To the untrained eye, this might just look like the dumping ground behind our shed, but I will have you know this is actually 'Secret Gardening Club'.
Yes, I know, the name needs some work, but Ava and Oscar have commandered this delightful spot for their first clubhouse. As a pliable adult, I was drafted in to help, so I hastily erected some brushwood screening and put up the shelf and blackboard. I even carted out an old chest of drawers from up the loft, but now I am surplus to requirements. This is their space. I am not welcome. Let their plotting begin...
They have of course made substantial improvements to the property. Note the well-stocked outdoor library, and the slightly nationalistic flower arrangement. There is also a supply of pens and paper and additional seating for some, as-yet unspecified, guests.
Even the name has improved slightly. It has been rebranded as 'Secret Activities Club' which makes me wonder if the 'gardening' element was just part of their first plot to get that 'shouty woman' onside.
How very Enid Blyton. We used to build dens and have clubs when I was a kid - very exciting at the time
Posted by: Helen | May 17, 2011 at 07:42 PM
Brilliant. Secret Seven immediately comes to mind, even though your children are smaller.
It looks as though this will be a success. I made a den for my children but they refused to use it when they found slugs under the make-shift flooring and noticed a couple of spiders passing through.
They might well have appreciated something more sophisticated (like this) better.
Esther
Posted by: Esther Montgomery | May 18, 2011 at 08:17 AM
This is exactly how all the best revolutions begin... lock your door as you may well end up dragged out of bed in the middle of the night for some sort of kangaroo court appearance.
Posted by: JamesA-S | May 18, 2011 at 08:51 AM
I'd like to be a member of a secret gardening club, what fun!I think it is so lovely that your children have got their own little corner to do as they wish, they will have hours of creative imaginative play there (if this cold wet weather ever goes away!) I love the brushwood screening, I'd like some of that to hide our oil tank, have you got any good tips on where to get some?
Posted by: chutneyandspice | May 18, 2011 at 09:47 AM
Nice post! Interesting story..
Thanks for sharing..
Posted by: Flowering Trees Tennessee | May 18, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Helen - Me too. Ours was called Swallows and Amazons (originality of name was not its strength).
Esther - I think 'sophisticated' might be stretching it, but you are very kind.
James - I am already being dragged out of my bed by children several times each night. Secret police forces around the world could learn something from my kids.
Chutneyandspice - I got our brushwood screening from B&Q this time - it's £17 for 4m x 1m but the cheapest place is usually Wilkinsons where it's only £6 for 3m x 1m but they only have it in for a short while each year.
FTT - thanks!
Posted by: Dawn | May 19, 2011 at 09:06 AM