This walk was the undisputed highlight of our trip. Jonathan welcomed us with cups of hedgerow tea — nettle, mint, and fennel, perfectly seasonal for June. It was the most refreshing start imaginable.
What followed was a rich, unhurried walk through a truly breathtaking landscape. Jonathan's knowledge is impressive — he taught us to tell the deadly plants (hemlock, foxglove) from the medicinal ones (elder, hawthorn, yarrow), and made it all feel memorable rather than overwhelming. Even the grey weather couldn't dampen things; at one point Jonathan led us to the sea, where we quietly watched a seal napping on the rocks.
The walk had wonderful spontaneous moments too. A pair of horses caught wind of the watercress Jonathan had foraged for his lunch and made short work of half of it — much to everyone's amusement. We ended by learning how to make elderflower champagne: beautifully simple, delicately floral, and apparently very much in season right now. I cannot wait to try it at home.