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16 Oct. Around Dec last year we heard that Cumbria County Council had put Walkmill Community Woodland up for sale. As a family we were very upset and determined to do something about it. I attended Parish Council meetings and together with 2 people who live in Moresby formed Walkmill Action Group (WAG). We launched a very successful campaign to raise public awareness and got many signatures on both paper and a council e-petition. We successfully got Walkmill listed as "An Asset of Community Value" and developed relationships with Moresby Parish Council and the West Cumbria Rivers Trust (WCRT). Together WAG, the Parish Council and WCRT have submitted a very well received Expression of Interest to County with a view to having Walkmill transferred from County to Parish Council as a Community Asset Transfer. Together we are in the final stages of submitting our business case to hopefully make this a reality. This experience has shown us that sometimes a small group of people can make a big difference to an area of nature to ensure it can continue to be the wildlife haven it is and continue to be enjoyed by the public. As part of the business plan we have to show sustainability regarding funding to care for the woodland. We are very keen that no plans impact on the "wildness" of Walkmill or impact on the public's "Right to Roam" in all areas of it. One way we are exploring to do this is by having Hospice at Home involved. Family members could donate to have memorial benches for their loved ones. This would mean more places to sit and rest also, making Walkmill more accessible to those with reduced mobility to explore it and discover the wonders it holds. In this picture Christine from WAG and our family were sharing Walkmill with some representatives of Hospice at Home so they could explore it and discover if they thought it suitable for memorial benches. And they did!

16th and 29th Oct Twice when we have been exploring Walkmill we have discovered books that people have hidden as part of the West Cumbria Find a Book Scheme! Rowan called his book about Snoopy that we found "his map" and referred to it all round our walk that day! We have already re-hidden one of the fairy books we found for someone else to find :)

In these pictures of the same view taken 11th Sept and 29th Oct we can see how much the trees have changed. Willow age 5 wanted to say what she had learnt about why the leaves change colour in Autumn. She remembered that all the red, orange, yellow and sometimes even purple colours had been there all along. But during the spring and summer when there was more sun the green chlorophyll that the leaves use to make food for the tree (photosynthesis) makes the leaves look green and we can't see the other colours. As the days get shorter and there is less sunshine there is less chlorophyll and we can see the other colours. Then eventually the leaves fall off. Unless the trees are evergreen of course!

29th Oct we went for a muddy walk off the beaten track in Walkmill to explore the area some more, share it with friends and gather some Autumn leaves for an art project. Rowan and Willow both got stuck in the mud! We were there later in the day than our usual visits and it was beautiful to see the sun start to set.

Here are the results from a Marine Conservation Society beach clean at Parton Bay hosted in conjunction with Y6 and Y5 pupils from St Bridget's school, Parton. 22kg of litter was collected in 8 bags of litter plus part of a wooden pallet. 344 pieces were collected in total over a 100 metre stretch of beach. Litter was categorised using the MCS survey sheet and uploaded to contribute to national data used for conservation purposes. Less litter was found at Parton than the national average (665 pieces per 100m in 2018). I made a word cloud to share with the kids after their efforts which shows proportionally the types of litter found. No surprise that plastic is the top material.

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks" John Muir. BAREFOOT by Alison: Brace yourself, as it is cold, An unexpected pleasure, slipping, sliding down the slimy slipway, Rocky slabs smooth with tidal action, Each step enlightening the senses, Feet enlivened, a treat for mind and body, Out of cover the mind sharpens in protection, Over sand, sea, sharp barnacles and soft seaweed, Toasty, tingling tootsies back in shoes and socks. BAREFOOT by Clare, Bracing ourselves against the cold, Arrived at the beach feeling bold, Removed our socks and trainers too, Entered the water and walked on through, Felt the sand beneath our toes, One with nature and creatures below, Our surprise we had along the way, Tiny little starfish came out to play. BAREFOOT by Vanessa, Braving the cold, Alone in our thoughts, Relying on our balance, Exploring the beach, Feeling happy and weird, Onwards through the sand, Over stones and seaweed, Taking careful steps till the end . We hope you have understood some of our experience from our poetry and pictures, we had a great walk and received far more than we expected.

June 2019 "Only by going alone in silence, without baggage, can one truly get into the heart of wilderness" John Muir. My first activity to get started with my John Muir conserver award, a weekend saunter and bivi trip journeying south along the coast. Without expectations but full of anticipation and a little nervousness I set off alone. I had a little baggage but packed light for meals with a stove, some packet soups, a block of cheese and a loaf of homemade bread. Note I didn't wear the hat, it was just for photo effect!

30th Oct. We made pictures with the leaves we gathered yesterday.