We did a load of different things this holiday period, most of which were exclusively for the children who can only take so much each week hanging around at home with the cats.
Little people need variety!
So we tried walking around our local reservoir.
We tried metal works.
We even tried a beach in Spain!
But one of our most enjoyable days was spent at a local 'tree park' where you can do a huge course of zip-lines and bridges, all of it over-looking a great river.
Safety was paramount of course and we spent the first ten mins getting briefed and set up for the day.
These harnesses are impossible to slip out of.
Luna had a different course to Esteban due to her height.
It was all a bit complicated to work out at first.
But eventually she figured it out.
And we're off...
We were attached to two safety harnesses with a clever system which meant both of them could not be removed from the wire simultaneously, leaving one of them always attached.
Only in this way have they had zero accidents here with people falling out of the trees.
Which was good to know for Esteban & I as we set off towards the adult course!
The outset of the course wasn't too difficult with various different walkways between the trees.
Felt like another world up there!
Eventually we were able to use our zip-line attachment.
Which was much more exhilarating!
Even better when you are going between the trees.
Not gonna lie, it was slow going moving around the trees with our safety harnesses and at times we had to queue while the slower people in front did their thing. I couldn't help but notice that when some of these slow people became completely stuck at various points, the park helpers were permitted to run up the trees like monkeys without any safety attachments. So why can't we run around like monkeys too? Humans have almost identical anatomies to monkeys, yet somehow our greater capacity for thought makes us incapable of realising what our bodies are actually capable of!
Anyway, really enjoyed this converted wake board.
Tree surfing!
By the end of the course Esteban was swift and fearless moving around.
With no problem setting up his equipment each time.
All in all it was a joy to watch.
And we will definitely be doing this again next year!
When Luna is a bit taller.
The entrance fee covers the whole day so we will bring a picnic and eat it by the river, taking our time there in order to complete the course multiple times.
To adventure and beyond!
Health & safety
Before I sign out of this one I want to focus on the growing problem known as health & safety. While I do recognise how the safety precautions at this tree park were probably necessary for the average person alive today, I don't think they should be mandatory for everyone.
Humans are much more capable than people seem to remember! And we have been climbing trees longer than we have been living in houses.
There was a time, not all that long ago, when adults had very little concern for the health and safety of children in playgrounds.
Did an incredible number of children die or incur serious injury during this period?
Of course they didn't! They just learned how to not fall down.
All images from this article on 1970s playgrounds
And so, in conclusion I want to say that if we live our lives always with a safety net, we will be sorely unprepared for the moment when there is no net available.
Does a monkey learn to leap between trees by focusing on what might happen if he falls?
No my friends. Fear is created in our minds and modern life does a great job at reminding us to be afraid at every turn.
So look to your great past and remember who you really are!
Love & Light everyone 🌱
That tree park must have been the absolute most fun thing to do! The kids must have had the most wonderful time! What a great vacation activity.
It was a pretty cool thing to do and looking forward to it next year when we will be more prepared for a full day of action ;)
I have been climbing the carob tree above a carpark, it's full of "CHOCOLATE" and although I am high up, I only move one (of 4) things at a time; either a hand or a foot. 3 points of contact at all times. What you said about fear of falling reminds me of this parkour classic...
CHOOSE NOT TO FALL.
Sebbyyy! Can imagine you up a chocolate tree ;)
Thanks for the three points of contact trick. Makes sense.
And yeah, I remember this video well. This and Tim's "Imagination is everything".
Luv you buddy!
Great report and well said about elf n safety! Ironically we are all sovereign people, although those with costumes and who appear on TV are aghast to forget.
Lol. I can tell you've been hanging out with Seb ;)
Back in our London days we called the police 'men in fancy dress'.
Yes, we are all much more free to do whatever we want than they would have us believe. If only we all knew our rights! Their so called power would dissipate quickly.
Great reminder as to how we made do with many homemade swings jumping off cliff/river banks into rivers or dams, loads of fun no safety net nor rules to abide with.
