As children we had the forest at our disposal every single day and with that kind of gift it’s very easy to get complacent.
The forest soon got “boring” and as I grew into my teen years my lazyitis kicked in and so my love of the greenery on our door step waned.
Over the last few years my love of fresh air and walking has escalated to new heights and I love getting out and about with my kids and husband to experience adventures and to see my kids grown in only a way that free range parenting in those outdoor spaces can give.
I don’t care about the mud or the mess just what treasures we can find on our way.
Last weekend we finally had a weekend with Ollie off work and so we decided to make the most of it and take the kids pumpkin picking and then on to Sherwood Forest to blow away some cobwebs.
For me now I have kids of my own part of me wishes that we still lived in the village with so much space and forest literally seconds from your front door.
I always feel calm when I get out the car in the forest, it’s almost like my stress levels deplete and I am coming home.
When we finally got there this weekend I decided to take Ollie and the kids to the cemetery that is located on the edge of the forest there as I have loved ones buried in there and it felt all the more emotional visiting my Granddad there with both of my boys who I have no doubt would have worshipped.
After closing the gate on the cemetery we headed to the Sherwood Forest visitors centre for a drink and a cake (obviously) and to feed Jacob before embarking on our walk to the Major Oak, made famous by Robin Hood!
I guess along with everything I still view parts of the forest with my memories and it’s not as free as it once was in terms of being able to wonder, so many parts of the forest are shut off from walking aimlessly all in the name of preservation but it’s still a little sad.
However Joshua knew non of this and still loved the trail markers and the signs dotted about on our walk.
He loved the little wooden house carved into tree trunks that had fallen down and he loved the information boards that tell you what to look out for.
When we finally got the Major Oak I fear he was somewhat underwhelmed and was not impressed by it at all, in fact he was just bothered about spotting squirrels … of which we found none.
However we did find a play park to play on!
I loved being back there and sharing some of my childhood memories with my own family and cant wait to spend more time with them there.