Story-telling Part 3 The Fairy Trail

After a good long lunchbreak, which I spent in the toasty polytunnel with some of my family members, we walked down to start the fairy trail.

We weren`t sure how many people would join us but in the end we were a good crowd, setting off along the bottom of

the buttercup field. 

The story began by the willow tree with the sawn branch, where everyone received their wands and made the fairy promise.

 Then we crept past the bridge, in case we woke the troll.

Some brave children did spot some clues as they peered over the sides. Others were a bit scared even though they had their wands to help protect them.

Next we came to the weeping willow where the fairies now live.  

We pushed our way through the curtain of leaves.

We spotted a washing line full of fairy clothes, tiny windows and doors, a tiny golden staircase leading down into the old gnarled tree and some treasure hidden inside a hollow. 

Certainly a magical space.

 

Several children did not want to go near the witch`s hovel in case she was there. Braver ones peered inside and to our relief found that she was not at home.

The door was locked! 

We could spy spell books, potions, an old rocking chair, a fabulous pair of boots, elaborate dresses and even a frog, from the doorway.

 Next we activated our wands over-looked by the green man.

After seeing the goblin`s lair we made our way past the deep lake, looking for frogs, toads and dragonflies.

Closer to the garden we came to the fairy village.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And petted the white horse, which actually might have been the unicorn that visits the farm sometimes.

In the garden, Paula and Anne were waiting with very welcome drinks and biscuits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Everyone explored the garden .....

 the fairy yurt with its books and dressing up clothes

spending time watching the tortoises, feeding the rabbits  and guinea pigs

 spotting huge toads in the pond

making fairy gardens

decorating wands with glitter and shine

 

After a good wander round, everyone gathered in the fairy yurt with Mary, who had also come to tell stories.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mums and dads continued to relax in the sunshine.

Here is Mary after her story telling.

 

All in all a lovely day with lovely people.

I had a great time.

 

 

 

 

Story-telling Part 2 Crafting Magic

 If anyone had told me that a four year old would be helping me set up the crafting equipment, I would never have believed them.

But help little Eva did and she seemed to enjoy every minute.

She told me that she likes to help in her nursery.

Here is little Eva making her jellyfish with Lyn`s help. 

Such an artistic little girl.

It was a perfect day, sunny but not too hot.

 I thought it was going to be hectic but in fact it was very relaxed and a real pleasure.

We had planned 6 activities. The week before, Anne, Paula and I spent a very pleasant afternoon crafting to our hearts` content in our garden room, trying out ideas and preparing the equipment. 

The children moved freely from one activity to the next.

It was lovely for us helpers to get to work with the children almost on a one to one basis.  

Time to talk to each other, try things out, learn how to use new tools and experiment with materials. 

In our tent we made caterpillars, jellyfish, shakers and 

painted stones.

Ellie`s shaker.

This "pineapple" fish was created by Arthur.

There were plenty of secret Fathers Day things going on.

This is Melissa ... not yet two years old but carefully replacing the felt pen lid.

 Here is George with his jellyfish.

This is Eva and Ellie working on their shakers.

 In the other tent it was dream-catchers and butterfly mobiles.

Outside Claire was doing facepainting.

We had two hour-long sessions with a snack break in between. 

The time went very quickly.

I was most impressed with the children .... their artistic ability, their imagination and their improvisation and ingenuity.

And they were all so very well-behaved. 

I enjoyed it very much indeed.

Here are the dreamcatchers.

(I do apologise if I have got any names wrong.)

Story-telling Part 1 The campfire.

On Friday morning I walked the fairy trail on my own, in readiness for today. It was magical, with dark demoiselle dragonflies, a family of ducks waddling across the path to the reedy lake and unseen fat frogs and warty toads plopping into the water as I approached.

The quiet camp-site was bathed in sunshine with a few tents and the tipi and bell tent standing in readiness for the crafting.

The kitchen area was swagged with colourful bunting.

 In the evening as the sun was going down, we arrived at the same area for the start of the story-telling weekend.

There were many more tents and some people, having just arrived, busy pitching up.

 

We made our way towards the therapy yurt where Tim had a magnificent campfire, complete with a massive tripod and trivet. Tim`s famous stew was bubbling away on top.

Everyone was tucking in and enjoying it very much.

 Some of the adventurous children collected dead wood from nearby and created a huge stock pile close to the fire. 

After collecting other children from the field, we all settled down to listen to Arthur`s stories.

As the smoke drifted off into the trees, Arthur`s story transported us into other realms.

The fire crackled, the marshmallows melted, some mouths were burned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This looks like an exciting part of the story.

This young man was acting out parts.

(sorry its not a good picture)

 

 

Thanks Tim and Anne for a lovely evening and good food. 

 Thanks to Arthur for his great stories and thank goodness for perfect weather.