A record of our family history
Shortly after we moved to Northampton from Kent in 2011, I made a big discovery on my paternal line. I found out that the Greaves family lived in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire between 1800’s and 1500’s. I was going through a phase of questioning where “home” was for me. It made me feel more settled in Northamptonshire, knowing that my family lived here hundreds of years before me.
Today I was in an exploring kind of mood, so we went to Badby Woods in Northamptonshire. We found the ruins of Dower House on the Fawsley Estate
Lyveden New Bield is and Elizabethan lodge in Northamptonshire dating back to 1605 but was never completed. It is surrounded by moats, grassy areas, and woodland.
I have wanted to take Sam out for his first solo outing since he turned one last month. Obviously he has been out with the family many times since his first outing a year ago when we took him at 6 week old to Whipsnade Zoo. Usually he sits in the pushchair and tags along, but now he has adjusted to his new shoes he is good to go.
Sam and I were invited to attend the official reopening of Delapré Abbey in Northampton this morning. It has had a restoration thanks to lottery funding of £3.65million, and is now open for visitors to enjoy.
For us 2018 started with a New Year’s walk at Fineshade Wood. We had a really relaxing Christmas at home (and we are planning the same this year too!) and we always enjoy our family New Year’s walk to blow away the cobwebs and get us back into a more active life.
Max has been feeling poorly for the last few days, and today has woken up his usual energetic self. The house has been turned upside down recently due to the fact I have been decorating 2 bedrooms, it was time to get out and run around.
Canons Ashby is our nearest National Trust property, and their Silver Bells trail sounded like some Christmas fun.
We went for a lovely, autumnal walk around Irchester Country Park. I think everybody else had the same idea as it was very busy here today. Northamptonshire has a great choice of country parks across the county, and Irchester is one of the kids’ favourites.
We came here earlier in the year and I was very pregnant and couldn’t waddle far, so I wanted to come back and have a proper look around. We asked the lady when we bought our tickets what the best thing would be to see, because recently we seem to have a habit of missing out on all the best things!
We went to Canons Ashby (National Trust), who have their “50 Things Thursday” throughout the summer, and this week was kite making.
My plan was to have a look around the gardens and picnic before they make their kites, otherwise I am left holding 3 kites while pushing the pushchair around!