On our walk to basecamp this week, the children were busy noticing the changing season and the many plants growing in the hedgerows. Along the way, we met a very special tree – the Rowan. We played an “I wonder…” game, looking carefully at its leaves and berries. The children spotted that each leaf grows in pairs, with a single leaflet always at the top of the stalk. They also noticed the zigzag edges on the leaflets. Just from looking closely, there was so much maths to explore – patterns, pairs, and numbers in nature! The children collected some berries to use in creative activities later on.

At basecamp, we discovered a letter waiting for us from Grandmother Tree. She told us more about the Rowan, also known as the Mountain Ash. The Rowan is not related to the Ash tree, though its leaves may look similar. In early summer, it shows off beautiful clusters of white flowers, and by autumn it is covered in bright red or orange berries that are hard to miss. For centuries, people have believed the Rowan has protective powers. It was often planted near homes to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. The goddess Brigid, known for healing, carried a Rowan staff. Its berries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and were once used to make remedies for colds and flu. The children loved learning that this tree is both magical and medicinal!

The meadow was bursting with life , late summer flowers, new fungi to discover, and bees busily enjoying the sunshine, just like us. The children helped to put up a rope swing, taking many turns to throw the rope over a high branch, showing great teamwork and perseverance. The logs nearby were perfect for balancing games, especially when they started to wobble!

We also experimented with the Rowan berries. On paper, the berries made wonderful colours, and mixing with other berries gave even more shades to explore. Using a needle and thread, the children carefully threaded the berries into necklaces, sometimes adding extra leaves or other berries to create unique designs.