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Today was a day for New Ideas and Reflection as we worked with Countryside Rangers Linzi and Fiona within the COVID Memorial site within Pollok Park. Our task today was Planting Bulbs ready in the hope that we will give our pollinator friends a bit of a head start next Spring! As always we worked and learned together as a team using different techniques tools to plant a variety of different bulbs. As the sun shone the day raced past and we had planted packet after packet of beautiful bulbs that will hopefully slowly start to grow in time for SPRING!!!! Are the GKC Explorers already talking about Spring - YES WE ARE!!!!!

We found that throwing the bulbs in the air and planting where they landed would give us the most natural effect. We were confident about this for two reasons, the first being that we are confident in what we do and secondly Linzi and Fiona gave us this TOP TIP!!! Too much Gardeners World Girls!!!!! Planting around trees and benches, on top of mounds of grass and in the wide open with clumps of bulbs nestled together to provide splashes of color throughout this important space!! We cannot wait to return in Springtime and spend the day once more admiring the color we have helped create while watching our pollinator friends get to work!!

We set off with the help of Countryside Ranger Fiona and Allison Grieg - Senior Countryside Ranger for Glasgow on a mission to clear any litter and debris from in and around the Riverside Car Park and surrounding woodland. We ensured that we had the correct tools for the job and considered the safety aspects of the days task as we made our way around the autumnal woodland. Working in small teams with the help of our amazing support staff we scanned the area and were left with a small bag of litter and mixed emotions! To 'always' be continued.....

The GREAT thing was that we didn't find a huge amount of litter and we discussed and came to the conclusion that maybe people are becoming more aware of the impact that simply dropping a 'Sweetie Rapper' or 'Plastic Bottle' can have on the environments we lived in. We talked and laughed as we worked and Colin told us that a previous group has been in this area over a year ago and had made a huge difference. Allison and Fiona talked to us as we worked and told us about the negative impact of negative attitudes in relation to dropping litter! We learned about the strange items that we simply discard and found these scarfs tied together - The end or maybe even a 'wrap'!!!

Today we were fortunate enough to be invited along to see the two new (seven day's old) additions to the family at Pollok Park. Allison and Fiona arranged for us to visit the new born calves at Pollok looked after by the Amazing Mel! We learned the story how they were born and they got a surprise two for the price of one, we learned how they need to be cared for during the first few weeks of their young lives. Mel told us about how the cows are part of the park and how they are managed and how out-with Pollok the cows travel and encourage sustainability in other countries such as Ireland for example. Getting to see these amazing animals was a genuine experience for us all and one that as we continue our journey into learning about our environment and how we all play our parts in it we will not forget!

We were genuinely grateful to be given this learning opportunity today. Each week we discuss and learn about our environments, what impacts them and how we should look after them. Little did we know that this week we would be allowed to 'Dive Into' our learning experience with an Educational Visit to the Sea Life Centre in Loch Lomond. This was an amazing experience that allowed us to see, smell and even touch creatures who live in our oceans and rivers. We were amazed at the many creatures being taken care off at the center, from star fish and crabs in rock pools to the amazing otters who were full of mischief and play!

Gazing into the bottom of the sea coming face to face with sharks didn't faze us as we made our way through this learning experience. We walked through a tropical ocean tunnel as the sharks swan above and around us before heading to the cafe upstairs for a 'quick bite'!! Our day and adventure continued in the afternoon as we learned how the most beautiful turtle had been rescued from fishing nets, you can see from the images we took just how amazing she is! Being given the opportunity to see this uniquely different 'environment' has really sparked our imaginations as we continue to Outdoor Learning Adventure.

Today we were deep in the undergrowth while at the same time finding ourselves surrounded by roads, busy traffic, honking horns and peace and quiet!! Where were we? Glasgow's Hidden Gardens!! Driving through the gates at the gardens was an experience for us all and in particular those who hadn't been here before. The contrast from the busy streets to the tranquil surroundings of the garden really took some of the learners and support staff by surprise. This educational visited was provided by Amanda and Andrea (Hidden Gardens) with the session being delivered by the wonderful Rhona.