A day out in the woods – escaping the hustle and bustle of life

pooh-sticks

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” – John Burroughs

There’s nothing that is guaranteed to calm me down, clear my head and soothe away my stress like getting out into the countryside. A good dose nature really is the best tonic. I’ve been intending to get out for a few weeks, but with one thing or another, it just hasn’t happened. After a rough few days, and my anxiety and depression have been kicking my butt still, and with the promise of sunshine, I finally got a walk in the woods.

beastie-boy

I dragged the kiddos out of bed, packed us up a picnic lunch and took a slow walk. Despite a little complaining from the tween {it was too cold!} and a little Beastie who didn’t like the wind, we preserved. IT’s times like this I kind of wish I could drive, so we could just go straight to our destination, instead of having a two-mile walk first…. but I can’t, so walking it is! We headed to Erddig – our local National Trust property. It’s one of our favourite spots – not only is it close enough to walk to, but the grounds are gorgeous – a river { perfect for pooh sticks in the winter, and long days splashing in the summer}, woods to get lost in and lots of muddy puddles to splash in!

We spent an hour in the woods, playing pooh sticks, picking wild garlic and jumping on mole hills before we walked up the {steep} hill to the house for when it opened. Our favourite thing about Erddig is the Wolfs Den – an amazing adventure playground, built out of tree trunks. My kids LOVE it there, and the bonus to going in term time is it’s practically deserted! We spent ages playing, climbing, swinging on the rope swing and eating our picnic. We fed the ducks, found some swans, and ran around the gardens before popping into the restaurant for an ice-cream treat for the kids, and a rose lemonade treat for me.

vitamin-nature

It was a lovely, lovely day…. just the medicine I needed… if only I didn’t have to come home! I could happily run away and live in the woods. There is something so grounding about being out in nature, it feels so good to be away from the hustle and bustle of life, away from technology and all the pressure of a busy life. It’s amazing how much calmer I feel out there in the woods, how the crushing weight of depression lifts a little, and the anxiety quietens down. The kiddos love it too, all that running around and fresh air does them wonders.

beastie-and-wolf

kiki

girls-wolfs-den

swinging

feeding-ducks

daffodils

baya-1

5 Comments

  1. Alison

    March 22, 2017 at 10:30

    Ahh this looks like JUST the thing you needed – what a fab day. It’s amazing how getting outdoors and into green spaces can lift you, isn’t it?

  2. Eleanor (The Bristol Parent)

    March 22, 2017 at 13:34

    That picture of a winking Beastie is IMMENSE, he’s so lush.

  3. lori

    March 23, 2017 at 11:29

    I love feeling grounded by nature too! Looks like you got exactly what you needed and a gorgeous family day out xx

  4. Katie Albury

    March 29, 2017 at 13:35

    What a perfect day! So pleased you felt better, I always think a change of scenery does wonders for everybody. Being at home all the time can become so mundane and suffocating and when I feel a bad day creeping on, I always make us get out for a few hours. Gorgeous photos by the way, your babies are so beautiful, just like their Mumma. xx

  5. Laura

    March 29, 2017 at 22:28

    I always find going out into nature as the best leveller and the perfect way to put things into perspective and feel renewed and reconnect. This sounds like the perfect mini getaway and day out for your awesome tribe and I love the photos

    Laura x

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