Forest CSI Chic!

After the eerie chill of this morning's solar eclipse, the afternoon gifted us with the gentle sunshine befitting the spring equinox. 

Beech group chose to head toward the beck. Having been before, Sahdiya and Hasibah led the group. Lining the bank of of the beck, we were greeted by a swathe of tender green ransom leaves. Ransoms, or wild garlic, are a member of the alium family and can be easily identified by their pungent aroma. Unlike culitivated garlic, the bulb of wild garlic is very small, therefore it is best left in the ground and the leaves harvested. The leaves can be eaten raw and make a great addition to salads, but they can also be added to pasta dishes and pesto.

The children splashed their way through the water following the winding path of the beck bordered by hazel trees to both sides. It was at this point we realised that we had left the spare socks back at school! Not to worry. Hasibah remembered a little trick we had used in the winter when some over exuberant muddy puddle splashing led to some decidely soggy socks. In our safety sack, we always carry a good supply of waste bags. In the past when socks have got soggy and feet cold, the children have taken off their socks, slipped on a couple of bags, then put the socks over the top to stop the bags slipping off, then popped their wellies back on.

The girls had a different take on this method today. As we were basing ourselves  by the beck today and the sun was shining, they chose to hang their socks and boots on a tree to dry and fashion themselves some fetching booties from the bags and string. As they explored the beckside, there was definitely an air of crime scene investigator around their makeshift foot attire!

Meanwhile, Dayan, Fola and Ibrahim decided to make use of the the extensive stems of hazel growing near the water to build on the bow making skills they had learned last week. They were able to choose suitably thick, flexible and straight stems to coppice using the loppers. After a quick refresher, they could make a clove hitch to attach their string to the bow and working with a partner, they secured the other end of the string to create just the right amount of tension.

Fola was very pleased that with a bit of practice and guidance, he was able to perfect his arrow firing technique.

The children are keen to visit the beck again soon, but next time we will remember to bring the spare socks!