Spring is Springing

Female catkins on Goat Willow and Sycamore leaves just waiting to spring out!

Tour de Forest

As we passed our trail leader course for mountain biking in March, we've been testing out a route for the cabin site guests. Great fun and views! We tested the route out on Emma, who particular enjoyed the bothy bag :-)

Siskins

I love Siskins! Especially their warning calls, here's a male and female being piggy and brave on my feeder at the cabin site.

Something else I find cute are these brand spanking new larch cones and needles.

Loch Katrine

We all had a trip on the Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine, gorgeous but chilly!

Crannog and Catkins

Someone??? has put the flag back on the crannog remains (an old iron age safe island). Despite all the snow melt and flooding after Easter, the loch levels are really low again. We haven't been able to see the crannog for ages.

All the willow catkins are coming out too. You can hang a catkin shoot in your house for a good health charm, or make a wish with a willow. Ask for permission from the sacred tree first, then tie a knot in a shoot whilst making your wish. Keep it with you until your wish is granted where you must return with the shoot, untie the knot and thank the willow by leaving a gift. Alternatively, use willow for 'the original magic wand', or sit amongst willow for inspiration. :-)

Edinburgh

We all went to Edinburgh, which was great. Will and I hadn't been for 15 years, so we had forgotten all the interesting stuff about the castle. Shame 'The Witchery' didn't have more traditional or realistic witchy stuff though. There's so much interesting history and herbal stuff thats being forgotten!

Will's Mum & Dad come and Visit

The impossible has in fact happened, Will's Mum and Dad have travelled to another country to come and visit us :-). The weather was amazing and we all had a great time touring the Trossachs, with the luxury of a log cabin too!

Raft Racing

We're back at Cobleland now doing our ranger activities at the weekends. It was great to see some of the kids again that we met last year over Easter. The ranger tent is up and open for business (despite being flooded already) and Will is starting a raft build and race on Sunday. We just need to get an action 'Tom Hanks' man and his friend, Wilson!

Spring!

At last, some colour in Scotland; coltsfoot, or 'son before the father' as the flowers come out before the leaves and daffodils of course.