Welcome to Country Kids from Coombe Mill
Country Kids is the original outdoor family fun linky designed to:
“Encourage family fun outdoors, in an age where technology and screens are such a draw to a sedentary indoor life”
Welcome back if you are a regular to Country Kids and if you are new please join in. You will find plenty of inspiration for enjoying outdoor space and please do share your own adventures. We support the National Trust #50 things along with all other ideas for family fun outside.
Catching the Magic
This little one is holding out her hands to receive a duckling from Farmer Nick. I love the first day of farm fun with our guests; the expressions and wonder at the animals is so special. While the activities continue all week, and the children grow in confidence, there is nothing quite like the magic of the first day. I missed that magic this week as Farmer Nick and I have been on holiday in Greece. Everyone seemed like experts when we returned for the feed run on Wednesday and what happened to the sun? We left in a heatwave and returned to rain. I hope summer will return over the weekend. Whether you have been sheltering from the rain or the heat, home or abroad, I hope you have a few adventures to share on the link up below.
Guidelines for Joining in:
- Post must be predominantly outdoors such as in the garden, the park, the woods or the beach with crafting, learning, exploring or playing.
- Despite the title, both countryside and urban outdoor adventures are welcome.
- Unheated covered areas like a barn or tent count as outdoors.
- Please comment on my host post and a minimum of 3 others of your choice.
- If you use #CountryKids when commenting the post owner will know where your found them and hopefully come back to visit your post.
- Please take my badge, without it you won’t be considered for winning the lovely Rockfish Wellies.
- Linked posts should be written and made live within the last 2 months.
- I understand sometimes you need to do catch up posts and write about something from a couple of months ago but the publish date should be within 2 months.
- By joining in with Country Kids you’re giving me permission to email you weekly as a reminder.
- There is no restriction on the number of posts that can be linked up, however please be sensible, if you have more than 3 consider linking over a few weeks.
My top commenters from last week:
- Helena from The Queen of Collage who commented on 22 posts.
- Clare from Mudpie Fridays who commented on 21 posts.
- Anne from Raisie Bay who commented on 15 posts.
We have 1 guilty blogger link dumping this week, please go back and be fair to others, you know who you are! Do remember I comment count on Thursday after lunch so get your comments in before then if you want them to be counted.
On a more positive note huge thanks goes to Joy from Pink Oddy who not only commented on 9 posts but also shared many more on Twitter. Thank you Joy, your time was much appreciated.
Rockfish kindly sponsor Country Kids
Win a pair of wellies from Rockfish Monthly
I am delighted to have Rockfish as the sponsor for Country Kids. Rockfish are a local Cornish company specializing in stylish quality wellingtons for all the family. We have been offering their country wellies in our borrow room here on the farm for over a year and they are always popular for their style, comfort and durability.
Each week my favourite #CountryKids posts, which include my badge or a link back here, will be considered for a free pair of Rockfish Wellies at the end of the month; the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather throws your way. Keep your posts coming, it could be you winning next!
For more more information on the Rockfish Wellies on offer with us and terms and conditions to win see here.
May Welly Winner
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Congratulations to Helena from Queen of Collage Blog, who is our May Country Kids welly winner. Helena embraces outdoor fun and regularly spreads the blog love on joining in the linky commenting on many of your posts, she was top commenter last month this lovely visit to Roves Farm and starts July as top commenter again.
Helena please email or DM me your choice of wellies showing in stock from the amazing Rockfish selection and a UK delivery address. |
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Favourite posts from last week added to the shortlist for winning the July Rockfish Wellies:
Top Commenter: Helena Queen of Collage
Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadam is beautifully told with garden craft activities from Multicultural Motherhood
A delightful post about the simple pleasures of fruit picking in the garden from Little hearts Big Love
Country Kids Communities
I’d love you to join me:
Pin on the Pinterest Board Just ask for an invite to pin and include Country Kids on your pins for me to stop by on your boards too.
Follow Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays’s board Country Kids from Coombe Mill on Pinterest.
Join the growing Country Kids Instagram Community with #CountryKidsFun.
I'll like and comment on all and share my favourites from the week with a tag on a Friday on Instagram and Twitter. With over 4700 posts this community is flourishing with outdoors photos.
My favourite photos from the week came from @debridgew, @emma_lucym, @wavetomummy & @organisedjo. Please do check out these lovely folk on Instagram if you are not already following
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Our afternoon of fun began earlier in the week when one of the guests asked me why there was a trampoline in the goat field. I replied that it was for the goats and that I was waiting for Farmer Nick to make a ramp for them to reach it. Actually I have been waiting for over a year. The young lad was really taken with the idea of trampolining goats and asked if we could do it while he was here. Finally I had Farmer Nick taking my plan seriously and he began to build the ramp with the help of two our boys. It was harder than he first thought to ensure it was safe for the goats, would withstand the weight of the children climbing up and attach securely. I was a little disappointed I couldn’t attach it with the children but it was just too complicated.
