Whatever Happened to the Nature Table?

A wet Sunday afternoon and the need to forage for woodland 'fruits' in preparation for something 'creative'; that season will soon be upon us! Waterproofs, boots, bag all essential items for the expedition into a local woodland. Not one person did we meet, admittedly it was raining when we arrived but for most of the trip the sun shone through the clouds, the damp leaves shining under our feet. As I gathered beech mast, sweet chestnuts, pine and larch cones and some convenient pieces of bark from a deceased beech tree, I was reminded of the autumn walks we took when I was a child in the sixties and early seventies. Wellies, anorak and knitted mittens on strings if chilly ( which it always was as I recall)! We used to walk along the hedgerows gathering sprays of hips and haws also picking up acorns, conkers and brightly coloured leaves. These treasures of autumn were for the nature table at school and how laden it nearly always was. How many children today go for a walk in the woods gathering autumn 'fruits'? Can the children identify these 'fruits of the forest'? How many nature tables are there in school? Very few children walking and enjoyment of the acorns from the 'acorn tree' and the conkers from the' conker tree' is short lived. There are no nature tables I fear and if there were, curriculum permitting, they would be sparsely covered . The majority of children I work with do not have wellies they do not walk or forage, their legs ache when they do and they describe it all as 'disgusting' and 'dirty' . No doubt they are engaged in much 'cleaner' , sterile, activities indoors, but oh what they are missing and how much healthier they'd be! 

We are so fortunate to live in a land of varied landscapes, let the children enjoy them, allow them to get muddy and learn the names of the trees and plants. I am a gardener and love being outside, I enjoy walking and watching the seasons change, is that because I was shown these things as a child? Are we encouraging a generation of 'nature ignoramus' a generation that cannot see the 'wood for the trees'? As Mr Gove tells us that we are to change our school curriculum ( again) would he consider allowing back the 'nature table'? Would this fit into the 'big picture'? If not it should and we ought to be encouraging our young ones to get out there and marvel in natures larder. 

With foraging comes reward, off to sample roasted sweet chestnuts, enjoy! 

Plants gone Live!

Hi I've taken  the plunge and set up a website to share some plant photos and would really like some feedback please. As a complete novice I'd really like to know if anyone shares my interest. Website address www.suebathoplantphotography.com a bit of a mouthful but it says what it is!
The garden here in Locks Heath is taking on its autumn hues but there are still plants that are not flowering thanks to the prolonged wet, chilly winter and spring. Tender Salvias have no buds and by the time they do there'll be frost! Asters are now flowering but some only just, really hoping that frosts will be delayed this year!
The 'Batho Nursery' on the drive is increasing inspire of my efforts to sell some of them at our local country market. Somehow I don't think the 'nursery' will ever be empty! I've also been producing phot cards of some of my pictures and selling them; they appear to be reasonably popular.
Currently fumigating the greenhouse to get rid of the nasties before it's too cold to store its contents outside.
Below are some images from the site and also used for cards, enjoy!

Spring

 Thank goodness spring is here. The garden is coming back to life after the winter and it's 'blooming' marvellous!