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Today, I made a log pile by sawing down some tree branches. I then sawed them into logs for the pile. We needed to take down the branches because they were a danger to younger children visiting the garden. I loved doing this SO much!

The group helped with an activity for Random Acts of Kindness Day. First of all they helped to fill old bread bags with soil, they then put these into second hand flower pots. They then drew a picture of some flowers and used this to wrap a pack of seeds. We then delivered to classes in the school who will grow the seeds and then we will deliver them to our neighbours and friends of the school to bring a smile to their faces.

It was a wet, grey day on the Eastern shores of Loch Lomond, but we needed to check out the site for this weekends volunteer task, so we donned the waterproofs and out we went. Although it was wet, it was actually very mild and the water wasn't completely freezing, it was quite tempting to go for a dip, but maybe we'll save that for next time. As we were out walking we spotted some lovely signs that maybe spring isn't too far away. The catkins and buds out on a Hazel tree as well as some lovely Crocus and Daffodils about to bloom. The Millennium Trail and Craigie Fort is a lovely little walk and we're looking forward to the volunteer task there this Saturday.

Every so often in Perthshire, I come across something created by one of our volunteers, Keith. On a cycle on route 77 in Dunkeld at the weekend, I found this beautiful carved signpost, reminding people that they're sharing the routes with wildlife. Talent blooms across our volunteer base - or so say those of us who sampled volunteer Fiona's sloe gin today, made from berries from route 7... :)

I was happy to see my first flowering Winter Aconite this weekend on National Cycle Network Route 77 outside Pitlochry. This little yellow winter plant is described beautifully on one webpage...the flowers are "contained within a circular envelope" of "minutely-pointed" leaves. The petals "at first form a ball, later a goblet". A lovely description for a lovely wildflower, reassuring us that Spring is coming.

I dropped into the John Muir Trust centre in Pitlochry at the weekend. Beautiful pictures, inspiring stories and an exhibition of digital art....animals spun out of nature words and John Muir quotes. I remember the first John Muir quote I heard, 19 years ago, and sending it to a friend who was battling addiction. I only recently found out that it was an accident that nearly cost Muir his sight that prompted him to devote his time to travel and nature... "This affliction has driven me to the sweet fields." It makes me think of the Bird Therapy piece on Winterwatch recently which couldn't have failed to move most people watching - the people featured found solace in nature after serious health problems. Just like Muir and probably countless other people in the 150 years between. "Keep close to nature's heart....and break clear away, once in a while, to climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean."