Unblogged 2025, part 2
The second half of 2025 ended up being just as action packed as the previous six months with days out with family, and a steady run of National Trust visits plus two more camping adventures.
June
We started second half of the year with a short weekend break at Haven Quay West. A few days by the sea with our nieces. Simple, sunny, and exactly the kind of easy family time that always feels good. This was the first time we've looked after them for more than one night, and overall it was a success! We even managed to get them both to school on time on Monday morning.
Later in June we took a trip to Calke Abbey. One of the most interesting National Trust places to explore, with its slightly faded rooms and huge grounds. We managed to luck out and arrived just as a guided walk was about to depart through the deer park! Other highlights include the tunnels you can walk through (and use the escape the sun!)
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View of the beach from Haven Quay West -
Front Aspect of Calke Abbey -
Looking towards the Deer at Calke Abbey (from within their deer park!) -
Selfie by the lavendar beds at Calke Abbey
July
July took us camping in Pembrokeshire. Fresh air, bright evenings that make camping worth the effort. We had a nice few days exploring including a beach day at Freshwater West plus we even had a complimentary light show from nearby Castle Martin firing range who were firing the week we camped. I also managed to sneak in a few hours of Pokémon Crystal during the long, light evenings.
We also visited Brockhampton - the house was interesting, but the walk around the grounds was really nice. I really got the feeling I was walking around Tamriel from the Elder Scrolls series when we walkthrough through the ruined church. We just managed to duck into the cafe just as the heavens opened, which obviously meant it was time for a scone.
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Camping stove setup with cow and sea view -
Beach cheers from Freshwater West -
Pokémon Polished Crystal at sunset -
Stone ruin with arched window and trees beyond -
Brockhampton house -
Heavy raindrops hitting the path
August
August was our big outdoors month. We camped near Edale in the Peak District, surrounded by hills and long walking routes. On the first day we walked the 45 minute path along the Penine Way into Edale for dinner and a pint, on the second way walked out towards Kinder Scout but only made it to the top of Jacob's Ladder as we were not fully prepared for the weather that day (It felt like we were walking in a cloud.)
Whilst in the area we made a pit stop at the National Video Game Museum in Sheffield, and visited Treak Cliff Cavern as well.
We also made another National Trust stop: Lyme. Big house, big views, and a good wander around the grounds. We saw all the filming locations used in the BBC Pride and Prejudice adaptation which pleased my wife greatly.
On the way home we kept the momentum going with a sneaky Biddulph Grange Garden. Highly recommend a visit here if you're heading north. It's such an unusual place, with its little themed areas tucked away everywhere including a collection of ancient fossils.
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Penine Way Selfie in the Wind -
View back towards Edale along the start of Pennine Way -
Me at the bottom of Jacob’s Ladder -
Stone cairn making the top of Jacob’s Ladder -
The pond where Mr Darcy took a swim at Lyme -
View of the house at Lyme over the famous lake -
National Video Game Museum, Sheffield -
Me @ Treak Cliff Caverns, minding my head. -
Candid photo of my wife at Biddulph Grange Garden -
Japanese Garden at Biddulph -
House at Biddulph Grange Garden
August
We finished August with a family day out to Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean and Westbury Court Garden on the way home. Puzzlewood was always fun to explore and is the filming location for things such as Merlin, and Star Wars. Westbury Court was one of the smaller National Trust properties we've visited so far but it was super picturesque and only a small detour on the way home too.
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Paths at Puzzlewood Dissappearing into the woods. -
Milly at Westbury Court Garden
September
September brought something completely different: Giants Live. We were there to see the 510kg deadlift world record happen in front of us. The whole place went quiet for a moment before the lift, and exploded when he did it.
Watch his successful attempt here
Later in September we visited Woolsthorpe Manor which was the birthplace of Isaac Newton. Standing in the rooms where he grew up and worked was a grounding experience. We saw the window where the beams of light flooded through his window and started his thinking about the nature of light. Outside there's still an Apple tree too, but it seems it up for debate how "legitimate" that likely is (or isn't...)
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View of the arena for Giants Live -
Preperations for the 510kg Deadlift Record Attempt -
A plaque at Woolsthorpe showing Isaac Newton experimenting with splitting beams of light -
The famous Apple Tree at woolsthorpe Manor
October
October took us on more National Trust adventures to Chirk Castle. A good wander around a very interesting piece of history. The 'dungeon' was a fun experience, even if the stairs down felt a bit dicey.
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view of Chirk Castle with symmetrical stone facade, formal topiary garden, and autumn foliage -
Me having a coffee break in the gardens at Chirk Castle
November
We wrapped up the year’s outings with a calm November visit to Charlecourt Park because they had decorated for Christmas! It was a fantastic way to start of festive period, and another interesting property to visit to boot.
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Our "invitations" to Christmas at Charlecote with hedges decorated as presents visible in the background -
Christmas Trees decorated at Charlecote
This is post 7 of #100DaysToOffload.
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