Pond dipping in Hampstead Heath

This fall, Ally and Joshua and I enjoyed an afternoon of "Rookie Rangers", a outdoors explorers program:

Hampstead Heath City of London Rookie Rangers Education Program

We were a small group of 7ish to 12ish year olds, a few parents, and 3 fantastic, energetic leaders.

We played get to know you games, field games, and then ventured into a gated area of the Heath where there is a pond.  Into this pond the children dipped nets and then dumped the contents into white trays.  Imagine their joy to discover all kinds of critters squirming, swimming, and living in their pond water.

There were laminated papers which listed common critters so that we could identify them.

After pond dipping, the children took large nets into the forest area to see what types of insects they could capture, study and release...

I love it!  In one of the biggest cities in the world, we can escape and find solace in nature.  There are amazing green spaces right in central London.  Hamstead Heath is often referred to as the "Lungs of London"!

A great view of London

http://gallery.me.com/npactivesports/100720
I hope you don't mind that I share your fantastic album Julia!
Take a glimpse into the London world...

Bonfire Night - November 5th

I had never heard of Bonfire Night....

 


 Also known as 'Fireworks Night' and ‘Guy Fawkes Night’, Bonfire Night is celebrated in London and across the United Kingdom on November 5th. Events include a series of spectacular firework displays in parks and public places across the capital.

Its history begins with the events of 5 November 1605, when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot, was arrested while guarding explosives the plotters had placed beneath the House of Lords.  Celebrating the fact that King James I had survived the attempt on his life, people lit bonfires around London, and months later the introduction of the Observance of 5th November Act enforced an annual public day of thanksgiving for the plot's failure. (from Wikipedia)

So how did the Larsons celebrate this event for the first time?

Naturally, we planted ourselves at the top of Primrose Hill with the other masses.  Although there was quite a police presence, and signs had been posted that fireworks were prohibited in Primrose, there were quite a few lawbreakers who set little ones off from safe distances from the crowds, followed by cheers from the crowds. 

We had a very nice view (360) of all the firework displays going off around the city, some local residents launching from their rooftops and gardens, and other community shows off on the horizon.  The boys watched from 3:30 until 7:30 pm!  Girls joined in a bit later and we ventured over to Lemonia for dinner afterwards - it was the first time the kids had eaten at this iconic Primrose restaurant we've grown to love (their vegetarian moussaka is unbelievable). 

at the bottom of Primrose getting ready to head to dinner

boys savouring the turkish-delight type dessert served at the end of the meal

Fun to share the cuisines of the world with our kiddos

http://www.bonfirenight.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonfire_Night

http://www.londonevents2011.com/bonfire-night-london-2011.html