#CountryKids at South Lakes Safari Zoo

My parents treated us to a trip to the South Lakes Safari Zoo as an early birthday treat for my son. At the moment it is £5 per adult with children free so its great value. It was our first trip under the new management and my parents hadn't seen many of the changes from the last couple of years. The sky was almost a perfect blue for a backdrop to a Cumbrian savannah:

There was a Halloween themed trail but we didn't have a go just enjoyed the decorations:

It wasn't long before my son found the first of the animal statues that children can climb on to:

#CountryKids Fell Foot Halloween Parkrun

Today it was the annual Halloween parkrun at Fell Foot today and my son and I had volunteered to be tail walkers. So we really thought we had better dress for the occasion:

It was good to see that other folks had joined in the spirit of things too:

It was a big turn out with 276 finishers so it was a big briefing:

Then we had the award for parkrunner of the year which went to one of regular volunteers:

Reasons to be Cheerful: Half Term #R2BC

I really can't believe its half way through half term and my last week as host for another month! It means that the lovely Michelle will be hosting again next week. Meanwhile here are my reasons to be cheerful this week:
1) Beautiful Autumn Days
On the days when the sun shines it really is glorious at the moment with all the Autumn colours. I had time to appreciate Fletcher Park when I came home the long, slow way from town:

2) Birthday Goodies

I have finally been successful in spending the last of my birthday money on a much better running watch. It has a longer battery life and tracks my steps as well as connecting to my phone! I just need to sort my foot out to be able to get running properly again:

3) Appreciating Nature

This lovely swan was cleaning itself on the shores of Windermere when we paused at Waterhead yesterday:

#CountryKids Wray Castle, National Trust

My son was asked which National Trust property he would like to be taken to by his aunt and uncle. It was no surprise to me that he chose Wray Castle:

We weren't the only ones who knew that this is the best place to visit with children on a wet, autumn Lakes day and it was very busy with a full car park. Luckily we managed to get in alright. There are plenty of things to occupy children indoors including building blocks in the Peter Rabbit rooms:

We also managed a short table tennis game before checking out the Steam Gondola room:

One of the most popular rooms (and now upstairs) was the castle blocks room. Lots of children building, balancing and having fun with the foam building blocks:

#CountryKids Yet another Pokemon Go walk around Kendal

Yesterday turned out to be a lot better weather than during Storm Brian so we decided it was a perfect chance to get out and hunt for the new generation 3 Pokemon! We are less than a mile from the castle so set off in that direction to add both distance and Pokestops: 

This little pathway is known as dodging death on Strava as it runs between two parts of the graveyard. I have to say I wouldn't fancy it after dark on my own:

The path comes out at the foot of the hill on which the castle is built. Its not the easiest route up to the castle but its rather beautiful through the trees: