Some days are just too good to put into words. But here's a few:
A group of bloggers, an even larger group of kids, several pairs of wellies, an entire forest to be explored, and one rather stubborn six year old who is determined to wear a dress and her best headband, no matter what.
The children climbed, they played, they bonded as if they'd known each other for years, and they didn't complain once.
The adults were just as good. Meeting @cosmicgirlie, @Porridgebrain, @BumblingTweets and @MuddyNoSugar for the first time, I felt as if I'd known them for years too. The same does not apply to @Tara_Cain and @JoBeaufoix however, but only because I've known the pair a while longer.
We met up on a rather overcast day in a fabulous location and hit the hills armed with food supplies, a change of clothing, several umbrellas and, in my case at least, a secret supply of Fruit Pastilles, a bottle of Lucozade, a pop-up tent, a gas stove, a torch and a speed dial connection to the local emergency services should we end up stranded in a Midlands forest for the night. (Okay, I lied about the last few items.)
We had an amazing time.
Recently I've queried why I blog, I've stressed about exposing aspects of my life to the world, and I've wondered if this is the route I should be going down. Yesterday summed up what blogging is all about for me -- fun, friendship, and connecting with an incredible group of warm and welcoming people that I'd happily invite into my home anytime (as long as they remove their muddy shoes first). It has made every single blog post worthwhile.
We now have a new appreciation of the great outdoors, a love of trees and a desire to get back out into the fresh air, to meet up with friends, to chat over coffee, to laugh and to eat cake.
Life is good.
