Didsbury family photo session
When Amy phoned me to say that she wanted to do a family photo session before their round the world adventure, but there was only one date that she could do, I wasn’t sure it was going to happen. I’m glad it did though and we managed to squeeze in a morning photo session at Amy’s home before they had to pack up their belongings to head off travelling.
Not just a photo session to capture the family together before travels began, it was also the littlest lady’s first birthday. Amy’s sister and nephew had already travelled up from London, with Grandparents arriving not long after me armed with a bagful of pastries from the very tasty la Choquette. I just about managed to resist the urge to snaffle the entire contents of the bag.
I love how uninhibited children are and after some initial curiosity over what I was doing, they all carried on playing and seemed to forget I was there. The bubble machine came out, there was whizzing down the slide and a lot of fun running about. The girls ‘big brother’ the bulldog even seemed happy to get in on a few family snaps and struck up quite a charming and regal pose, as you can see from the photos.
It was a great way to capture memories of time together before a big life change.
If you’d like me to capture your family memories, get in touch for a copy of my family brochure.
Outdoor adventures with children
You might have heard me say this before, but… one of my favourite things is spending time outdoors, in nature. Just a little bit of time in a green space keeps my mood positive and gives me a boost when I need it. Not quite at the level of tree hugging yet, though a good friend of mine did try it and said it was surprisingly comforting.
It’s great to see how much my little girl also enjoys being outside - exploring, climbing and generally tiring herself out (another big plus).
As she gets older, we’re able to cover greater distances and I’m often on the look out for new places to visit. Here’s a little selection of those I’ve found so far which are worth a visit:
In and around Manchester
Walkden Gardens, Sale
I only recently found out about this little gem. Complete with a Japanese style garden, tree lined walkway, wooden carvings and plenty of hideaways. Well worth a trip.
Lyme Park, National Trust
One of my favourite places to visit, with great circular walks, highland cows to spot, dens to hide in and a fantastic children’s playground complete with giant slide and tunnels. The very strategically positioned cafe at the entrance to the car park is also useful bribery for covering the final steps.
Fairy Trail, Carrwood
You could while away a few hours here looking at all the little fairy homes, with plenty of charming details for small hands to enjoy. I think the hedgehog sylvanian family were my favourite addition the last time I visited with my daughter. It’s a little while since we visited so hopefully everything is still there.
The Carrs park, Wilmslow
Oodles of park land, sandy river banks to paddle and dabble your toes in, hills to roll down, a park to play in and plenty of local shops a stones throw away to stock up on picnic supplies (there’s a food theme here)
Healey Dell, near Rochdale
With both a waterfall to see and a tea room in what used to be an old station. Not sure which bit is my favourite.
Clifton country park
Loop round the lake and spot the wooden sculptures as you go. Keep your eyes peeled for the gruffalo with purple prickles all over his back!
Reddish vale country park
Bug hotel, woodland to wander in, butterfly garden a stream to dip your fishing net into and a great place for cycling/scooting.
Stockport air raid shelters
I had no clue these were even here until recently. A trip full of history.
Macclesfield Forest
A sea of forest to explore, you could lose yourself for a while here making dens, having a picnic or hot chocolate pit stop. There are also good circular walks out to Shutlingsloe and up to the Macclesfield Matterhorn, depending on how far you want to roam.
Nationwide
Walking with Kids | Facebook
- A community sharing details of good, little leg friendly, routes across the UK.
What's on in school holidays
Nearly a week in and a mere 5 to go! I’ve been keeping a watchful eye on anything summer holiday related that’s passed my way. Asides from the eye watering prices of holidays abroad, here’s a good mix of ideas for events in Manchester that are either free or won’t leave you stunned by the price.
Enjoy!
Outdoor fun & adventure
Indoor and outdoor fun, craft, sandpits
Free
Runs until 31st August, from 11 to 3pm
Summer socials! Outdoor fun with stories, crafts and adventure
£9.50
5th, 8th & 22nd August
Midweek magic at Dunham Massey
A mixture of outdoor fun, story telling, fairy trails and an invitation to fancy dress Friday (you don’t need to ask me twice).
Free if you’re a member
Runs until 2nd September.
The great garden adventure, RHS Bridgewater
Lots of adventure and exploring in the gardens, including storytelling, welly walks and visits from birds of prey!
Free if you’re a member
Runs until 4th September
Temporary National Trust urban garden, at castle field viaduct.
Free
Keeping active
Free swimming sessions for children
At a number of leisure centres across Manchester
Simply cycling, Longford Park Track
Try out every shape, size and style of cycle you can think of!
£3 per person
Mondays & Fridays 9 to 12, Sundays - 1 to 4
Wythenshawe Games Mini Festival, Wythenshawe Park
A weekend of games fun, including climbing, archery, British cycling and many more! Also activities for under 5s
Free
12th to 14th August
Wonderful world of stories
Summer reading challenge at Manchester libraries
Runs until 17th September
Interactive, fairy tale town with caves, shops, a market place, the 3 bears and dressing up a plenty!
£8 per child
Runs until Feb 2023
Curious minds
Musical Science at Chorlton Library
Free
15th August
Science museum
Free
Open daily
Described as the “national museum of democracy that takes you through the past, present & future of ideas worth fighting for”
Free
Open daily through school holidays
Keep your eyes peeled…
Keep a watchful eye on their instagram page for news of upcoming summer holiday events
And last but not least… these 2 dedicated websites, bursting with ideas of things to do across Manchester:
Conker crew and Our Kids Social outdoor fun!
Perhaps something to do with being a child of the 80’s, and spending a lot of time outdoors, but I am always drawn to nature and green spaces. I think one of the earliest photos of me is in a massive pram, tucked up tightly in blankets, out in the back garden. I used to spend hours with my sisters out in the garden, making mud pies, playing with toys, shuffling about in our ‘Wendy house’ handmade by our dad, or out in ‘the road’ (not the actual road, worry not, but the turning circle in front of our house) with our neighbours and friends, playing blocky, ‘tennis’ and tag, or riding our bikes along the pavements. I don’t think my dad was too impressed the time I came home having unearthed some actual dog poo with the remnants on my hands, but still…
Lots of happy memories of childhood that centred around the outdoors and that’s something that’s continued into my ‘adult’ life and is of big importance to me in my own little girls upbringing. So discovering conker crew was like being served a tasty dish of homemade, 80’s flavoured, fresh air, mud sprinkled (but without the dog poo) fun! With the heartiest, joy sprinkling, Geordie - Chantel, whose ease, warmth and friendliness has some kind of pied piper effect on children (without the grizzly end).
Real outdoor fun at its best, with something for all the gang - crafting, mud kitchens, sand pits, painting, willow crown making, snack sharing, music making - my little girl still sings the opening ‘camp’ song - “shout, shout, let it all out, here’s some hello’s we can’t (though she sang it as ‘CAN’ for quite some time) do without…”
So it felt like becoming one of THE crew when Chantel asked if I’d like to join her at an our kids social event in Manchester to photograph conker crew ‘on the road’. A whirlwind of colour, craft, pine cones, glitter, pom poms, music, flowers, laughter and nature! Most recently I joined the crew at the jubilee themed our kids social and got to bring my little girl and other half with me for the ride. Here are a few of the images from the day. I highly recommend giving both conker crew and our kids social a try if you haven’t already, you’ll be very glad that you did!
