February 2020 Round Up
February has seen the worst weather the UK has had for a long time. We have had 2 named storms, Storm Ciara and Storm Dennis. This has seriously restricted our outdoor time, for safety reasons, not for refusal to go outside! Read our February 2020 round up, for what we got up to this month.
02/02/2020
Pen Y Fan is an iconic hill in the Brecon Beacons. This is a must do for any hikers list. We conquered it on a wet Sunday afternoon in quite windy conditions. The walk up wasn’t too bad, but we did experience some nasty winds at the summit. The fog cased us in most of the way up, but it did clear slightly at the top to tease us with a panorama of the fan dance. It was our first bigger walk for a while and the kids started off a bit uneasy. They soon got into the swing of things. We laughed and played all the way up and were back in the car with a tray of chips each in just 2 hours. High 5 to us for checking one off the list!
09/02/2020
Storm Ciara had us house bound. We had planned to meet some friends in the Lake District this weekend, but the weather reports made us change our minds. It was a good job too. I had gone to a hen party on Saturday night so was in no fit state to be travelling 3 hours in a car! Plus, Cumbria had been hit quite bad with the storms and flooding was an issue.
16/02/2020
Storm Dennis arrived this weekend. What is it about storms and weekends? Why can’t they travel in on a Monday? We ended up staying in again, but were slightly more productive today. Housework was completed and decorating started in the downstairs toilet after a few damp issues. Our adventures on a weekend may be fun, but they highlight the fact that it makes me ignore some of the things that need doing at home!
17/02/2020
Half Term has officially arrived. Monday morning brought brighter skies so I took the kids to Calke Abbey for a wander around. I like to utilise the Nationla Trust memberships when we need to get out, and when Dicky is at work. It’s not too much of a treat that he misses out, but the kids still have fun and get their much needed dose of fresh air. Calke Abbey felt very new and updated for a National Trust property. The grounds are very accommodating to children, with many play areas and things to explore. As it’s half term, there were activities for them to get involved in, and to tick items off their ’50 things to do before you are 11 and 3/4′ list.
18/02/2020
Dicky’s turn today to take the kids out, while I was at work. He chose Shugborough Hall as the NT property to explore and was pleasantly surprised with what they had to offer too. Lots of history to look around, and plenty of outdoor space to be roamed. He spent most of the day there with the children and enjoyed some one on one time with them without me. He brought home a book from the second hand bookshop, all about walks in the Peak District to give us some inspiration!
23/02/2020
Our last weekend in February took us to the Peak District and exploring Macclesfield forest and Shutlingsloe. The Matterhorn of Cheshire intrigued me and was also in the book that Dicky brought home last week! This is a great family friendly walk that I would recommend to all ages. Short and sweet, not too arduous, but also well signposted. If the weather turned nasty, you still wouldn’t get lost. Which is good news considering the weather we have had lately. We were treated to gorgeous blue skies so carried on our day to Tegg’s Nose Country Park. Not too far from Macclesfield forest, you get 360 views from the viewpoints and the pleasure of walking some more of the Peaks’ paths. A very enjoyable day in the February sunshine, heading home with red cheeks and cold noses.
How was your half term? Is there anywhere you would recommend to visit?
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