Thursday 22 October 2009

Pumpkins & parties...



My goodness it's been a bit grey round here the past week or so. No tantalising glimpses of sunshine and to make matters worse my youngest daughter, Little Sister, has gone off for a week on a school trip and we all miss her so.... I have visions of her gripping on to cliff faces, rope in hand and sheer terror on her face, the reality is, I hope, that she has spent the past week up all night giggling with her friends. Can't wailt till Friday to collect her. Poor thing, I sent her off looking like the Michelin Man buried under a mountain of waterproof clothing and fleecy hoodies! (she won't thank me I know).



Just over a week ago there was lots of sunshine. We took Big Sister and a group of teenage girls camping for her birthday (thanks to all of you for your lovely birthday wishes, she had a very, very special day). Back to the camping - We returned to our favourite campsite and had booked two yurts on different fields, allowing the girls some independance and us some space from the noise (in the event they were really good and quiet, or so I'm told).
The girls' yurt was beside a babbling brook,



complete with swinging hammock,



beautifully made double bed,
Welsh dresser and cooker.



Ours was the yurt we'd camped in before in the beautiful tree lined spot that looked even more glorious in the golden Autumnal sunshine.



So we spent the weekend climbing giant haystacks (there was a wrestler called that, wasn't there?),



eating, swinging from trees, trampling through the golden, crispy leaves, eating, breathing out, long, deep breaths, playing table tennis, eating, laughing, eating, enjoying each other's company and eating!



I know you may have seen many of these views before,



but the sunlight and the dappled October shade, together with the most beautiful coloured trees just begged me to take some more photos!



We really didn't know where to look first.



Hot air balloons flying above us and landing in the next field... Pumpkins dotted around the campsite...



beautiful sunflowers still in bloom.



Tunnels full of the most exquisite gourds,



squashes and pumpkins,



Strange, exotic shapes,



beautiful mouthwatering colours.



Just look at those blue crates and orange pumpkins together!



We bought a variety to bring home



and once we had recovered from a weekend of binge eating we enjoyed the delicious and varying tastes of them.



It took a week to rid the clothes of the smell of woodsmoke... and now a week later I somehow miss it. Especially when I look out of the window and see the distinct lack of colour all around.
However, there are good things to look forward to - my little rose will be home tomorrow, my two roses will then be on half term (hurrah!) and in our Emporium there are exciting things afoot... and we're not just talking gorgeous vintagey Christmassy festive goodness!

17 comments:

blackbird said...

I think that's my kind of camping. I'm glad that you had a great time- it's wonderful to return to places that you love.

And as hard as it is to have young ones out of sight- it's great to be able to welcome them home and hear of new adventures.

Gemma Mortlock said...

the campsite looks exactly like one ive been to which is actually a farm. and it has two yurts one large one and one that is two joined together.
It does look fabulous though, you were very lucky to have such glorious weather.
Happy Birthday to big sister
and happy holiday to little sister.
xxx

Simone said...

Wonderful photos of happy memories. I hope little sister enjoyed her week away. Did any one win the custard cream counting competition by the way or are you still eating them!!!x

{Love, Love, Love} said...

Wow....lovely piccies Kim! x

Thimbleanna said...

Oh, what could be more perfect than being in the woods in England??? Did a knight in shining armour come riding by??? It looks like you've had a gorgeous fall!

dottycookie said...

Every time you post about your yurt camping I want to book up and go there straightaway!

Hang in there till tomorrow, your little one will be back very soon. My little one goes on her first overnight trip this year - how can she possibly be old enough to do that yet?! Oh wait, she'll be fine, I'm the one who'll suffer!

Unknown said...

I have no idea what a gurt is... But, I want to stay in one that's for sure. What a purely delightful trip it look like you had. So much to see and do. Show us more. It sort of reminds me of up in Door County here. All those wonderful colors and farm fresh de-lish treats.

Thanks so much for sharing this journey with us.

Lisa said...

Of course you couldn't resist taking more photos, all those beautiful places just crying out to be snapped and then drooled over when re-living good memories!
Enjoy the weekend and half term with your girls.
Lisa x

Rowan said...

As always your camping trip sounds idyllic, a belated Happy Birthday to Cassandra and I'm glad she had such a wonderful time. I love the photos os the pumkins and gourds, I've noticed them when I've been in Sussex in the autumn but up here we don't seem to see them in the fields. Maybe too cool and wet up here for them. Hope Little Sister has had a wonderful, adventurous time on her school trip.

A Thrifty Mrs said...

That looks like a great way to camp!
Lovely photographs, it all feels so autumnal over here.

French Knots said...

Sounds like a perfect weekend, glad to hear there was plenty of eating - when camping you need to keep eating so you stay warm!
Wonderful photos!

Tracy said...

Such dreamy days, Kim... what fun! Thanks, as always, for taking us along. Looks like your autumn has been a treat so far. Just LOVE pumpkins... what a great time of year this is! Enjoy... Happy Days ((HUGS))

Heidi said...

Hi Kim! It has been too long since I popped in to say hello. Your outing for the pumpkins looks fun. Autumn is just such a beautiful season. I am enjoying the colors and cooler weather. I even enjoy a rainy day. Great to stay indoors and just be creative.

Hugs ~
Heidi

A time to dance said...

what lovely pictures, I always try and try my gourds...and usually I manage half...some always go rotten...but they are so magical and when they are all together are feat for the eyes...we are enjoying our camping experience although trudging across a field in the dark with a torch in the middle of the night isnt one of my favourite things...especially on a cold cliff top with the wind blowing up your nightie....thought of you when we drove past bath...love H

MelMel said...

Such a fab break....X

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

A yurt with a Welsh dresser ! That is a definite must-see . It all sounds gorgeos and a birthday treat to remember .
Meanwhile your youngest will have had a marvellous time . I remember mine coming home from camp , grubby and exhausted and ready to go straight back !

periwinkle said...

gorgeous pics and such a lovely place to go , love those pumpkins :-)