Despite being the shortest month, February was still a plentiful time to dive into hobbies and head out for adventures. With the weather finally brightening up a little, we started to see those short winter days fade away as we brought out the hiking boots, embraced the outdoors, and ventured on a couple of getaways. Our trip to London was shortly followed by a visit to Wales, and as such, many of the highlights featured below are from these holidays.
Days Out & Activities:
- The Zoo – If you’ve read my previous roundup, you may notice a large interest in the animal kingdom; and this month had no exceptions! Our first full day in London saw us head up to Regent’s Park and spend the day at ZSL’s London Zoo. It was the first time visiting as an adult, and both myself and my partner were very impressed. They have a wide range of animals, adequate enclosure sizes, volunteers who have genuine care for every species, and the entire flow of the zoo just works. Our personal highlight was watching the Asian short clawed otters who were so active, playful and a little mischievous! We also loved how close you could see the giraffe from the indoor viewing point, and the petting zoo area was great fun too (make sure to ask staff the names of each goat because it’s sure to make you smile). The butterfly walk through is also worth a mention here, albeit for a different reason – it’s a populated space with many butterflies darting past you within small proximity, so if you’re anything like me and are a little nervous of creatures flying around you, I’d perhaps advise bypassing this attraction (I had quite an anxious time making it to the end!)
- Natural History Museum – Whilst in the capital, we took the tactical approach to shelter from the typical British wet weather by visiting the museum. I always seem to find myself here and it’s become a must-see every time I’m in London. There’s something incredibly remarkable to be able to get that close to so many species; close enough to truly appreciate their size, their texture, and their anatomy. The exhibitions and collections housed here are very well conserved and it’s amazing to see just how many specimens have been donated. If it’s something of interest, I always recommend heading up to the earth science section; even if it’s just to ride the escalator. They have a fantastic earthquake simulator on that floor too which is well-worth experiencing.
- The TOY Project – Before our trip to London, I came across a charity via Instagram which I knew I needed to visit. Located in Archway is a company named The Toy Project: they have two stores; The Toy Project and The Rehoming Centre (the latter being dedicated to cuddly toys, and the former more general ones) – with the aim to bring joy and smiles to those less fortunate. They send barrels full of toys to children who may otherwise go without, and their proceeds all help to go towards this mission. We found their stock of toys, games and books to be at great value – many of their soft toys are only £5 each – and as an avid lover of teddies, I particularly loved rummaging through the baskets and shelves in the store. We will definitely be making another visit here when we’re next down that way.
Hobbies and Interests:
- Parkrun – I’d describe myself as a seasonal runner, in the sense that I very quickly shy away from the thought once the dark, cold winter months set in. My first run since October was on the last weekend of January and I’ve had varying levels of bravery when it came to getting out in February. We have both a 5k and 10k booked for March and April respectively, and I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t my main driving force for getting those running shoes back on. With my second Parkrun of the year now ticked off, I can at least say I’m somewhat getting back into it – and with no more Saturday shifts at work, I’m hopeful I can make them a more regular occurrence. I love the inclusivity and friendly atmosphere at these events; once registered, you can simply turn up and run free of any time pressures.
- Walking – It’s not only running which returned with the drier weather, but also my willingness to pack up our hiking boots and spend hours out in nature. We couldn’t help but take advantage of being in the Welsh valleys when visiting for a panto performance (encompassing the very essence of community by the locals I might add) – and, in the one dry afternoon we had, took the dog on a walk through the woodland. Lots of wildlife to be spotted here, including bird of prey, and there’s nothing that beats the fresh countryside air. Closer to home, we’ve starting our more regular walks again. These outings see us following canal or river loops usually, often trying to spot wildlife and saying hello to local horses.
- Baking & Cooking – We were treated to some wonderful restaurants and eateries whilst away on holiday. From London-style pizza to locally sourced Sunday Roasts, we really did eat well. Despite this, my biggest home comforts are the hearty homecooked meals and freshly baked goods that leave your kitchen smelling good for hours! And we certainly achieved that this month with a range of tasty foods including: a green lentil cottage pie; a veggie toad in the hole; homemade pizzas; homemade loaves of bread; and blueberry muffin style cookies to name but a few.
Physical and Virtual Media:
Definitely a range of genres happening here!
- Books – A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron.
- TV – After the Flood s1 & s2 on ITVx.
- Film – Get Out on BBC iPlayer.
- Games – Strange Antiquities on Steam.
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