Two Miles From Gloucester Cathedral to Robinswood Hill

Today we took part in an two mile walk organised by the Diocese of Gloucester and the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. The purpose of the walk was to raise awareness of climate change ahead of the climate change talks taking place in Paris next month. On the way we stopped in Gloucester Park, St. James’ Park, and Finlay School, where there were biscuits, and craft activities involving fir cones and coloured ribbons. When we reached Robinswood Hill, a pear tree was planted.

The walk took a couple of hours, and although it was sunny, there was a cold wind, so we decided against walking to the top but went to the café at the bottom of the hill instead.

Here are some photos taken by my son and me.

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucester park

Gloucester Cathedral seen from Robinswood Hill

 

 

Seven Things I Did with the Boys This Half Term Holiday

Day 2 of NaBloPoMo – 30 blog posts in 30 days.

I had to work a couple of days this holiday, but I did take some annual leave too and I managed to do quite a lot of stuff with the kids. Here are some of the things we did and the places we went.

1. We went to the cinema to see The Martian. I really enjoyed it, and it’s great that my boys are getting a bit older (they are 12 and 8) so I can go and see more grown-up films. We went to see it at the Sherborne Cinema, which if you are local to Gloucester, you really should visit if you haven’t already. It’s a lovely little retro cinema created  in an old church hall, by Mark Cunningham who does everything himself from selling the tickets to making teas and coffees as well as showing the films.
2. I took the boys swimming at GL1 (the local leisure centre). I love swimming and so do my boys but for some reason we rarely go. Ben has been having swimming lessons with school this term and it was lovely to see how his swimming has improved and his confidence has increased. Again, it’s nice that they are a bit older now so I don’t have to constantly watch them or hold on to them and I can go and have a little swim myself.
3. Chedworth Roman Villa. We are members of the National Trust and this is one of our nearest NT places so we’ve been a few times. They had various half term activities going on for kids including badge making. The nearby woods are a great place for a walk to see the autumn colours.
4. Robinswood Hill. This is another family favourite. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust were organising Halloween activities so we paid a visit and Ben made a bird feeder out of half an apple, some peanut butter and some bird seed. We hung it in the garden when we got home but the only flying visitor I have seen on it so far was a fly.
5. I took Toby to see a performance of Macbeth by local amateur theatre group Tyger Productions. it was staged at the stunning Blackfriars Priory and the action took place both inside and outside. It was a superb venue for the play – very atmospheric – and the acting was excellent. Just the thing for Halloween. It brought back memories of my O’ Level English Literature.
6. On Saturday I took the boys trick-or-treating and as every year I was struck by the generous spirit of the local people. The boys came home laden with sweets, and as we went out early, there was still plenty of time to hand out treats to all the little witches and ghosts who came to our door. Answering the door and handing out sweets proved just as exciting as receiving them.
7. We went over to visit my mum in Stroud, and the boys helped her out in the garden.

Back to work again now, and back to school for the boys.