Are you the type of person who yearns for new experiences, or does the thought of trying different things fill you with cold, white fear?

Perhaps, like me, you fall into both camps. The thought of having adventures is lovely and all that, but sometimes it’s so much easier to stay at home and watch back-to-back episodes of Made in Chelsea.

Trying something new can be scary. In my case, it can be an awkward and embarrassing ordeal that results in injuries – like the mud run I tried and wrote about last year.

However, putting yourself out there can also be liberating and exciting. You can take pride from venturing into areas unknown, and even have fun in the process.

Life begins outside your comfort zone, or so they say, and each month I will attempt something new, while ignoring the accusations of “notions” from friends and family.

First challenge

Though a few of my colleagues helpfully suggested abseiling down a cliff, my first challenge is quite tame. Pleasant even.

I decided to be nice to myself and venture down to Carlow on a beautiful August morning to try foraging.

From my point of view, foraging for food involves rummaging through the press for a forgotten Mars Bar, or perhaps strolling to the takeaway by foot rather than having my four-in-one delivered.

My knowledge starts and ends with blackberry picking in September, which I associate with sweltering Indian summers, stained paws and itchy new school jumpers. For Mary White, however, foraging is a way of life and an important way to connect with nature.

Located near the Blackstairs Mountains, she runs an eco trails business with her husband Robert and welcomes everyone from ecologists to hen parties.

Mary, who is a former Green Party TD, set up the business in 2011 and will also host the annual Wild Summer School this September.

“There’s a huge interest in foraging. People are often amazed with what they find,” explains Mary. “Our workshops are 90% enjoyment and 10% about learning what to eat.”

And so, armed with a wicker basket which made me feel like Little Red Riding Hood, Mary and I set off to discover the myriad of wonders that exist in the beautiful surroundings.

It’s not long until I’m found out as a novice.

“Do you know what this is?” she asks. She’s holding up a branch with red berries. I recognise it from the bushes near my home in Kerry, but I haven’t a clue what it actually is.

This happened a lot during our excursion. Despite the fact that many of these plants are quite common, I can only recognise the flora likely to poison me, probably because I was warned to stay away from them as a child.

Despite my ignorance, it’s enlightening to find out how certain plants can be utilised. For example, did you know you can make wine and Turkish Delight from haw? That rosehip is a substitute for aspirin? Or that rose petals can be used as cake decorations?

I was also interested to discover that Mary has a mini-distillery, with drinks made from sloe, elderflower and rowan berries – now I understand why the hen parties come here.

Her knowledge is impressive and goes far beyond simply identifying edible plants. It’s a deep understanding of the countryside and the nature we can fail to appreciate. Mary is also great fun, which always helps.

My basket is soon full of all sorts, from rose petals to yarrow, which we use later to make the most relaxing cup of tea I’ve ever consumed.

Foraging is a peaceful exercise, especially after a week sitting at a desk in Dublin. It can be easy to lose touch with your roots and foraging with Mary evoked some lovely memories of my childhood in Kerry, when nettle stings were a daily occurrence and dock leaves cured all ailments.

Lesson one. Trying new things can sometimes take you back – and there’s no harm in that.

Do you have anything for me to try? Email ahussey@farmersjournal.ie or tweet @AislingHussey. I’d also love to hear from anyone who left their comfort zone and lived to tell the tale. CL

Summer school

The second annual Blackstairs Eco Trails Wild Food Summer School will take place on 11-13 September. Chef Catherine Fulvio, environmentalist Duncan Stewart and food writers John and Sally McKenna, are among the lineup for this year’s event, which will include foraging, cookery, workshops and entertainment for children. Miles Irving, author of the Forager’s Handbook – the Bible for foragers, will also speak at the festival. For more, log on to www.blackstairsecotrails.ie