As well as the usual birdsong and wildlife walks, bushcraft and foraging sessions, I have some “green retreats” planned: these will be run by myself and my foraging buddy, Paulo, who many of you may have met by now.
As I write this there are subzero temperatures outside and, inside, the news is all about weather alerts and there is a general fear about introducing us to WINTER!!! This, for me, is a clear example of how detached we have become from nature. It’s almost as if we have become afraid of such things as the tide coming in, or night enveloping the day. Part of my traditional fight against the “winter blues” is to focus positive energies towards the natural and the inevitable.
22/07 UPDATE: The following was written last week but the op is now done and recovery is in progress!
Happy Summer Solstice to one and all! The longest day and a time when nature is at its most abundant: the trees are all lush; the flowers abundant; insects plentiful by day and by night; lots of youngsters afoot: roe fawns, badger and fox cubs, stoat and weasel kits, bunnies; not to mention the myriad of fledgling birds about.
Hello Friends,
I hope that Spring has sprung with you all and that you have accessed the great outdoors to celebrate!
I was very happy to be featured in the local VantagePoint magazine last month – the pages are reproduced here for your interest.
Dear Friends,
March on the Weald clay can seem a long month – the soil remains wet and cold and correspondingly some of the spring growth (especially in the vegetable garden!) is a little behind our neighbours on the higher, drier and warmer Greensand.
Nonetheless, nature marches on, driven by the increased length of daylight and the birds are well into forming breeding pairs.
Firstly a big welcome to 2022 and a big thank you for following Jonnie Taylor Walks and/or the Father Nature hq Podcast! I genuinely feel so lucky to be able to share my passion for the natural world and sustainable solutions with you all.
Here’s a unique gift for a loved one that will last longer than cut flowers and will be healthier than chocolate! Celebrate the day with a lovely walk to see how this date is so relevant for nature plus learn a few anecdotes about the history of this celebration!
Happy New Year to you and many, many thanks for purchasing gift vouchers for your Countryside activity with Jonnie Taylor. As you are only too well aware, we enter 2021 still unable to shrug off the wretched pandemic which is still wreaking havoc. I’m pinning my hopes that a little longer adhering to social isolation alongside the vaccination roll-out will see happier times ahead.
If you are shying away from traditional Christmas shopping this year, or you know somebody who is particularly “difficult” to buy for, then maybe give them a gift of an experience!! I like to think that the joy of a new experience lives with us for far longer than the average materialistic present!
This year I am offering 3 different vouchers: one at £50 for a day experiencing either birdwatching, foraging, bushcraft, survival practice or Nature Connection; another voucher is for £20 which will buy a Nature Ramble experience and finally, another £20 voucher which buys a wonderful foraging experience with myself and mushroom maestro, Paulo.
Whilst continuing with activities focussed on wildlife, foraging, bushcraft etc, I am, as promised, developing a full program of walks and activities geared towards the great outdoors and wellbeing. My emphasis is on preserving and enhancing robust mental health rather than claiming to treat established conditions.