It's October half term and that signifies a lot of things in the outdoor world. The start of shorter days, possibly wetter and colder weather as well as tired Little Chaps after the first fully-completed half term actually in school for quite a while!
Some family celebrations over the weekend meant both sets of Grandparents were around for the a couple of days and so, after a Saturday of ten-pin bowling and pizza, we were all more than ready to get some fresh air despite the sub-par weather forecast that was on offer. Pic. Sculpture & view in Caley
Time to stay local and enjoy the North Leeds countryside. deer park
Our route of choice this weekend was a lovely local walk around Otley Chevin and this reminded us of the opportunities that there are to have adventures on a micro-level, almost every day, connecting ourselves with nature, fresh air and the peace that comes from being outdoors. And half term is a great time to get out and enjoy the autumn sunshine (fingers crossed!).
For the Little Chaps, their adventures began just a month after they were born. Keen to get out, the new parents (us) carefully bundled up their new addition in as many layers as we could get them into before a wintery trip up Pen-y-ghent. Of course, they had very little say in this so their adventures truly began once they could walk. Little Chap #1 set off with purpose on a mountain track in Spain, threw snowballs on a Munro and travelled many kilometres in his bike trailer. Little Chap #2 was keen to join in when he could. But the most important adventure for both of them began in our back garden. Armed with a stick and the
ability to walk and poke at things, they both set about exploring every inch of the garden. They learned about bugs and blackberries and the birds and the textures of plants and bushes (the occasional nettle too) and learned to appreciate and enjoy the simple pleasures of time outside. As their footsteps got stronger and more confident, they would explore mountain summits or secluded beaches in much the same way. Bike rides from home got more and more adventurous with Daddy excitedly telling Mummy how we had just managed a ride through the woods without feet touching the ground. Equally Mummy telling Daddy just how far the Chaps had climbed up a tree on a day out.
Pics. points of interest on the walk - wooden sculptures, farm animals and views, aeroplanes
The question we are often asked is, how do you keep the Little Chaps interested and keep them going? The answer is that we simply let them find the interest and go with it. I have learned far more bird identification through them asking me than I ever knew before, racked my brain for learned-as-a-school-boy geology facts and seen the world completely differently due to them. Actually, they have fired my interest in more aspects of the outdoors! Our garden and the local woods were ideal starting points.
And it is never too late to introduce these things. Take a walk out around a local RSPB reserve, wander around Caley Deer Park and follow the sculpture or geology trail or, actually, just go and eat lunch looking at the view over the Wharfe Valley (or Aire Valley depending which way you sit because of the wind!). Children will always find something to be interested in - maybe the nature, maybe the cloud formations, maybe the tractors, maybe the aeroplanes overhead.
Pics. Little Chap #1 map-reading (i.e. telling Grandma, Granny and Grandad where we would be going!), Said route choice included these steps as he remembered them from a previous walk here.
The beauty of the outdoors is that it gives families time to spend together, to learn together and to enjoy together. We realise that it is our outdoor experience and knowledge that allows us to take the Little Chaps on such adventures. I really hope that by sharing our local adventures we will fire everyone's interest and show that everyone and every family can access an adventure together, almost without leaving town.
Let us know about your own Local Loop in the comments - maybe we'll be able to try it out and share it in the future. We have "local loops" all over the country from when we stay with Grandma or the Little Chap's cousins so share away, we may be near you one day!
We look forward to seeing you all out there this half term...
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