BTCV Edinburgh Diary

The Edinburgh Blog Is Moving!!

2009-08-10T16:31:00.005+01:00

We are moving the BTCV Edinburgh blog to a new home with all the rest of the BTCV office blogs so they can all live together in harmony. Plus you can catch up on what all your fellow volunteers around Scotland are up to at the same time!

Please copy and paste the link below into your browser to hop over to the new blog!

http://blogs.btcv.org.uk/btcv_scotland/

See you there!

Our new contact details...

2009-07-15T08:50:00.002+01:00

We're now in our super new office in Wester Hailes which means we have a new address and phone number:

BTCV Scotland
12a Dumbryden Road
Edinburgh
EH14 2AB

Tel. 0131 442 4930

Our email remains the same - edinburgh@btcv.org.uk

The Edinburgh Blog's Back

2009-07-15T08:36:00.005+01:00

It's been a while but we're back!

Well, how to sum up the last month in a concise way? We've moved office to an actual building made of bricks which those of you familiar with our old office will know is to be very welcomed. I will publish our new contact details separately.

Project wise, the big news is we've finished Newhaven Church! 18 days of hard work have really paid off and it looks amazing and the Church are overjoyed with their new deck. Everyone involved should be very proud of the work that we've done, it's a testament to what volunteers can achieve! Check out the photos to see the finished article!

We've also been building some more jigsaw shape raised beds (last seen at Gardening Scotland 08) for Strathesk Primary School in Penicuik, erecting a greenhouse and shed for the Orchard Clinic at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and pulling up Himalayan Balsam with the Countryside Ranger Service.

On the Volunteer Officer front it's been all change again as Alaitz has returned to Spain and Ianire has arrived to take up her 4 month post with us. We've also been joined by Vicks and soon David will return from his month away in Slovenia. Alan is dipping his toe in the water of being a VO to see how it suits him. It's great to have a team of good VOs working with me to make our projects run better and make sure I don't forget anything!

We'll be back to regular postings from now on, so keep an eye on us!

Chris

Gardening Scotland

2009-06-15T14:00:00.002+01:00

We finally made it to Gardening Scotland. So we didn't help build it we just ripped it apart but it looked great before we destroyed it so well done to Heath and everyone who helped. Then on Wednesday we were back at Newhaven Church doing much the same stuff.

Regular Churchgoers

2009-05-28T17:25:00.003+01:00

For the last couple of weeks we've all become regular churchgoers as our presence at Newhaven Church is almost constant. The results of our commitment are showing as the deck and ramp are looking great and even the picket fence is springing up. Everybody involved should be very proud of the project! We do edge ever closer towards completion as the final deck board was laid today on the ramp so now it's just handrails, planting and extending the fence around the garden (I'm sure we'll be finished in no time at all).

We did manage to squeeze in a different location on the 27th as we headed over to the Hermitage of Braid to clear and re-edge some paths and cutback some vegetation. We even got in some Himalayan Balsam removal, obviously a sign of Summer coming! It was great to see the Blue Tit nest again on the live video link. Last time we visited there were eggs and now there are many hungry mouths to feed, the adult birds are being kept very busy providing food.

stones

2009-05-18T11:23:00.002+01:00

The group spent the whole week at newhaven church. We painted the hand rails, cemented posts, constructed joists for the the ramp, laid the first section of decking, broke lots of stones, Nicky had lots of frustration trying to break one very tough rock whitch eventualy turned into a very nice looking bear, put up fenceing on the main part of the decking whitch we attached rope to for climbing plants.
So all in all a very productive week and things are shapeing up really nicely
p.s thanks to chris and the cafe for the lovely cakes.

Goodbye and thanks for all the cake!

2009-05-18T11:15:00.004+01:00

Last week was unfortunately Anna's last week as a VO with us before she heads off to Iceland for 4 months to move rocks around.

Anna has been a great VO and I would like to thank her for her enthusiasm and commitment to the role, not even letting a broken finger suffered in the line of duty slow her down. I know she will be missed greatly as will her eclectic CDs, delicious cakes and games.

All over Edinburgh with the Rangers

2009-05-11T10:11:00.003+01:00

The group was at the Hermitage of Braid at the start of the week. We fixed some steps, removed saplings and planted ox-eye daisy.

We were then at Craigmillar on Wednesday, where there have been some problems with motobikes in the park. So we were repairing some of the paths with whindust and doing our usual litter pick.

On Thursday we braved the winds and headed to Easter Craiglockhart. We removed some japanese knotweed and cut back a lot of vegetation from the paths. We also scraped and cleared some of the cobbles, revealing a feature that had been buried under a few years' worth of grass and nettles. We then headed up the hill to clear away vegetation growing up around a set of steps.

