Walking barefoot with Zaf

Everyone should sometimes walk barefoot. I don't think we do enough barefoot walking. Our feet spend months and months hemmed into shoes not feeling in touch with the Earth that supports us. We are too worried about treading on sharp objects or getting cold feet, and I feel this way too, mostly...
But it's good to sometimes just walk barefoot. Feel the changing textures of grasses, the wildflowers and the cool bare Earth under our toes, and even the grit and the sand of dusty pathways.

We used to do this as a children...at what point did it become 'not the done thing'..?

The most beautiful Sussex countryside

Zaf, the most beautiful dog :)

The extended spring appears to have made plants, trees and bushes absolutely drip with flowers and seeds. Here a range of maple 'helicopter' seeds

The elderflower bushes are laden with flowers. I collected some flower heads to make the first batch of cordial.

"Barefoot Days"

In the morning, very early,
That's the time I love to go
Barefoot where the fern grows curly
And grass if cool between each toe,
On a summer morning-O!
On a summer morning!

That is when the birds go by
Up the sunny slopes of air,
And each rose has a butterfly
Or a golden bee to wear;
And I am glad in every toe--
Such a summer morning-O!
Such a summer morning!

By Rachel Field

So... go on, get those stinky socks off, wiggle your toes and touch that Earth, 

I guarantee it'll make you smile!

FlowerScapes at the Floral Fringe Fair

Last weekend saw the Floral Fringe Fair at Knepp Castle. Our company FlowerScapes advised event-goers how to plant nectar and pollen rich flowers to help our declining insects. The fair was a great success and had a lovely mix of wildlife, vintage, yummy food, plant and craft stalls. Knepp Castle is privately owned by Sir Charles Burrell, and has been in his family for 220 years. Until recently most of the land on the Estate was devoted to traditional arable and dairy farming, but in 2001 they shifted their focus entirely, and embarked on a series of regeneration and restoration projects aimed primarily at nature conservation and a less intensive way of meat production. This method of re-wilding has been successfully introduced in Holland.

Strange and unusual plants being sold

Knepp Castle

Our FlowerScapes stall, before being prettied up with flowers

Not just vintage cars but people too.

Vintage bus

View of the castle and fair

Willow weaving

Lots of plant stalls

Vintage brocante

Steve in action at the FlowerScapes stall

Although there was a constant stream of people, because the stalls were spread out, the atmosphere felt relaxed

I want one!

Wood and willow weaving stall

Restored camper van, yep, want one of these too!

A nice event and the event goers really nice too, all very interested in creating more insect-friendly planting.

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

That ancient dragonfly

Last Thursday after spending several hours getting our Ardingly road verge ready for its annual sowing of wildflowers for the pollinators, Steve and I returned home to find a flurry of activity around our little pond. The pond was created in the spring of 2011 and quickly filled with pond critters. It has, without a shred of doubt, been the one addition to our plot which has attracted the most new wildlife to the garden. It has been a joy to see the frogs spawn and the newts develop, the pond skaters breed and great diving beetles...well, dive!

However, having seen damselflies and chasers make use of our pond in previous years, our recent sightings were well and truly extraordinaire. Now Steve and I are reasonably well tuned into the magic of nature, but this was quite wonderful. We must have witnessed the 'birth' of over 40 adult chasers during the next two days! I even sent for BB to run home from the school playground to come and witness the hatching!

We realised that the Libellula depressa, Broad-bodied Chaser, nymphs we had previously seen in the pond trying to catch the little tadpoles were numerous, but to see them all emerging almost at once was quite something; flying off on shiny and beautifully glossy wings.

These marvelous dragons are ancient creatures, being around when the dinosaurs lived 300 million years ago. This dragonfly is an opportunistic predator during all life stages, it mates on the wing, and the female lays her eggs often in newish ponds.

So if you haven't already got a pond in your garden, you could be missing out on a whole section of our very fascinating wildlife. You don't need a vast garden, as we have demonstrated a small pond can bring much pleasure.

For more information on dragon and damselflies, visit the British Dragonfly Society's website!