Celebrating Summer with Picnics

I love picnics!

We have managed a few picnics this summer which has been really nice. I have loved picnics ever since I was a little girl. Not just any picnic though. It has to have a good spread if possible, unless it's a very spontaneous picnic then just put together what you can.

I remember going on lots of picnics with my family and our nana and grandad would often be there too and between mum and nana there was always plenty of food, it was a fantastic picnic and lunch was not eaten in a hurry. There was always an egg & bacon pie and scotch eggs and of course plenty of homebaking to round out the lunch.

Of course picnics don't have to be perfect and neither should they. The whole fun of it is to get outdoors with your family and enjoy something different, to relax and enjoy nature.

We went on two picnics this weekend. One was a 20km bike ride and we carried the food in our packs. There was a picnic area where we pulled out our food and ate rather quickly I must say, as it was rather cool and misty.

I wanted to arrange the food nicely for a photo but everyone was so hungry I had to wave off hands just to get these photos...

Incase you're wondering what those dark burnt looking things are, they are toasted ham and cheese croissants which everyone enjoyed. We also had corn chips, apricots and plums, berries and some biscuits. I had a small can of chickpea snacks and a banana as I don't eat a lot of meat and try to avoid dairy for health reasons.

It was hard to pack food that wouldn't get squashed but it all turned out ok. It's funny how you see beautiful photos of picnics but reality is very different!

Even though it was a cooler day than the hot weather we have been having, it was perfect for a big bike ride and we all had a great time. I haven't been on my bike for over a year and even now, three days after, my legs are still sore.

The day following this we went on another picnic and this time it was a big two hour drive from home out to the coast to see a lighthouse. I had time to organise this picnic a bit better but getting a photo was still difficult as once again, everyone was very hungry. After a big drive and climbing 253 steps up to the lighthouse we were definitely ready for lunch.

We had the classic egg & bacon pie, homemade bread, blueberry muffins, ham and cheese for those wanting a sandwich, salad, biscuits and my mum's christmas cake. I felt quite civilised as we sat there eating off a plate with a fork!

It was a lovely peaceful setting, very hot and it was so nice to be away from the city and looking out at the ocean and surrounding hill landscape. I always feel very refreshed looking at nature, God's beautiful creation. It is very healing and therapeutic for me. The drive out to the lighthouse was so lovely and relaxing, driving past rolling countryside with farms full of hay bales in the paddocks. Dreamy...

I felt so good when we got home, it felt like we had been away on a holiday. Our summer holidays here have been lovely but quite busy. I had ideas of spending several days just reading with endless cups of tea, doing my cross-stitch and maybe binge watching episodes of Victoria. ( I love Queen Victoria ). 

That didn't happen. Although I did get some reading done over the holidays but not as much as I so desperately needed. Never mind.

I did however spend more relaxed time with my family which is most important. I also managed to get a lot of vegetable gardening done which was high on my list so I am really pleased with that. I have organised our homeschooling for the year which is also a top priority plus I have managed some extra cleaning and decluttering.

So for those of you who live in the southern hemisphere, I hope you are able to get out and enjoy what is left of our summer. Whether you take a picnic, go to the beach or for a walk, enjoy the outdoors as much as you can before winter comes. If you live in the northern hemisphere then you will be looking forward to the summer coming especially after all the snow some of you are having.

Have a great week, thanks for visiting.

Blessings,

Fiona

"He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul." Psalm 23: 2-3