Chestnutting in the rain

Chestnuts - another good reason to get out into the woods...

I think most of you know that Steve and I are quite partial to some wild foraging, and what better way to encourage us out on a wet Autumn Sunday afternoon? We headed up to Ashdown Forest as the skies got greyer and the wind picked up. We sat in the car park for a short while, waiting for the rain drops to stop, but as this didn't seem likely any time soon, we headed off for cover under the tree canopy at Tabell Ghyll. It was rather muddy, but not particularly cold, and we soon passed the first copse of sweet chestnut trees. To our delight there were plenty of large nuts ready to be picked up or teased out of their prickly shell.

It was indeed very wet, but it didn't restrain our woodland romp! It was nice to get out and stretch the legs and explore a new part of the forest...

It was easy to gently squash the chestnuts out of their shells

Old coppiced chestnuts

We suddenly came out of the chestnut copse and walked straight into a magical stand of tall elegant birch trees.

A magical mound covered in fungi, surely here live fairies?

Back home we emptied our pockets and this is our chestnut haul! I am sure we'll be back for more. They are very yummy as a snack or with a meal. In fact we had a little bowlful of roasted chestnuts with our evening cuppa...very nice!

Have a good and hopefully not too wet week!

The Sunday slow worm!

The slithery slow worm. I am not sure Sam was that impressed!

A sunny Sunday begs to be spent outdoors, and with the very beautiful Ashdown Forest on our doorstep, we headed off for a little wander through the woods. Nearly two thirds of Ashdown Forest's 6500 acres (2500 hectares) are heathland, amounting to 2.5% of the UK's extent of this rare habitat. It also has some really wonderful views over the Sussex countryside.

Even though the height of summer is now over, and most of the wildflowers have long gone, there is another chapter of loveliness in the woods to behold; the fabulous fungi!

Wandering down little meandering paths, we came across many different varieties of fungi fruiting.

Spiders had made incredible webs with droplets of dew which sparkled in the morning sun...

Boy and Zaf in their element!

We were very lucky to spot a slow worm by the side of the path. I haven't seen this legless lizard in a long time. She (I think?) was well camouflaged amongst the leaf litter, and sat there very still, probably hoping to look dead.

BB was a little worried about holding the slow worm, it was cold and so very smooth. He did pick it up and squealed like a girl as it tried to slither off his hands!

As we circled back towards the car park, we continued to see more types of mushrooms, these truly are the autumn flowers of the woodlands.

Zaf did his usual thing of collecting the largest stick to bring home with him, he spent quite a while  dragging it back to the car, whacking us on the back of our knees as he tried to pass on the pathway. Needless to say, I did manage to persuade him to leave it behind...

Homeward bound!

A lovely outing, followed by a bit of gardening in the afternoon sunshine.

Hope your Sunday was sunny too!

The birthday splash and dash at Bedelands

BB is turning 11 next week, so before his school chums disappear on vacations near and far in the half-term, we gathered a dozen kiddies and headed off to Bedelands Nature Reserve  for a picnic and play. I love getting the youngsters out exploring nature, having fun, getting fresh air and using their imagination.

Here they are heading down the stream, crashing through the undergrowth, climbing under and over fallen trees, laughing and squealing! Fearless warriors!

Getting the picnic area ready for cream teas for big people, and party platters for small people!

Jelly and birthday cake in the meadow in the sunshine after a run and play in the woods......

before we all head off home, tired and dirty, but happy!

Many thanks go to my lovely girl friends Gaby, Nadia and Helen for helping to make the party extra special. xXx