Barnwood Park and Arboretum
One of the things that I love about where we live is the little areas of green spaces that we have in the surrounding area. We usually stick to the parks with play areas because that is generally where the girls want to go. However, whilst Freyja was enjoying her preschool leaver’s party at her nursery, Emily and I went to explore Barnwood Park and Arboretum.
Whilst there were no swings, slide or climbing frames, there was plenty to entertain Emily. She insisted on wearing the Twirlywood hairband that I got her from BritMums Live and looked quite the sight happily running around through the park.
There were swathes of wildflowers, with bees buzzing around on them collecting pollen, and butterflies fluttering between patches.
Emily felt she had to do a quality control check of each bench in the park, insisting on sitting on each one.
A stream runs through the park and we were able see lots of ducks and a few moorhens, but the freshwater was obviously the perfect environment for other wildlife as we saw a couple of dragonflies darting around between the stream and the path. There was plenty of open space (away from the stream) for Emily to run around in. We found lots of sycamore keys on the ground and spent some time throwing them up into the air and watching them spiral down to the ground. I think one of the highlights for her were some huge sticks we found. Emily immediately picked one up from the ground and started swooshing it around whilst making “lightsaber noises” – I have a 2 year old Star Wars fan!
One of the things that I enjoyed most about today was that whenever we discover a new place, it is usually with both Emily and Freyja, but today this was Emily and I exploring somewhere new by ourselves. It’s a rare occurrence for a second born which I think made it a bit more special, and something that I will look forward to doing more when Freyja starts school.
wow – I spotted this on the coombe hill linky. I live in Barnwood and I’m a teacher (now blogging ft) and my husband is a science teacher! Reading your blog about page was like you are my blog twin!!! We have a Gloucester Blog facebook group if you’d like to added!
I love that I have a blog twin!! I must try and hunt you out x
Aww she really looks cute in her Twirlywoos headband! And this place looks so perfect for a day of exploration! #countrykids
She does cute very well – even when having a tantrum!
Sometimes it is good to visit a park without swings and slides and watch their imaginations leap into play. I love the light saber, she would get on famously with my boys! Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
I love that my girls do love their Disney princesses AND Star Wars and superheroes. It’s nice that they don’t see these things as being “just for boys/girls” – long may it continue
I adore the twirlywoos headband. My daughter would go crazy for this. It’s such a beautiful programme, it’s my one chance in the morning to get a cup of tea because my daughter is fixated on it.
This looks like such a beautiful walk. It’s so lovely to get some quiet mama/daughter time just exploring the outdoors. I love that she loves Star Wars. Adorable!
Thank you so much for linking up to #whatevertheweather xx
Very sweet that she was making lightsaber noises and fantastic that you found time to spend together just the two of you. It’s harder when you have an older child, but lovely to get to know the younger ones personality as well. I love having a little quality time with either of my boys on their own.
A beautiful place to explore as well. 🙂 Thanks for linking up to #Whatevertheweather linky. x