As the weather gets better and better and the Yorkshire Dales come alive with their incredible greenery, it's increasingly tempting to spend time outside.
You could set out on a challenge like conquering each of the Dales 30 but there are other easier, simple ways to enjoy nature, that we often forget to do.
Here are a few ideas for those who relish the idea of taking life a little more gently.
Sit on a hillside and whatever the weather, turn your face toward it. Feel the sun on your face or the wind bashing your cheeks for a few moments. Enjoy the simple contentment of absorbing what's happening in that special moment.
Collect treasure. As you walk look around the ground, on the walls and in the trees. What can you find? Pick up whatever catches your magpie eye - sheep's wool caught on a fence, a curiously shaped pebble, a feather, a conker, a small stick. Keep a few precious treasures in a post on a window sill or in a coat pocket so each time you come across them you're instantly taken back to the place you collected them.
Splash in a stream, gaze in wonder at a waterfall.
Take a photo of every wildflower and type of grass you see, with the date you first see them and keep a record over a whole year. Once you start to look out for them, you'll be amazed how many you can find.
Make a date to climb a hill and silently watch the sunshine. Go back later to watch the sun set.
Sit by a fallen log for a few minutes, perhaps roll it over slightly, and count how many insects you find. When I discover a hidden world like that, I start to wonder about all the life going on around us and under our feet that we don't normally notice.
Collect some cones, sticks, leafs and create a nature table, remembering the wonder you felt as a child.
Make a collage or a model out of your nature treasures (we used to call them 'muddles'!).
Wait for the rain. Look out for it after a few dry days and then go out in the rain. Breathe in the fresh smell of petrichor - that wonderful earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil.
Walk around in the rain, watching the rain drops as they fall and gently balance on the grass or leaves, before plopping to the ground. Relish the idea of the water soaking into the ground, nourishing the earth and making the grass even greener.
When you're completely soaked to the skin, enjoy that wonderful feeling of putting on dry clothes and going in search of a cosy cafe or country pub!
You could set out on a challenge like conquering each of the Dales 30 but there are other easier, simple ways to enjoy nature, that we often forget to do.
Here are a few ideas for those who relish the idea of taking life a little more gently.
Sit on a hillside and whatever the weather, turn your face toward it. Feel the sun on your face or the wind bashing your cheeks for a few moments. Enjoy the simple contentment of absorbing what's happening in that special moment.
Collect treasure. As you walk look around the ground, on the walls and in the trees. What can you find? Pick up whatever catches your magpie eye - sheep's wool caught on a fence, a curiously shaped pebble, a feather, a conker, a small stick. Keep a few precious treasures in a post on a window sill or in a coat pocket so each time you come across them you're instantly taken back to the place you collected them.
Splash in a stream, gaze in wonder at a waterfall.
Take a photo of every wildflower and type of grass you see, with the date you first see them and keep a record over a whole year. Once you start to look out for them, you'll be amazed how many you can find.
Make a date to climb a hill and silently watch the sunshine. Go back later to watch the sun set.
Sit by a fallen log for a few minutes, perhaps roll it over slightly, and count how many insects you find. When I discover a hidden world like that, I start to wonder about all the life going on around us and under our feet that we don't normally notice.
Collect some cones, sticks, leafs and create a nature table, remembering the wonder you felt as a child.
Make a collage or a model out of your nature treasures (we used to call them 'muddles'!).
Wait for the rain. Look out for it after a few dry days and then go out in the rain. Breathe in the fresh smell of petrichor - that wonderful earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil.
Walk around in the rain, watching the rain drops as they fall and gently balance on the grass or leaves, before plopping to the ground. Relish the idea of the water soaking into the ground, nourishing the earth and making the grass even greener.
When you're completely soaked to the skin, enjoy that wonderful feeling of putting on dry clothes and going in search of a cosy cafe or country pub!
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