The cement is in, there's no going back!

2009-05-03T21:11:00.004+01:00

We were back at Newhaven Church on Tueday and Thursday this week. The holes for the posts were dug on Tuesday, and the big frame finished off. On Thursday we started positioning the posts. There was a lot of head-scratching and tweaking, checking and double-checking before we started adding the cement! We also got the smaller frame built and positioned.

On Wednesday we were at Broughton Primary School, building a couple of classic BTCV, shabby-chic raised beds for the kids to grow things in. We also helped out with weeding some of the other planters in the playground. The kids were very interested in what we were up to, and we hope they get a lot of enjoyment out of them.

The ground is level, now on to the carpentry...

2009-04-26T21:13:00.005+01:00

We carried on at Newhaven Church on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. We didn't have too many more obstacles, only a couple more giant rocks to get past. The ground is now level to within nanometres (until the plan changes again...), so we've started to dig the post holes and build some of the frames.

On Thursday we were at Portobello Community Orchard. We were clearing the ground along the south side of the orchard, ready for the community group to plant some espaliers. A couple of determined sorts had a go at removing some of the smaller tree stumps around the orchard, with varying degrees of success.

Giant rocks, gas and some silly games

2009-04-20T09:19:00.004+01:00

The group started quite a big project at Newhaven Church this week. We are putting in some decking and a ramp for use by the Church cafe (we can strongly recommend their coffee cake). So on Tuesday we removed the turf and started digging. It all went pretty well until the end of the day when Kate found an old gas pipe...

So on Wednesday we were back at the church and a man from the gas board was going to come to verify that the pipe was indeed dead. However during the tool talk we got a slight whiff of gas; it was probably from the gasworks over the back wall but we decided it best to leave. So after a quick changeover of tools, lunchtime saw us at Corstorphine Hill playing a few games of Tunnel-Tig to keep warm in the mist. We then spent the afternoon removing some old rickety fencing and clearing a lot of litter.

The pipe turned out to be completely dead, no one was ever in any danger, so we were back at the church to continue excavations on Thursday. There was some slight confusion over levels and a lot of huge rocks had to be shifted, but we made good progress.

Rocheid Path finally finished!

2009-04-13T13:18:00.003+01:00

The group were at Ferryhill Primary on Tuesday, working on a couple of different tasks. The majority was working in the millennium woodland lifting the crowns of the trees, making it easier for the children to move about the woods. The other job was to build half a dozen tree guards for some young apple trees, which had been planted at the end of the football pitch. They look great, but we just hope the kids don't see them as a challenge!

We were back at the Rocheid Path for the final (woohoo!) couple of days on Wednesday and Thursday. Some path edging was put in at the far end (no sleepers this time) and heather added to brighten it up a bit. There were a few holes in the path at the top end which we filled with rock and covered with whindust. We also lobbed a lot of topsoil down the gigantic slope, in the hopes that something might be encouraged to grow and so that anyone hopping over the edge won't break their ankles. Some rowan and hawthorn were planted further up to try to shield the houses opposite from missiles thrown from the path. Some stones apparently actually hit their mark and break windows; perhaps the perpetrators should be signed up to the Scottish cricket team!

All change

2009-04-10T16:37:00.005+01:00

It's certainly been a busy period of change on the Volunteer Officer front as I'm sure you've all noticed. Gemma has departed and we have been joined by Alaitz and most recently, David.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to Gemma for all of her hard work as a VO. She contributed hugely to the Edinburgh office with her enthusiasm, hard work and wondrous baking. This blog was her invention and has proved to be such a success that all BTCV Scotland offices have joined in! I wish her all the very best for her new job as Seasonal Ranger at Hopetoun House and look forward to hearing all about it.

I am sure that Alaitz and David will make great additions to the BTCV Edinburgh team and we can still rely on Anna for cakes!

Spring has sprung

2009-04-06T11:52:00.004+01:00

We started the week back at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, working in the orchard preparing the ground for more carpet-tile paths and also finishing spreading the bark in the garden at the Orchard Clinic.

At Ravelston Woods on Wednesday we repaired some post and wire fencing. We also planted a lot of prickly plants; the plan being to discourage people from climbing to the top of the quarry where they keep ruining our fences!

We (hopefully) sorted out some drainage problems at Craigmillar Castle Park on Thursday by building 2 french drains. We also raked over some earth and sowed wildflower seeds. And as Pat was in shorts for the first time, we can announce that it is officially springtime.

Gemma's last week sob

2009-03-30T09:15:00.004+01:00

We spent the week at the Orchard Clinic of the Royal Edinburgh Hopital. We were building raised beds in two of their gardens for the patients to grown their own plants and veg in. The planting in the borders was also pretty dull, so we were taking out a lot of bushes and putting a more interesting variety of plants in their place.

Tuesday began with a lot of wheelbarrowing, and we made a start on the horseshoe-shaped raised bed. This raised bed was completed and filled on Wednesday, and the planting in this garden was finished off. We moved on to the second garden on Thursday which was quite a hike around the building. A square raised bed was built in record time by a crack carpentry team, while the rest of the group concentrated on preparing the borders for planting. There was even more wheelbarrowing to fill the raised bed and the planting was completed. Thanks to everyone for all their hard work!

As it was Gemma's last week, there was lots of baking. And despite all the mickey-taking Chris' brownies were actually very good. Maybe with a bit of encouragement he might be persuaded to fill the baking void...!

Steps, gorse and plenty of rubbish

2009-03-23T13:54:00.003Z

Last week we did several different tasks. On Tuesday we went to the Four Winds Nursery in Inverleith Park to help them build some new steps. The steps look incredible, and we have seen lots of people admiring them.

On Wednesday we spent our first day this year on the Pentlands. One group disappeared in the morning to collect juniper cuttings, and we didn't see them again until lunch time. It sounded like they'd walked a long way, and they still had time to collect 700 cuttings which were taken down the the Inch nursery at lunchtime to be planted. The rest of us cut back gorse from one of the paths at Hillend and made a big bonfire.

On Thursday we went to Corstorphine Hill. In the morning we were removing litter from a few areas of the hill. In the end we collected about 20 bags. After lunch we went along to the walled garden and helped dig over a bed for planting, remove some old fencing and put in a new picnic bench.

Last week we also welcomed Alaitz, who has come over from Spain for a few months to help us out. This week is also my last week before I start my new job at Hopetoun House. I hope to see some of you there. Thank you for the wonderful experience at BTCV over the last couple of years. I've made new friends, learnt new skills and helped other people, and after all, isn't that what BTCV's all about?

Gemma

Various shenanigans

2009-03-16T11:02:00.003Z

We had three very different projects this week. We started the week with some willow weaving at Simpson Primary School in Bathgate. The kids seemed pretty excited and intrigued by what we were doing. We built a den with 2 curvy, flared, sinusoidal tunnels coming off it in the nursery playground. Possibly our best willow structure yet.

We were at the Rocheid Path (again) on Wednesday putting in the final few sleepers and doing some path clearing and laying whindust. There’s a few bits to finish off so we’ll probably be back there soon (again again) but it’s all looking pretty fantastic.

It was on with the waders and pink rubber gloves on Thursday for a spot of fishing in Lochend Park. We didn’t catch any actual fish, but we did get tyres, mountain bikes, fencing, a space hopper and a laptop. The waders didn’t leak (hurrah!) but most of us still got pretty wet (boo).

Conservation Volunteering and Traditional Crafts

2009-03-10T17:49:00.043Z

I’ve been volunteering with BTCV for nearly 3 years now but over the last few months the work for me has taken on a slightly different aspect….. I’m retired and have the time and the inclination to develop new skills….. So..... I’m teaching myself the skills and knowledge involved in traditional bowmaking and find that some of the work I do with BTCV is actually creating the raw materials I need…. Everyone thinks of Yew wood as the right stuff for bowmaking…. But actually, it’s very hard to come by and for someone at my stage of development far too expensive to take the risks involved in learning the craft. (My main guide “The Bowyers Bible” was very reassuring that all bowyers break their first few bows)….
What I have found is that the small trees and saplings of Ash and Birch that we often cut down to make room for more diverse undergrowth are ideal for an “apprentice” bowmaker…. and free! All but one of the bows pictured are made from Ash or Birch from the North Edinburgh cycle track….. as are my arrows….Mainly from last years growth of Willow….(I did buy the Turkey feathers but will be on the look out for free Goose feathers when they’re moulting).

I know other BTCVers who gather Willow for basketmaking and Ash saplings for Yurt making……. Sorry, no photos of the Yurts yet……
I should add that BTCVing also gives me good access to fuel for my multi-fuel stove, (approved under the smoke control laws). Last year’s cleared small trees and saplings are by now well seasoned…I take them home in my bike trailer after sawing them into trailer sized logs…..Thus getting warmed up at least 3 times… by sawing , cycling and burning! (Note the Willow basket trailer body).
Traditional skills like basket making and bowmaking are growing in popularity. I hope that BTCV, who already do some green woodworking courses down south will continue to develop links with traditional craftspeople to provide more such courses and to make optimum use of the raw materials we produce when volunteering....

Rob Hainsworth

Wheelbarrow races

2009-03-09T15:50:00.003Z

We were at Hopetoun House all this week, laying a snazzy new path for the patrons of the Antiques Roadshow to wander along, from which they could admire the house. Luckily a digger had been the week before and cleared out 6 inches of mud from the 100m section of path, so we didn't have to!

On Tuesday we laid and compacted all of the 6 tonnes of hardcore that we had. There was a lot of shovelling and a lot of wheelbarrowing. We finished off with a bit of rhododendron clearance and a fire.

Having done that first section, the following days' groups had even further to go with the wheelbarrows. We'd had more material delivered, this time it was old road surface, allegedly from the Forth Road Bridge... So on Wednesday one group continued with the wheelbarrowing and compacting, while another group got the fire going again for the rhododendron.

Thursday started with quite an impressive snow-shower which luckily cleared up to leave a beautiful sunny afternoon. We finished off the path, burnt the rest of the rhodie, and left the place looking a lot more presentable than when we'd arrived.

More work on the Rocheid Path

2009-03-02T12:20:00.003Z

Last week we were back at the Rocheid Path. We continued with edging 88 metres of the path with railway sleepers, which we had to carry from the office. I never knew the distance between the office and the path was so far... We managed to get all but 5 sleepers put in, so we will be back next week to finish the job.

Near the path we also planted some hazel trees, honeysuckle, blackberry bushes and some other shrubs. We sowed wildflower seeds along the old path to attract butterflies and bees. In a few months the area should be unregcognisable.

On Thursday we built a fence along the end of the old path to try to stop people walking along there, so the new plants will have a chance to grow. When they are established we will remove the fence.

We also said goodbye to Ronnie last week. He is doing a course for the next few months, but we hope to see him again if he has a day off.

Farewell Ronnie!

2009-02-26T17:10:00.003Z

Today was Ronnie's last day with BTCV as he moves on to begin a course in social care at a local college and then to begin working as a carer.

Ronnie has been volunteering with us for two years with the last 12 months spent as a Volunteer Officer. Ronnie has been a great asset to BTCV Edinburgh and I know he will be missed greatly.

I would like to thank Ronnie for all his hard work and great commitment to BTCV and wish him all the best for the future. This blog will certainly miss his tales of The Hardy BTCV Adventurers. Hopefully we'll be seeing him now and again if he gets a day off!

The Rocheid Challenge

2009-02-23T11:37:00.003Z

Tuesday 17th
Today Chris led The Hardy BTCV Adventures along the notorious Rocheid Path. The slopes of Rocheid were a challenge but with good weather conditions the group started to dig out and prepare the existing path so that over the following days work could begin on installing new edging. Gemma(using her climbing experience)ventured down the north face with a couple of volunteers and started to prepare the lowlands this was so planting could begin over the coming days.

Wednesday 18th
Day two of the assault on Rocheid, Ronnie joined the group today this was to be his last adventure with BTCV for the time being so he led half the volunteers and Chris led the other half and work commenced. In great conditions they worked from opposite ends of the notorious Devil's Path on Rocheid, installing the new edging along it so that local travellers could use the path safely.

Thursday 19th
Day three and the Hardy BTCV Adventurers once again made there way along the Devil's Path at Rocheid, under a blistering sun the two teams worked tirelessly to install the new edging along the paths outer edge. Ronnie would like to take this opportunity(as you know i am moving on) to say a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers and staff at BTCV for giving me the opportunity to work with and get to now all of you it's been a pleasure, THANK YOU!!. Until we meet again.

A week with trees

2009-02-16T11:03:00.003Z

Last week we were working with trees all week. On Tuesday we were planting trees at Blackness. A hedge was planted a few years ago around the community garden, so we were replacing the trees that had not survived. Many of them were eaten by rabbits so we put tree guards around them and hope they should make a good hedge in time. We enjoyed lunch on the metre strip of grass between the beach and the snow with a good view over the Forth Bridges.

On Wednesday we had a more destructive day at Drum Brae. We were lifting the crowns of trees in a Millennium woodland, helped by Edinburgh Natural History Society. At lunch time a chipper came and we spread the chips out as paths through the woodland. When we were not hard at work we enjoyed sledging. A ramp had already been built and we all took turns on some plastic bags that worked well as sledges. See some photos here.

On Thursday we did a similar task at Hawkhill Woods. It snowed during the day, but we didn't have to remove the branches; we left them instead as habitat piles.

Now the weather has warmed up so we can get on with our new construction projects. We'll keep you up to date with how things go.

The Hardy BTCV Adventurers Go Forth

2009-02-09T11:03:00.005Z

This Week, Tuesday 3rd

Today we were up on the high plains of Corstorphine Hill.The group was split into two elite teams,the first one led by Chris were sent on a daring mission to dismantle mountain bike tracks built by local youths and to reestablish the original path system, the second team led by Ronnie was sent to do some general path maintenance, The Hardy BTCV Adventurers braved the elements as it was cold and wet day but were successful in their task.

Wed 4th

The Hardy BTCV Adventurers were given a new objective today and were sent to The Mighty River Almond the group led by Chris set about the task of removing the now collapsing chestnut pale fence and replace a section with a new timber handrail. We were also coppicing the over whelming Ash Trees the group armed themselves with loppers and bow saws and and the battle begun it was an almighty war but The Hardy BTCV Adventurers were Victorious. Lunch on the beach was also rather pleasant.

Thurs 5th

The final mission for The Hardy BTCV Adventurers this week was to Burdiehouse Burn LNR, it was a cold start to the morning fighting the sub zero temperatures the group led by Chris started to dismantle a fence that needed replacing, this took the best part of the morning , just before dinner as we started to put in new posts, Anna our new VO slipped and injured herself it was only a small graze but she required hospital treatment so Jess, the ranger took her. The group stopped for lunch and feasted on cakes Jess brought and after lunch we finished the new fence.

Anyone for some Archaeological Conservation?

2009-02-02T14:41:00.006Z

We spent the week at the North Edinburgh Cyclepaths chopping back brambles and snowberry, and removing saplings from along the paths. On Tuesday we had a cage at Five Ways; however we were working mostly on the path along the bottom of Warriston Cemetary which was quite a distance away. Luckily we were able to use the Kangoo to transport the full white bags up the path. They tried to take the cage away at lunchtime but Chris used his powers of persuasion to get them to come back later.

There was no cage on Wednesday so we stashed huge quantities of brambles behind one of the railway pillars, while another group worked on the ash and sycamore saplings. The brambles hadn't been cleared for at least 24 years - we figured this out Time-Team-style by examining the old Pepsi cans (in 1985 you could win a Duran Duran poster!)

We had a cage again on Thursday, which we blocked in with the Kangoo just to be on the safe side. There were more saplings cut down, and a large area of bramble removal was finished off with some rather ingenious use of ropes. It was a long walk on a rocky path with heavy wheelbarrows from where we were working to the cage but we managed to fill it to the top.

Mud Glorious Mud

2009-01-26T14:08:00.004Z

Tuesday 20th January

We were back at Muiravonside this week,the group was split into two teams to continue cutting down and burning the rhododendron.The fires were quite easy to get going thanks to the skill of our fire genie, Kate and very quickly the rival teams were waging war on the rhododendron but there was only going to be one winning team lead by Ronnie. At the end of the day we made sure both fires were left in a suitable state for the team to return in the morning.

Wednesday 21st January

Anna skillfully brought us back to Muiravonside today, the fires still had a lot of coals left from yesterday and the hardy BTCV adventurers had no problem getting them going again so some of the group continued to burn whilst others cut down the rhododendron . The mud continued to claim victims.

Thursday 22nd January

Chris brought the group back to Mud Valley where the group continued to burn the rhododendron again the fires were easy to get going all they needed was a boost from our specially modified flaming device. This was our last day here for a while but the Ranger was happy with the work done.

Publicity from Craigmillar

2009-01-26T12:21:00.004Z

Our achievements removing litter at Craigmillar Castle Park on 7th January have been recognised on the s1 Craigmillar website.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who helped out.

Mud mud glorious mud

2009-01-19T15:21:00.006Z

On Tuesday we went to Muiravonside where the Stirling group had done a fine job chopping down a lot of rhododendron. Our main task was to get the branches to the fire site and burn them. Sounds simple but it wasn't! We had to negotiate steep, muddy slopes to get the wet branches down to very damp fire sites. Kate and Gemma didn't seem to be having too much difficulty, but the other fire eventually got going around lunchtime (with a little help from a convenient plastic box lid). By the end of the day, just about everyone had slipped in the mud or fallen in the stream, except Anna...

We were back at Muiravonside on Wednesday, where Anna proceeded to fall in the mud as often as possible. Luckily there were plenty of embers left to start the fires again quite quickly (useful for drying wet socks). Halfway through the morning, those of us looking after one of the fires couldn't quite get the rhododendron down the hill fast enough; so we recruited Gavin to help us out. We then couldn't burn the branches fast enough to keep up with him while the other fire ran out.

Thursday saw us working in the orchard of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital correcting Chris' mistake (well it was just before Christmas...). So we were taking up the carpet in the orchard (no, really) and re-laying it the other way up. We also prepared more of the ground for carpet paths by digging out the top layer of nettle roots. It was a bit of a dreary, overcast day but everyone got a lot of good work done.

Snow and ice and haymen

2009-01-12T12:48:00.004Z

Last Tuesday we braved the snow and ice to visit Cammo. Our task there was raking a meadow that had been mown in November. Our task was made considerably more challenging by the cut grass being frozen to the ground. We made the most of the situation though, by raking what we could into a big pile, putting a hat, scarf and coat on it and making a "hayman". Unfortunately by the time the snow started to fall the hayman had been rugby tackled and so couldn't be turned into a snowman.

On Wednesday we went to Craigmillar Castle Park to remove a lot of litter. We found 3 motorbikes, lots of fencing wire, a fridge door, some carpet and several beds to add to the rest of the rubbish. The whole area looks very neat and tidy, and we were thanked several times by local residents. At lunch time we went to the newly installed adventure playground and tried out the climbing frames and slides. Nicky used waterproof trousers to prevent her getting wet on the slide, but this did make her fly off the end several times.

On Thursday we went back to Ravelston Woods to repair a fence. We put in about 20 new fence posts and connected them with wire. Untangling the wire was quite a challenge.

Message from Fatima

2009-01-05T14:02:00.001Z

Hello everybody!!! First of all, I´m sorry I couldn't write to you before, because since I came back here, I have been very busy (family, friends, looking for a new job and grant), but in spite of everything, I don´t forget you, in fact, the only thing of Edinburgh I don´t miss is the Scottish weather, because since I came back here, everyday is raining or snowing and very very cold, it looks like I brought the Scottish weather with me. How are you??? I hope you´re fine and everything is ok in your lives.

Well, I send you this e-mail because I want to wish you MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! with your families and friends. Have a good time.

A big hug from the Basque Country. Fatima.

Twas the week before Christmas

2008-12-15T15:33:00.003Z

At least for us at BTCV anyway. We had an enjoyable last week of the year.

On Tuesday we went back to Hailesland Child and Family Centre where we had done some work earlier in the year. To finish our job there we had to erect a willow structure and make some steps to go next to the planters we had previously made. The willow structure went up in no time, but we took longer over digging out the area for the steps. We managed to dig out the area and built the structure for the steps. The steps have now been filled with wood chippings and the turf has been put back around them, so our task at Hailesland is complete. Well done to everyone involved. It looks fantastic.

On Wednesday we went out to Livingston to Riverside Primary School. Here we put up another couple of willow structures. We made an arbour around a seating area in the garden and also put in a tunnel heading towards the pond. We finished putting up the structures surprisingly quickly, and ate lots of mince pies and Christmas biscuits to finish the day.

Our final day of the year on Thursday was the "Surprise Christmas Project". We went to the Hermitage of Braid and worked with the rangers to edge some of their flower beds, scrape the paths, cut down and burn some elder trees and cut two tonne bags of holly for a wreath workshop on Saturday. We stopped working early to enjoy mulled wine and Christmas pudding around the fire before going home.

In the evening on Thursday we had our annual Christmas Quiz. We had a good turn out with people from Stirling and Inverness, as well as the Edinburgh rangers, joining us. Thank you to everyone who came, and congratulations to the winners; Charlie's Angels.

Goodbye and Hello

2008-12-08T16:14:00.001Z

The 4th December was Kenny's last day as a Volunteer Officer with BTCV as he moves on to a new job with Napier University. Kenny has been a great VO, the office and tool store have never been better organised and his practical skills and knowledge will be missed. I would like to thank Kenny for all his hard work and wish him all the best in his new job.

As Kenny leaves us I would also like to welcome Anna as our new Volunteer Officer. Many of you will have met Anna as she has been volunteering with us for a few weeks now and I am glad to say that she has accepted the VO challenge and I look forward to working with her.

3 weeks in 3 minutes or less

2008-12-08T15:52:00.003Z

We spent the week of the 18th, 19th and 20th November working on behalf of the CEC Biodiversity Officer to manage and improve the woodland areas on the North Edinburgh Cyclepaths. This meant the removal of sycamore and ash, clearing ivy from walls and also checking whether the bird boxes we put up last year had been used over the past nesting season. Of the 19 bird boxes 11 had been used, 6 had not and 2 had been destroyed. Not a bad return.

I was away at BTCV Scotland's Staff Conference the week of the 25th, 26th and 27th so everyone had the week off to rest and recuperate.

The first week in December promised snowfalls of epic proportions but never quite delivered. On the 2nd we worked with Caroline from the CEC Countryside Rangers to clear pathways and fix fencing in Ravelston Woods. On the 3rd we went to Muiravonside Country Park to tackle more rhododendron, it was good to be joined by the Stirling volunteers so we could really crack on with it. On the 4th we were in Burdiehouse Burn LNR working with Jessica from the CEC Countryside Rangers to repair fences and clear litter.

Rhododendron city

2008-11-17T11:03:00.002Z

For the last couple of weeks we have been working at Muiravonside Country Park out in West Lothian. It is a beautiful area, but unfortunately the rhododendron has grown a little out of hand. We were helping Ian the ranger to cut down some of the tree-sized shrubs, then carry them up to the fire site and burn them. We managed to demolish a huge area, leaving the ground open for regeneration of native plants, so we deserved our soup from the cafe at lunch time.

Recently we have also helped out at Blackford Pond, cutting back laurel from the paths and benches around the pond, and clearing mud from the paths. We have done some drain maintenance on the Pentlands on a bright clear and incredibly cold day, where we got amazing views of the highlands and Ben Lomond but had difficulty cutting through the ice on the paths. Another day we were lower down on the Pentlands, helping build picnic benches and compost bins at the Harlaw Visitor Centre.

This week we'll be out at the North Edinburgh Cycle Paths all week, cutting back some of the ash and sycamore trees there to allow regeneration of native species such as holly, and next week we will be having a week off.

Our first visit to Hopetoun

2008-10-27T15:03:00.000Z

Last week we made our first visit to Hopetoun House in South Queensferry. We helped Peter and Fiona, the rangers, to cut back rhododendrons that were starting to grow over the path, and then burned them in a very big fire. We were assisted by their buggy with a trailer, which meant we didn't have to drag the branches all the way over to the fire, but just pile them in the trailer and unload them at the other end.

When we arrived at the house, Peter told us about the history of the grounds. He added that the Hopetoun family don't live in the whole house any more, only in a small part of it. We asked which bit they live in so he told us it was from the steps up to the centre door as far as the south wing, on all 4 floors. Sounds like a big enough part of the house to me.

During the two days we spent at Hopetoun we saw a variety of wildlife, including sika deer in the field next door and buzzards flying overhead both lunch times. We also heard a tawny owl, but couldn't make out what it was doing awake in the middle of the day.

On Thursday we went out to Maiden's Cleuch on the Pentlands doing some maintainance on their drains. The day was wet and windy, but we had a small amount of shelter behind the trees and were luckily not far from the van so could shelter in it for lunch. We cleared the mud and grass that had overgrown into the drains to prevent the paths from being washed away this winter. We finished our work just in time. As we were leaving the rain came to give us a good send off.

Goodbye and thank you, Fatima

2008-10-27T13:12:00.002Z

It was a sad week last week as Fatima finished her internship with us here, made even sadder by her continually bursting into tears anytime someone mentioned her leaving. Fatima has been a great addition to the VO team always smiling and laughing (often with no idea what we were all joking about).

I would like to thank Fatima for all her hard work over the last 4 months and the great contribution she has made.

Untill we meet again

2008-10-20T13:38:00.003+01:00

On Tuesday, we went to The Pentlands Regional Park, where we were raking The Wild Life Meadow. As the day went on, I was trying to escape from Alan's sense of humour (because four months haven't been enough to understand him in a normal conversation!!!), so the rest of the group and me used the hay, we had been raking, to bury Alan, but finally, he broke free and could feel the freedom again. What a pity!!!

On Wednesday, Chris didn't realise that the group were tired, so instead of allowing us to rest, he split the group to do four tasks!!! (because one task is not enough for Chris!!!), which consisted of:
1: Planting flower
2: Path reconstruction
3: Fishing pond weed
4: Resurfacing steps
5: Rest (if we have time)

The surprise came by the hand of Sarah and Gavin, because they brought two apple pies (they were absolutely great!!! Thanks!!!).

On Thursday, we were at Craigmillar Castle Park, where we were cutting down vegetation, specificallly, laurel, snowberry and elder, which we burnt on a big big big bonfire. At the end of the day, while we stood around the fire, I was given a postcard that made me break into tears that I couldn't read your messages at that time. But I want to tell you all:

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE FOUR MONTHS!!!

It has been an unforgetable experience and I will never forget this:
1: mud
2: bonfire
3: biscuits
and the last but the best: all of you.

I wish you the best for your lifes. See you. Fatima.

I hope the next time, we meet, I'll be able to understand you and your sense of humour.

Fatima

The longest week

2008-10-06T15:29:00.004+01:00

On Tuesday, at Hailesland Family Centre, the group finished construction on the maze for the mighty midgets. And also, we put the flower beds in position in order to allow the children another place to plant vegetables and flowers. Furthermore, we put bark in amongst the flowers and watered them.

On Wednesday, the group led by Gemma and Fatima ventured along the Water of Leith, where they were responsible for cutting down the vegetation and burning it in a bonfire. Apart from this, they also were cleaning the muddy Rocheid Path (of course, the btcv adventurers are getting used to the mud). At the end of the day, we improvised a cooker from the bonfire and had chocolate banana fritters and toasted marshmallows.

