Friday 14th February 2025

Last Thursday I said spring was in the air, but this week there was a decidedly winter chill.  Despite the thermometer not falling below zero, the wind chill factor definitely made it feel icy.  For a change, we headed off into the Forest School area and began to map and identify the trees and shrubs along the back of the field parallel to the footpath and at right angles to Gallow Field Road.  I was really impressed by the way the children looked at the buds and bark.  Admittedly, it is still quite early to identify species when there is so little leaf growth.  However, they all identified the hawthorn which we have talked about before and which when it bursts into flower, smells deliciously of vanilla.  They needed a few clues to identify the horse chestnut but could already see the thick buds which will be a beautiful pink blossom.  They were most surprised to discover two edible plants: elderberry and hazel.  The catkin seeds hanging down from the hazel are beautiful and will eventually become the nuts.  There are also lilac buds ready to burst forth and spread their perfume and a number of Norwegian maples.  Finally, the burdock (which can also be made into a drink) is not yet showing its leaves, but it is something to look forward to.  They did brilliantly mapping that stretch, but it was extremely cold, so there was no way they were doing a story on the stumps.  Instead, they played hide and seek-trees are great for so many things-including sheltering from the cold.