Sophie's Wood

For Sophie's 5th birthday her Aunt sponsored an area of wood via the Woodland Trust and named it "Sophie's Wood".

With one thing or another we only got the chance to visit it a couple of weekends ago. So of we set (Sophie insisted on taking her pink rucksack with a few essentials, such as her binoculars).

"This way Mummy" soon turned into, "This is steep isn't it Mummy" but we plodded on. Now we were given a basic map by the Woodland trust but we still went the wrong way, this is the correct direction, (Preferred the wrong way, it was flatter!). Anyway we carried on and it was lovely....

Bluebells everywhere!! Sophie and I both like bluebells. We timed it just right to see masses of bluebells creating a blue carpet under the trees.

We walked and walked and walked, Sophie did not complain once and was clearly determined to find the bit of wood which is now sponsored in her name. It was very endearing to see.

We then came to a bend in the line on the map which seemed to match the bend in the path we were standing on so we decided that this was the spot. Sophie got really excited and looked around....... then hubby decided that it did not match!
So please imagine me standing in a lovely wood trying in vain to explain to a 6 year old why Daddy had changed his mind! Meanwhile, said Hubby is pacing up and down counting! Eventually he stopped and announced "This is it!"

At this point I stressed the need for being sure, not changing his mind again etc etc! Sophie stood next to me and said "Is he sure this time?" Sometimes she comes with sentences that seem older than her years.
Would you believe it, this part of the wood was about the only bit that did not have any bluebells as they had already bloomed and gone. Pity.

We needed a landmark so that we could find it again so we picked this big tree standing on its own. I know it is a wood so it is not completely on its own but you know what I mean.

To celebrate and to be able to send Auntie a photo via email we asked Sophie to pose for a picture....

It was quite steep getting up to the tree and Sophie decided that next time she would not wear crocks and a skirt. Getting down was a bit trickier and seeing as it was Dad's idea for her to stand there we all decided it was up to him to help her down. Well, to see hubby struggling up and then he rather drunk looking decent was hilarious, and Sophie was laughing so much which made her wobble too.

On the way back to the car we spotted a post with a dedication as part of someone elses sponsored bit of wood. We looked into this when we got home. Guess how much it costs to have a wood post with a metal plaque on it? £2000! Nice idea, but it will have to stay as just that, an idea.

As we continued back to the car Sophie wanted to find some flowers to put in the flower press that she was given at Christmas. Here is a selection...

It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon plus a very unusual birthday present and we can go and walk there whenever we wish.

xx