Want to go out for a walk?

Hi everyone! First of all what a crazy time it’s been for us all. Part of me thinks we are all having the same nightmare. Alas, we are not.

We are told to stay in to stay safe. However, many people are still going out ignoring social distancing. It’s not rocket science! We are allowed to go out to exercise once a day so me and my family go out for a walk.

We love going out for walks. Especially in this season and over winter (when it’s not so cold). We put on our warm coats and hats. Even though James doesn’t he like his hat on and tries so much to take his off! James loves going outside. When I tell him we are going out he will run to me so I can put on his coat.

Going out for a walk as a family brings us closer. With no tv or music on we can just talk to each other.

We can also show and describe James animals and nature. I believe this helps him with building his vocabulary and developing some of his senses. We ask James if he can hear the dog bark. He does respond by saying yes! He also touched (before the virus) objects whilst I described the texture to him. He liked to touch some smooth shiny leaves that are in the park nearby. I made sure he didn’t put anything into his mouth. We talk to James and ask him is he can see the trees and describe them to him. Look James there’s a leafy tree (channelling my Phoebe from friends there)! Look James that is a blossom tree (my favourite tree).

However, what James and I love finding and watching the most are dogs! James even tries to say dog, by saying Do! He has some confidence to pat a dog, with the owners permission. He simply loves them. So we are trying to persuade my other half to get a dog!

Wind! Probably James’ favourite element. He laughs and is in awe when it is very windy. So when we go out for a walk he has a huge smile on his cheeky face and laughs. His blonde hair gets blown about and fluffs up!

As James is getting older (he turned 16 months on Monday) I am making walks more fun for him. So I am developing a scavenger hunt for us. Many people have created scavenger hunts for toddlers and children and you can find on Pinterest and instagram. However, I think it’s more fun if you make them. I am also including a list to get a collection of photos as well. So here is my scavenger list!

• Pine cones
• Green leaf
• Brown leaf
• Twig
• Some sort of berry
• Acorn
• Conkers
• Yellow petal
• Purple petal
• White petal
• Sticky willow
• Photo with daffodils
• Photo with a leafy tree
• Photo in a pile of leaves
• Photo with a dog (if allowed)
• Photo with snowdrops
• Photo with bluebells
• Photo in the snow
• Photo of a puddle

There is probably more to add as time goes on. We have started the list this week, so I am looking forward to completing it.

As the country is in lock down everybody is anxious and tense, which is completely understandable. I get it. However, coming back from a walk in the cool fresh air I feel relaxed and calm (with a lot of ideas running through my head)!

We go out for a walks around the village where we live. It’s great as we see new dogs that we have never seen before! Today we saw a basset hound which I think James likes. So I am slowly introducing the names of the different species of dogs to him.

Before the lockdown we loved going out for a walks. Our favourite walk is Blackness in West Lothian, was even in used in Outlander! When Sean and I were dating, many moons ago, I took him to Blackness for our second date. That’s when he fell in love with it (he hadn’t been there)! I mean who wouldn’t? It’s right beside the river forth so you can get the smell of the sea and is part of the Hopetoun estate where you can walk in the woods. So best of both worlds. Sean and I both simply get lost in the environment there. It’s beautiful. We can’t wait to take James there together.

Another place that we like walking around is Beecraigs Country Park outside Linlithgow. Not only does it have an amazing park. Also can’t wait to take James to it! The walks there are amazing with paths for the prams so that our little ones can gaze up at the trees. Sean and I went one day and nearly got lost! Even though we can’t go there just now, I would highly recommend it, especially in the summer!

James’ favourite walk is at Portobello beach, Edinburgh, or as I like to call it the dog capital. Did I say James loves dogs? The sea air and the many, many dogs makes this his favourite walk by far! The beach is amazing and we can’t wait to go there in the summer with his bucket and spade!

I hope everyone stays safe and are well. 💖