Ready to Start

Despite the cold, committee members set up their table outside the Discovery Centre and soon had their first customers.

Participants picked up a lealfet giving clues to follow along the way.

Signs

The answer to an early clue was found on the interpretation board. The hunt for letters was on.

Follow the Trail

From the boards the 'blue route' led our intrepid explorers along the path beside Waterton's wall.

More to follow

Back at the Discovery Centre a group of 'senior' ladies were ready to set off.

Conifers and ....

The path went through an area of dense conifer woodland, established by the Forestry Commission for commercial purposes.

... broadleaf

Then past an area recently thinned to allow broadleaf trees to flourish.

Native species such as oak and ash create an environment more attractive to wildlife.

First Back

Sam, one of the regular participants at the Friends' outdoor events, was first back to collect her prize - a chocolate egg.

Searching

Meanwhile others were searching for the pixie village, trying to locate the surprise.

Bench

It wasn't all go, there was time to rest on the bench with carved owls - and solve another clue.

Rings

One of the last clues on the Trail concerned the rings seen on cut logs.

Did you know that if you count them, they tell the age of the tree?

Everyone's a Winner

Lots of families took part on the day and everyone, especially the children, said how much they enjoyed it.

They were obvioulsy delighted with their prizes and surprises.

Prize Draw

The winner of the prize draw was Tracy from New Crofton. She was the lucky recipient of a special Thornton's egg.

Despite the odd flurry of snow, all agreed it had been a great day.