Great Notley Country Park

This weekend was our first weekend together for a few weeks so we wanted to make the most of it. I asked Rob to arrange something nice for us to do and he did well. On Saturday morning we were up relatively early. After filling our tummies with peanut butter toast and cups of tea in bed, we piled into the car and were off to Great Notley Country Park. 

After driving for around an hour we arrived. The Country Park is in a weird position, just off the motorway. We parked up and set out exploring. The Park has a small lake and then a massive trail with lots of kids activities. We headed to the lake first and then found a spot to settle down and have some lunch. 

I cooked up some cheese and onion quiche and paired it with salad, sweet chilli beetroot and home made mustard potato salad. A nice filling lunch. Rob ensures me that he will arrange the picnic next time, which would be nice. 

After lunch we found a big field to explore. We could let Nelli off the lead, but the ground was too hard for her to really run hard. She was already pretty tired at this point and was mainly lagging behind us!

After exploring the field, we headed back to the park and towards the activity trail. We couldn't resist showing the kids our skills. We also had lots of fun on the swings. 

After about two hours we thought it was time for another rest. We headed to the cafe and it was time for a sugary pick me up - our first ice creams of the year! I had a feast and Rob had a mint chocolate cornetto! They were both yummy and it certainly made us realise that winter is finally going away and spring is here!

We headed back home in the afternoon. We were ready for another nap as soon as we got in!

Making doggie friends in Essex

After visiting Wat Tyler Country Park in Essex last month and having a ball, we were desperate to return. Nelli had an amazing time being able to run around off her lead. There isn't really anywhere near to where we live that she can really run about off her lead so we don't mind driving for a while to give her a good run. Wat Tyler is in Basildon, which is so near to our friend Reece's. Last time we visited we called Reece to see if he was free and unfortunately he wasn't. But we swore we would come back again soon. 

A few weeks later we arranged to meet Reece at Wat Tyler one frosty Sunday morning. However, the road to Wat Tyler had been closed. Luckily Reece's local knowledge led us to another Country Park area. 

It wasn't as big as Wat Tyler and there was less to do but it was a large open space, lots of hills and lots of friendly doggies. Nelli has been a bit nervous towards dogs when on the lead recently so we were keen to socialise her. She didn't waste any time getting to know Reece's two beautiful dogs.  

She was really friendly to all of the different dogs she met. She also met another greyhound and she had a great time chasing it around. She wouldn't even come back to Rob when he called her! Nelli's favourite dog was a lovely little Spaniel puppy that she just would not leave alone. Her favoruite dogs are certainly the smaller ones. 

The best thing about the Country Park was how friendly all the people were. I wish we lived nearer. It was amazing to see Nelli enjoying herself again.

After our walk we dropped the dogs back at Reece's so they could sleep. Rob, Reece and I headed out for a carvery dinner. Although I ate far too much, it really hit the spot. We headed home with tired feet and full bellies. 

Wat Tyler

Vicki and I spent some time pondering over text about where we would next meet. We considered the beach but recently it has been terribly cold. Vicki also said she wouldnt mind coming up to Stevenage. However, there isnt really anywhere amazing to walk round here. Then I remembered Wat Tyler. 

Rob and I visited Wat Tyler Country Park just outside Basildon several years ago with our friend Reece. I knew it would be a great place to walk our doggies. Nelli has been a bit nervous around other dogs recently so were keen for her to socialise with Ted the border collier pup. We couldn't believe how much energy Ted had. Nelli was really patient with him. 

Not long after arriving we discovered a little field area that was mostly enclosed. It meant that we could finally let Nelli off her lead! She hadn't been off the lead since our holiday walks in Somerset. It is amazing to see her run and Ted chase after her. We spent ages in there until Nell was tired and Ted... well Ted was still full of energy.

Wat Tyler is huge. We walked around for around an hour and half. We came across kids playgrounds, wildlife areas, a marina and random cottages and houses. There is so much to see. We also came across a geocache, which was fun. 

After our walk and selfie session we put the dogs back into the car for them to get some much needed rest whilst we popped to the cafe for something to warm us up. The cafe was really reasonably priced, warm and the staff were friendly. I had chicken soup as I was feeling a little under the weather. The others had ham, cheese and onion toasties. We also had tea and cake. Rob and I both had lemon meringue pie - which was pretty good, but the tea was better.

We left soon after with tired legs, full bellies and smiles on our face. It was a really lovely day. We will definitely be returning again soon and definitely in the summer for a picnic.