Some days you head out of the house with a plan laid out, only for things to change while you are on your travels; Today was one of those days as we had a mixed day at Willen Lake, combining a number of our families favorite activities, while never quite sticking to one.
DISCLAIMER - PHOTO HEAVY
A Mixed Day at Willen Lake
Plans hatched last night, would see us head out as early as we could muster and head to Willen Lake to attempt a bit of orienteering, following one of the permanent routes set out by the local Parks Trust. And for once our plans started as we intended.
We were up early and out of the door around 9 am, and were soon tucking into our McDonalds breakfast (yeah I know healthy us, the diet starts next week), a second bus ride later and the expanse of Willen Lake was stretching out before us.
Orienteering
Things went wrong early, as we couldn't locate the starting coordinates, or rather we could, but couldn't find the plaque on the wall of the buildings. Undeterred we decided to kick on anyway, much of the fun of orienteering for us is getting out in the fresh air and enjoying the company of the rest of the family as we do it, so were not overly fussed that we didn't have the letters associated with the "post".
Heading off we soon found our first post, and enjoyed the sights of Willen Lake from Go Ape to the miniature narrow Gage train that whistled as it passed. Things were going well. And as we approached post 2 the kids started taking over my cameras, so I was even able to impart a little knowledge. in fact the next few posts went very smoothly. And then the long walk started!
Gathered Around the First Post
Happy to be Orienteering
Family shot, photo by Bubs
The gap between a couple of the posts was the entire length of Willen Lake, not an issue walking wise, but in the muggy heat of August (and there was me saying Autumn had arrived in my last post) things began to get a little boring for the little lady, the odd moment of wildlife not enough to focus attention much, and by the time we failed to locate the next post things were pretty much over.
Giving Up and Maze Running
Deciding that a few failures were enough, we gave up on the remaining orienteering, today just wasn't the right day I guess, and instead the kids decided they would spend some time trying to master the maze beside the peace pagoda.
A useful hint, never turn left!
This killed 30 minutes or so while Zoe and I figured out the next step of our day out.
Tubs Maze Running
Bubs lost in the Willen lake maze
Walking the maze
Always time for a spot of photography
Pokemon to catch too
Hiding behind a thin tree doesn't work well
Striking out with purpose
Toby completing the Maze
Bubs completing the maze
celebrating victory
sad to be caught out cheating on the maze
Geocaching
Deciding to fall back on an old family favourite, we opened the Geocaching app and headed off up the hill to our first find. Located behind one of my favorite buildings in Milton Keynes, the Peace Pagoda, it wasn't too log till Tubs and Zoe had found the small cache, complete with glasses??
Glasses at Geocache
Walking on, while looking out over the peace pagoda once more, we passed the monastery of the monks who administer the pagoda, well when I say passed, Bubs rolled down the hill into their driveway!
Bubs Hill Rolling
Heading north, making our way back towards Campbell Park and CMK (where we could grab a bus) we soon found our second Geocache of the day (and a huge spider!), and were quickly on our way towards the tree cathedral, and hopefully our third cache.
Tree Cathedral
Finding the first part of the multi-cache we added in the co-ordinates to the second, but sadly, the bushes had recently been cut and we think the cache disturbed. an NF for us.
Deciding on a bus back rather than a continued walk, we headed across the estate, following the canal and soon realised I had led my family astray and the
Wildlife
There were a few opportunities for some wildlife watching as we walked Willen lakes banks, a few dragonflies zipped about, mainly Migrant Hawkers but a few Brown Hawkers as well. Birds included some nice close Great Crested Grebe and Cormorant and sadly a recently demised juvenile Common Tern.
Dead Common Tern
Cormorant
Cormorant
Looking for a fish
Great Crested Grebe
Fish Caught
Ebony and Ivory swans
Tortoise shieldbug
Family Photos
And finally just a few family photos from our day out.
Sibling love
Bubs practicing her photography
Not sure what has bubs so concerned
Tree Peeking
A helping hand
Tubs explaining something
Zoe at Cathedral of Trees
More photography from bubs
Bubs selfie
Family at monastery
Zoe and I, photo by Toby
Other photos
Water skiing at Willen Lake (no idea who they are)
Water skiing at Willen Lake (no idea who they are)
Water skiing at Willen Lake (no idea who they are)
Daisy
Golden Buddha
Lions at Willen Lake
Close Lion
One of the friezes around the Peace Pagoda
Monks home
Large toadstool
Peace Pagoda at Willen Lake
Pagoda
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