So.......

A little absence....

I have needed it. I go through these little phases where I need to retreat into my own little world....spend a while lost in thought.....then I surface, and carry on.

I always feel like I need to do it. Collect my thoughts. Just slow the pace inside my head and concentrate on a few things at a time. Ponder.....reflect.....decide.....make plans. I do it best when I do it quietly, within myself. I didn't feel like being on here, being distracted. I didn't feel like crafting, my mojo up and left me. I felt like just being in the real world, doing the daily grind and thinking when I could.

My family are used to my little quirk. They recognise my need for being quiet for a bit.

But i'm back. I've re-surfaced and am picking up where I left off.

I was mesmerised by this rose. This is the bottom of it, the bit by the stalk. It just came away and I just loved how it looked. Very delicate, but oh so perfect.

Anyway.......

A change of banner.
I wanted bright.
Like coming out of a little hermit hibernation.
I feel like colour.


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So, what has been going on? Well, whilst visiting family in Wales a few months back, we discovered a Wetlands centre. A really great place to visit. We had a great time......and realised that there are 9 wetlands centres dotted throughout the UK.

There are two closer to home, so, during the half term, we decided to check these out. They were brilliant. We went first to Arundel (a fab place to visit in itself). The day was cloudy and overcast, but perfect for three bears that run around and not get too hot. If you are interested in nature and wildlife then I really recommend a visit. Great for young children too. At times, it didn't seem like we were in the UK.

With this view I felt like I was in a far eastern country. The green this time of year is so vibrant and gorgeous.

It was a really fun day, and the bears never moaned once (which is a rarity these days if I dare to separate them from their gadgets).

After visiting the Wetlands, we walked around Arundel. We really wanted to visit the Castle. One of the most magnificently restored Castles I think we have (the oldest feature being the moat, built in 1068). It's never fallen into complete ruin (as so many others have), and every couple of hundred years after it's build, it's been maintained a little by whoever has owned it. I just love our British heritage. So deep rooted. I love to imagine what it must have been like almost a thousand years ago living in something like this. Probably awful i'm sure. It's hard to imagine a life without the creature comforts we have today. It's a real beauty though

However, time was not on our side. I wanted to visit when we could take our time, and preferably view it on a sunnier day, when the gardens would look at their most spectacular. The bears were a tad disappointed, but I knew they would appreciate not being rushed around it when the time came.

So, the Castle is being saved for another day. We just admired it from afar that day.

Not content with visiting just one Wetlands, we visited our most local one in London. Wow, we loved it so much. I thought it might be pushing it, two in a week, but, actually it was different enough for the Bears to be perfectly happy. The day was bright and warm too, and it's very child friendly as I have said. Ice creams, cold drinks and a few nibbles kept them very happy.

This Drake was so lovely. Just happy to sit whilst I stood next to him. I love ducks. I love their gentle faces and their gentle 'quack'. I also loved these succulents. They were on many of the hide roofs, and these are my favourite succulents. I adore their gentle greens and rosy pinks.

The Wetlands Centres have 2 parts to them. The wetlands and marshes, where you walk around and get to look in the hides, and see all the wildlife. You get to see a lot of nest building which is fantastic. The second main part is the bird section. You walk amongst many many species of birds.

I was fascinated by these little dudes. They waddled along the paths, then the babies would stop and sit and have a rest. The parents would stay either side of them for a few minutes keeping watch, then the parent at the front would make tracks and one by one the babies would stand up and follow. A few yards further on, and they would rest again. It was so sweet.

Beautiful board walks through the marshy grasses, and gorgeous flowers to attract the birds and the bees.

I really could have stayed there for days. The sun was shining, the scenery was vibrant, and you just wouldn't have thought you were in London.

In amongst all the wetlands visits, we took a trip to Brighton......which I loved. Although, I have to say, it made me realise I am NOT a big fan of Piers. Looking through the wooden decking to see the deep sea below scared me rather, and I found myself swaying a lot and muttering 'I really don't like this'. The Bears loved it, needless to say.

I was much happier to be exploring the rabbit warren of side streets in the town centre.

So, places discovered...places loved.....and places book marked to visit again.

Back at home, it's been nice to just slow the pace. 

I have done a fair amount of snuggling under my Happy Scrappy Blanket. It is fast becoming one of the most well used blankets in the house.

I have enjoyed bringing some colour inside.

I have loved being in the house, baking bits and pieces for the bears, sorting, tidying....and just being a homebody. 

I could lock myself up in a house for days at a time and feel content. It makes me realise I could quite happily be a recluse.

The Bear's favourite, vanilla sponge with buttercream frosting. It never lasts long. The icing was pink because I was fed up with nerf blasters, lego, minecraft, stinky socks and PE kits. I needed feminine. Good job they don't care when it comes to food. Actually, the Bear's are very good with my feminine hit in the house to counteract the intense testosterone. Big Bear told me the other day that he loved our house. I asked him what he loved about it and he replied that it was cosy and comforting. I guess that's the biggest compliment, to have succeeded as a mother, in providing a warm, cosy environment for my Bears. Score! Although, I swear his view of cosy is my view of utter mess.

My crafty efforts have taken a back seat. My projects have stalled somewhat. Just one thing finished......which I love......but I'll save that for another day.

I'm hoping my crafty mojo will come back soon. For now, i'll just go with the flow.

It's nice to dip my toes back in again though.

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Pop over here today if you fancy reading my Coffee Morning Interview.

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I hope you are all well.

Sorry for the heavy post.

Toodle pip for now.

xxx