This post is written in memory of a fellow blogger, Kerry (Multiple Mummy) who died on 14th December 2012, and also and two friends of mine Fran and Alan who lost their battles with Cancer this year.
Sadly missed by many.
I know that lots of our Country Kids posts have been about Manor House Wildlife Park, but we really do enjoy our days here. On our most recent visit there last week, we were on a trip organised by the leaders of a parenting course I have recently attended.
The weather was not good- wet and wild! However, I was still surprised to find that members of our group were the only ones who had braved the elements and came to the park. I wonder if an indoor Christmas Grotto or activity may attract more families and tourists this time next year.
As usual, my kids wanted to play on the bikes again, and again and again. We eventually convinced them to come for a walk with us to find everybody else.
Once we had met up with the rest of the group, we walked (while the kds cycled as there was noone else to share the bikes with on this occasion) down to see the Meerkats. They are so cute. The babies that I took photos of a few months ago are getting big now! Then we walked around with the outdoor farm animals.These goats above reminded me of “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”.
In the photo above, Rebecca has befriended a goat and is walking around with it.
Although visitors are allowed to walk around with the animals, they also have their own enclosures and areas where human guests are forbidden so they can have time out on their own. I love their little thatched roundhouses.
There were lots of lovely chickens too- roll on next year when we are getting our own chickens! I have been waiting for years and really cannot wait!
Rebecca feeds a goat some of his hay.
Danny joins in too as the other goats were not so hungry.
We had our picnic and a play in the hay barn to shelter from the wild weather. As we had been out until late the night before I didn’t have time to bake bread or rolls for our picnic. Therefore that morning, Dave ran into our local Supermarket and grabbed some pasties, crisps and biscuits to keep us going until we got home.
This photo shows just how windy it was. I wouldn’t recommend lifting the hay up when it is this windy as it can fly in your eyes, nose and mouth. However, this looked so impressive I had to take a photo before telling Danny not to do it again.
Luckily, on this day, no one suffered from hay fever or asthma and all the kids played nicely together with no complaints!
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There were also calmer moments in the hay.
Then we went for a play in the outdoor play area. After a play of swing ball, climbing trees, see-sawing and swinging, we were cold and needed to warm up so we went into the cafe for a hot drink. They were very kind and when I asked for an empty cup for Izzy, so I could poor a tiny amount of the girls hot choc in for her, they actually made her, her very own small cup of cooled hot choc complete with cream and marshmallows too!
Then we went next door into the family room for an indoor play. Danny enjoyed playing with the wooden train set.
Rebecca and Caitlyn played “school|”, “house”, “shop” and with the train set.
Despite the wild weather, we once again had a lovely day and created many more family memories to treasure. Recent events during the past year have reminded us to make the most of the time together that we are blessed with.
This post has been written in remembrance of Multiple Mummy. Kerry left behind a legacy of Family Frolics and inspired so many other Mums and Dads to make the most of their own “family frolics” and to always be the best parent that we can be. Please take a look at the video below made by her family, “One Year On…”.
For me, it has also been written with two other special parents in mind who so sadly lost their battles with cancer this year.
In loving memory of Fran, who died in June, and Alan who passed away this December. Both loving parents who were always to be seen out and about and making the most of their time with their families.
I will be thinking of their respective children and spouses facing their first Christmas without a much loved Mum or Dad at Christmas time and forever.
We all need to treasure the happy memories we make while we still can.
Wishing a healthy, happy Christmas to my friends, family and readers.
xxxx
What a lovely post! Despite the horrid weather you all had a great time and the children looked so happy playing together and meeting the animals. As you say this is what matters – spending quality family time together making cherished memories. Thanks for linking up and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
I love this place and you always find so much to write about it. Love how they can just play in the hay – mine would love that. I am so very sorry to hear about your friends too 🙁 x
Thanks for writing this post to remember Kerry, apologies for the mammoth delay in commenting but life raced along at a ridiculous pace!
Thanks for commenting. How odd that I wrote 2014 in the title. This year seems to be going particularly fast! x