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30/01/2018 - Me and the other Keeping it Wild Trainees spent the morning learning some basic fire starting skills. In this photo I'm starting a fire using King Alfred's cake (a type of fungus) and reed heads. We created an ember in the dried inner flesh of the fungus using sparks from a fire striker. We then wrapped the smouldering fungus in reed heads and blew until the reed heads ignited.

Today we headed over to Castlelaw at the east end of the Pentland Hills outside Edinburgh on a journey to "Explore a Wild Place". The first stop for the group was to visit Castlelaw hill fort https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/penicuik/castlelaw/index.html which, is quite impressive as there is not much above ground as most of what is left is underground. From there we headed into the mist as there wasn't a lot to see so this was definitely an explore day. We followed the track up for about 1 1/2 miles passing by (although we couldn't see them) Castlelaw Hill and Woodhouselee Hill until reaching the boundary line. After lunch we continued back down the way we came exploring our way sometimes off the track a little to look at some rock formations and plants that were starting to come through.

On the 26th and 27th February 2019 the true effects of climate change were fully visible with 21.3 degree temperatures recorded in London and the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park peeking at around 18 degrees. I fear for what this means for the year ahead and for the spring bulbs which have sprouted and risk being hit by another cold snap before march is out. That said when summer comes early there is only one thing for it, get out and explore. Gordon and I paired up for a couple of site visits this week including sniffing out an alternative access to the saddle between Ben Ime and the Cobbler on Monday and checking out the high sections of the Stank Glen access to Ben Ledi on Tuesday. Our visit to Ben Ime looked to identify a suitable walk in for contractors planning to restore the Ben Ime hill path. Works high up in the Arrochar Alps needed to tackle worsening erosional scars are well needed but challenging for those having to walk in and out on a daily basis to do the works. This route was steep but manageable and at 2.5k each way would be a viable option. Along the way we followed an impressive river gorge with evidence of deer, sheep and human use. We did however note a lot of evidence of mini land slips which echo the challenges faced at the rest and be thankful around the corner. Once at the top we met the path built in 2017 which has bedded in well if in need of a little maintenance. The paths around were busy with walkers taking the opportunity to get out. A good day all round. The route can be seen here : https://www.strava.com/activities/2176730513 The visit to Ben Ledi with colleagues from FCS was a short afternoon outing to plan future works. I joined for the opportunity to discuss future volunteering opportunities, opportunities for partnership working and to get a better understanding of the work completed to date. This is a mountain which I have still yet to make it to the top of but vising the infamous stank helped me understand why it is so popular with walkers but also why it is high on the down hill mountain bikers tick-list. Another steep path this one gets wet as you make it on to the high up peat bogs. Once at the saddle there is a great view of the surrounding area including the interestingly titles 'Little loch of the dead' . I will certainly need to get back here with the kids to fully explore the area and finally make it to the top! The route we walked can be seen here : https://www.strava.com/activities/2179571200