For Fathers Day my main request to the family was that we did something together but outdoors for the 30 Day Challenge.
Alison suggested a barbecue at the Lime Pits nature area near Basingstoke. As soon as we arrived the kids were all over the playground equipment – I do include Alison in this 🙂
It was great to spend time together in a place that holds so much beauty if you look closely.
I found that this is a great place for Self heal and Thistles – Lovely purples.
We had a Red Kite hovering over us for a while, lots of bees in amongst the comfrey and crickets galore. I had to struggle through some nettles to get to my prize find of the day – Large Yellow Loosestrife – a beautiful flower.
Now the barbie could have been a bit of a nightmare. I had set it all up and lit it but it did not take. After a bit of a re-think plan B was to raid the first aid kit for a couple of dressings, found my lip balm (vaseline based) and added a few ash twigs.
A quick strike from the firesteel and up she went.
Then it was over to Alison for the cooking – I know barbies are supposed to be a male preserve but it was Fathers Day 🙂
There was plenty of time to run through the woods or roll down hills or in my case struggle through nettles to get the picture of the Loosestrife.
The food was cooked to perfection by Alison on the barbie and there was plenty of fruit afterwards to enjoy – I did manage a couple of beers along the way as well 🙂
Soon it was time to go home so out came the water bottles for a quick hose down to put out the barbie. The kids for some reason insisted on doing this themselves. I was left with the messy job of mixing it all together to make sure it was properly out.
As a final note I must say thank you to Catherine and Finlay for being such great kids today and to Alison for making Fathers Day such fun.
Cheers
George