A few weeks ago we pretended to go on a Gruffalo hunt through our local woods. We pointed out where the owl lives, we found a pile of logs that was the snake’s house, and burrows where the fox, and the mouse lived. Because we all enjoyed the experience we decided to visit the official Gruffalo Trail to find the big guy himself. The day we went it looked like every family in Cheshire had the same idea. After searching for a parking space and then scrabbling for coins for the parking meter, we set off in to the “Deep Dark Wood”. I suggested we go via the shop for a map, but Hubby decided to do a typical Dad thing and dismiss that idea completely*. We set off with enthusiasm and excitement, and no idea of where we were going.
There were loads of puddles on the route, and H had a whale of a time jumping in them in his new George Pig wellies. Some took him – and us – by surprise with how deep they were. He certainly gave the wellies a thorough test of their water-proof credentials. As we continued in to the wood my husband and I started asking each other in hushed voices “where were the Gruffalo attractions?” There was very little to keep a child of H’s age interested. We were running out of ideas and things to point out. The exertion of all that puddle jumping had also started to kick in, and H was starting to go quiet and drag behind. We seemed to walk for ages – far too far for a 2 year old – before coming across the Gruffalo in the woods. By then, H was too tired and hungry to indulge Mummy with photo opportunities.
We trudged back to the car, and as soon as we were there H announced that he felt “wobbly”. Luckily my sneaky stash of Jelly Babies helped to return some colour to his cheeks. Before we left I popped in to pick up a map to see how far we had walked. Lo and behold, what did I find out? I found out that there is a short route and a long route. Guess which one we took…….BINGO.
The trip wasn’t a complete waste though. I got some great photos, and seeing his little cheeky face light up as he jumped from one puddle to the next was magical. Although a part of me can’t stop wondering if he would have been just as happy if we had created a puddle in the back garden!
Have a good week.
Love
Harry’s Honest Mummy x
*I have made a sweeping generalisation based on my own upbringing. I lost count of the number of walks I went on with my Dad that ended up going on for far longer than originally planned because he refused to take a map! I am certain that having a map – and admitting you are lost – are signs of weakness to the majority of the male species.
I keep meaning to do one of the Gruffalo or Stick Man trails as I think my son would enjoy – better take the short route though 😉 #kcacols
Aw, bless, he looks like he’s enjoying those puddles! Lol, I never trust my dad’s version of how far away something is, even to this day – I’ve been burned too many times! 🙂 #KCACOLS
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You see so many teenagers being dragged on walks – longer than they imagined – looking thoroughly miserable and you have to smile because you know that we have shared the same experience.
Awww it looks like you had a lovely time though. And you got some GORGEOUS pictures of him! #KCACOLS
I love these pictures! We took the twins to the Gruffalo trail last year at Sherwood Forest and they loved it. They are Julia Donaldson mad and love all of her books especially The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child x
This looks like lots of fun! We did a similar one here a few months ago. My kids were traumatised by the gruffalo and now have a fear of woods, forests, parks…..didn’t quite work out the family fun day we had planned!!! #anythinggoes
We love doing the Gruffalo walk, we did it recently at our local woods, Haldon Forest. Looks like your little man had a brilliant time! xx
Just magic, the look on your sons face is priceless. Jumping in muddy puddles is just the best. My hubby is exactly the same with maps!
I didn’t know there were a real place to do a Gruffalo Trail!! Interesting!! I’ll have a look. Harry looks like he was having the best day of his life jumping up and down on those muddy puddles!! LOL They look very deep!! I know what you mean when you say that maybe if it would be easier to just do a muddy puddle in your back garden lol but I guess the adventure will never be the same!! Re the maps and the guys I can also relate as my dad was the same, he used to take us through the longest journeys all the time. However, Nick thanks God uses google maps for everything and he does likes maps so I’m lucky!! 😉 Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I would love to see you again on Sunday! 🙂 x
PS: I couldn’t find my badge this week, 🙁
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Thanks Franca. There is a Stick Man trail we are going to do next when there is a break in the weather. Just gone away and noticed that I linked up two posts this week. I can see that I did it on one but not on the other – DOH!!! That’s me trying to be too clever and getting all confuzzled. Sorry. See you this weekend xx
Such a Man thing to think the map isn’t needed! I can just see that happening with us too. Looks like Harry had just as much fun following the paths and testing out his wellies in those lovely big puddles. I’m glad you found the Gruffalo at least and a good den to hide in. Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Those muddy puddle jumping pictures are just adorable, I think it’s a bit of a man thing not looking at maps tbh! Hope you get to go back and do the short walk! #CountryKids
Oh what a shame! Really you’d think the trails would have been better signposts with perhaps some cross trails in case you realise you’ve bitten off more than you (or your toddler) can chew. Still nothing like a spot of puddle jumping and jelly babies to make everything OK; ) Thanks so much for linking up at #sharethejoy x
We did the Gruffalo trail a year ago, in the pouring rain! It was still good fun though. You’re right, walks like these are good opportunities to capture those cheeky smiles – and your son has one of the best! Love the picture of him in the puddle.
That gruffalo walk looks like so much fun! Love the jumping in the puddles! #countrykids
Ah we did the Gruffalo trail last year, it was such a fun day. Great shots of what looks like a great day out. Who doesn’t like a good splash around muddy puddles?! ; )
Thank you so much for linking up to #MyCapturedMoment xx
We loved the Gruffalo trail when we did it last year! My girls love muddy puddles too
Oh what a shame you ended up going on the long route, but it still sounds like you had fun and you got some gorgeous shots of H. Thanks for linking up to #HappyDaysLinky x
Ahh good old jelly babies! And hurrah for the long walk as you did indeed get a fab set of photos! Thank you for sharing in #HappyDaysLinky x