Muddy Care Blog Week 10
Written by participant C2
I was greeted by ‘wet’ outside this morning! I did not however let it dampen my spirits! I always think ‘It must be needed’.
After meeting at our usual place and time, collecting a couple of ‘muddy’ friends along the way and missing one, we were chauffeured as usual by ‘Tarzan’ to Horton Bay. Today we were going rock pooling and looking at the biodiversification of our Welsh beaches all focusing on the benefits of being outside, of nature and being fully in the present with kindred folk. On arrival, it was still ‘dripping’ from the sky, so after completing our ‘weather’/feeling sheets and eating our packed lunches/snacks etc, we donned much needed and appreciated all weather gear including wellies!
By the time we trudged a short distance across the sand, down to the beach, it had dried up. Our ‘muddy care’ luck was in again! C1 and L kindly lugged extra kit with us, as usual, in case a chair or sleeping bag etc was needed by anyone. Armed with a big clear bucket and large sieve, we expectantly went meandering our own ways. The beach looked beautiful, although rugged. We found that the intricate formations on the rocks were in fact made by ‘honeycomb worms’. Each one building their own protective tube home from sand and shell fragments, forming reef coral like structures.
We found an abundance of Dog Whelks in an array of varying colours, including pink, blue and even dark purple! Someone commented that if you saw them in a shop you would presume they'd been painted. We used identification books, which were very useful. We collected an unfortunately lifeless little starfish, a fast moving tiny shrimp like creature and a lovely red ‘edible’ crab, but ‘he’ (as a friend identified), was gladly no ones snack. A lot of Red anemones were seen attached to rocks, closed up out of water and open under water with their tentacles eagerly waiting to trap food!
We found out that flat, rubbery orange coloured matter on the rocks, was ‘orange sponge’ and big clusters of creamy coloured capsules, were Dog Whelk eggs. Hidden under a rock at sand level, a papery ball of what looked a bit like ‘bubble wrap’ type shapes to me, was probably empty Sea snail/Whelk egg cases.
One of the most exiting finds, was probably a Shark (Dogfish) embryo inside a case. Also known as ‘A Mermaids Purse’. On close inspection you could even see its veins! It was cleverly secured to the rocks below by curly tendrils. We all definitely appreciated nature and even the patterns in the sand, rocks and pebbles etc. Fresh air, only a light breeze and not too cold. Great for January!
After de-robing from waterproofs, we had a little drive to sit in the warm and re-fuel.
We were given handouts on an ‘I am ‘ and ‘I can’ task, to fill in and stick up at home if desired, plus ‘My perfect day’ sheet to fill in and keep for ourselves, sharing only it if wanted. We were also given a quote that I found and liked by an unknown author, about the ups and downs of days. So true.
C1 told us about an extremely sad true story, about the ‘Battle of the Wounded Knee’ massacre of native Indians in South Dakota in 1890. Alternatively known as the ‘Wounded Knee Massacre’, named after a nearby Creek. Several hundred, about half being women and children were murdered by the United States Army, to hopefully disarm the ‘Lakota’. Sun dances amongst other traditional things, were made illegal and their spiritual health was broken. It apparently took 7 generations to heal! Thinking and talking about this is relevant because of the importance of our ‘spiritual’ health and resilience. We were given a very interesting handout headed ‘Emotional Health’. Mindfulness and Meditation were discussed and ideas given on how to ‘be in the present’, by rock pooling, birdwatching and just being in nature/appreciating it. SO good for our general Wellbeing.
Lastly, an up dated calendar of ‘muddycare’ group meet dates was given. SO much more to look forward to!!
