Last week while watching TV with Caroline colouring on the floor, I forgot for about half a minute that she was ill. When the enormity of her life-threatening illness suddenly came back, I burst into tears and we sat as a family, hugging and crying together, broken but battling.
Caroline’s Proton beam radiotherapy in America is drawing rapidly closer. She’s nervous of the whole thing, from the flight out there to all the obvious fears which stem from having unknown medical procedures in a foreign country that’s miles from friends, family, our beloved pet dog and anything that for her might currently resemble ‘normality’. We will also be away from the hospital that has become a secure and stable aspect of her vastly changed life.
It set me to thinking of all the things that have changed in the last few weeks and what we’ll miss while we’re away; friends, family, the beautiful coastline and scenery where we live, the change from spring to summer, the birds fledging, people’s birthdays, British food, the bluebells blooming!
So here’s an unapologetically indulgent post about a Northumberland day out that Caroline and I shared this time last year, before cancer, when she was six; a magical Mummy and daughter day enjoying outdoor time and nature connection in the elements.
NSPCC Bluebell Walk
Once a year in May the NSPCC‘s Alnwick Committee organise a charity bluebell walk to a local folly, The Observatory at Ratcheugh Crag, owned by the Duke of Northumberland’s Alnwick estate.
The folly is only accessible to the public on this day each year and since I worked for the NSPCC back in the day, the bluebell walk was right up my street.
Wild Daddy was at American football, the sun was shining and someone said there’d be chocolate cake. Perfect.
Caroline took this one
A hand-out is provided with a history of the landmark and a list of all the wild flowers to spot on the walk. It’s a good plan to take a wildflower I-SPY book
We met a wonderful lady who knew everything there was to know about wild plants there, as well as teaching us to recognise some new bird songs. It was great to be able to check our own knowledge with an expert.
Early Purple Orchid, Pheasant’s Eye Narcissus and King Alfred’s Cake fungus
The bluebell walk winds around the woods at the bottom of the folly amongst the crags and rocks that give the site it’s name.
The folly itself is set high on a hill with stunning views towards the Cheviots in one direction and the sea in the other. Built in part to look like a ruin but with an observatory room on the first floor it’s easy to see why the spot was a favourite of the old Duke who built it in memory of his wife in the 1800s.
A storm was approaching from the hills so we headed to the beach for an afternoon swim. After the chocolate cake of course, provided by the lovely ladies of the NSPCC!
We raced to Boulmer beach for a brilliant hour’s paddling, surfing and body boarding, still in the sea when the storm caught up with us and poured heavy raindrops into the waves. Why is sea swimming in the rain so much more exhilarating?!
Racing the storm
Wild Daddy arrived at the last minute to take a final photo of me pulling Caroline on the board.
Me and my wild girl!
These are perfect memories of a magical day with my wonderful girl in all her wild, warrior glory. This time next year, when her Hickman line is removed and she can get wet again, I pray we’ll be out and about in the seasons and sea once more.
More outdoor inspiration
For more fun things to do in the north east check out my Northumberland pages and for more fab family walks check out Kids of the Wild’s walking and hiking pages
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Support the NSPCC
For details of this year’s NSPCC Bluebell Walk at Ratcheugh Crag click here.
We were away in hospital for the 2017 walk and are unfortunately double booked this year, so please take a bluebell photo and send us a thought.
Read more about Caroline’s cancer journey at Caroline’s Rainbow.
Reach Out for Cancer Support
If your child has been diagnosed with cancer, or anyone you know has been affected and is looking for support, help or information, PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out and get in touch with me – you can use the contact form on the website or message me via Facebook at Kids of the Wild and I will respond personally.
Nature Guides & Bluebell things to buy
Click images for best price on Amazon
Children’s i-Spy wildflowers book
NSPCC children’s happy kids book
English bluebell bulbs to plant
English bluebell seeds
British Wildflower guide book
British mushrooms spotter guide
#CountryKids
Beautiful photos xx
Thanks x
Sounds like a fantastic day. And you reminded me – I do need to get some kind of guide to wildflowers and birds. I see so many when I’m on my walks and haven’t the slightest idea of the names of any of them.
We use the Collins ones for everything, nice and basic, easy to identify and not too heavy. It was a rocking day. Real girl power!
Beautiful photos from the bluebells to the sea. I’ve loved the bluebells again this year, they are still blooming in our woods. You must have such mixed emotions of happiness and sadness looking back on an adventure like this. I just pray you will be joining in again the walk again next year appreciating the wild side of life more than ever. Wishing Caroline, you and Wild Daddy a safe and successful trip to the States. I shall be thinking of you all.
Thank you for sharing a wonderful memory with me on #CountryKids
Thanks Fiona, I confess that I felt like the coolest Mummy in the world on this day! Here’s to many more in future x
I love boarding with my kids, and the rain never puts us off – it is Cornwall! Hopefully we might all go together one day here at Polzeath, it’s our favourite local surfing beach.
I’ll put it on the list for when we visit! XX
Dear Lucy, Just reading your lovely inspiring blog. Unfortunately, you’ve written The Chilterns instead of The Cheviots, an obvious indication of your understandable state of mind. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the weekend and hope all goes well this week at the hospital. Another mountain to climb, alas. Will speak on the phone later. Much love, Mum.xxxxxxx
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks Mum, amended the hills twice but didn’t update it, you’re right about my brain! XX
That looked like an amazing adventure together. Lots of thoughts and best wishes for the impending trip #countrykidsfun
Thank you, it was a great day and will certainly keep me going while we’re in America. Thanks for reading
We love body boarding too, such good fun. What wonderful photos and memories of a very special day. My friends little girl had proton beam therapy in the States, she said they were excellent over there. Wishing you all the best for your visit to the States xx
Good to hear more positive stories about proton therapy in America. The clinic looks like a hotel from the website! Thanks for your support x
What a lovely day to remember, bluebell season is my favourite time of year. #outdoorbloggers