The Treasure Hunter

Ella survived the disappointment of finding out 3am was not a good time to start the treasure hunt, and went back to her bed. I, however, remained wide awake till after 5.

It was raining when we got up at 7 am but before too long the sun was out so we set off, hoping to be back before the bad weather set in.

After consulting her map we headed out of the garden and into the woods. The first hurdle was to negotiate the "swamp" - we'd had a lot of rain so it was pretty squelchy. Next we had to evade the bear cave to find dinosaur tail tracks (actually made by mountain bikes) and hurry through the 'tiger jungle' - dripping wet rhododendrons. The first treasure was found in the treasure tree. She was so excited! Then it was on up the steep track and into the pine wood, being quiet in case we could spot the squirrels and deer. We turned left onto the Carriage Drive to find the Big Rock with the view to the village where she found more treasure - another coin for her money box, and a muesli bar to keep her going for the last bit. We played at the kissing gate, then had fun on the slippy stones on the rocky track down the hill. Just as she was climbing the stile at the bottom she got a fright - a kitten jumped onto the fence beside her. We teased her it was the tiger from the jungle, but she wasn't having that. Then we were back on the tar road and home. It was 2.5 miles, rough walking in places - she did well. Back home we made apple cake for a treat.

She really enjoyed the adventure, and rushed to get the coins in her piggie bank as soon as we got to her house.

Mr C and I had a bit of a mission to get back over the moor as it was snowing and a few cars were stuck going up the hill. We get snow so rarely now that people don't have enough experience to know how to deal with it, but Mr C had had plenty practice and is a good driver,

We are enjoying our G & T. Well- deserved I think!