All was not lost; sometimes my husband is a genius. He attached the old otter fencing posts with hollow centres to the edges so that I could bring the children up and fill them with twigs to line the edge of the ramp and temp the goats up. This was just what I needed and my afternoon of goat grooming and trampoline tricks began to form.
Billy Goat Gruff bridge challenge
When the children arrived at the games room for activity hour we began a two team challenge. My little toy Billy goat gruff had to cross from the table to the balcony using just the supplies I put out on the table and anything the children collected in nature. They relished the challenge and soon began to plan and build their bridges.
Both teams proudly completed the challenge.
Nature wreaths
Next we made two nature wreaths for the goats using my printed list of allowable plants. Generally evergreens are a no and most deciduous plants are OK with a few notable exceptions. Rhododendrons are very poisonous to goats and ours were in full bloom so I made sure all the children knew which bushes to avoid with a helpful chart.
Goat grooming and trampoline lessons
Our last job on the way to the goat field was to collect leafy twigs to line the edges of the ramp and a handful of their favourite cornflakes. Our friendly goats came rushing over to greet us and wasted no time investigating the ramp to reach the twigs as fast as we could put them in the holes.
To my delight they ventured onto the trampoline with the children and happily bounced between mouthfuls of cornflakes while the children groomed them.
Rocky and Queenie were agreed as the best trampolining goats and the most willing to be groomed so the children crowned them with their wreaths. Needless to say the goats showed their appreciation by chomping straight into them!
When all the food had gone and the goats finally left their newly accessible trampoline the children moved onto grooming the ponies.
For these children it was the perfect end to their farm holiday with us. I think goat grooming might feature more often in our activities, the goats loved it.
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For outdoor lovers everywhere
Here at Coombe Mill we love to spend time outdoors, whether enjoying a picnic on the farm, crafts in the sun or a day at the beach. We believe that time spent outdoors is some of the best, where technology is put aside for active play and learning. If there is one thing that does bug me as a mother of six and organiser of all our outdoor holiday craft it is carrying everything. This is where the Brug comes into its own offering a little help on a family or group outing and a total solution for a solo trip. Read on for your chance to win one of these handy items for yourself and your family.
What makes the Brug Special?
The Brug is water resistant, washable, hard wearing and practical. It is compact when folded up for storage and can be used inside or outside. However for travel the clever feature is the ability to pack all your goodies inside, drawstring the edges and clip them before zipping shut to carry as a bag.
Simply reverse the action when you arrive to unfold your belongings on a handy rug. I particularly like the fact there is no internal rug like fabric for sand and grass and picnic crumbs to get stuck in. The Brug can be easily shaken clean and any spills sponged off and run through the washing machine back at home. Everything about the Brug is carefully thought through from the sturdy shoulder straps to the peg tabs on the corners to secure it down at the beach. We found it very comfortable to carry over the coast path on our walk with water, swimwear, sun cream and the like safely inside.
When we are not using for our own family benefit it comes into its own for our weekly activity hour with the children on holiday here. It is big enough for a group of children to sit on for making and creating and enjoying a snack.
Bring your Brug inside
Much as I love the outdoor use it would also be perfect for travelling with a baby or toddler allowing you to put toys and essentials inside opening up into an instant play mat for visiting relatives and friends. When you start to think there are so many uses for this clever 2 in 1 bag rug and it would make a wonderful gift for a birthday, wedding, new baby, in fact almost any occasion. I personally would be thrilled to receive one.
Need to know
| Price | £49.99 |
| Stockist | Wunderlife |
| Colours | Blue with orange trim Blue with yellow trim |
| Material | Polyester |
| Features | Rug & Bag 2 in 1 water resistant Machine washable Durable drawstring, buckle and zip up bag Peg loops for use as a rug Intergral bungies for folded up storage |
| Dimensions | Rug = 150cm x 150cm Bag = 45cm by 75cm |
Win yourself a Brug with Wunderlife and Coombe Mill
If like us you can find a multitude of different uses for this clever 2 in 1 rug and bag why not enter to win one by following the guidelines below. Good luck to all taking part.
Disclosure
We were given our Brug for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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As the saying goes the best camera is the one you have with you. Much as I love my DSLR I don’t always take it out with me, especially if I’m not expecting to be on a notable adventure. However I always have my phone and last weekend I was glad of it. After dropping Theo at Polzeath beach with friends, Clio joined me for a hike over The Rumps as her friend didn’t show up. I’m sure she was disappointed to be stuck with me but I was delighted to have some one on one time with her. In a busy family of six teenagers one on one time is rare, partly because the kids don’t necessarily choose my company anymore, and partly because time is always at a premium with the holiday business and the needs of a large family.
