First Steps

Picnics – Don’t be a picnic panic-er. Suggestions of what to make.

Biking, Camping, First Steps, Travel, Walking, Where and how /

Don’t be a picnic-panic-er. I was deeply intimidated by other picnic-era when I was preparing our picnic for sports day, planning it out and rising early to produce the proverbial,  “feast“. I learnt from the veterans how simple and effective hot dogs are at keeping hungry children happy. (One Mum, ‘just-throw-money-at-it (JTMAI),  brought take-away from […]

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Keeping it “Reel” Planning ways to stop a day unravelling.

Biking, Camping, First Steps, Indoors, Parents Anecdotes, Where and how /

If we have a ‘big day’  we know it is best to plan in advance. And so with outings for children. On a boat we have a ‘grab bag’ with all the essentials should you need to abandon ‘ship’. It is left intact, no sneaking of batteries or plasters  or water. I know at the

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Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rich man, poor man … work life balance.

First Steps, Parents Anecdotes /

Tinker Tailor Soldier sailor Rich man, Poor Man Beggar man Thief. Doctor, lawyer And so the old verse goes. I remember my Grandmother counting off her plum stones around the her plate. Parts of the rhyme having being appropriated by writers such as Le Carre and Irwin Shaw, Tom Waits and Radiohead. How do you

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Finding a safe, clean beach and staying safe

Beach Walks, First Steps, Water, Water equipment, Water safety /

  This is Shell Bay, Studland Peninsular, Dorset. (One of my favourite beaches, in the world). This is what the Dorset Guide says. https://www.dorsetguide.com/shell-bay-beach/ This is what the beach guide says about Shell Bay: https://www.thebeachguide.co.uk/south-west-england/dorset/studland-shell-bay.htm   Christmas Day, Avonmouth Beach, Near Christchurch, Dorset.  (Not Avon Mouth, Bristol). One of our sons, along with many others,

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Raising children

First Steps /

Yes, raising children can sometimes seem like rolling the stone up the hill, only for it to roll down again, every time. (The punishment of Sisyphus, Greek Mythology, sad story.) Keeping children’s rooms tidy-supper-every-night-washing-staying on-top-of-the school-timetable and-out-of school-timetable can seem like Wally and his solar powered tasks. But this is why, it is so important

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Walking and Biking Routes: England,Wales

Beach Walks, Biking, Biking essentials, Camping, First Steps, Forest Walks, Travel, Walking, Walking equipment, Walking essentials, Where and how /

Traveller Ralf Potts wrote,: “Walk until your day becomes interesting’. Walking with children, your have to make the interesting.  If you need inspiration, near and far, have a “recce” below. Above, the River Hamble, Burseldon, Hampshire. (Above) https://www.hants.gov.uk/thingstodo/countryparks/rhcp This blog is spring-board blog for everyone to add their favourites. If you would prefer to start

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