THE MAGIC OF JUST SO FESTIVAL 2014

The reality of home is sinking in as we look back at the magical weekend spent at Just So Festival, three days of pure wonderment are now over but the memories created are etched in our minds and will last a lifetime. F can't stop talking about the fun he had romping in the woods, watching beautiful and curious performances, digging for gold and darting through the mirror maze dressed as a fox. It's so hard to sum up the fantastic work that Rowan and Sarah have put into making this festival so amazing, and I can only hope these photos can offer you a tiny glimpse of how fab it actually was.

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BY THE CAMPFIRE LIGHT

This weekend passed quickly bathed in summer light, with grass between my toes and that smoky bonfire smell, clinging to my clothes and hair which only comes from cooking on an open fire. Not that I went camping much as a child, almost never in fact, but it seems that as an adult I have managed to conjure up a feeling of nostalgia and re-captured some lost secret youth by sleeping under the stars, and quite frankly I love it. We set off, car full to the brim with various camping equipment that we would probably not use and headed over the River Severn to the Forest of Dean, navigating windy roads and dirt tracks until we found our base for the next two days. Slow and steady we built the tent, which is always an accomplishment in itself and laid out blankets to rest upon as F ran round wildly, drunk with the evening light and the freedom from his bedtime routine.

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CAMPING WILD AND A TRIBAL TOURNAMENT

Hurray for Friday, the weekend is upon us, the solo parenting stint is over and I'm looking forward to a weekend of fun! To celebrate a dear friend's birthday we're heading across the Severn Bridge to the Forest of Dean for a few days of camping, wild walks, toasted marshmallows and food cooked over a fire pit. Not only is it a great excuse to spend some time relaxing and switch off, but a chance to get in some practice for the Just So Festival next month.

This year will be our first time camping at this spellbinding festival and after reading the lovely Heather's tribal reveal I decided to investigate further. It seems that the stakes are high for this years tribal tournament with families choosing between owls, foxes, frogs stags, lions or fish in the hopes of their tribe winning the trophy.

F immediately chose a side and seems to be quite fierce in his decision, so as the boys go red for fox  I'm left choosing between joining them or standing on my own as a stag or a lion. I can't wait to get making our tribal wear.

Which tribe would you stand with?

A WEEKEND WOODLAND TRAIL IN PICTURES

We decided to brave the weekend's forecast of rain and head out of the city to the Dean Heritage Centre, taking this small boy on a big adventure. As soon as F saw the huge wooden Gruffalo at the entrance he was super excited and we were lucky that the Room on the Broom trail had recently been installed for Easter featuring one of F's favourite dragons.

This is quite a long one so click to read more.

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.

A GOOD BOOK // Wild

You might remember this post from a while back talking about the benefits of kids getting outside and enjoying some wild time, exploring their surrounding and connecting with nature. Sounds great in theory, but for those times where heading out the door might be a bit tricky, never fear, this good book is just as fun to explore.

Wild grabs your attention with a curious and quirky close up of a wide eyed ferral child who, when left in the woods as a baby was taken in by nature and became truly wild. This brilliant debut picture book by Hawaiian author/illustrator Emily Hughes, is a nod to the iconic style of Sendak and Scarry, while applying her own quirky, fresh and unique style, creating a new classic for future generations. Each page is filled with stunning artwork, the detail creating atmosphere that draws you in to her world, where she is taught to speak by crows, to eat by bears and to play by foxes. Happy and content with her connection to nature she finds herself caught it a hunters trap, her green vine like hair tangled all around her.

As she is taken out of the woods, the illustrations take a darker turn, with chopped down trees and barren land, grey cityscapes and moody skies. Taken in by a famed psychiatrist, adults try to mould her to the norm, analysing her every move, teaching her to speak their words and attempt to undo the gifts that nature gave her. Unhappy and misunderstood, with only a Borzoi and ginger tabby who stay by her side, she heads back to nature. The parting words so beautiful.."Because you can't tame something so happily wild..." So if can't go outside for an adventure, then curl up at home and enjoy hers.

We received our copy of Wild from Imagination Adventures for review purposes. All words and thoughts are our own. 

ARE YOU WILD ENOUGH? // PROJECT WILD THING

Image via blinkbox 

Last week I was fortunate enough to be invited to an event hosted by Yeo Valley HQ, situated in the rolling hills of North Somerset. This was something I had been eagerly looking forward to all week, a screening of Project Wild Thing with Director's Q&A. Over the last month or so I had seen the trailer being shot around various social media sites and with The Guardian stating 'This film will change your life' and I was keen to see if this was true.

'Children in the UK spend less than 5% of their time outdoors - less than ever before.'

That line is hard to swallow, less than 5%. Project Wild Thing is a film led movement to get kids and adults back outside and reconnecting with nature – despite how that sounds, it's not a a hippy movement, but more a concerned look at what extensive screen time and indoor play is doing to our children and future generations. This brilliant and witty feature length documentary follows front man David Bond, as he appoints himself the Marketing Director of Nature, to try and prise his two children from their love of the screen and explore ways to reignite our passion for the great outdoors.

Welcomed by the wonderful hosts at Yeo Valley, I sat through the private screening with moments of laughter, inspiration, acknowledgement, wonderment, appreciation and pangs of guilt. As I watched the facts weigh in heavily at the detrimental effects extensive screen time and indoor play has on a child, I wonder how much damage I'd already done? Thankfully this film doesn't preach, but instead carves a place in your heart using a fantastic cast of children, each telling their own story, while David leads you by the hand through his crusade. There is nothing more effective to a mama than hearing it from the mouths of babes.

Project Wild Thing doesn't ask you to throw your ipad out the window and become a recluse in the woods, but rather invigorates you to make a pledge to #wildtime, swapping screen for green and step outside the box. The campaign cleverly uses current technology to help you plan your time spent outdoors through the use of their free downloadable app, with fun ideas ranging from Grass Blade Whistles – remember those? – to Dinosaur Beach Hunts. All you need to do is put in the amount of time you have to spend outside and the app will give you ideas in return. Simple as that.

Recently I wrote a post about enjoying our urban playground, with the idea that slowing down allows us to see more beauty in our everyday surroundings. Moving away from the idea that nature has to be woodlands, meadows and mountains, I will be posting some ideas around mindfulness and how changing our perception can change the way we engage with our surroundings on our doorstep.

Project Wild Thing is more than just a film, it is a growing movement led by organisations and individuals who care deeply about engaging with nature and the benefits your kids will get from playing outdoors. With organisations such as The National Trust, RSPB, Woodland Trusts, NHS, Play England and many more backing this campaign, Project Wild Thing is forging the way forward for happy, healthy kids in the 21st Century. So please help spread the word, share a story, pledge your support on the website and make this campaign be heard in every school yard, parents group, planning office, city hall, with friends and family. Head over to their website and pledge your support by clicking on the join button and register as a Wild Thing.