What a time we had. The warmest day of the year so far!
As part of my introduction, I very clearly stated the rules: “Keep in a line, Stay close, Stay behind me, Keep as quiet as you can”. Within two seconds of saying “let’s go”, the kids were off, speeding past me at pace, bursting with energy and enthusiasm, and so excited to be in Abbey Fields.
The day’s first task was to hug a tree along Lime Avenue and try to listen to the sap rising. Not much success, but they were all very quiet as a result. From then on, they wanted to hug every tree along the route.
A shock was waiting for us all in the churchyard when we spotted a dead badger. The first one I have ever seen in Abbey Fields, and it resulted in much discussion as to what had actually happened. However, the herb garden was full of optimism with Rosemary, Sage, Lavender and Chives offering wonderful smells. The crocuses and snowdrops had faded, but the first bluebells had surfaced, and the primroses were bursting with colour.
The children are always fascinated by the mole hills as we point out the various habitats that WDC have built to create homes for all sorts of wildlife and insects. A regular feature is the relationship between the nettles and the healing dock leaf, which always seem to grow very close together.
Slightly different walk this time as we cross over the ford bridge and go along the south side of the brook, where so many trees are south-facing, displaying their new Spring leaves. We heard a Chiffchaff for the first time. We saw a swan on its nest. We fed the ducks. The solitary moorhen joins in the feed. And then it’s Pooh sticks time!
What a day, what a walk. The children loved it.
-Bart