A Christmas Hike

Christmas needn't be all about dragging the family around the shops. Get out and go for a hike. Christmas style of course.

It's all too easy to get caught in the trap in the run-up to Christmas. You know the one. Up town, trudging around the shops and looking for that last little item.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not a complete 'Bah Humbug!'. We love Christmas.

I'm not a complete 'Bah Humbug!'

But that last little trinket/toy/thing is probably not essential to get anyway.

Get a break from all the crowds. All the 'Buy This' and 'Buy That'—all the same old Christmas tunes.

There are many family Christmas events up and down the country that you'll all love - as a family.  And after all, spending time together as a family is supposed to be what Christmas is about (...yes, that doesn't always go to plan!).

Stay away from the 'same old' Christmas events - the over-commercialised ones - and look for something different.

We hiked up to an event held by Natural England at Blakemoorgate Cottages.

It was a blowy day, and the hill is quite a climb (especially for little legs), but it's something a bit different that the kids will remember.

There was no Santa Claus. There was no need for a Santa Claus.

There was no need for a Santa Claus

Two old cottages had been opened, mince pies and mulled wine were available, and a warm fire greeted you.

The people from Natural England explained the history to the kids, telling them what it would have been like if they had lived there.

They then helped us make our Christmas wreaths before we set off back down the hill as the sun set.

It can be a bleak place up there, especially when the weather is bad, but like many bleak places, it has a beauty of its own and a strange pull. Add to that the exercise and the fresh air, and you'll feel tired but invigorated. Refreshed.

That can't be said of another day uptown in the Christmas rush.

So this Christmas time, try and get outside. The exercise, the air, and the time together (but with more space than the four walls at home) will do you all good.

Merry Christmas