Switch off, step out, look around
Leaving home after my A-levels, I was anxious to see more of the world. I raised some funds and set off working and travelling, experiencing life and revelling in the immensely different surroundings that we encountered on the way. We saw many places and had many wonderful experiences and memories to take with us. But one of my strongest memories comes from the first few days back home. I was stunned. We go off travelling around the world to vast, desiccated continents, but we have such beauty and abundance all around us at home, and I determined thereafter to make the most of it. My underlying philosophy, if I have one, is of simple fun. Strip out all the unnecessary clutter of life, just go out for the day and have fun with what you find. You don’t need bags of specialist equipment. Getting outside is a great way to challenge the ties of technology and get some fresh air, a bit of exercise, nourish your senses and be inspired. Spotting migrating birds Throughout April and May, depending on the weather conditions, it is possible to see migrants arriving in large numbers from their winter feeding grounds nearly 10,000km away in Africa. All around the southern and eastern coast of England the southern migrators can be seen returning. The birds you can expect to see are swifts and swallows, house martins, spotted flycatchers, cuckoos and nightjars in great numbers as well as sand martins, blackcaps and whitethroats. Hot spots: Spurn Head, Yorkshire; Alderney, Channel Islands; Portland Bill, Dorset; the cliffs of Dover; Swanage and Purbeck (both Dorset). Make your own kite Although very simple, this is probably a task to do before you go out on your kite-flying trip. You will need a heavy-duty bin bag, 2m of 5mm dowel, duct tape, 10m of string and a short, sturdy stick. Cut a diamond shape in the bin bag, 1m long and 1m wide, crossing at 25cm from one end. Cut two 1m lengths of dowel and join them to the plastic with duct tape at each corner of your diamond. Where the dowels cross in the middle, make two small holes in the plastic, push your string through one hole and then the other, then tie around the dowels. Finally, cut strips of plastic from the remains of the bag to make a tail. It should be about 5cm wide and 5m long. Tie the tail on to the base of the dowel and you are ready to fly. Wind the string around the sturdy stick so you have something to hold on to without cutting your hands on the string. How to spot a red squirrel Red squirrels are much more elusive than their brash and fearless American cousins. They tend to hide away in the tree canopy and can be hard to spot. The best things to look out for are their large nests or dreys up in the forks of the tree trunks. Red squirrels are most active at sunrise and sunset in spring. They are rusty red, and smaller than the grey squirrel with tufts on the end of their ears. If you can’t see the red squirrel, you may hear it. It has a “chuck chuck” call that sounds almost conversational. They also foot tap, like rabbits, when aggravated. It is tempting to pick a flower or two when you’re out for a walk, but before long they have wilted. You can preserve their beauty if you press the flowers and they can be used to make cards and pictures. All you need are some heavy books and blotting paper. When you are collecting wildflowers, never take more than 10 per cent of the flowers in one area to leave plenty for the bees, and cut only the flower – don’t pull up the plant as this will kill it Pick a strong, green blade of grass and trap it between the sides of your thumb pads and the heels of your hand. Blow across the side of the grass where it is stretched across the gap formed when your thumbs are side by side. The squeal can attract or scare predators and prey. and is actually illegal. When you collect your flowers, they should be put in water instantly to keep them in good condition. When you get home, open your pressing book and place a bit of blotting paper in the page. Arrange your flowers. Place a second piece of blotting paper on top, making sure the flowers stay in the shape you wish, and close the book. Pile on some other heavy books to make sure the flowers are well pressed. Try to leave them for a good month, giving them plenty of time to dry, before having a look. How to get up high To get up high is to feel on top of the world. Even with small children it is quite possible. In fact, I remember being amazed when our children were just three and four, and we found ourselves heading up the side of Catbells (which stands at 451m) in the Lake District, the direct route. Not on any path, just up. Children enjoy a challenge and a target. It is often better to have the challenge of going up one steep peak and reaching the top, which is tangible and understandable to the small mind, rather that a longer, flat circular walk that apparently has no rhyme or reason. There is no feeling quite like it. Taken from‘The Countryside Book’ by TessaWardley, published by Bloomsbury, priced £14.99. To order your copy for £12.99 plus £1.99 p&p call 0844 871 1514 or visit books. telegraph.co.uk Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire “This has to be the most magical and reasonable family day out we have yet discovered.” Keith and Sandy Pickering Milton Keynes Museum, Wolverton “We made toast on the range in the Victorian kitchen, watched a real live blacksmith and rode on the huge steam tram. Our family range from 75 to 6 and all found it fascinating.” Cath McPherson Gloucester Folk Museum “I enjoyed visiting the museum when I was at school and still enjoy going to visit. I’m now 35!” Stephanie Payne Anyone can make a nomination, just say why the museum is the most family friendly and deserves to win. Email award@kidsinmuseums.org.uk or post: Family Friendly Museum Award, Kids in Museums, 49-51 East Road, London N1 6AH. Nominations close on May 10.