On the way to the orchard we chatted with each other noting birds flying overhead and the weather. We also enjoyed talking to dog-walkers and other friendly folk. While in the orchard we picked an interesting tree to look at. What sort of apple grew on this tree? What animals might live in it? Everyone started to look more closely, to touch it, to look inside holes, at broken bark and the plants around the tree. Members of the public also joined in the discussion. After some further exploring, which included noticing butterflies, bugs and plants we walked back. Everyone noticed more about the nature they were passing on the way home.

A few weeks later I bumped into a member of staff that had been with us in the orchard. She was leading a walk in the local park and they were discussing a big oak tree.  She said: ‘I never used to know what to say on walks. Today I just started talking about what I could see and then everyone joined in. We’ve been here for ages.’