Welly Walk

Many muddy wellies have just tramped around Owl. Welly Walks occur annually on the weekends prior to Christmas at Whinlatter. Families with small children join in following the Gruffalo trail, to wish all the characters en route a Merry Christmas and dress them in some festive garb. At each character a Christmas song is sung with verve and volume, if not entirely in one key
It's a staff team effort of course, and in character, with a lot of Santa hats, tinsel and glittery earrings. Smiley Sonia indefatigably takes the lead, all singing, all decorating, with the kids.  Baubley Bar  has previously packed the bags for Mouse, Fox, Snake, Squirrel and Gruffalo, as well as Owl and is walking in the body of the group to encourage those legs finding hills hard to climb in boots. Jolly Jo is back stop, a vital and tricky role as she has to surruptitiously remove and re-pack the dressings so they can be used for the next time around. - Without any child seeing or suspecting!
Games are played, puddles are jumped in, push-chairs are shared until  we reach the Gruffalo at the top of the hill. Then a glorious galumph back down, fuelled with chocolate coins for all. 
A great wet winter forest experience!