Back to Shugborough

Hi there everyone 😀 

It seems to have become a bit of an annual tradition for us to spend a summer’s day at Shugborough Hall with Mum and Bobby and Jackie, Phil, Erin and now her little brother Harry.

This year was a little different, as it was just Mum, Bobby, Martin and I for the morning as the others couldn’t meet us until lunchtime, but we still had another really lovely day.

We started our visit with a wander around the walled garden. It wasn’t quite as colourful as on previous visits and was definitely showing the effects of the recent heatwaves, but we still enjoyed exploring. As usual Bobby managed to find a few tasty treats to nibble on. 

And … is it just me … or does this plant look like it is ‘giving us the finger’ 😂

We didn’t come across any Summer of Play activities in the garden this time, though it was exciting to read about the plans for the development of a new garden and a new play area due to open next year. 

From there we strolled up to the farmyard before finding a shady spot for our picnic …

After lunch we had time for a quick look inside the mansion house, where there was plenty for young explorers to look out for …

After a spot of archery we had a break in the shade whilst we waited for Jackie, Phil, Erin and baby Harry to arrive …

It had been a whole year since Bobby and Erin had last seen each other, but they were soon chatting and playing as though no time had passed at all. Despite the blazing sunshine and lack of shade in the main play area, the two of them dived straight in …

There was treasure to be found … 

Music to be made … 

And pirate ships to be sailed … 

Eventually the heat got the better of us, so we dropped anchor and headed for dry land where we stopped for ice creams and a welcome cool-down in the stables, where we discovered the soft play. That kept the little ones happy while the rest of us enjoyed a much-needed break from the sun …

Before long we decided it was time to head home for more fun in our own garden … but not before trying to recreate the iconic photo of Bobby and Erin on the step. I’m not sure they’ll both squeeze on there for many more years …

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Back at home the water play began. The Aldi splash pad couldn’t quite keep up with all the bouncing …

… but sliding was pretty fun too …

In the end we reverted to the trusty old sprinkler … which never lets us down …

It was gone six o’clock before we thought we’d better get Bobby back home. He and Erin said their goodbyes for another year, before we rounded off the day with a trip to McDonald’s to meet David and Alison for tea.

By the time we got back we were absolutely shattered 😴

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