For some reason I am most insistent that on New Year's Day, weather allowing, we go out for a walk as a family. I think it probably started because after a week or more eating and drinking too much I feel the need to do something that's actually good for my body, but now it has become a bit of a ritual. I posted in September about
loving where I live and I enjoy exploring and finding new local places to appreciate. While my husband is always up for our walk the kids moan about it a lot, which just makes me even more determined to get them out of the house and away from their beloved screens. They always end up enjoying it.
Past New Year's Day walks have included
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| 2010 - somewhere up above Llangynidr |
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| 2011 - a very cold Punchbowl near Blaenavon |
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| 2012 - by the river at Abergavenny |
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| 2012 - and around by Abergavenny Castle |
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This year we went to the
Silent Valley Nature Reserve above Ebbw Vale. I've never been there before but I wanted to go somewhere that didn't take too long to get to and didn't have a massive mountain because son number one is even more moany when he has to walk uphill. We were the only car in the carpark and we didn't see anyone else (which is probably a good thing because my two definitely made short work of the "silent" description!) It was muddy and the kids refused to wear their wellies so I took a little quiet pleasure in their complaints of wet feet.
Even in winter it was beautiful, with lots of sunlight and shadows, running streams and lovely views. I love the winter colours with brown bracken and fallen leaves contrasting beautifully with green lichen and grass. It is well worth visiting if you're in the area. Afterwards we went to the
Festival shopping site so the youngest could play in the big park there. It was a great few hours, not least because it's the first properly sunny day we've had in yonks, and it didn't cost anything! If there's one thing I love more than a good family outing it's a free family day out, especially after an expensive December.
What did you get up to on New Year's Day (if you weren't nursing a hangover, that is. Unfortunately those days are long gone for me!)
Did you get to see Golum ;) Lovely snaps, we enjoy New Years Day walks too.
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Love the look back at your New Year's Day walks. Every year a different weather, it can only be Britain! We like to do something similar, if it is nice enough my favourite is the beach and a surf! Thank you for sharing on Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Son number 1 was insistent he was the only child forced to go for a walk on New Year's Day. He didn't believe me when I told him families did it for *gasp* fun, but now I can show him we're not alone.
ReplyDeleteThat looks to be a great tradition. And what fabulous views/photos too.
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such lovely photos, we often go for a new years day walk too its so nice to get outdoors, this year however my youngest was sick on new years day so we spent the day snuggled in doors
ReplyDeleteThat's bad luck Sarah. There were a lot of yuck germs going around over Christmas, weren't there. I hope they're better now.
ReplyDeleteI love this tradition and think we will definitely start going for a walk EVERY New Year's Day. This year unfortunately we all had flu for the whole of Christmas and New Year so fingers crossed 2014 will start with a brisk walk :)
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