This weekend, we finally made it out for some proper fresh air. OK, it took us until 3pm to leave the house but we do have a two week old baby at home, so I thought this was pretty good going to be fair.
Colwick Park isn’t far from our house, probably a mile as the crow flies but I can’t remember the last time I went there. It doesn’t feature in our local geography anymore, as we have quite a bit of open space a lot nearer. I remembered there being a children’s play area that would be suitable for Princess, and with the huge lakes there we would be able to do a bit of duck feeding too.
I had a little nostalgia going on as the play area was the first park I took my son to when he started walking around 15 years ago. Yes, that’s right, 15 years ago! We had always really enjoyed visiting the park, but when we turned up this time I was so disappointed. The park hadn’t been touched in years, at least 15. It was still the same play equipment my son had used, so to say it was tired and broken was an understatement. Come on Nottingham City Council, I think this park needs a bit more love.
We soon left the weeds and green algae covered equipment in search of ducks having everything crossed there wasn’t going to be further disappointment as we ventured further down the path.
We followed the path down to the lakes, with Princess running of in search of puddles. The closest she found was a patch of mud, which made for some good squelching but wasn’t entirely what we’d had in mind.
As the path revealed the first lake and lush green open space I was relieved to see the park itself was still well loved and looked after. There were walkers, joggers, fisherman and people enjoying water activities on the lake. But we were duck hunters armed with stale bread.
Keeping Princess walking is often a challenge for Daddy, as she loves the view from in his arms, so some tactical manoeuvres are required to keep her and her muddy wellies on the ground.
Once we’ed found the ducks, she gets right into tearing them off little chunks of bread and launching them into the lake. The ducks seem pretty happy too. Daddy, of course, is keeping Princess well under control in case she follows the bread with one of her over enthusiastic throws into the water.
Before leaving Colwick Park, we took in a bit more nature. Our daughter, despite her Princess tendencies, loves bugs and spiders as well as animals and birds. It was a spiders web that engrossed her on the park bench, and she loved the tiny caterpillar we found on the path. We also found the cutest little chicks, coots I think they are. They were so tiny my little point and shoot didn’t do them much justice I’m afraid.
This week I’m catching up with some of my favourite linky’s which I’ve missed for a good few weeks. Sadly, my pregnancy completely compromised my ability to write a coherent blog post as well as leaving me pretty immobile. I’m so pleased were starting to get out and about again and to share our little adventures with you. I hope you had some good adventures this weekend!
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So nice to reminisce about and return to places that you used to visit. Looks like it was a lovely walk
The countryside looks fabulous, but what a shame about the park.
#MagicMoments
I think it’s often quite scary to go back to places which we favourably remember for fear of disappointment…so I’m really glad that you had such a nice time!
Who knows, maybe you’ll go back again in another 15 years! 🙂
What a lovely day out! Not easy leaving the house with a newborn, but once you’re out, it feels so refreshing, doesn’t it? Mel #MagicMoments
Well don for getting out – and yes I love revisiting places too 🙂
Looked like a beautiful day and just what you needed. I love visiting places I went as a child with my children.
Such a shame that councils don’t look after play areas!
But looks like you still had a lovely day out
Looks like a lovely place to spend an afternoon 🙂
What a lovely looking park and such memories for you 🙂 x
Well done for getting out and about so soon after a new baby. I would’ve still been hibernating! It’s a shame the play area had seen better days but the rest of the park looks lovely.
I didn’t realise you had two with such a big age gap! How are you finding that? Mine is 15 and would love to have a baby with my husband, but I worry about that gap!
A lovely walk and well done for getting out after 2 weeks – I totally hibernated with my boy!!
what a fab post, we love going on nature walks in the summer, x
Looks like a lovely family day together. Isn’t it strange when you return to a place you haven’t been to for years? Everything seems smaller, i usually find – I obviously inflate it in my memory!
Lovey pictures! Your daughter is so cute x
Playground and equipment is really vital is children’s development. I hope that your council will pay attention.
This looks like a fun trip =) #MagicMoments
Lovely photos of a beautiful walk and a great childhood activity – feeding the ducks! What a shame the council have neglected the park – it could do with some TLC. Great to hear you are out and about already and thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Fresh air and walks make everything better in my opinion
We have lots of adventures at local parks – much easier now than when they were young. I remember it used to be like a military operation just making sure we had everything x
Thta’s so funny that it’s the same play equipment! Looks like you had a lovely day – my 2 year old loves watching spider too!
Looks like a lovely walk through nature x
Beautiful pics. It is so lovely just to get out and clear your head. xx
You’ve reminded me I promised my daughter a trip to see some ducks down the road from us. Must get to it tomorrow. Lovely pictures. 🙂
I wrote pretty much the same post a few weeks ago, it was the first time we had taken the kids ever and actually it was a lovely day out. All I remember from growing up is the canada geese but it really is a lovely walk and lots of wildlife and space. It’s a space we had forgotten but will be back soon I think, lovely post #magicmoments
It’s such a shame when somewhere isn’t maintained, must have been a shock after not visiting for so long. Sounds like the rest of Colwick Park was rather lovely though. Must have been good to get out too especially after only 2 weeks. I’m not sure I would have been able to write when POD was 2 weeks old (blog didn’t exist then thankfully!). Lovely to have you back and thank you for sharing #whatsthestory
oh wow, i love parks with lakes, every weekend we go to a park like this and I just cant express how much I enjoy fresh air, greenery, geese, ducks, birds there
Looks like a great day out and not that far from us either!
It’s so lovely when you go somewhere that evokes strong, happy memories. And nothing can beat feeding the ducks #letkidsbekids
I love walks like this, although I am always slightly paranoid about the kids falling in the water
It looks like you had a good time in the end despite the old play equipment. I always think it’s sad when the equipment is left to go bad. The baby coots look really cute and feeding the ducks is always good fun.
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
What a lovely outing , time spent with the family is always so precious.
Wow sounds like a wonerful day out.
[…] equipment, sand, astro-turf, seating, the works really. This was a stark contrast to our visit to Colwick Park the week before where the play area hadn’t seen any attention in at least 15 […]