Kielder winter wonderland

It took over an hour in the car to get to Kielder forest for a day out with Ella and Nathaniel. Their other Granny has got 4 free tickets for a Christmas event but was otherwise engaged today so we said we’d take them. This was the first day.

Luckily the rain stayed off as we walked 6 km during our visit. We had timed events - a meeting and music with Mrs Christmas, a walk in the woods with elves to Santa’s grotto, singalong with the beavers in their tent and a theatre show of the Elves and Shoemaker. They made a little wooden tree with the elves. Santa gave them a key which they used to get into a special room with an elf and loads of soft toys. Nathaniel chose a Santa and Ella had an elf. (Its arm was coming off by the time we got home - luckily I’m handy with needle and thread as she was upset). There were reindeer to feed and birds of prey to look at. They got a glove on to hold and stroke a barn owl. They were thrilled. There was also a steep slide they went down in tyres. They joined in it all and loved every moment to the extent they were exhausted on the way home and squabbled.

I’m not sure Ella believes in Santa but she loves the magic of it all.

Sorry I couldn’t decide on a picture so I made a collage.