Read on for my lockdown idea

For the past few weeks I have been mulling over trying something a bit different for the winter period. Instead of my normal private foraging walks, which are now obviously over - mainly due to the severely lacking foragables themselves - until the spring, I was planning on offering walks for small groups based around the natural history of their chosen location, helping them to build a greater understanding of, and to engage more with, their local environment. The intention was to offer them at around half the price of my normal private walks, and just see what interest there was.

BUT then came the announcement of Lockdown 2.0, and for now, obviously, that's all on hold. Although fingers crossed it becomes possible again once we hit December.

If I'm completely honest with you all, I really struggled mentally through the first lockdown. The level of confinement, and restrictions placed on being able to get out into the countryside, really caused me problems - especially as we live in a suburban area, and realistically I needed to drive out to be able to enjoy the countryside, especially with two young boys in tow. The later clarification, allowing transport to a place of exercise, really helped, but by then I was in a fairly dark place. But that act of just actually being able to get outside, into my normal habitat amongst the trees and birds, and appreciating what nature I could see, definitely helped.

So I've had an idea. For the whole of lockdown (however long it lasts for), and when I can, I'm going to be available for 1:1 walking sessions lasting a few hours. Ideally within Gloucestershire, but I’m happy to travel further afield if it can be worked out. The walks will be in a location of your choice, and we will chat about whatever aspect of nature you want to. They could be seen as a great way of getting to learn your local area more, or a good way to unwind and de-stress, even if only slightly, from some of the issues that are bound to arise over the next month or so.

And although I’d like to be able to say most of my justification is altruistic, equally part of the reasoning behind it is to make sure I make myself go out too, not just stay stuck indoors. It's a slippery slope when you're used to spending time with others outdoors and then suddenly can't….

...hopefully it won't backfire on me... I mean, I've still got bills to pay too

Just please remember, they are NOT foraging walks. But if we happen to come across anything worthwhile, we can obviously chat about it, alongside all the other fascinating stuff.

For me, the best bit about passing my knowledge and ideas to others is when I get to see it put into practice. So if you do try out your own version of any of the ideas you've seen in my posts, please share them with me on social media, tagging @cotswoldforager