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May 28, 2020

Tongwell Lake

We took a long walk to Tongwell Lake yesterday. I forfeit my morning cold tea and sit down for an early adventure before the sun got too hot. I walked through Newport Pagnell to get there and down the lane past some Horses and over the Motorway bridge. There’s quite a few access points to this lake. I’ll try list some at the end. Tongwell lake is a great place to spot and learn about nature particularly this time of year (May) when lots of the birds have young. I love teachin

The Outdoors Mum

May 27, 2020

Stonepit Field Great Linford

This is one of our favourite places to visit, in fact I’ve had a photo shoot for my Dog and my daughter here! It’s a haven for wildlife and wild flowers. It’s be a beautiful field which is next to the Canal in Great Linford. There’s a few walks you can do from here, one is Linford Manor which Is behind this field along the Canal and the other is Stanton Low Country Park which is over the road in Oakridge. Stonepit has two large ponds, huge rocks and gorgeous trees. You’ll fin

The Outdoors Mum

May 24, 2020

Walking with kids!

I spoke recently about how I felt a little anxious about leaving the house with both girls alone since being in lock down. Feeling this way, for me, is unusual because prior to lock down I was already exploring with them alone and even when Marlie was a little newborn, I was out and about. Due to lock down I’ve got into a habit of only leaving the house when my partner was around and it stuck when he returned to work last week. Since sharing how I felt and how I geared myself

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 21, 2020

Dragon Park Great Linford

We visited this park a few days ago in Great Linford. Daisy’s a fan of a trampoline at the moment and this had one – bonus! Someone asked me if there were any parks without swings before, well this does have child and toddler swings but they’re at the top of the hill, so easily forgotten when you’re on the climbing frame or slide as they’re out of sight. As well as a trampoline and swings they also have a climbing frame, basketball court, rope climbing frame, two cool slides,

The Outdoors Mum

Jan 14, 2020

Who is The Outdoors Mum?

I feel like a little introduction is needed as to who I am and why I have a blog called The Outdoors Mum. Lots of you have been around from the beginning and watched my blog grow and progress but some of you are new and need the low down. I’m Jenny, a pregnant mother of one who lives in Milton Keynes. I started my Instagram in January 2019 when Daisy my daughter was around 1.5 years old. I started by sharing our outside adventures in the hope to inspire others to venture outs

I accepted the Drugs and admitted defeat.

The Outdoors Mum

Dec 10, 2019

I accepted the Drugs and admitted defeat.

Today I feel like my body has failed me. And I say today because I’m hoping I won’t feel the same tomorrow. For the last 5 weeks I’ve had Gestational Diabetes and I’ve been dieting, reducing carbs, not having cakes, sweets, chocolate. I’ve been testing my blood sugar levels by pricking my finger 4 times a day. That’s a total of 140 times and submitting all readings to the Hospital via an app. I’ve been out for lunch and ate salad, refused take aways, I’ve been to Christmas Fa

The Outdoors Mum

Nov 26, 2019

How I realised who I was again.

Who am I is actually a real question I asked myself after I had Daisy. Having a child can bring back so many feelings and thoughts that you thought you’d chucked away and thrown away the key to. She’s made me revaluate my entire life. Because of her, I know who I am now and I know what I want. It was a real journey and one that took place mostly in my mind. Becoming a mother stripped some of my identity but gave me so much more in return. I have been blessed with the best gif

The Outdoors Mum

Nov 24, 2019

Newton Longville Park

We visited a great enclosed park yesterday. It was very wet and muddy but we had fun none the less. We already can’t wait to go back when the weather is dry and we can safely try out all of the equipment. There was a great mix of equipment for toddlers and older children. There wasn’t much for the very young toddler though but with help and assistance little ones who are pre-waking could still have a great time. To access use postcode MK17 0AT. #miltonkeynesparksandlakes #mkk

The Outdoors Mum

Nov 21, 2019

Castlethorpe Village

I spent most of my life living with my parents in Castlethorpe. I lived there until the age of 22 when I moved to Newport Pagnell with my boyfriend. I loved growing up in Castlethorpe and feel very blessed to have done so. I remember climbing trees and playing in fields and making dens under farmers neglected trailers. I also remember seeing Sheep and Cows where ever I looked and seeing if I was brave enough to go in the field with them, I’m still not brave enough for the Cow

The Outdoors Mum

Apr 15, 2019

Gulliver’s Land under 90cm

Hands up if you’ve always wanted to go to Gulliver’s Land but thought it would be too grown up for your young toddler? That was me! I often wondered what Gulliver’s Land was like and when Daisy would be old enough to go. And now I know, I’m going to tell you all! Daisy’s almost two years old and under 90cm. This is relevant because that’s below the height to go on most rides BUT we still managed to have an absolute blast and go on 8 rides and we missed a few! Once we got insi

