Last weekend, after a quick trip to buy some fence paint we decided to stop off to feed the ducks. Somehow I’d manage to overbuy on bread and we had some going to waste so decided the ducks should have it. Rather than go to our local country park, which we visit pretty frequently, we decided to pop to another spot. It’s not far away but we haven’t been in all of Monkey’s life so far! It’s a bit quieter than our local park, has no play areas etc, but is has some other lovely things to see.
So we fed the ducks and the geese, and one beautiful swan! Monkey loved feeding the ducks but did get a bit nervous of the geese. The ones in the lake weren’t too bad but the ones on the ground are probably bigger than he is so I can’t blame him for being scared of them! I got bitten by a goose as a kid so I’m not a huge fan of them, though obviously I don’t want Monkey to know about that!
We soon used up all of out bread, and we had literally just finished it all when a mummy duck appeared with her ducklings! 🙁 We were so disappointed that we hadn’t saved any for them, but hey we didn’t know they were there. They were so cute though!
We are really lucky in that we live near the Nene Valley Railway which runs steam trains, and this spot has one of their stations. We had finished feeding the ducks when we caught a ‘choo choo’ in the distance, a train was on the way! We jogged over as quickly as we could to see the train up close, and Monkey loved it!
By the end he was shouting “choo” “choo” which was very cute! At some point this summer I think we’ll take a train ride with Monkey, it just goes up and down and into the city centre so wouldn’t be too long a journey, but so lovely to go on an old fashioned steam train!
After the train disappeared from view, we crossed the track and over to the river, where there is a huge lock. The noise at the lock is tremendous and Monkey loved it, ad kept shouting at the water lol!
We were in luck as there happened to be a boat going through the lock when we got there! We missed the beginning bit but daddy was trying to explain to Monkey about how it works, not sure how much he understood though!
It’s a really picturesque spot and above the lock the river is so tranquil and peaceful. I can’t believe we haven’t been there in so long! As a kid I used to cycle there all the time and it links up along the river to our local country park. I’m sure we’ll go there a lot more as Monkey gets older.
On the way back we had a quick game of pooh sticks through the lock, which was quite amusing as the sticks kept getting lost in the torrent!
Then, as we were walking back, the train came back on it’s return journey!
We waved goodbye to the train then it was time to head home for some lunch.
It was a lovely morning and reminded us that you don’t have to go too far for a lovely day out. In fact I have come up with a new acronym for days like this. A DOOOD – A Day Out On Our Doorstep! 🙂
Have you ever had a lovely day out on your doorstep?
I love the old fashion train rides. We go on them for our benefit not the children’s!
Lol absolutely! xx
Looks so simple, but so lovely. We’ve a great park on our doorstep, and things like feeding the ducks, playing in the playground and having a nature hunt always go down well here x
Thank you, it was really lovely, and so simple! xx
What a great DOOOD! (I’m totally going to use this now!)
I am petrified of geese – I’ve been nipped on my ankles a few times as a child, they are very protective/territorial creatures!!
Kat x
Lol yay, I was really pleased with it hehe so glad someone else appreciates my genius 😉 Ooh ouch! They are nasty aren’t they? xx
JJ has loved trains from an early age too and he would have loved spotting one like that! Looks like a lovely DOOOD! We’ve got a little country park on our doorstep which we’ve never been to – for similar reasons, no kids play areas and didn’t think it would necessarily be suitable but maybe we should give it a go! X
Aww he would have loved it! Monkey definitely did! ooh yes you should give it a go, you never know, they may love it! Go and have a lovely DOOOD! xx
Wow this is nearyour house! Picturesque! Really really nice place. Love that river with boats. Well I actually love everything! What i have near our house is the high street so its not as pretty view like yours =P #countrykids
Yep not too far, maybe 10 mins by car (so a bit far for toddler walking!) but it is a gorgeous spot, we are really lucky to be right on the edge of countryside so we do have lots of pretty places nearby! xx
It looks like you timed your morning out just right – all the activities that children love, feeding the ducks, trains and boat. Thanks for linking up and sharing your family fun with Country Kids.
We really did, completely accidentally! Was lovely though 🙂 xx
This place looks great. Little Man would have loved the train!
It is fab and I bet he would, Monkey certainly did!! xx
Looks like a lovely day, it’s so nice when you don’t have to go too far. Liking your new word 🙂
Thanks! it was a lovely little outing and a great reminder that we don’t have to go far to have a nice family day xx
Sounds like such a lovely day. How cute is Monkey!
Oh wow what a DOOOD! Sounds like you all had the best time, what a great adventure. So much excitement too, Monkey must have been beside himself! Great post, thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory
Thanks Charly, it was a lot of fun 🙂 xx
Sounds like a lovely day. I love rediscovering old places we haven’t been to for a while. I can’t remember the last time we played Pooh Sticks either, so that will be on the agenda for the weekend! Thanks for linking up. #FamilyFriday
Aw yay, glad to have inspired you, gotta love a bit of pooh sticks, though a gentle stream may give better results than our lock did! 🙂 Thanks for hosting xx
I like the name DOOOD! And I agree that sometimes you don’t need to do massively fussy days out for children for them to enjoy what they’re doing. Love the reflection on the river, looks like a beautiful day.
Nipping over from Country Kids.
Thanks! I think I’m on to something! 🙂 It’s great to remember that sometimes, as it’s easy to forget! It was a lovely day thank you 🙂 xx
Sounds like a lovely morning! My little man loves feeding the ducks too 🙂 #FamilyFriday
It really was lovely thank you 🙂 xx