A Wet family #WalkWithWynsors

When I opened up my emails a few weeks ago on a lovely sunny Autumn day, the thought of a family walk with other bloggers here in Yorkshire seemed like a wonderful idea. Family days out have been few and far between recently with one thing and another, and so I RSVP’d with a resounding “Yes Please”! It never crossed my mind that it might be freezing and wet when the day arrived, which it was…complete with snow on the hills, and for a brief moment I thought we were nuts!

Wynsors world of shoes are on a mission to encourage families to spend more time outdoors together which I absolutely love and support. I would usually need no encouragement for such adventures with the fam (hence my initial enthusiasm), and since being back at school I embrace any opportunity to get out together and see Yorkshire…but then Saturday rocked up with its slushy rain, and despite its initial sunny morning it was very cold and wet!

Thankfully though, Wynsors were kind enough to have sent the kids some new wellies which had previously been lined up at the door by 2 eager kiddies in anticipation for some family fun. They had picked them out themselves online and were excited when they were delivered, and they kept them by the front door til the day arrived to test them out! It was a symbol that nothing I could have said would have swayed them…in fact the prospect of rain just added to the fun as an opportunity for Megs to test her Paw patrol wellies and E his more “grown up taller pair” in all of those puddles!

I have said so many times how much I love living here in Yorkshire and find that things like this are a great opportunity for us to see and discover new places for family day’s out. Our walk took place along the Leeds to Liverpool canal in Bingley, where led by a “Bingley Walkers Welcome” guide we took a gentle stroll learning about nature and history along the way. He was so good with the kids and a fountain of knowledge for kids and adults alike. It reminded me of childhood hikes with my dad where we would stop along the way for a little nugget of information.
The canal and river trust had also provided the kids with the cutest little bag of oats ( “quack snacks”) which again added to the fun of the event and my kids were instantly hooked…They literally legged it across the bridge to find some ducks to share the snacks with (Sampling some of them themselves in between) and enjoyed singing, strolling and exploring for the remainder of our adventure.

Megan especially found the locks a point of interest and both of them enjoyed peeking through the guides binoculars at a herring and other wildlife. There was a lot of fun had splashing in muddy puddles and generally exploring the local area and locks, and a wet fussy baby Alice put my breastfeeding skills to the test as I fed on the go!

It was a fab day and some lovely time spent together which ended with a gorgeous lunch at The Potting Shed! It was a great reminder that when kids have the correct clothing and footwear, they will have a whale of a time whatever the weather. We are all looking forward to more canal walks and bike rides in the Spring, as the paths are great and you can make them as along or as short as needs require, not to mention there are so many things to talk about together along the way.

*Thank you so much to Wynsors for organising this and sending our kids free wellies and waterproof Jackets. Thanks to the canal and river trust for the goody bags and Bingley walkers welcome for your time in showing us the route. We received these things complementary in return for an honest write up…all words and pictures are my own and the kids LOVE their wellies!