A WEEKEND OF WILD

At the moment our weeks are in short of supply of quality family time, what with me working Saturdays and Paul away most weeks. So those slow Sundays are the only time we can cram everything in, and cram we do. Recently due to all the rain, this day has been relegated to: chores, DIY, trips to town, and endless de-cluttering, and in doing this we've noticed an increase in F asking for TV time, and not his usual Abney and Teal teatime slot either, but an onslaught of DVD requests.

So this Sunday after debating his fifth demand of Ponyo or Ice Age 3, I watched him mope off – as much as a three year old can – and stare out the window, and then something clicked. The main difference to this new weekend routine has been the lack of #wildtime, just me, him and the boy hanging out, getting muddy and exploring the great outdoors. A quick glance outside confirmed the grey onset of drizzle, but who cares right? Nature can be fun whatever the weather, as a kid I wouldn't have blinked an eyelid at rain or moody skies, instead it would have made a varied backdrop for my adventures.

Kitting F out in scarf, hat and wellies and me in my lovely new Merrell Boots and Jack Wolfskin parker we headed off to the woods. Within minutes F had a huge smile on his face as he bounded along to the nature playground, where mud covered tree stumps proved to be the epitome of excitement. My new role morphed quickly into a mud monster called Bop who had to chase F to his faraway island, before switching over to a big bad wolf in his rendition of the three little pigs

We explored dens, rode broomsticks, squelched in muddy puddles, foraged for nature's treasures, banged drumsticks, clambered upon felled trees and pointed at the various dogs lolloping past. I was sure that I would quickly want to head home to shelter from the rain but my parker kept me cosy warm with its thermal inner jacket and waterproof skin, making me happy to stay out and play as well as looking cool – there's nothing better than the parker/bobble hat combo to channel that scandi mama style.

As we wandered deeper into the woods and off the trails I was glad that I had worn my Merrell Boots rather than my wellies, with their waterproof full grain leather and waterproof membrane they kept my feet dry and still looked as good as when I first put them on, plus the fleece lining makes them perfect for keeping feet cosy during wet walks and snowy adventures.



Exhausted, with a happy F in tow, we headed home for hot chocolates and jigsaw puzzles, another day under our belt. I'm now looking forward to starting Forest School with F and donning my new mama style, all I need now is a good flask for my coffee.

We were sent a pair of Merrell Boots and a Jack Wolfskin Parker for review purposes only. All words and opinions are honest and my own.