"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

This week has been the first chance we've had to venture outside of the car around the new area we've moved to. We've done a lot of driving in and out over the last few weeks but I really wanted to get a feel for the surrounding area.

A few days back I realised Opeie's library books were a few days overdue. As we are only about a mile away from the library me and Opeie packed a backpack, got the Microscooters out of the boot and went on a mission in search of new literature. It was a a lovely scoot down there and everyone was smiling at us scooting together which was really cute.

Yesterday we decided to go for a drive to Carding mill valley, our popular summer hang out. The sun was out but the wind was fierce and it was freezing and when we arrived and realised that between us we had failed to put a big coat in the car for Opeie we hopped back in the car to drive home. Despite the disappointment We were still in the rambling mood when we got home so after kitting Opeie out with the correct winter attire we walked away from the house with no plans on where we were going (just the sort of adventure I love).

It turns out that if you walk 5 minutes from our road in the direction we hadn't been before there are miles after miles of farm land and a 6 - 8 mile woodland walk, it really is quite beautiful and i love having that on our doorstep.

It was cold and wet but the country walk was keeping us in great spirits. It was like being in a completely different part of Shropshire. Originally I'm a Birmingham lad but this is my home and the place I've always felt most comfortable.

Opeie is a huge fan of that classic toy 'the stick' and no adventure goes by without a new stick joining him along the way (well how else is he going to fend off trolls and hold back brambles?).

There was no shortage of animals along the way and Mrs M and Opeie fell in love with an adorable donkey we passed called Penn. Despite the weather (my hands were freezing), it was the perfect afternoon stroll and it is great to be a little more familiar with the surrounding area.

"Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms."

Finally some proper sunshine. We had some pretty great weather last week and we've been doing the best to make the most of it. A few days back it was hot and bright and it had put me and Opeie in a great mood. I asked him what he wanted to do and he said "ballpit" not my first choice on that glorious day but he was adamant so that's where we headed. As we drove down the country drive to get to Apley farm shop I noticed all the animals were out so I asked Opeie if he'd like to feed the animals first (anything to keep us out in the sun a little longer).

We'd visited piggs play barn loads of times, it's the cleanest soft play that we've been to so it's the one I'd rather go to, we've never taken advantage of the animals there though until now. Opeie loved that we could go inside the rabbit, chicken and Guinea pig run to feed and pet the animals.

there were Donkeys, pigs, sheep, goat, chickens, horses a pony and what i thought was a Llama, until Mrs M laughed and pointed out that it was an Alpaca (same thing aren't they? haha) 

It was only a couple of pounds each to get in and was worth every penny. The animals looked happy, the staff all had smiles on there faces (that could have been the sun) and although there was the disappointment of our bag of food running out it was a lovely way to break up the morning before heading indoors to a sweaty soft play area.

"Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies."

Ive been up since 5:45 this morning with Opeie watching Fraggle Rock (Thank you guys). I still feel shattered after yesterday's fun packed day and poor Opeie didn't sleep very well because he was out of his routine. After Seth's Tae Kwon Do class (which i will be writing about very soon on a separate post) we took a drive to Lichfield to see our friends Chris and Michelle. The weather was lovely so we headed to...

I'm surprised we got this photo as even through he is a photographer Chris struggled with the ins and outs of a lens cap???  It was a great afternoon out and made a really nice change getting to see and feed the animals. Seth really enjoyed feeding the goats although got a little stressed at the one greedy one that was on a mission to empty out his bucket. I really enjoyed spending time with some adults as when your a stay at home dad some days the only people i seem to speak to are the boys especially during the summer holidays. The boys love them both too which is great and they think Seth and Opeie are great.

As i mentioned in previous posts I'm not much of an animal person i especially despise horses, don't know where it has stemmed from but its here and here to stay. I did have a great time though and the boys loved it, what i lack in enthusiasm for animals Michelle definitely makes up for 5 times over. She loves all animals and they all seemed to warm to her too, im shocked we managed to get her to leave she was in her element.

Mrs M was happy she got to see some sheep, its quite often i catch her at home flicking through her copy of Beautiful Sheep that i brought her a few Christmas's ago. Seth even got to ride on one which as you can see from the picture he was pretty chuffed about. He was almost as excited when he got to milk a wooden cow., cant beat a bit of faux farming.

Opeie wasn't a great fan of the noise though and got a little upset, it was fairly busy to so must have been a lot for him to take in. We were asked if we wanted to hold a chick, but after Opeie Hulk smashing my xbox last week i thought it best to avoid any nasty accidents. Seth on the other hand was more than happy to have a little chick sitting on his shoulder (i love Seth's expression...'I'm really comfortable, Honest').

After the farm we headed back to Chris and Michelle's and had some lovely food and as usual some great conversation. They even surprised the boys with some gifts which was really kind of them and i will be writing about them separately. I got to have a good rummage through Chris's toys which was one of the things i was looking forward to the most (have a read of his post "Life's like a movie, write your own ending...") and then we headed down the park.

This park was amazing and Seth was totally blown away by the fact that he finally got to have a go on a zip wire, he always talks about wanting to go on one and since doing so it's all he has talked about at home. Apparently we have to take him back within 20 days? i have no idea why 20 but he was very direct with his point. So it looks like i better do as I'm told or there might be trouble.

Even the grown ups got to play around and i was pleasantly surprised that Mrs M went on the zip wire too. I don't know who enjoyed it more her or Seth. It was a fantastic weekend, spent with 2 amazing people. Thank you so much guys and I'm sure we will be coming to see you again very very soon.