Coconut adventures and garden fun

I saved a coconut from the reduced aisle at the coop for 20p mainly because it had a very cute face! I had no idea what to do with it as its not generally on my shopping list. Lets be honest, it's a lot of hard work compared to buying coconut milk or desiccated coconut but the little thing was looking at me so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
Today we visited my parents and had a lovely day around Alsager carnival with lots of siblings and my dad and Amanda.
Williams favourite part was the 'tractor' ride- which wasn't actually a tractor but who cares? It was fun, and pops was joining in which makes everything fun for William x
We went to see nanny Annie afterwards and decided to attempt the coconut. I was really proud, it felt like the ultimate home school experiment with all the family gathered around. We all looked at the face and decided what sort of animal it looked like- I think the consensus was a mouse- although it needs whiskers!
We shook it and listened to the sound of the water. Each of the littlies had a go with the cork screw turning it and listening as the seal was broken and a little air escaped then they watched with interest as the water drip dripped and then poured out. Everyone tried it too- lovely and refreshing! Then we hit it with a hammer and ate the lovely white flesh.
We listened to the horses hoof sound as Becky clip clopped the shell together and talked about what we could do with the shell. I'm a bit sad that I left it behind and hope that Becky turns the face side into a tree imp face! Or a bird feeder, wind chime or fairy house or any of the other brilliant ideas!
The out into the garden- lots of scary growling and howling- mainly from me at Williams insistence!
They had the obligatory wheel barrow ride that has become the staple garden activity at Annie's house- played with the animals and chased each other around.
Fudge the dog was hilarious with his ball today!
Mum has created an impressive veg patch and Niamh sang to us as we all played- she makes up her own songs! They are so amazing too! She's got a musical talent like her mummy x
Buster is too cute, he loved Lucy cat today- she loved him too! Some lovely photos of Niamh and buster playing together and wills legging it around - standard behaviour!

More Monday fun

Welcoming the new member of the posse little Thomas! Such a beauty and so well behaved.
The big kids had the usual raucous time and I turned into a fairy house builder and tiger and tickle monster which they all seemed to enjoy defeating! At one point I had Jo and Noah sat on my torso while rose and William tried to free me from their clutches my simultaneously pulling at my arms and legs in different directions!
I found Jo Jo sat raking his fingers through the grass, he told me he'd lost his centi-Peter! Cute!!!! Rose tried to console him by suggesting he's probably gone to visit his friends- Jo just looked at her then me as said "no, I've just told you, I've dropped him- he's right here!" Fair play to rose for trying but she got a very boy response- reality bites!
Later on Jo Jo found an ant called Anthony and centi Peter was replaced- he's so cute!
Noah and rose stripped off their pants and we discovered they were having fun inspecting the others! It was hilarious as Peter, (roses grandad- not centi-Peter) intervened. Mary kelly and me were laughing our heads off as Peter - dismayed shouted "for goodness sake Mary, it's not funny! Do something! "
It was funny! Very funny- we all thought so!

Mellowcroft visit one and two

Best weekend in a very long time.
Mellowcroft is a beautiful off grid retreat and eco project nestled beneath the rolling hills in Radnorshire.
We had a wonderful time there exploring the land - the gruffalo woods, the swamp monster, the troll bridges and stone circles, dragon and ponds. It's so magical, Williams imagination was in overdrive making up scenarios to be acted again and again all over!!
Eddie and Kim and their 5 month Eloise live a very simple and relaxed lifestyle there, nurtured by their land.
They live between a van and the wooden structures that eddy has built himself, rustic and beautiful. They have mains water on a meter, but also spring water for baths etc..
They have amazing plans for how the place will develop, much of the work is clear to see; digging trenches, planting wildflower, establishing allotments, bringing the land back into its former glory as a small holding after it was left for grazing pasture for so long.
They are truly lovely and inspiring folk, they attract the same in those who pass through.
Since we've come home I've been dreaming of returning and we plan to visit again soon.
Truth is its my new obsession! I want to do it- I want to live in a hobbit house and live the good life.
Dreaming.... Eddie said the seed has been planted and its just about nurturing the ideas and possibilities that bring it to fruit!
Love it!
Photos below will be updated when the camera ones are processed these are just a few from my phone. You can see the treehouse kitchen and shed area. The classroom in the woods, the swamp monster and dragon!
A few shots of our bell tent and of the yurt we stayed in one night! Actually we stayed in a different yurt as I had a slight fire/ smoke issue with that one that meant we had to move!

Edited: we went back, 3 weeks later. In the piddling rain- it was still amazing!
The guys were building a jetty into one of the ponds and the girls cooked up a storm of a lentil loaf and roasts.

Promise better photos to follow when I can be bothered to go on the laptop.

A dead duck fiasco which started with good intentions from Kim with googling of 'duck plucking and gutting' but ended in the discovery of maggots and a sad funeral in the rubbish bin!
I have to admit I was a little bit relieved, I took William and baby Eloise out to sow the wildflower seeds in the ridges while maggot gate was kicking off!
Came back to Kim and a gang surrounding her looking disappointed- and her words 'well, that DOES change things....'
William made a friend and we discovered a little mouse living in the swamp monsters helmet, he learnt the words to 'oats and beans and barley grow' while we planted the wild flowers, he loved the waterfall we discovered on a beautiful walk amongst giant redwoods. He also had his first ride on the quad, was very brave!
On the Sunday a ladies group used the land and made some natural art works out of their discoveries - left them hanging in the pine woods- it was lovely to find them there that evening.
There was music and lovely food and new friends- it was an emotionally weekend for the visitors who stayed. Both lovely people, passed like breezes blown in and never met each other, but both needing to recoup and recharge and finding some strength in the mellow rainfall and peace of the valley.