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Ok, so I know the theme of this column is normally heavily biased towards countryside, wildlife and recreation, but this week I am going to start on something of a tangent.
This is because I haven't seen much of the East Devon countryside over the last few weeks as I have, instead, been nervously pacing corridors awaiting the birth of my first child. The waiting is now over and I am the very proud father of little Eleanor who arrived 13 days overdue and has subsequently totally taken over Jo and my life! The eagerly awaited Exeter Food Festival came and went for me and all I managed to do was schlep along for a quick pint on Saturday night – what an amazing event it looked too, pity I was a little preoccupied.
So, Ellie is the newest Junior Ranger in East Devon, which means that this is officially an article about engaging children with wildlife, but before that please allow me one final indulgence…
I'd like to say a big public “Thank You” to the staff at Royal Devon & Exeter labour unit and Honiton maternity ward, who looked after my wife and baby so well. The level of care and attention lavished on mum and baby was staggering and a huge tribute to our local National Health Service. There, done it. Thanks.
So, enough baby talk (for a moment anyway) and down to business as normal. This Saturday I will be leading a morning walk around Holyford Woods, for the Devon Wildlife East Devon Local Group. If the weather is half as good as it is at the moment it is set to be an event not to be missed.
Holyford Woods is one of my favourite East Devon Local Nature Reserves. Indeed it’s one of my favourite places anywhere at all, and I am very fortunate indeed to be able to call it my workplace at least for a few days of the year. The early morning walk will be full of springtime woodland interest, with the ramsons and bluebells sure to be in full swing. I admit that last statement is a total guess as I've not visited in weeks, what with the baby and all – drat, how long did I manage, 100 words?
Having said that, if you do come along on Saturday, please consider that my brain currently has the consistency of hot fudge sauce and the likelihood will be that I've forgotten a huge amount of the woodland ecology I knew so intimately a fortnight ago! It will still be a lovely setting, so come to enjoy watching the new dad Ranger zombie staggering around the glades talking to tree stumps.
For more information, please contact Christina Bows on (01297) 23822. If you can't make it, do bear in mind that the following weekend is a dawn-till-dusk extravaganza in the woods. Saturday May 2 will have bluebell day activities from first light with a dawn chorus walk, through to nightfall with guided bat walks, and looks set to be a magical day of woodland fun.
The morning event will include a breakfast sarnie, so don't worry about eating before you leave the house, come and enjoy a bacon roll in the woods. Bluebell Day will have the normal mix of village fete cream teas, cakes, stalls and guided walks from Horriford Farm and the evening bat walk will be a magical end to a day of woodland exploration. For more information on this event contact Diane Berry at the East Devon Countryside Service on (01395) 517557. Right, I have to nip off and give my daughter another big cuddle, I'll catch up with you again soon.
(POSTED ON BEHALF OF JAMES CHUBB!)