Visiting Castle Howard with Living Arrows 25/52

*Disclaimer – We have previously worked on a gifted basis with Castle Howard on seasonal ticketed events* “You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth”. Kahlil Gibran. This week saw some normality return for us with two trips to one of our favourite local spots; Castle Howard. Having a yearly membership and not being able to get hold of National Trust tickets meant we made the most of Castle Howard by going twice.

It was so lovely to see the difference in the parklands compared to early spring when lockdown began. The social distancing steps they have taken are very well run. We of course took a picnic on both trips as with no play park to play in, I needed to make the visit more appealing than just a walk! The flowers were stunning and the space for the kids to run around was very welcome. The excitement was high as they got to choose an ice cream from the kiosk and for me, my first takeaway coffee since lockdown began! Who would have thought these little pleasures would ever mean so much.

Teddy and Flo have started wanting to walk barefoot when we go out and so spent a lot of time in the wood with their shoes off!

We finished the walk up by playing in the long grass. I’m trying to make a conscious effort to take more candid photos like this one for instagram and not rely on the poses as two of them are going through a phase of strange grinning when I whip the camera out!

On Father’s Day we went out in the countryside for a very long walk. It was an eventful walk filled with lots of mud and even a wild swimming dip for everyone but me. We took this lovely picture of Dougie with the kids before we got hot, hangry and dishevelled. I will remember this walk for a long time to come! I hope you all had a lovely Father’s Day and get to enjoy the warmer weather to come.