We came to view our new house in September. The summer lingered on this year and I was so excited to see so many quiet country lanes. I imagined strolling through the lanes with my little boys, through the parks and fields without the interruption of passing cars. We visited the local town, all cobbled streets and hidden lanes filled with cute boutiques, a real gem. So with a 7-year-old, a 1-year-old and another baby boy on the way in spring, we decided this was the perfect place to raise our family.
By the time we eventually moved in it was late October. The leaves had turned red and fallen to the ground. We set out to explore the surrounding countryside and walks. That's when I realised I was hugely unprepared for country life. The moment we were off our driveway, our buggy began to get stuck. It's modest wheels we're sinking in the mud and leaves. We ploughed on, trying to avoid any mucky bits...not so easy in the heart of Autumn.
The buggy (which is pricey but rather lovely I might add) was rickety and shaky over the stones. Ollie was uncomfortable and moaning. Our poor dog was having what can only be described as a 'disappointing' dog walk. This wasn't working.
Instead, I decided to head to our local market town, we could wander around the streets, find a small park and maybe even pop into some of those lovely little shops.
Unfortunately, no luck here either. Turns out that not all buggies were built for cobbled streets. Poor Ollies teeth were clashing as we rumbled over the stones. The curbs were high and I was struggling to get the buggy over the road. Turns out these sweet little shops aren't so mama-friendly either.
All this sounds a tad dramatic I know, but it's the truth! Gone are the days of wandering around the town and country without a care in the world. Babies, and the subsequent gear that comes with them can make things a little more tricky. We needed a new buggy, something far more robust and practical.
I asked around, did some research and Mountain Buggy Swift came up on top.
Extremely reasonably priced at £379 the Swift isn't just for country bumpkins like me. They call it "All Terrain" and that it is. While I needed something that would glide seamlessly over the muddy paths and bumpy streets, I think this buggy would be just as at home in a busy city where size and manoeuvrability are key.
Some of the things I love about the Mountain Buggy are listed below. I can honestly say I wouldn't change anything about it, I think they've thought of everything. It makes gliding around the cobbled streets and country paths a breeze and has made pregnant life with a one-year old an awful lot smoother.
The ride is smooth and almost bouncy. I thought perhaps there was some kind of suspension but it turns out that this is down to the 'pneumatic tires' giving a much softer and more confident ride.
Unlike our other four-wheeled buggy, the swivelling front wheel on the Swift lets you navigate busy streets, narrow aisles and crowded cafés with ease. The front wheel pops over even the highest curbs with very little effort.
It has a large basket underneath and a detachable water bottle holder. Despite how lightweight it is, the Moutain Buggy is sturdy enough to take the weight of our baby bag clipped to the handles. One less thing to carry!
The handle bar is soft and padded, super easy to hold and manoeuvre even with one hand. You can even click the handle bar into various positions to make it more comfortable to push. I love that the break sits neatly near the handlebar, vs down with the wheels. I've been suffering from the common pregnancy issue of an achy pelvis, so anything that prevents me needing to bend or push with my legs is a real relief.
We love the harness, it has five points and each of its four straps can be clicked in one by one. You won't need to thread your babies arms through a strap, simply wrap them around his front one by one.
The fabric is really easy to clean, great if you're out in the rain and mud like we are. We went for all black, but there are plenty of colour choices if you fancy something brighter...all are reversible!
The Swift has a really lightweight frame that's dead easy to pack down and store in the boot (even in the smallest of cars) and it's lightweight too, in my 6th month of pregnancy, it's incredibly easy to cart around.
As I'm sure you can tell, I'm completely sold! It's incredibly well priced for what you get. Perfect for a mum that wants light weight, easy and practical....it would be hard to beat.
We also wanted to ensure Ollie was kept warm and cosy all through the autumn and winter so chose a separate footmuff. Pramworld suggested we try one of the Voksi footmuffs.
This wasn't a brand I'd heard of previously, but again...so so impressed!! So so easy to add to our Mountain Buggy and I'm sure it work with any Buggy or travel system. Plenty of button holes in the back to allow you to be flexible with how you fit your seat.
The fabric is soft warm and comfortable, yet still breathable, like a perfectly lightweight duvet. The footmuff zips up both sides, up around Ollie's shoulders. On a really cold day, you can even pull the drawstring in to wrap the footmuff snuggle around your babies head.
A sure sign you've found something comfortable and snugly for your baby is how quickly and easily they fall asleep..... and I have to say Ollie is yet to stay awake with this combination ❤️
Thank you Pramworld for these brilliant recommendations, you've made our life here in our new home SO MUCH easier!