The Mini Malpi

Tractors and animals were the main two things on the minis’ to do list for the Lincolnshire Show 2018.

Having been in previous years, we considered this highly achievable.  Organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society (LAS) at the Showground just north of Lincoln, the Show has its roots in agriculture and, now reaching its 134th event, it’s still firmly at its heart.

The minis were guests of the LAS for the second day of the event that would see horses, cows, sheep, poultry, bees, pigs and more feature in its rings and exhibition tents.

We had a plan, we had a route.

What we didn’t allow for, however, was the lure of a helter skelter.

To be fair, mummy and daddy had already gone slightly off piste when we happened upon the world famous Red Arrows doing a meet and greet ahead of their aerobatic display later in the day but once we’d spiralled down the fairground ride, been spun around on a merry-go-round and bounced about on an inflatable castle we were well and truly disorientated and just decided to see where their little feet would take us next.

And, whilst the amusements were fun, they were richly rewarded by venturing further afield too.

A laser show meant something interesting for all including our miniest one, the two eldest minis enjoyed their caving experience with Lincolnshire Scouts so much they went round the course twice and daddy enjoyed getting up close to the Checkatrade Trophy that we’d seen Lincoln City FC hold aloft at Wembley in April.

The Schools’ Challenge entries had joined in with the Show’s aviation theme marking the centenary of the RAF and children had made their own aeroplane costumes, air raid shelters and Dig for Victory displays.

Luke and Willow tried their hands at resuscitation with St John Ambulance, examined Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue’s equipment, had a go at table tennis with the Positive Futures team and more sporting experiences with Active Lincolnshire and dug for historic artefacts with Heritage Lincolnshire.

And once they (and daddy) discovered the Lego pit inside Lincolnshire County Council’s tent, promoting the Kingdom Lego Brick Show coming to Lincoln Castle in the summer, they was every chance we’d never have got past that area of the Showground.  Fortunately Willow was enamoured by some 1940s singers so we danced our way out to enjoy yet more including the University of Lincoln tent which offered more hands on activities with Luke and Willow asked to consider what they might like to research when they’re older – Lego and sleep were their choices.

Mummy just managed to squeeze in a visit to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent too for a #30DaysWild activity where, had they not still be uncovering ancient relics with Heritage Lincolnshire, the minis would have found plenty more to keep their busy fingers occupied.  This year the charity’s tent focused on wildflowers and their Heritage Lottery supported project celebrating Lincolnshire’s amazing plants #LoveLincsPlants.

We made it to the land train just in time to stave off any disappointed meltdowns (many thanks to the drivers for letting us on so late) and were dropped off in front of – finally! – the tractors, rounding off the day listening to the marching band in the main ring whilst enjoying rolling down a grassy hill.

We may have only seen some horses, a sheep and a cow from a distance but I think it’s fair to say we had a very full day packed with fun, interesting and educational experiences and left with lots of information on enjoying all our county has to offer all year round.

There is so much on offer at the Show each person will have their own unique experience.  Mummy’s dreaming of the year she can seek out the Lincolnshire gin tents and stroll around the shopping aisles, a year that daddy will be heading straight for the beer tent.  We definitely found out why they say you can’t fit it all in in just one day.  Luke’s school only closes for one day of the Show though, and we’re fortunate in that, so we’ll just have to go again next year instead.

The Lincolnshire Show 2019 will take place on June 19th and 20th.

This weekend is the Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wild Weekend organised as part of #30DaysWild.

We wanted to go to somewhere we haven’t explored before so headed to Far Ings National Nature Reserve to enjoy their open day.

“The chain of flooded clay pits and extensive reedbeds along the Humber Bank” had plenty for mini hands to enjoy from making bird feeders and bee hotels to colouring, plaiting bookmarks, identifying poo, searching for colourful flowers, investigating a nature detective trail and pond dipping, all aided by both knowledgeable and lovely staff members.

And it also gave me the opportunity to take what’s now one of my favourite photos of Luke.

Find out more about the “diverse landscape made up of reedbeds, meadow and scrub, and both freshwater and saltwater environments”, visit www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings