As well as the enormous mountains on our doorsteps, it’s not uncommon to find specially created sledging hills dotted about the place… These massive snow-covered mounds can be quite the village meeting point in mid-winter, as hoards of children wile away the hours hurtling down them. Parents stand precariously at the bottom to catch their high-speed offspring, or chat leisurely at the top ready to send them on their way again with hefty pushes (on what will hopefully be a clear no-collision course!!), and all the while generally freezing, but on hand to deal with wayward sledges, missing gloves and the like.
But, as you might imagine, these huge hills are not so busy in the summer – which means they are perfect for picnics, a spot of hill-rolling, or something even more exciting, and very traditional – go-karting!
I have a friend whose husband is one half of the design duo that came up with the ATK*, a fantastic All Terrain Kart which does exactly what it says on the tin. Sadly (for us at least) in a couple of months they will relocate back to the UK. So, before they could get packed up and start to think about disappearing, I begged them for an opportunity to borrow one for the day so we could give it a test run in the Bavarian hills.
I think Small Boy thought all his birthdays had come at once! As he sat there trying out the steering and testing the braking system the moment it was lifted out of the car, it gave me a glimpse into his future – I didn’t need a crystal ball for that one – it obviously involves wheels! His father was just as enthusiastic, and his engineering side couldn’t resist giving it the once over to inspect the “mechanics”… His conclusion? It’s well-built, and sturdy at that. A point that he had to thoroughly test on his own of course (it will take an adult’s weight!) later on in the afternoon, but not before Small Boy – he made sure he was definitely first in line…
Several super fast downhill slaloms, and lots of squeals of delight later, he managed to up-end the ATK and lay there rather like a squashed beetle with the thing on top of him. My heart leapt a tiny bit as Mr R sped down the hill to find out why he wasn’t moving, only to discover that the reason why he couldn’t move was that he was doubled up with laughter and not at all hurt. The picture below is after another pot-hole incident, which I think he actually headed for on purpose.
In fact, I don’t think I saw him without a huge grin on his face for the entire afternoon, and it was fantastic to see both him and his sister (once she got a look in she managed quite a few super-fast runs herself – she’s not known as the Danger Mouse in our family for nothing!) having huge fun in the great outdoors on this fantastic piece of kit.
By the way, we were advised to wear protective head-gear and knee pads (and yes they are ski helmets!), but having got to our “hill du jour” we discovered that we had only brought one pair with us, and they had “Hello Kitty” emblazoned on the front. These were considered far too passé by The Eight Year old, and were of course immediately dismissed by her brother. It did make me laugh that both he and his father had matching “grass knees” to go home with though!
The shot above is one of the final pictures I took of the day, and is definitely my favourite of the lot. “Do you think Father Christmas might bring me one of these?” he implored whilst lovingly stroking the wheels. I said he might if he was actually good enough (and added the Kart to my future blackmail/Christmas shopping list I keep in my head – it’s not that reliable!) “I really hope he does ” he added thoughtfully “because if I had one, I would go on it all the time”. This combined with the “one million” answer to my “how many out of ten” question I usually ask after a day out says it all don’t you think?
Pulling back up the hill equipment (aka Mr R), alpine air and blue sky not included ….
*disclaimer: It was my idea to kind of review the ATK, and did so gratis because we loved it so much, all in return for an afternoon of high-speed fun in the fresh air…
Mum of One says
Wow, the colours in those shots are amazing! He looks like he really enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing with the Pin It Party this week :)
bavaria says
No problem! Thanks for commenting! :)
Mammasaurus says
Oh my this looks like such fun! I want a go!
Thank you for linking up to the Monday Parenting Pin-It Party,following you (http://pinterest.com/loveallblogs ) and off to take a peek at your boards now x
bavaria says
Thanks Annie! :) x
Lou says
Oh my goodness that looks like sooooo much fun! great to see him giggling after the crash. Stunning photos, as always :-)
bavaria says
Thank you so much Lou, it was a really great afternoon. He is still on about it now! :D
Funky Wellies says
That looks like fun. Love the photos, especially the “green jeans” one! ;) xx
PS: Voted for you, good luck! xx
bavaria says
Thank you so much! xx
Aly says
That does look like great fun.Something me and the kids have never done.I would definitely would like to have a go.
bavaria says
Thanks Aly, I think you would love it! :)
MsCaroline says
What fun! My boys would have absolutely loved that! In fact, I’m pretty sure that, even at 16 and 19, they still would. Envy you all that gorgeous green grass, though – hard to envision here in the Big City!
