A cheeky summer picnic at Coombe Wood

Last Tuesday we were all packed up for picnic and I was planning on taking the girls, by foot and by tram, to Wandle Park.

However, a last minute check of the ever-changing weather forecast showed that heavy showers were due in an hour or so.

This threw us for a little while and we debated having an indoor picnic.  However, as it was still relatively sunny outside we decided to drive up the road to Coombe Wood where, when the rain arrived, we would be able to quickly rush back to the car and return home in a not too soggy state.

We were so pleased we went.

On our arrival the flower beds were looking bright and colourful in the sunshine and we had fun spotting plenty of fat fish in the pond.

The weather couldn't quite make up its mind and while we ate an (early, the girls couldn't wait) lunch on the lawn the weather kept changing from cloudy one moment...

to sunny the next..

 

Having finished our lunch, it was still dry so we set off to explore the woods.  The girls spent quite a while climbing onto and jumping off of some tree stumps and logs.

Our stroll then took us round past the summer house (re-named "The Lovely Cafe" by the girls) where we enjoyed some imaginary ice cream, pasta and Earl Grey tea..

..whilst taking in a rather lovely view over the real Coach House Cafe.

After that, the first drops of rain were starting to fall and it was getting close to little one's nap time, so we headed back to the car, and home.

In the afternoon we made some rather yummy fairy cakes while the rain poured down, and we felt smug about having managed to squeeze in a cheeky picnic before the downpour.