#hackneyoutdoors

A sunny day is perfect for harvesting fragrant #lemonbalm (#melissaofficinalis) and turning it into something useful like a cold sore preventing lip balm! Lemon balm, long used by apothecaries, is one the most important members of the mint family. It’s rich concentration of citral and citronellal oils can calm the nervous system, so it’s perfect for an anti-anxiety tea, plus it’s polyphenol antiviral content makes it a handy cold sore remedy. Here I’ve infused fresh leaves in olive & wheatgerm oil, strained, then added a little beeswax, honey and tea tree oil. I love using my garden herbs! Thanks to @botanygeek for the recipe. Also - lip balm making is a good #forestschool activity for older kids especially if they’re #diycreators. #lemonbalm #herbalism #herbalife #diyremedies #homeremedies #urbanphysicgarden #urbangardening #herbalmedicine #hackneyoutdoors https://www.instagram.com/p/CdTX7NfoJBl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

I’m pretty chuffed with assessor’s feedback so far on my Forest School Portfolio! Only Unit 3 and my Handbook to complete in the next 4 weeks. This has been a chunky bit of work to manage with a day job and family commitments, but it’ll be well worth it in the end! Shout out to all the #forestschoolleader s! #forestschool #forestschoolleadertraining #hackneyoutdoors #outdoorlearningforkids #outdoorlearning #outdooreducation #portfoliocareer https://www.instagram.com/p/CdILzDeIGy8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

We had laugh at the @castle_climbing_garden ‘s wassail to wake the fruit trees this afternoon! This is the bit where we hung apple juice soaked toast from the trees as we blessed them, to grow well this year. Videos in Stories for more but I am really getting quite into nature- inspired or pagan ritual at the moment. I was also pleased to kick off a story circle around the fire where everyone adds a line to a tale - predictably our characters ended up in space 🚀 or down toilets 🚽. #wassail #pagan #community #hackneyoutdoors #natureblessings #wassailing (at The Castle Climbing Centre) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZmtqVZoEp-/?utm_medium=tumblr

I was lucky enough to see a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in @abneyparkn16 this morning. As usual I heard this blackbird sized bird before I saw it, as he/ she tapped on a deadwood trunk close to the memorial - though too far away for a phone photo. It reminded me how important it is to know a few bird calls or sounds as often you hear them before you see or even get reminded to look! 👀 At the moment I can only recognise a Great Tit with their ‘teacher teacher’ call. Time to get my A Bad Birdwatcher’s Companion audioguide out again - just ahead of the @rspb_love_nature ‘s Big Garden Birdwatch which is coming soon! #abadbirdwatcherscompanion #simonbarnes #birdwatching #abneypark #hackneyoutdoors #natureid #birds #nature #londonsgreenspaces #biggardenbirdwatch (at Abney Park Cemetery) https://www.instagram.com/hackney_outdoors/p/CYv4PxTl5dm/?utm_medium=tumblr

The wonderful @wildwoodberry looking gorgeous as usual as we headed out for a winter walk this morning. Things feel a bit glum at the moment what with the ongoing covid uncertainty but the lovely green spaces and wildlife on our doorstep always lift the spirits. #londonwalks #stokenewington #hackneyoutdoors #londongreenspaces #woodberrywetlands #hackney #getoutside #mentalhealth #wellness (at Woodberry Wetlands) https://www.instagram.com/p/CXyNPPqIsOU/?utm_medium=tumblr

Back from a few days in a field listening to musicians and speakers at @endoftheroad! I was lucky enough to listen to author @rebecca.schiller speak about her experiences developing a smallholding and the resulting effect that being outside/ outdoors had on her mental health and eventual ADHD diagnosis. Really fascinating stuff - her resulting book Earthed is now on my reading list!! #adhd #neurodivergent #bookrecommendations #hackneyoutdoors #earthed #historicalfiction #getoutdoors (at End Of The Road Festival) https://www.instagram.com/p/CTe49nLIyUo/?utm_medium=tumblr

Harvesting our sun-baked lavender heads this morning for their delicious smelling flowers. #herbalism #hackneyoutdoors #sensory #flowers #herbgarden #herbalism #kitchengarden https://www.instagram.com/p/CRn9FIoHEFw/?utm_medium=tumblr

Super excited to announce I’ll be running a #naturecrafts series in partnership with @AbneyParkN16 - starting with an Saturday August 14th workshop on how to make natural paints and paintbrushes. Tickets available via my updated website, #linkinbio. It’s for kids aged 5-11 years when accompanied with an adult (one ticket covers an adult & child pair) - and both will be getting crafty! Ticket money goes towards lovely Abney Park and my new not-for-profit CIC #hackneyoutdoors which I’ve set up to help support more urban kids to access outdoor education - and (once I’m fully trained) my brand of Forest School. It’s a privilege to bring some of my Forest School, scouting and personal outdoor education learning experiences to one of my favourite places in the whole world & which has been such a support to myself and my family during lockdown. The nature crafts series is inspired by some of the great & good people buried in the cemetery (and all the headstones I’ve stared at in 2020). For our first event we’ll be channelling Edward Calvert who was a local printmaker and painter (1799-1883). Edward was inspired by scenes of nature and mythical gods & goddesses - he was also massively influenced by William Blake. Come and join so we can learn and create with local leaves & berries! #naturalpaints #naturepaints #edwardcalvert #magnificentseven #londoncemeteries #forestschooluk #forestschoolideas #outdooreducation #outdoorlearning #scouting #naturaldyes #london #hackneyoutdoors #abneypark #familyactivities #hackneymum #williamblake #painting #theancients https://www.instagram.com/p/CRlbDtlnAwh/?utm_medium=tumblr