The Wittenham Clumps - 12 March 2016

We wanted to go see our new baby cousin! We decided to go see him and then go "hike" the Clumps with Miles and his "big" kids so that Kristy could rest awhile. It was a great outing. The sky was a bit hazy, so the photos don't do the views justice.

Walking up
A little information for ya: The Wittenham Clumps name comes from the clumps of beech trees which crown both hills. These are the oldest known planted hilltop beeches in England, dating back over 300 years. 

I love this fence. It is made completely of sticks. (There is a wire fence behind it)

Beautiful even in the haze. That is the River Thames.

Mud, Mud, Mud! I have a love/hate relationship with it.
I love that the kids can play in it, I hate that I have to clean it up!

Cutie Pie nephew! 

Three awesome Jackson men(well, one is almost a man :)

Dal photo-bombing Sam's photo-bomb...boys!

There's my Sammers!

Going into the clumps of trees was very beautiful and peaceful.
I'm always extra happy when I'm with these people :)

Sam was trying to see what was inside this tree because he wanted to stand upright in it.
In the end, he didn't want to meet any spiders.

My SILLIEST kid ever, love him!

Sweet cousins

Preston loves living so close to his little brother. Best buddies. 

Just a typical English Village.
 We walked down to it and beyond a bit to see the locks on the River Thames.

I really expected one of the kids to fall and roll down the hill, but they didn't, phew!

Some gliders

They found EVERY puddle!

A Lovely Old Church

More cool fencing

I caught Sam while jumping

The Clumps are behind us now

Daffodils with The Thames

Walking over the Locks

Back up the hill with many tired little legs at this point.

I wish it hadn't been so hazy! It was beautiful!

The setting sun was very cool. Those buildings are a power plant in Didcot.

Meeting their new baby cousin

We all fell in love pretty easily!

Easter Eggs, who knew?

The Easter Bunny doesn't come to England. A certain 7 year old I know is pretty certain that Easter is ruined by this fact. I have assured him that there will still be an Easter egg hunt and candy! People here buy their kids large chocolate eggs for Easter. One doesn't find many Easter baskets here and lots of different kinds of Easter candy like in the States. Jelly Beans are hard to find too, can you believe it? (I had Preston buy some for me the last time he was in California). There are loads of different kinds of large Easter eggs though! Each kind of chocolate that is found here has an egg. Some are filled with smaller candy or come with more candy in the package. I have been told that kids get several eggs from parents, friends, and relatives. Yikes!
My kids are getting one. Just one. (I am actually pretty excited for the English traditions that we are practicing this Easter. Less is more sometimes :)