Emsworth Walks

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S went off sailing a couple of weeks ago, so the 3 and I went for a tried and trusted walk from Langstone to Emsworth and back again. It really felt like Spring was on its way, and we were able to walk along the coast line from Langstone, go for a hot chocolate and flapjacks at a cafe, and then walk back again.

In preparation for Red Nose Day, the 3 were expected to colour in and design a red nose face for decoration in the cafe.

There were plenty of dogs on the walk with their owners, and M spent much time speculating which dog she would have and how she would look after it.

I’d forgotten how much fun these walks are with the 3. Some very funny conversations, and there is no real challenge to the walk now – we can just walk and talk without worrying whether anyone will make it back to the car or not.

Fitter, Faster, Stronger

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The arrival of autumn equals wholesome family walks. The 3 are now so much fitter, stronger and faster that a country walk along paths and through fields and woodlands is no longer burdened by doubts as to whether we’ll make it or not.

A walk we’ve done before, up Lambsdown Hill and through Kingley Vale on the edge of the South Downs, around Stoughton. It was a bright and warm day, with plenty of wet brown leaves across the floor of the path, shining in the sunlight.

The comedy is fairly fast flowing as the 3 fail to apply any quality control to the thoughts that come tumbling into or out of their heads. It started as we were putting on our boots at the car park, with S telling T to “pull his socks up”, and then much laughter as we tried to figure out whether he needed to actually pull his socks up to make his Wellington boots more comfortable, or whether he needed to sort himself out.

We stopped briefly on the tumuli for a snack and juice, with the 3 taking turns to run up and down the small mounds. This period of rest also gave rise to M’s crisp packet holder, to keep her hands free for mischief (see photo). Conversations along the walk centred on holidays, birthday parties, swimming, school, who can snap twigs, who’s been for an outdoor wee before,  BT Sport, which child shows the most characteristics of  each of our families, and what’s for tea tonight. At one point, the girls ran off up a hill on the homeward part of the journey, and I struggled to keep up with them. E with her long legs, and M with just her attitude…

Peeling a Stick

A country walk at Surfleet Seas End, back in early January. When asked why she was walking so slowly, M said that she was “peeling a stick”. She didn’t feel the need to explain why, even under sustained questioning and ridicule.

New Year’s Day 2013

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We met up with friends for a New Year’s Day walk through the Meon Valley, ending with a pub lunch of course. The 3 had plenty of allies: between 4 families, there were 10 children. All coped well with the walk, no problems these days. Each of the 3 picked on different adults at different times to have a conversation. The mud was a bit of a challenge, sliding around, but no real casualties.

Here’s to 2013.

A Nice Country Walk

Following Saturday’s excitement, S and I decided that the 3 needed a nice long country walk to forget the unpredictable urban environment. We looked at our trusted Ordnance Survey and decided on a walk along part of the South Downs Way, over near East Harting, through some National Trust fields and up to Beacon Hill.

The usual wellies and picnic preparation, and off we go. The 3 were quite magnificent, once again, with their energy and enthusiasm. Sticks were the big thing for this walk – collecting firewood, sword and lightsaber fights, chucking sticks across ancient woodland. There were plenty of hills to go up and down on the outward journey, although we plotted a simpler route for the way back. T lost heart a little on a couple of occasions, but generally kept the pace okay; E just kept going without complaint; M’s little 4 year old legs amazed us all, as she too managed the walk without complaint, even the steep (but short) hills.

We found the fantastic Three Horseshoes pub in Elsted, with big garden – trees to climb and places to hide, as well as the all important small grassy slope to roll down. The 3 kept themselves occupied for a good hour or so, helped by coke and crisps. S and I treated ourselves to a pint in the knowledge that the return walk would sober us up. The walkers’ path leads straight from the pub garden.

Quote of the day: M: “My stick’s broken. Wulla-muh-gulla do about it?”

S picked sloes along the way with the intention of adulterating some cheap gin we’ve got at home. We saw a young horned buck go charging across the fields. We could see the Solent and Portsmouth from Beacon Hill.