Monday 4 June 2012

Great Garden Moments

I love being outdoors, be it walks in the woodlands of afternoons in the garden the outdoors makes me smile. I have such fond memories of the fun we had in garden at our old house, it was rare you found us indoors, we were lucky enough to be surrounded by open spaces woodlands at the end of our garden that we cut into to make hidey holes and magical gardens with rope swings and secret dens.

My other half is the creative type, his imagination and flare for fun is as big as the childrens, and becoming a Dad gave him extra reasons to live out his adventures, and in doing so he turned the garden into a medieval adventure zone, with mud huts, armour stores even a castle, that he designed and built himself.


The garden gave us endless fun, we rigged up speakers under the castle and brought a medieval music CD which set the scene for mystical adventures every time you stepped into the garden.


Picnics and BBQ' were a must and many times our garden became the retreat that the local children would flock to, but of course a medieval garden isn't complete without a few select props.

The feature I always loved was the stocks, which my other half made himself, they were a great bench but a fun play area for the children  too.

Another favourite was the Colin, the Falcon. He is a garden Decoy, to scare away birds from newly laid seed lawns or fruit trees, but my other half cut away his rock and fixed him to a hand made bird stand.


The children spent hours in the armour shelter or running around in a true medieval world. Their Dad showed them how to make a shield out of a panel from an old washing machine, and they would often be found sat in the armour shelter with a hammer banging on old blocks of wood completely emerged in their imaginations.


We would do activities outside too, often found with pots of paint and paper, or simply sitting reading books or playing with toys or board games.


The garden really was the hub of our house and the centre of so many of my childrens memories, now however the children are abit older, we have moved house and our current garden is smaller, we still love being outdoors and spend lots of times wandering through the woodlands close by, but the garden is more sophisticated, more of an adult relaxing space, there is no castle, or armour shelters, no swings or climbing frames, now we have a little table and chairs and a BBQ, Colin came with us and sits in the corner over looking the more sophisticated area, the swords and shields also made their way to the new garden, but attach to the fence as a untouched reminder of the past fun.


Now beautiful flowers grow without fear of being trampled by young children, and we sit and enjoy the peace whilst chomping on Burgers from the barbecue, that's the bitter sweet nature of childhood, it doesn't last forever, children grow quickly their fun and games change, now a basket ball hoop entertains them, the patio area is a useful skate park for practising their latest skateboard tricks and the wonder of fairies and playing castles is just a fond memory.


 Now we are making new memories, in a new garden, and although it is different from the past it has potential to be just as amazing. That is why I am entering the Furniture Village Great Garden Moments Competition, which is giving us a chance to win the amazing Cheltenham garden table and chairs set which I think would make a fantastic addition to our garden.

29 comments:

  1. That's a pretty neat garden, Imogen is very jealous. I was going to do a post on my veggies but to be honest you've put them to shame :(

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    1. oh please do a post on Veggies... I have tried so many times to grow a decent amount of veggies and never managed too!

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    2. I'm tempted! We'll see x

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  2. wow Sarah, what a beautiful garden. Such alot of time has been spent designing that - a childrens real adventure playground.

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  3. Awww, I'm really sad that it's your OLD garden :( I would want to live there forever! That skeleton....

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    1. It makes me sad too, I would of gladly lived there forever but unfortunately things don't always work out the way you want do they? :(

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  4. I love the old garden (you are probably fed up with people saying that now), what a lot of time had gone into making your 'village' - very inspirational!!! One day I hope that we have time to build the kids a tree house in the field next to the garden, for now we have a large tent, paddling pool and too many mole hills for the kids to enjoy!

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    1. mole hills are great fun, infact any outdoor space can be full of fun xx :)

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  5. Blimey - your garden was definitely something to behold! Where did you get the skeleton?! x

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    1. The skelton was from Wilkos around halloween, the flags were from Ebay and the other bits and bobs like the shield on the castle, and the brass and plant pots were things we just had in the shed. We still have skelly but hes abit tatty now!

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  6. Memories are Great They Last Foever ... That Garden Was Full Of Special Secret Places Once I Visited It Too ... These And All Memories You Now Share Sarah With Your Fantastic Blog ... These Blogs Will Become Special Memories Too ... Wish You Look You Deserve to own A Beautiful Table & Chairs It couldn't Come To A Better home Good Luck ;)x

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    1. Thanks Mum, that is why I love my blog because it will forever hold the memories :) xx

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  7. Oh my word, that garden must have been every kid's dream! I would have loved a garden like that as a child. I must confess I first looked at the photos and then read and I was convinced by just looking at the photos that you had spent the day visiting a medieval castle. I wish I had a smidgen of your husband's creativity!

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    1. Thank you, my other half never keeps still is always onto another project, he also made a army underground bunker in the side field and a army tree house.. will have to do another post about that... :) x

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    2. Yes, you definitely should. If he ever gets bored, send him round here!

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  8. Wow, your old garden was amazing! Your other half is clearly very creative, I especially love the skeleton.
    I'm sure you'll have just as much fun in your new garden though!
    Frankie x
    (The Roost)

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    1. Thanks Frankie, seems like the skeleton is very popular :D xx

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  9. oh wow sarah lovely !

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  10. Fabulous post Sarah...congratulations!!!!

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    1. Thank you Wendy I am so happy to have been picked as the winner there were lots of simply amazing posts x

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  11. Great entry, congratulations! :) x

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  12. Wow! Congratulations! You are indeed a worthy winner. And your husband did a good job too :-)

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    1. Thank you Lesley :) My hubby is really glad everyone likes the garden x

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  13. A well deserved WIN............ Once again the love you both have for your children shines through into this horrible weather we are having.

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    1. Thank you for the lovely coment Patrick hope you and Smithy are well xx

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  14. Amazing entry and a well deserved winner lovely lady. Your garden is fabulous I do have to say! I bet the kids have the most unbelievable time. Enjoy your prize and well done!!!
    xxx

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  15. Huge congrats! Yours is a lovely post and I hope the weather picks up so you can enjoy the fab prize. x

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