Enjoying life in Britain

As I mentioned in my last post, we've really been enjoying the autumn. Recently we went up to Ashdown Forest (which I adore). It's just nice to get out and have a ramble, but it is extra special knowing that Ashdown is the Hundred Acre Wood in A.A. Milne's stories. We've been reading them to Iain at bedtime, and Winnie the Pooh will always remind of us this special time living in England while Iain is so small.

So here are a few photos from a month ago maybe, up at Ashdown Forest.



There is a place in the forest where sheep graze freely and you can wander around with them. Iain thought the sheep were very interesting, and Mama and Papa did too.


After sheep watching we stopped at a farm to pick some apples. I remember going on a field trip in second grade and picking apples. I think it was part of a study on Johnny Appleseed. Is he even real? I should investigate that. He makes for a fun fall unit study at any rate, which probably explains his popularity despite his lack of real significance. :) Here is Iain enjoying a snack from the farm store before we headed out into the orchard.

Walking with Papa.


Picking apples!




I think these are pine nuts, which seems like a strange name. They're not nuts at all, but like mini apples. I have no idea what they are used for.


Those apples were so juicy and crisp. It was fun to pick them too. We were sorry that we couldn't use more!

These next photos are from a recent trip to St. Ann's Well Garden in Hove. There used to be a spring there that was widely hailed as having healthy water in the 18th and 19th centuries. That was all the vogue in those days. Now it is dried up, but it is still a nice park.

Iain knows which way to go!


Of course we paid a visit to the playground. It was the first time that we'd been since Iain started walking. My, what a difference!




Last weekend we went to Spring Barn Farm to check out the Corn Maze we'd seen advertised. Unfortunately, it was already closed for the year! I guess it is considered more of a summer thing than an autumn thing in Britain.

We did see the animals though. Iain was very excited, until an over zealous goat nipped him o the cheek! I was so mad at the goat and myself. Poor Iain's cheek was pink almost the whole time we were at the farm. He was much more shy of the animals after that.



They had really fast slides at the farm and Iain thought they were great. He wanted to go down over and over again. He pushes himself when we say "Ready, steady, go!"

They had ride-on tractors at the farm, which were also a plus in Mr. Iain's book.

Right at the end we discovered an indoor hay stack, which was loads of fun, since we were the only ones in it.


And this is one more shot from earlier this week. Mama getting a kiss from her sweet boy!

Lastly, here is a video of Iain walking around.