Always a Winner...

Andy was on solo parenting duties a few weekends ago while I spent the weekend working. On Sunday they decided to ride to the arboretum…for a play at the pod playground! With a bag of supplies, Katy on the tag along and Ella on her own bike they were off.

The route to the arboretum is nice - bike path for half of it, dirt trail for the next section with a little bit of road riding for the last uphill part. A quick photo stop on the edge of the Himalayan Forest before gritting teeth to ascend the final hill. Ella showed great determination to keep riding on her single speed bike up this section. I sure she was partly inspired by the pod playground getting closer and closer!

And so the girls spent a considerable amount of time enjoying the playground climbing through each pod then rapidly descending via the long curly slide. Andy meanwhile enjoyed the sunshine however soon the cafe called and the usual array of coffee, hot chocolate and food was ordered.

Post coffee break, Andy and the girls visited the National Bonsai collection housed in a special room off the side of the main. A very impressive collection of various varieties of miniature trees although the girls don't look too impressed in this photo! Then time for another quick play before tackling the ride home.

It was always going to be tough. The girls had worn themselves out playing and the ride back is mostly uphill. However a few nicely timed stops (one in the cork oaks) ensured everyone didn't get too frazzled. They made it home all in one piece and still talking to each other with the return trip taking almost double the time. The outing is an achievement in itself and shows how much our girls are growing up!