Exploring the Arboretum

Life is all about compromise and more so now with children. So I suggested that Andy could get his long run in by running to Harcourt Arboretum where we planned to spend a few hours exploring and picnicking. Andy investigated the distance and route (which was mainly along the Thames) and decided it would be a good idea.

Sunday dawned cloudy but dry and after skyping his parents Andy began his journey armed with the iphone (not only useful for communication but also handy to navigate with).  Ideally Andy would meet us at the arboretum just after 12pm. However we also established several other contingencies in case the run didn't go to plan for whatever reason. All would become clearer when he would ring me at 11am to let me know how things were going.

So the phone rang with Andy instructing me that he was going ok but due to a trail bike race, the original path to the arboretum was no longer a viable option. Instead I was to meet him at a little village, Clifton Hampden to the south of the arboretum at about 12.15pm. I organised the girls and food for our picnic before embarking on the 25min drive. Arriving at the said location, the girls tucked into some strawberries while waiting for Andy to appear. I was starting to get a little anxious as the minutes ticked by, but eventually Andy staggered up the the road. He'd been waylaid at a lock for 10 mins due to houseboats going through. However he admitted that the run was much further than he'd anticipated and this was confirmed by the gps trace - he'd covered 27km in 2h10mins!

Established in 1835 by Archbishop Vernon Harcourt as an 8 acre pinetum of parkland associated with Nuneham Estate, the arboretum today is owned by the University of Oxford and covers an area of 130acres boasting bluebell woods, wildflower meadows and a fantastic array of rhododendrons. The girls picked up their explorer backpacks from the information wagon and we were off.

A short walk trying to lose the very friendly peacocks through the spectacular rhododendrons all in full bloom before finding a log just right for a lunch spot. Tucked into our sandwiches before the girls investigated the contents of their backpacks. Ella pulled out some bug eye goggles so we spent some time all being silly with these!

Off we set to the oak forest with the girls every so often darting off the grassy tracks to explore the hidden paths through the rhododendrons emerging from these bushes with a loud boo! We collected interesting bits and pieces along the way and would occasionally stop to make a collage. Then around the bluebell wood, which sadly were all past their prime.

Along this section of the trail, we attempted to classify the different species of trees by using the leaf identifier we found in the backpacks. It was a fun task that kept the girls interested and entertained while walking. Another short snack/rest break to make more collages before continuing our hunt for the elusive alder tree.

Emerging from the forest we were greeted to the beautiful buttercup meadow. The knee high buttercups were just waiting to be run through and before we knew it the girls were off. Unfortunately we then saw the sign which read 'Please keep to the path.' so we called them out of the meadow which they weren't too pleased with. Overall it was an enjoyable few hours spent outside although Andy may have preferred to be lying on the couch, listening to the cricket and snoozing.....