Modern equipment is a good idea, now to keep the children interested in being in the outdoors and motivated to learn more. Perhaps they too will go it alone learning safety features are not always necessary, or not always available everywhere you go.
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 42/52) Liquid rewards.
Thanks for your thoughts. I do agree that in this situation modern equipment is a good idea for beginners but I think if a person has completed the course a few times they should be permitted to do it without the harnesses, perhaps on one special day of the week when one can sign a disclaimer, taking responsibility for themselves. For one thing the course could be completed in a quarter of the time if we didn't have to focus so much on safety!
Testing ones ability with equipment in a controlled manner one would always be signing waivers and disclaimers, even hospitals!
Growing up we climbed trees with no safety net, tested ourselves against our friends, made rope bridges and monkey ropes over rivers if you fell it was always at your own peril irrespective of whose land you were on.
No one today tests themselves in personal capability to the full, too many laws in place.
Building nations who follow rules, also not always a solution...
Looks like a great day! Hopefully Luna will be tall enough next time. I feel a bit sorry for her, knowing her brother was flying.
I played on playgrounds like those pictured! I don't remember anyone getting hurt, even though we were hurling through space, held fast to metal poles only by our tiny fists. Concrete at our feet. If we did come home with a scrape or two, our parents didn't call the school and threaten to sue, as so many parents do today. One school I worked at recently would get calls if their children came home a tad dirty!
I'm sure insurance determines what safety measures they employ. The insurance industry rules our fears, and thrives on our dread of unlikely disaster.
Luna was okay with her mother on the smaller people course. She had a great time in fact! And probably won't care at all if she is still too small next year ;)
You and me both. Remember a few cuts & bruises but never anything serious.
Just about sums up modern life really. Ridiculous!
You said it sister.
Bring on a new world in which we are not ruled by our fears!
nice! :D
this looks like so much fun! especially with and for the little humans :) ^^
thanks for sharing this piece of aliveness with us :)
Wish I would have done stuff like this as kid..
Well, aiming to do ALL OF IT with my own kids someday - like you do at the moment :)
greets
It isn't easy fining the motivation to break our usual routines for the sake of children but certainly worth it in the end! Their excitement is both infectious & rewarding.
No doubt you're gonna do a great job with your own kids!
There is nothing more valuable these days than the children of awake people, so please get started asap ;)
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A wonderful day at the park! Never tried this zipping around trees before. Both kids seemed to get used to the new challenge very fast! Love the feeling of flying among trees!
Yup! People are full of fear these days! They are no longer adventurous.
Certainly little children still have that adventurous spirit but generally speaking it is us adults who hold them back by sharing our fears with them.
You never tried zip-lining? You must! So much fun. I tried a little zipping in the past but never such an extensive course. Feel like I should buy one of these zip lines! Once we have land, the perfect place for it will be evident. Quite useful for getting down a hill quickly! Or even out of a top floor window?
Wow! You would have zip linings on your land! That’s wonderful! People could play Tarzan and swing about instead of walking! 😂
This could be a memorable holiday for the kids, this simple training in the kids would be a great armor for them in the future. Glad you had a great time in this wonderful place.
Thanks for the tweet!
Its my pleasure to share this 😊.
i follow, because of just attuning :)
Thank you for appreciated the non physical aspect of what I offer in these posts :)
Yeah, zip lines are great fun! Safety equipment has its place when not overdone. i am glad to see you all having fun out in nature!
Hey brother! Yeah we had a great summer really, a lot of time spent outside.
Though with the recent addition of a piano to our house I am actually quite looking forward to winter, power cuts & all.
Once we have our own land there will be a zip line for sure. With some very relaxed safety rules ;)
Wow that is such a cool park. My girls would love it. And yes, health and safety is gone way over board right now. Making kids way more fearful. My girls love zip lines, never once thought to put them in a harness, instead just tell them to hold on tight. The same with climbing trees, my advice is just hug the tree and if you can't see an easy way down, then don't climb it xxxxx