The three of us went on a fab Home Ed Foray, a foraging trip organised by a home ed mum with Melissa from Truffle and Mushroom Hunter, see her Facebook page here. We all (at least 30 of us) had a great time wandering along the old railway line at West Grinstead, foraging.
Initial we were briefed on the importance of not just picking anything and that there are lots of poisonous plants out there alongside the edible ones. After that we were off searching and talking about certain plants along the way such as Jack in the Hedge, Lords & Ladies (poisonous), Bluebells (poisonous) and King Alfred's Cake Fungus (used as charcoal). The children were then set a task to find sorrel in a field to add to our wild feast when we finished. It has a really unusual but refreshing taste. At the edge of the field was Hemlock, a relation to the carrot family and is highly poisonous (ingesting just 50g can kill!!)
Next we were set searching for St George's mushrooms along the banks of the old railway line and we discovered a huge ring of them. Here the children, and adults helped to cut some of the mushrooms for our feast.
Along the way Melissa explained the importance of thinking about where you pick your produce, away from areas that have had pesticides sprayed on, pee areas and along some of the old railway line where the old ash would have been thrown.
After a two hour walk in the glorious sunshine we arrived back at the start next to the old railway platform at West Grinstead and Melissa proceeded to retrieve lots of foraging goodies, a stove and cooking things and prepared a delicious wild feast with help of the children. It included a wild salad
(with wild garlic leaves/flowers and primrose flowers), wild garlic pesto, wild garlic pesto soup, homemade bread and the mushrooms we had foraged, delicious!! Willow ate the bread but couldn't be persuaded to try the soup.
We have been doing lots of bike rides, including some downhill lessons from daddy, enjoyed the bluebells, investigated a cut down tree and found out about sap, planted pansies, had lots of outdoor fun, added to the crystal collection, sewing with nanny and got a sticker for gymnastics for going backwards over the bar (check out how pleased she is with herself!).
Another great art, then drama workshop at Rackham.
For the last couple of months we have been involved in a matchbox swap group; the organiser comes up with a theme and gives you a partner to swap with and then you fill a large matchbox with as much activities and info as you can about the chosen subject. Our first subject was medicine and we chose to do herbal medicine, we posted off our matchbox and unfortunately didn't get one back. Then the organiser's daughter very kindly sent us one, so we reciprocated and gave her one back. She opened it in front of us and it was lovely to see how pleased she was with it. Willow worked hard on it and made a small lavender pillow using the sewing machine.
This month's theme is The Romans and we went on a Matchbox Swap organised trip to Bignor Roman Villa. The setting is beautiful, nestled below the South Downs, the weather was perfect and the day thoroughly enjoyable. First off the children got to dress as different Romans and then were told what their position and role was in society. Willow was dressed as a slave. We then had a tour around the villa, the lady was great and made it fun and enjoyable for the kids. We then had a lovely lunch in the grounds, the kids had sometime to run around. After lunch their was a couple of workshops where the children ground corn with Quern Stones, drew in wax tablets, looked at Roman numerals and letters and translated their names. All in all it was a great day out and I would definitely recommend it.
To round up the beginning of May we have a new addition to the family, Star the bunny.
Enjoy the sunshine x G x
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