Finished nice and early this week so the blog & photos can be out early! This week was made all the more challenging as each VO got to lead a project for the day.
So, Tuesday: Rob was up first for this one. We were working up at Craigmillar Castle Jubilee Park, an interesting area of parkland and trees with excellent views of Arthur’s Seat. So the task for the day was to install 2 new drains in the main path (one water bar and one cross drain); also clearing and deepening some existing drains; path clearing, scraping and resurfacing. Drains were completed in superfast time, so Rob kept runnning out of things for us to do.There was much playing on the climbing frame at lunch time. Chris and Charlie kept disappearing into the undergrowth and returning with odd and unusual items…including a bike which was brought back to the office!!
Wednesday saw us at Polkemmet – Tree planting again -under Tim’s leadership.
An everlasting image of Tommy trundling round the wood with a large bag of plastic tree tubes ‘skirts’ – a sort of environmental santa. The day went really well until we ran out of stakes! Golf ball count was 7 by the end of the day – not great considering we were working right on a golf course! Everyone did really well, as we managed to plant 2 whole trays of trees. Thanks also goes to Neasa for the lovely cake and Kirsty for the quiz!
Thursday we we down at Blackness Castle doing a touch of gorse clearance, meadow cutting and raking (to the amusement of Dave!) My turn at leading.
Nice short day – sunshine but very very cold. Gorse cutting was made difficult by the presence of several badger setts, a dead rabbit and the pond was completely frozen! After a nice lunch in the sun – in the grounds of the castle – I led a short nature walk in the afternoon.The walk took us into the village of Blackness – which all seems to be completely shut on Thursdays – no pub open, no castle open. There we were in the middle of the village -total silence…untill several dogs started howling…bit sinister really… With the promise of snow we had an early finish.
To view photos of past and present projects and our volunteers in action please click here