Snowdrops and mini-mes {#HDYGG}

This week we paid a visit to one of our all time favourite spaces to roam, Dyrham Park.
With its sweeping parkland it took a while to find some flora to capture.
Finally we found the classic sign that Spring is on its way...

In front of the house and beyond in its formal gardens we found some carpeting of snowdrops.

Always fun to capture whilst scrabbling on my hands and knees.

For some shots I resorted to using the screen almost blindly snapping my subject.

 

Clearly, I wasn't a doing a good enough job.

The kiddos, being my mini-mes today, decided to show me how to use the macro setting...

The boy wasn't afraid to experiment. He asked me about the dial on the camera and setting it to macro he got straight on with it sticking his head into a shrub in order to capture this beauty.
Can anyone tell me what is it please?!

The girl, not wanting to be outdone, got down on her knee low to snap this beautiful crocus.
She has also mentioned wanting to write her own blog.
Mini-me?
Most definitely!

I'll be linking up with the lovely Annie...

x x x

Dyrham Park - Again



Dyrham Park.

Again.

Because we can't stay away.







We have walked these footpaths and sat beneath our favourite tree before.

We have looked for the deer and rested on the fallen logs countless times.

We have studied the outlines of trees against the blue skies and watched the planes leaving their vapour trails overhead.



I'll never tire of watching you from a distance as you run, play...and fight.

One day I hope you'll understand my pride as you finally manage to climb and balance with confidence.

I stand and watch you unaware and wonder what you're thinking.

Most of all I love to catch your infectious laughs as you throw yourself into your world oblivious to everything else.

 

We will return to our favourite places and spaces - again and again.

It will never get tiresome; doing the same things - again and again.

With you, my favourite people in the world.

No matter what.

 

x x x

Dyrham Deer {National Trust}

On Saturday we were all feeling under the weather but decided some fresh air was needed to clear our heads.
We decided to head up to one of our favourite local National Trust spots, Dyrham Park, for a little bit of deer spotting.

It didn't take us too long to find our first one. Well, our first wooden reindeer anyway on the lovely reindeer trail through the park.

We always head to our favourite tree - which I have discovered to be a favourite of others - but some other visitors had beaten us to it.

We couldn't complain though.

We just stood in awe and watched them.

Eventually we tore ourselves away to continue to explore, run down hills and watch the most beautiful sunset ...

...before buying some Christmas essentials.

Happy Christmas and a healthy New Year to you all, see you in 2015!

x x x

Dyrham Park {National Trust}

 

Sunday was a day for me to unwind and blow away the cobwebs with the children at the National Trust's Dyrham Park.

Deer were spotted and I got some time to relax.
We kicked off our shoes and felt the ground beneath our feet.
The boy ticked off no.2 from the 50 things to do... list - twice.
The bees were out and about enjoying the sunshine and the alliums.
And what better way to treat yourself after the walk back up the hill than a Marshfield Farm sorbet?

x x x

#CountryKids at Dyrham {National Trust}

Our third, and final, National Trust visit this week took us out of the county to Dyrham Park.
The amount of space here is perfect to run, play, clear your head and just relax.

Dyrham Park {National Trust}

We haven't been to Dyrham Park for a couple of years, even though it is only about 20 minutes away.
The weather on Sunday enticed me though.
The husband was at work so it was a chance to catch up with a friend.
We stretched our legs, the children ran, found mud, dragged branches, built booby traps and slept well that night.
The grown ups walked, chatted and indulged in cream teas.
As usual the camera phone snapped away.

On a day like this you can see for miles with the views stretching across to Bristol and over to the Severn Crossings. The trees provided hours of fun and the snowdrops were in full bloom. A quiet courtyard for a lunch of cream teas and refuelling of energy. In the gardens and grounds we spotted bees, more snowdrops, natural arches, vegetables growing and, of course, sticks.

A great space to run free or just still sit and admire.

I'm linking up with Annie...

...and with Country Kids...

x x x