Exploring Our New Garden

Our new garden is very mature, and was beautifully kept by the previous owner (well her gardener anyway!). Having been very focussed on getting the house to a reasonable state, I haven't spent much time in the garden so far. Nick and the girls spend a good few hours each weekend out there. I had a good nose around on Sunday, in between torrential rain and thunderstorms and took the photos below. I don't think the garden has fully accepted that it's Autumn, and I discovered some beautiful organic patterns and colours as well as what I think are quince?!

The Pumpkin & Apple Gala

Last Saturday we visited the Pumpkin and Apple gala in the beautiful walled gardens of Luton Hoo, a posh hotel in Bedfordshire. Having visited last year, we knew it was fun for the children and that there would be a great selection of food and craft stalls. This time there were even more craft activities, and Scarlett thoroughly enjoyed herself! The highlight of the day was in one of the marquees. A friendly man teaching lino printing, with a little printing press on the back of his bike! He was from The Culture Cart, a creative collective who run art workshops and gallery spaces. It was an engaging and fun stall, Scarlett created the print below of a rabbit, of which she is extremely proud. Her favourite part was turning the handle on the press, and discovering the print after it rolled through. Do check out the culture cart website, I think the activity would be popular at a number of types of event, for kids and adults alike. The Culture Cart create prints especially for each event. Scarlett also enjoyed the ‘squash rolling’ contest (she won a pumpkin straw), and of course the rickety fake Disney train. My own highlight was the enormous cake stall! Isla just loved jumping in puddles and pointing at dogs. Look out for this event next year if you’re local, it’s a lovely way to support local makers and businesses. www.theculturecart.co.uk Twitter: @theculturecart