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Due to the favourable tides, the pupils had the opportunity to explore the cave system at Blackhall and see areas up-close that they have previously researched about. After some photo opportunities and a visit to the caves, the pupils attempted to make a large-scale sand art of John Muir’s face. The murals were created using found objects on the beach. This included the use of seaweed for his beard, rocks and shells for facial features and driftwood to create the outline of his face. All murals could be seen from the clifftops above and were created next to some of the permanent artwork on the beach at Blackhall. This was a good way of sharing their artwork with the community of Blackhall.

At Endeavour, the pupils researched Blackhall Rocks as a reserve, it’s history and the fauna and flora of the site whilst some pupils did a more hands-on practical task in the form of willow frame making. Some pupils decided to research Field Voles after discovering one during our initial site visit. Others focused on the historical side of the site such as monks hiding in the caves to escape Viking invaders whilst some pupils investigated the fascinating fact that the caves are the country’s most northerly example of magnesian limestone caves.

It was important to find out more about the man behind the award- John Muir. We spent this week at Endeavour Academy, conducting research at John Muir, his life and his adventures that led to him becoming the ‘Father of the national parks’ in America. As well as investigative research about John Muir himself, the national parks he protected and the stories of his life in the wilderness, some pupils attempted detailed drawings of him to decorate their files. The pupils were given John Muir files to show their completed work as well as pictures of their field studies. Pupils also took the opportunity to reflect upon how they felt when at Blackhall and to share with the class the impact it had on each of their senses. There was a lot of focus around the sound of the crashing waves and how this sounded relaxing and calming to most. It was very important for the pupils to share their thoughts and feelings with others as this is something that they struggle with and it showed good character building

After getting used to the local bus routes and finding the site, our first group visit to Blackhall Rocks Nature Reserve was undertaken. Durham County Council’s site ranger was on hand to provide the pupils with some historical and natural context of the site so that the pupils had a better understanding of where they were. As a class, we had done some initial research on Blackhall the previous week but seeing it in person was much different as the site is much bigger in person than on a map. Coastal fields, the most northerly magnesian limestone cave system in England, a beach dotted with coal deposits and rocks containing fossils and crumbling cliff faces all proved to be interesting throughout site visits. Firstly, we followed in the footsteps of John Muir and conducted a 1000 step site tour (inspired by the 1000-mile journey John Muir is famous for). Half way through, one pupil spotted a small rodent on the side of the coastal path. It turned out to be a stunned Field Vole which eventually made its way back into the under growth and provided us with a good insight into the kinds of creatures that call Blackhall their home.

The John Muir award: Our first John Muir award session began at in the pupil’s classroom at Endeavour Academy. We introduced ourselves and our role within the Durham County Council’s parks and countryside team before explaining the aims and objectives of the John Muir award. A video outlined the John Muir award as well as previous participants experiences. With a lot of information to take in, it was important to ask the pupil’s what their expectations would be, what they wanted to get out of the award and how they would like to fulfil each element.

The Friends of Springburn Park are all about helping and working together - two things that the Glasgow Kelvin Explorers are massive on! Danielle from FOS suggested we use the Boat House Cafe as we worked to create our Mini Beast Homes. We would repay her hospitality when Countryside Ranger Gavin would take the finished Mini Beast Homes and position them in the park. We used a variety of materials including recycled materials such as card, bamboo, sticks, string and recycled cups to create of Mini Beast Homes. Cutting safely with tools is something we have practiced over recent weeks and so it was again today as we worked in small teams to complete our tasks. Allison and Gavin worked between the working groups sharing information while we worked while as always our support staff assisted and helped at every turn. Finally it really is beginning to 'look a lot like Christmas' as once again there was a Friends of Springburn Park Festive Theme! Music was playing and once our work was complete the fantastic Pauline at the Boathouse Cafe provided 'every single person' with Teas, Coffees' Waters and Juices of all kinds!! This perhaps is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!

Our adventures continued today with the generosity of The Friends of Springburn Park and of course our Glasgow Countryside Rangers! The amazing world of mini beasts and Hibernation Habitats was our theme as we delved into the not so scary world of mini beasts. Senior Countryside Ranger Allison Greig turned an ordinary disused log into a story and adventure as she identified not one, not two but six different mini beasts all calling this sodden log home! Countryside Ranger Gavin explained how mini beasts can live in our woodland, ponds, under leaves or even in holes in bricks in tumbled down walls! Allison described how Insects are IN SECTIONS and we wondered at how something so small could play such a BIG Part in all of our lives. With all of this in mind we set to work, our intention - to help our mini beast friends.....

Our adventure into nature with our Countryside Ranger Friends took a bit of a twist today with the Festive Mischief of Glasgow Countryside Rangers Linzi and Fiona coming to the fore. Taking place in the beautiful setting of Knowe Lodge in the middle of our much loved Pollok Park we worked as a team to create some Festive Decorations using produce found mainly in the park. Fiona and Linzi gathered branches of various sizes and we cut these into different shapes and sizes. We used tools for cutting and for threading, glue for sticking and using string we shaped and created the most intricate little Christmas Trees before dressing them in colored baubles which looked amazing. We pushed on and with the help of Linzi, Fiona and our tremendous support staff we created Beautiful Reindeer complete with Christmas tails! These weren't the only tails to be found however. As we worked we listened and told 'tales' of Christmas Adventures we have had and Christmas Dreams we hoped maybe one day may come true. Chocolates were disappearing at a rapid pace as Christmas music floated around the room painting smiles on everyone's faces! It was tricky work especially for Colin who found threading the string through the small holes in the Christmas Trees - all Colin wants for Christmas is a new pair of Reading Glasses!! As for us, well we have 'No Eye Deer'!!