Day 11 Search for a mini wild place

There can be little doubt that Forest School is a wild place. Spending yesterday afternoon there revealed just how overgrown it had become. The fire circle now looks more like a meadow!

We still managed to have some good fun. All being overgrown and green means that there are plenty of places to hide when playing Hunters and it's maybe a little bit softer for jumping off the log.

So today's random act of wildness challenge is to go and look for a mini wild place. You may find a patch of moss on the path, plants and flowers growing out of walls or the pavement really anywhere nature is trying to claim back for itself. What will you find? Have fun😀

Magnificent Moustaches

Today's random act of wildness challenge is to make a magnificent wild moustache and take a photo of yourself.

As we have a limited Forest School here today photos will be added later. So keep watching.

Here they are:-

Where's Gnorman? Collected

Can you find Gnorman and friends? These are all the pictures so far.

Have fun😀

Day 9 Wild Mindfulness

Yesterday was a chance to go for a walk in an unexpected place. I found myself in Rectory Park as the nearby hospital was a little overcrowded and decided to take a walk around while waiting. The sun came out to enhance the walk. I seem to remember playing football here many many years ago. The football pitches were largely unused overgrown with strips cut through. Large areas had been left wild and it was just good to wander around. An interesting oak tree took my eye and reminded me of the one cut down in Forest School. Soon the phone went and it was back to the hustle and bustle of the hospital.

Taking time out during the day is really important. Our brains can take in up to 11 billion bits of information a minute and possibly only pay attention to 120 bits of information (That's like two people talking to you at once).* We are always thinking about something. So it's good just to take time out, slow down and be in the moment to be aware of the here and now.

That's today's challenge to spend some time being mindful. You could sit outside and listen to the sounds, watch a flower or a small creature, be still and become aware of your breathing or even take your shoes and socks off and become aware of the feel of the ground under your feet.

If you feel like some yoga here is a sheet of ideas from the Wildlife Trusts.

Down by the pond - Photo today.

* Fast Company Britannica

Day 8 Go Creepy Crawly

Yesterday was just a day to get out walking. Up early in the morning before the rain and out with an OS map to explore a new route in a familiar area.

Today's challenge is to get down low and search for a creepy crawly. Get as close as you can and watch it carefully. Be gentle and if you lift anything during your search be extra careful in how you put it back.

Yesterday down by the pond.

Day 7 Begin a nature collection

So how did yesterday go? Did you manage to identify a wildflower?

Here are some buttercups, always a favourite sight to see a field full of yellow while out walking.

Today's random act of wildness challenge is to begin a wild treasure collection. Some people like to collect and press wildflowers, others bones, feathers, fossils, fir cones but what will you find to collect?

For me it has to be going to the beach scouring the shore for an interesting shell or a hag stone. Here are a few objects I've found. The black one is an egg case of a fish called a skate.

Here's today's action down by the pond.

Day 6 Wild Flowers

Today's random act of wildness is to identify a wildflower. You may have some in your garden or you may spot some on a walk. Collect as much information about it as you can. Look at the leaves and the flowers, its height. Make a sketch or take a few photos then search a spotter guide or look online.

My favourite guide is the one below. It asks questions and you follow the trail through the book to find the flower. Some guides work by using the colour of the flower. It only cost a few pence second hand from an online seller.

If you can't find a guide here is a limited spotting sheet to help out.

Today down by the pond a lively mouse and a pigeon.