What we did on 1 January 2026. Not officially a challenge. More an epilogue.
It’s a very strange day. It’s the 1 January 2026 and for the first time in 365 days we do not need to do a nature play challenge. It’s hard to stop though so we do one anyway.
We debate where we want to go and decide on Sully Island again. B wants to play without worrying about making a challenge. I want to make a giant 365 because our first one, exactly a year ago, was a bit rubbish. With that in mind we head out over the causeway, stopping en route to chat to the wonderful RNLI ladies. They’re armed with warm hats, thermos and warnings about exactly how long you have till the tide comes in. We are appreciative.
Hopping over the rocks and rockpools in our wellies is fun at any time of the year. B thinks she knows the fastest route and strikes out on her own. When we get over the other side I’m looking idly for big sticks to make numbers out of. Then I notice the seaweed. We didn’t do a lot with seaweed really. I get going on a massive 365 and B helps with finding shells (she’s not touching the slimy stuff). Then she gets distracted and wanders off.
She comes back ten minutes later holding a massive pile of dried out grasses. She’s picked them from the hill. When you hold them in the wind they whistle. I demonstrate how you can squeeze seaweed pods. She’s not impressed, I probably should have done that on a warmer day.
Mindful of the incoming tide we head back over the causeway. Mucking about on the landside of the beach we find new ways to get up to the car park through drainage holes (I’m impressed I fit!). As we play we also watch the tide coming in against the clock.
We’re both reflective I think. It’s been an amazing year that’s just passed. I’m aware that we are so much better at playing outside now than we were a year ago. I remember standing out in the rain on New Years Day last year frantically looking for an idea (and being saved by B as usual). Now we see opportunities everywhere. We’ve become explorers and scientists. We’ve stopped caring if we look stupid and instead look for the fun.
I haven’t worked out yet how we’ll keep the faith in 2026 but I think it will come to us. It’s just brought too much joy to be turned away from.
