely the answer here as there are so many lovely picnic benches and even some large indoor tents in case of rain! We opted for the ones next to the play area where the children soon took over the big tyre. Sometimes I think our 6 descending on somewhere can be a little intimidating to other children, however if they are, they are very unaware of this and mean no harm.

Farmer Nick had tractor envy when he saw the size of this one pulling their trailers!

I thought this was an idea we could copy for Coombe Mill farm using a large photo of some of our animals with the faces cut out.

We were lucky enough to enjoy a great 4 hour break at Marwell, http://www.marwell.org.uk/ give the children plenty of exciting run around time and arrive back at the car for the last of the journey just as the heavens opened. It really felt like we made the best of a long journey and a showery April day! It is located off the M27 between Chichester and Southampton so if you are visiting Coombe Mill from East Sussex or Kent makes a perfect stop.

Disclaimer

Marwell Wildlife has not sponsored this post in any way. We paid full price for out tickets and felt it was money well spent.

Please Join In

What have you been up to with the kids in this showery weather? Hope you can grab the badge and link up to share your ideas for fun outdoors.  

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My big fat Greek Easter

Farmer Nick is half Greek and come Easter time we do like to join up with family and friends for a traditional Greek Easter party. "Christos Anesti" is the welcome message ("Christ is Risen"); my Greek doesn't extend much past this, but the traditions are legendary. My amazing 76 year old Mother in Law hosted this year's festivities in her in beautiful Sussex garden. It made a lovely break for us staying over for a few days and the children loved catching up with all their cousins.

A Feast for Kings and Queens

Food and Drink is the staple of the day, including a full spit roast lamb kept us going for days after!

Especialy for the children

The children bounced away all their calories away, the same cannot be said for the grownups; hang on, is that Farmer Nick on the bouncy castle there?

Painted hard boiled eggs are played rather like conkers

An English touch with an Easter Egg hunt

Who needs trees?

My children in the local town of Lewes were like the original country bumpkins, there may not be trees but they are happy climbing the buildings; fortunately there is a gorgeous park too or we may have been sent back to Cornwall!

Join In

What outdoor fun have you been up to with the children? Please join my quest to encourage healthy outdoor play; grab the badge so others know where to find you then please link up and share your adventures. 

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The Easter Holidays

After last week's gorgeous warm sunshine this week felt like a bit of a letdown with the weather. Or at least it did to me;however the children are far less demanding of the British weather and carry on regardless. With school holidays upon us mine have been only too keen to come out and meet all the guests staying and show them all their favourite corners of the farm! This and an eventful week with new animals being born and needing tending has kept my children and those of our guests enjoying the great out doors. 

Hats galore!

Check out all the lovely "Little Helpers Hats" This new addition is proving popular this season. I am also posting one to Ali for this post http://www.plus2point4.co.uk/2012/03/13/lackham-lambing-weekend/  as my chosen Country Kids post for March. There were some really inspiring outdoor activities and plenty of children clearly having fun; I spent a happy hour revisiting them all, which made it very hard to choose! In the end it was Ali's perseverance to get the children out for the day with no car which did it for me.

Please keep them coming, new linky every Saturday, I love to share what we have all been upto outside, whatever the weather! 

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An amazing week.

The sun shone from dawn to dusk, how could anyone resisit having fun outdoors? Our children have played out till late with friends at the farm and we have seized every opportunity for a trip to Polzeath beach. The waves were perfect for body boarding so we took full advantage. With rock pools, rocks to climb, acres of golden sand, good parking and facilities it is a great family beach. Despite the gorgeous weather the beach remained largely deserted. I love the feel of the sand and sea salt against my body and the joy of the children laughing and playing. Weeks like this remind me just how beautiful Cornwall is and how lucky I am.  

I love this video clip of Jed in the rock pool for the sheer excitement busting from his whole demeanour

An impromptu BBQ was just a delightful way to round off a hard day at the beach. My chance to pass the cooking baton to Nick, for the children to catch up with friends and the grown-ups chill out with Pimm's and marvel on the wonders of the British weather! 

Just for the record, Guy has not cut himself in this photo, just an overload on the tomato ketchup! 

I can only imagine you have all had a wonderful week too and look forward to seeing your pictures. Please grab the badge and link up your outdoor fun below

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