This post features product gifted for review
Did you know that July is National Picnic Month? I’m not sure who decided that but I’m not going to argue with them! I love a good picnic and will take any excuse to pack up a picnic blanket and some treats before heading out for a bit of alfresco dining.
Today we stuck two fingers up at the somewhat grey and cold June weather and set off to Chatsworth House in Derbyshire to celebrate the 2nd birthday of our friends’ little boy Wilf. Having followed the weather forecast closely all week we knew we weren’t in for the glorious sunshine you would hope for when picnicing at this time of year! So it was scruffy jeans, thick socks, wellies and hoodies on with a full change of clothes in the car for everyone just in case! (It was actually pouring down when we left Manchester but thankfully the rain at least held off once we arrived at Chatsworth House!)
Check out our favourite outdoor clothing brands here.
Although we have a gorgeous ‘proper’ picnic basket which I love to use it really wasn’t practical today so I packed our bountiful picnic into a rucksack with the things that needed to stay chilled safely stored in our new lunch bag – though in fairness I needn’t have bothered as nothing was going to get especially warm today! (I say bountiful – Dave still managed to complain that I hadn’t bought pork pies so woe betide I forget them next time!)
Ben and Chloe were hardly still the whole time we were out – playing football, running round trees and just really enjoying the wide open space they had to play in. They couldn’t have cared less that the weather was less then fantastic and certainly never complained that they were cold.
Amy’s wardrobe isn’t really stocked for chilly June days so I was relieved that we had this Heat Holders Snuggle Up blanket in the boot of the car – it’s beautifully soft, like cuddling up with a baby penguin and it kept us both toasty warm and protected from the elements (even if I did make us look like an enormous caterpillar when I was trying to get her to go to sleep!) The only down side was that I hadn’t pre-washed it so I now have a very fluffy coat! Whoops.
Fingers crossed that with July just around the corner the sun puts in a reappearance and we can get out and make the most of National Picnic Month!
Click through here for some great vegan picnic ideas and you can find a whole list of food celebration days here!
*We were sent the blanket & thermal socks free of charge to use on our picnic however all thoughts an opinions remain my own*
This is so sweet! I love visiting stately homes and national trust places and picnics are just perfect! How fantastic that it's National Picnic month too! 🙂 Lovely post x
That blanket looks AMAZING! I think I need one to keep in the boot of my car! x
It's perfect for that! (And also for snuggling up on the sofa!)
Oh I love a good picnic, any time of year will suit me! I agree about the practicality of a picnic basket, it's wonderfully romantic and pretty but rarely practical. We have a picnic rucksack with insulated main section, and a fold down front with the crockery, cutlery and 'glasses' in; I wholeheartedly recommend one. Love the look of that snuggle blanket, off to check it out now.
Oh that sounds like a great idea! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for one of those!
Picnics are definitely one of my favourite ways to consume food. Picky bits, blankets and hopefully a nap under a shady tree…perfect!
Lauren
"Picky bits" – that's what we call them too! 🙂 x
Snuggle blanket we could have done with one of those on our recent family picnic.
We love a picnic too! Come rain or shine eh! 🙂
I really love love picnics, they take me straight back to my childhood when my parents used to drag us around even if we didn't want to go. That last photo is really adorable 🙂