In the end it turned into a beautiful clear blue afternoon and a lovely girly catch up for us both. It makes me realise that time with just one child is every bit as important now they are growing teens as it was when they were young, they just don’t like to admit to that these days. The camera on my phone came into its own capturing some precious moments together.
The Rumps from Polzeath round towards Port Isaac form a stunning stretch of coastline, even though I have run or walked this stretch many times I have to stop and admire the raw beauty with every visit.
Panning across The Rumps to show off a stunning stretch of Cornish coastline
Looking out to sea waiting for me to catch up!
Running half into my photo for the most unusual capture!
A last look back at the seascape that makes up the Rumps before heading home
If you ever visit the beautiful beach of Polzeath, do make time to walk the coast path too, the views out to sea and back across the bay to Polzeath and Padstow are worth the trek.
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Welcome to Country Kids from Coombe Mill
Country Kids is the original outdoor family fun linky designed to:
“Encourage family fun outdoors, in an age where technology and screens are such a draw to a sedentary indoor life”
Welcome back if you are a regular to Country Kids and if you are new please join in. You will find plenty of inspiration for enjoying outdoor space and please do share your own adventures. We support the National Trust 100 things to do before you are 11¾ along with all other ideas for family fun outside.
Summer Sun from the farm
So mid summer is here and Nick and I are away in Greece for a few days this week while the children manage the farm with Farmer Amber. Fingers crossed they have remembered to wear sun cream as the sun really is strong this month. Remember to cover up with cream and hats when you are out and about and I hope you’ll have a few adventures to share on the link up below.
Guidelines for Joining in:
- Post must be predominantly outdoors such as in the garden, the park, the woods or the beach with crafting, learning, exploring or playing.
- Despite the title, both countryside and urban outdoor adventures are welcome.
- Unheated covered areas like a barn or tent count as outdoors.
- Please comment on my host post and a minimum of 3 others of your choice.
- If you use #CountryKids when commenting the post owner will know where your found them and hopefully come back to visit your post.
- Please take my badge, without it you won’t be considered for winning the lovely Rockfish Wellies.
- Linked posts should be written and made live within the last 2 months.
- I understand sometimes you need to do catch up posts and write about something from a couple of months ago but the publish date should be within 2 months.
- By joining in with Country Kids you’re giving me permission to email you weekly as a reminder.
- There is no restriction on the number of posts that can be linked up, however please be sensible, if you have more than 3 consider linking over a few weeks.
My top commenters from last week:
- Helen from The Princess and the Pickle who commented on 27 posts.
- Helena from The Queen of Collage who commented on 26 posts.
- Clare from Mudpie Friday and Aly from Bug, Bird, Bee who commented on 22 posts.
We have no bloggers link dumping this week, although do remember I comment count on Thursday after lunch so get your comments in before then if you want them to be counted.
Rockfish kindly sponsor Country Kids
Win a pair of wellies from Rockfish Monthly
I am delighted to have Rockfish as the sponsor for Country Kids. Rockfish are a local Cornish company specializing in stylish quality wellingtons for all the family. We have been offering their country wellies in our borrow room here on the farm for over a year and they are always popular for their style, comfort and durability.
Each week my favourite #CountryKids posts, which include my badge or a link back here, will be considered for a free pair of Rockfish Wellies at the end of the month; the perfect way to enjoy the outdoors whatever the weather throws your way. Keep your posts coming, it could be you winning next!
For more more information on the Rockfish Wellies on offer with us and terms and conditions to win see here.
Favourite posts from last week added to the shortlist for winning the June Rockfish Wellies:
Top Commenter : Helen from The Princess and The Pickle
Adventuring off the beaten track in Champagne Daisy the Bus created some great memories.
Time to Craft discovered wildlife at the bottom of the garden.
Country Kids Communities
I’d love you to join me:
Pin on the Pinterest Board Just ask for an invite to pin and include Country Kids on your pins for me to stop by on your boards too.
Follow Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays’s board Country Kids from Coombe Mill on Pinterest.
Join the growing Country Kids Instagram Community with #CountryKidsFun.
I'll like and comment on all and share my favourites from the week with a tag on a Friday on Instagram and Twitter. With over 3850 posts this community is flourishing with outdoors photos.
My favourite photos from the week came from @goingonanadventureblog, @bebe.voyage, @adevonmum & @steph_baybee1. Please do check out these lovely folk on Instagram if you are not already following
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