School holidays - #lucky to live in Sheffield

When the school holidays arrive I am doubly grateful that we live in Sheffield and I have always had the option to entertain my kids with walks, swims, cycles and cafe visits in the Peak District. All within 15 mins from our house (or a few hours, depending on the mode of transport/reluctance of the child..). 

When I was little my grandfather dragged me out for obligatory morning walks through the school holidays and I found them really b  o  r  i  n  g. They weren’t boring: he was an enthusiastic birder, photographer and beachcomber and lived in Arne in Dorset which is now a well known RSPB reserve that regularly hosts BBC Spring Watch. So there were lots of amazing things to see and find  … but I was not remotely interested. I still struggle to identify anything more complicated than owls and curlews and haven’t passed any knowledge on to my kids. 

But with my kids thankfully it’s a bit different. I have managed not to put them off which may be one of my best parenting achievements… the secret of my success? I think it may be my generous use of bribery. Early on a friend of mine (who made his kids walk the South West Coastal Path over a series of Easter holidays...) told me to make sure I always kept my pockets topped up with chocolate and snacks to dish out at regular intervals. I have followed his advice and I think it’s worked!