For Fathers Day my main request to the family was that we did something together but outdoors for the 30 Day Challenge.
Alison suggested a barbecue at the Lime Pits nature area near Basingstoke. As soon as we arrived the kids were all over the playground equipment – I do include Alison in this 🙂
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 30](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-30.jpg)
It was great to spend time together in a place that holds so much beauty if you look closely.
I found that this is a great place for Self heal and Thistles – Lovely purples.
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 31](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-31.jpg)
We had a Red Kite hovering over us for a while, lots of bees in amongst the comfrey and crickets galore. I had to struggle through some nettles to get to my prize find of the day – Large Yellow Loosestrife – a beautiful flower.
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 33](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-33.jpg)
Now the barbie could have been a bit of a nightmare. I had set it all up and lit it but it did not take. After a bit of a re-think plan B was to raid the first aid kit for a couple of dressings, found my lip balm (vaseline based) and added a few ash twigs.
A quick strike from the firesteel and up she went.
Then it was over to Alison for the cooking – I know barbies are supposed to be a male preserve but it was Fathers Day 🙂
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 34](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-34.jpg)
There was plenty of time to run through the woods or roll down hills or in my case struggle through nettles to get the picture of the Loosestrife.
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 34 (1)](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-34-1.jpg)
The food was cooked to perfection by Alison on the barbie and there was plenty of fruit afterwards to enjoy – I did manage a couple of beers along the way as well 🙂
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 35](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-35.jpg)
Soon it was time to go home so out came the water bottles for a quick hose down to put out the barbie. The kids for some reason insisted on doing this themselves. I was left with the messy job of mixing it all together to make sure it was properly out.
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 36](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-36.jpg)
As a final note I must say thank you to Catherine and Finlay for being such great kids today and to Alison for making Fathers Day such fun.
![Photo 21-06-2015 20 40 36 (1)](http://www.bushcraftdays.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Photo-21-06-2015-20-40-36-1.jpg)
Cheers
George