A Strong Coffee

I wrote this post back in August. Unfortunately I then went and lost my memory card adapter so didn't have the photos. Anyway better late then never, here is what we got up to in France in the summer.

Last week we had a relaxed week in Vendee where we spent most of our days by the pool or at the beach. The beaches are lovely and sandy and at first glance there's not that much to see. 

But sometimes you have to open your eyes. 

I saw a man digging with a bucket, and I was transported back 25 years when my Dad took us cockling in the exact same place. We watched the man, smiled as he showed us what to do (he was speaking French so smiling was our means of communication as I am only able to ask how to get to the port) and then had a go ourselves. The cockles were found a couple on inches down. 

Unfortunately we didn't eat them, as firstly I'm not keen on seafood and secondly I didn't want to food poison any of us. Instead we decided to re home them! We then had a look around the rocks, covered in mussels, limpets and anemones. Big man and I were in our element. 

Next we went for a paddle. At first I thought I had lost the plot when I saw a shell walk. Then I realised it was a hermit crab. I then realised there were 100's. How had I not noticed them!?! We collected them in a bucket to have a closer look before once again letting them go.

Just an empty beach with sand becomes so much more when you open your eyes and explore.

I must admit I have hated the weather so far this year. Far too cold and wet for my liking. I haven't taken the boys outside as much as I would like, but as the Sun was shining on Sunday we headed to the park for a winter adventure. Little man knew exactly what he wanted to do. He headed straight over to the grassy edge and rolled his football up and down again and again.



Then he went to join his brother's at a game of "What's the time Mr Wolf?" And I was allowed to join in as Mummy Wolf too. It was cold, it was muddy but it was worth it to see their smiling faces.





This post is an entry for BritMums ‘Winter Little Adventures Challenge’ sponsored by Barny, individually wrapped bear-shaped sponges with a hidden filling. Find out more about Barny here. 

Why is it that kids whine on and on about wanting to do something, and then when you actually say yes, back out and decide that "I'll do it if you do it with me Mummy!"
This is was happened with the climbing wall.
I looked at it, and thought it can't be that hard. Ok I am scared of heights but I'll shoot to the top as long as I don't look down.

Wrong.




Today I have learnt that it is hard work climbing up a wall! (I was probably wearing the wrong type of trainers!) Infact I barely made it half way up! I did then make the mistake of looking down and lost my footing. Big man did a good job for his first time too. Now I think I need to work on my arm muscles before I try it again. I did enjoy the bouncing down though!

So today's lesson has been that just because something looks easy, doesn't mean it is. But I can put climbing on my list of things I have now done. Next time with appropriate footwear, I will get to the top..... Or three quarters of the way up at least.

Baby man is Gruffalo crazy. He loves his touch and feel Gruffalo book and has a soft toy Gruffalo (that my sister bought) that is half the size of him. So on a trip back from Swansea, we decided to stop off at The Dean Heritage Centre to have a look at their sculptures depicting the Gruffalo's child. Bless him, he was very excited. There was a lot of pointing.

The centre is only small, but they also have a nice little adventure playground and it is a beautiful place for taking photos.




We spent a few hours wandering around and letting the boys run around before finishing our journey. As we left we saw a lady making some of the beautiful carvings.



The problem with this? I want my own Gruffalo in my garden. How hard can it be for me to make one? Surely if I get a log and a chainsaw I can re-create this. Hmmmmm my Dad is good at making things.....

Dad..... I have a new project for you!

Big man even claimed he saw one, rather tiny fairy. Unfortunately due to too many people visiting the fairies have now gone :-(

One thing I have learnt about having boys, is that everyone is happier if they have been running around outside. I therefore invested in annual passes to our local country park this year and I think we have had our moneys worth already. Here are some of the photos from last week.