The Outdoors Mum

Apr 10, 2019

Milton Keynes Play Association (MKPA)

Today we went to our first event hosted by the Milton Keynes Play Association. The MKPA are a charity who have over 40 years experience in supporting child centered play. They host free events across Milton Keynes to give children the opportunity to play. It’s an amazing idea to encourage children to play outside and creates a great environment for children to make friends with others too. The free sessions are aimed at children over 4 but with Daisy approaching 2 and being v

The Outdoors Mum

Mar 9, 2019

Wavendon Tower Park

Daisy & I visited this park in Wavendon and we loved it. It was super clean and tidy and great for toddlers and older children. The tower was easy to navigate for toddlers who love to climb and then the floors above would be brilliant for over 5s. Daisy particularly loved the slide and it was wide enough for me and her to go down together, so of course we did that a 100 times! Was great fun. She also loved picking up the little stones, she’s over eating everything thank god b

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 24, 2019

Stowe National Trust

Today we visited Stowe National Trust in Buckingham. The grounds are lovely and we had such a nice time walking and exploring. Daisy loved seeing the ducks and geese, jumping in puddles and collecting pebbles. There are lots of forest areas with crunchy leaves to jump in and lots of water to see the ducks. We didn’t have the best duck feeding session because they didn’t seem hungry! Maybe because I packed healthy snacks like sweet corn and peas! Anyway, it was lovely none the

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 24, 2019

Pirate Ship Park

What a great park we visited in Loughton Milton Keynes. Daisy loved playing in the sand and climbing over the rocks that outlined it, she loved picking up sand and putting it in the bucket attached to the pirate ship. She enjoyed the pirate roundabout and running in and out of the ship. We probably spent a good 2 hours there. I would say this park is suitable for crawlers right up until you’re about 10! There aren’t any baby swing, hurray, because I find it so boring pushing

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 24, 2019

Bancroft Twisted Adventure Park

We visited the brand new park in Bancroft this morning and it was fabulous. So lovely to see so many children enjoying it too. Well done to Stantonbury Council. There is a toddler friendly section with artificial grass which I thought was rather posh. The perfect little slide and wooden climbing frame. Baby swings and wooden rocking ‘things’ what are they even called! Daisy loved running around and then she spotted the huge climbing frame and she ran so fast she rolled down t

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 20, 2019

The Snail Park

We visited the snail park in Walnut Tree and we had a great time, Daisy loved the snails and there were even some spring flowers out. The park itself has a soft AstroTurf floor which will be great for younger toddlers who are just learning to walk or even little crawlers – no mud here! Daisy 20 months old needed help to climb the climbing frame but once up she loved it. There is also a chalk board so be sure to take some chalk with you. There is a spinny ‘thing’ which Daisy e

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 19, 2019

Wind in the Willows Park

This park is located in Great Holm and it’s such a well designed little park. The wooded sculptures are fantastic and great for toddlers and children. Toddlers who love sand and climbing will love this park. Take a bottle of water too and let them play with the sand and sticks. There is a little climbing frame and wooden car, a tunnel, baby swing and other little bits. Such a fantastic park and well worth a visit. The park is not enclosed and is surrounded by houses and under

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 19, 2019

Cranfield Triangle Park

The Triangle Park is such a great little park. There is an enclosed park ideal for toddlers including two toddler friendly climbing frames, two slides, a tunnel and baby swings. Next door is another enclosed park ideal for bigger kids and also some exercise equipment. Use postcode MK43 0HW however google maps took me straight here just by searching Triangle Park. There is no parking so you’ll have to fins a suitable place along the road. #miltonkeynes #newportpagnell #mkkids

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 19, 2019

Moulsoe Millennium Hall Park

This is a great little find, it’s located in Moulsoe which is a village on the way out of Newport Pagnell and on the way to Cranfield. It’s also next to the Carrington Arms Pub and the Millenium Village Hall. There is plenty of free parking and lots of green space, perfect for taking a football and a picnic. Daisy was 19months when we visited and needed a little hand climbing the equipment but she loved it none the less. My friends 5 year old had a blast too. There are two cl

The Outdoors Mum

Feb 17, 2019

Wimpole Estate National Trust

Today we visited Wimpole Estate, we spent 4 hours there and still didn’t see all of it. We had so much fun, it’s about 1 hour from Milton Keynes but well worth the visit and even more so if you’re National Trust members because it’s free! Standard entry for an Adult is £17.20 and child £8.60, under 2s are free. There is so much to do and see and the sunshine made it extra special. The little gift shops are lovely, we brought some chocolate fudge and next time we said we will