bavaria says
Thanks Caroline… And I often envy you in that big city! :D
Bass says
Cracking fotos especially the “crash”
bavaria says
Thank you very much :)
farfromhomemama says
How incredibly cool! I’m a massive karting fan. This is my idea of a day really well spent x
bavaria says
With two boys that is probably a really good thing! :)
farfromhomemama says
Very true. Only trouble is, it’s about the only thing I’m super competitive and quite aggressive in – the result of having two brothers. Will have to learn to calm down a bit :-)
bavaria says
You will justhave to get one each! :D
fivegoblogging says
Awesome fun! The equivalent of summer sledging :-)
bavaria says
Precisely! Thank you :)
A Patchwork Life says
What fun! Looks like Small Boy had the best time. Obviously good exercise too for the kart puller..Fantastic photos – love the sky in the last one :) x
bavaria says
Thank you. He had such a fun day! :)
Mother Goutte says
This looks really cool and we’ve got plenty of hills around here! And your photos are amazing :)
bavaria says
Thank you, the more hills the better! :)
Mama Syder says
|Oh Wow, a good ole traditional fun! Fantastic photo’s, looks like so much fun. I love it! x
bavaria says
Thank you Mama S xxx
Brinabird and Son says
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! I’m not much of a daredevil myself but I know my boys would love this! Well when wee man gets bigger anyway :)
bavaria says
Definitely! Thanks Sabrina :)
Kelloggsville says
My grandfather built my go kart and our road was on a hill. I have great memories of flying down the road on it, steering by rope, no brake, no helmet. How are we still alive?,
bavaria says
Haha… my mum used to chuck us out in the garden on a windy day with a carrier bag tied to a piece of string. Suffocation possibilities much?? :D
Grace says
Hey, that looks much easier and more fun for Grannie to pull along than the sledge grandson had me tugging him on the ‘German pristine, snow cleared pavements’ when I last visited!! Again gorgeous pics darling especially the panning in the first and second image. xx
bavaria says
Thanks Mum… xxx
india pink says
Wow, that is the kind of Kart Simon would buy for the boys just so he could have a go. It looks like lots of fun! Beautiful colours in the photos (and beautiful Sam of course!!) xx
bavaria says
Thank you Lucie Loo… Yes, I think it would be right up Simon’s street! :) xxx
Coombemill says
Lovely photos and I love the go kart, not often you find one that doesn’t have to be on tarmac, I will have to look out for these when they come to the UK, they could be lots of fun here on our farm! Thank you for linking up to Country Kids.
bavaria says
Thanks so much Fiona…. But they are actually made and manufactured in the UK already! I am sure they would love to hear from you! :)
Mary says
Oh that looks like such fun. I particularly love the photo of Small Boy after bouncing over the pothole. And my, like Trish said, the colours are amazing!
bavaria says
Thank you… Yes, he mastered that quite well! :D The field behind is full of a young crop that is a real vivid green, no colour enhancing needed for that one! :D
Susan Mann says
What great pictures and looks like a lot of fun x
bavaria says
Thanks Susan! :) x
Trish - Mum's Gone to says
Great bit of kit and wow, the colour of that grass in your photos – did you tweak it or was it really that vibrant?
bavaria says
Thanks Trish! I think I tweaked one when a cloud went past, but apart from that it was a really really bright and sunny day, and it really is that green! :D
Sally (Recipe Junkie) says
Oh you know, this looks like so much fun. My Blue is constantly thinking up ideas for his own carts. he might not need to look any further!
bavaria says
He might not indeed! Thanks Sally! :)
Helen says
Daddy has been waiting for Sophie to grow to do go karting and that looks like some major fun, what fab countryside you have just perfect for the kart. I can imagine you had a bit of washing to do afterward with all those grass stains
bavaria says
Thanks Helen :)
Victoria Gallimore says
So sweet! He looks so happy! I want a go, can you get adult sized ATK’s? Andy would LOVE this!! Lol!xxx
bavaria says
Thank you… He loved it! No need, one size fits all! You can adjust the back! I can see Andy speeding off down Richmond Hill! :D xxx
Sarah @ The View From the Table says
Brilliant. I know two girls who would LOVE that kart… Amazing photographs too x
bavaria says
Thank you Sarah… It’s brilliant fun! xx
Emma @mummymummymum says
oh wow, that kart looks amazing. When are they back over here?
I LOVE your photo’s too. Have you got time to give me some tips at Britmums? xx
bavaria says
Thank you lovely… Yes of course! Can’t wait to see you! :)
They are back in the UK in June, but the Karts are actually made in the UK and are available online via their website (links in post!)! xx