On Thursday, this was going to be the longest day of our lifes. We arrived at Poet's glen at ten o'clock and we comenced work on the bridge. It was half past three and we were still building the bridge. It was half past four and we were still building the bridge. It was half past five and suddenly we finished building the bridge and the week. Congratulations!!!

Fatima and the little help from Edinburgh.

Conquring the Burn and dompleting Cammo

2008-10-06T13:58:00.006+01:00

The saga continues.
Last Tuesday the intreped btcv adventurers were out at Burdiehouse Burn. It was a miserably typical scottish day, the rain was on and the harr was lying over the hills . One half of the group led by myself set about bringing down what was left of the fencing that had been destroyed by vandals in preparation for work to begin tomorrow on its reconstruction. Fatima took the other half of the volunteers and were resposible for collecting the very rare and collectable burdy burn rose flower seeds for distrubution in the meadow .Which Chris ,who after equiping himself with the latest grass busting technology, had turned into Mr.Strimmerman and proceeded to clear the meadow. Millie, the rangers mascott, was responsable for overseeing the day.
Day two of the saga.
It's Wednesday and the hardy btcv advnturers returned to the burn. The harr was starting to lift and the beast of burdiehouse was no where to be seen, so Kenny led some of the volunteers and began rebuilding the fence and even though the presence of the beast hung over them all day, they proceeded with millie keeping an ever watchfull eye they finished . Gemma continued to do work on the meadow and Fatima collected more of the very rare burdy burn rose.
The final day.
It's Thursday and the hardy btcv adveturers battered but not beaten from there escapades at the burn were sent on a daring mission to Cammo. The harr had lifted and after a cold start, the sun came out . The group led by Chris started to do a lot of path scraping in preparation for the second phase of the mission and after a breif refuiling at dinner time, they proceeded to resurface the paths with gravel. So after a very productive week, the hardy btcv adventureres returned to headquarters to prepare for the next epic saga.
Ronnie with a little help from the Vasque Country.

From light showers + mud to sunshine + mud = MUD!!!

2008-09-22T13:35:00.004+01:00

OnTuesday we were at Harlaw. There we got very very very wet because of the "light showers" (as the forecast promised). During the day, we were cleaning the muddy path (we love the mud at BTCV). We were also putting the visitors' centre garden in good conditions, that means cutting down the vegetation and picking up the weeds. While all of us were doing these tasks, Kenny, in his loneliness, was building a wonderful but sad wall beside the famous muddy path (because as I said we love the mud at BTCV).

On Wednesday, at Hailesland Family Centre, the sun came out slowly, very very very slowly (as the forecast didn't promise). We started the construction of flower beds in order to create a new garden for the kids. That day, of course, we missed the mud, but not for a long time, because on Thursday, although it was a sunny day, we started digging, so suddenly the mud came out.
Before the mud overwhelmed us, we were able to create a maze for the mighty midgets to play in.

For the time being, we haven't encountered the mud.

Fatima and special colaboration Ronnie.

Uncovering the Hermitage

2008-09-08T14:44:00.003+01:00

Last Tuesday we went to the Hermitage of Braid and spent the morning attacking cherry laurel. The idea was to allow people walking on the path next to the house to be able to see the house, and we cut down a lot of laurel. It all got piled up in a big heap to dry out, then we can have a nice big warm bonfire over the winter.

After lunch we started replacing the fence along the side of the path so that people walking along admiring the house wouldn't fall down the hill and into the burn. It turned out to be a bigger job than we thought because the supports holding the path up were rotten and we had to replace them too.

We got a short section of fence completed, but went back on Thursday to complete it.

On Wednesday the group went to Meadows Yard out by the sea. They finished off a new pond that was being made there by covering the liner at the edges, and cut back vegetation around the site.

As well as finishing the fence on Thursday we had another tackle at the Himalayan balsam along the Braidburn. It seems never ending but we won't let it beat us.

the saga continues

2008-08-25T11:53:00.002+01:00

the hardy btcv adventurers were once again out continuing the fight against the invasives.on Tuesday of last week we were out on the offensive in haddington where the group led by myself and Chris along with the volunteers took up arms against the mighty nettles it was a hard campaign but btcv were victorious our hard work cleared an area for work to begin on creating a site for the second wave.
on the Wednesday Chris led the second wave of hardy btcv adventurers battling against the extreme rain ventured out to finish work on the allotment area regardless of the rain the job was completed.
day three of our adventures this week was an excursion to the distant land known as bog hall.where the btcv adventurers led by Kenny and myself along with the volunteers worked to clear a local car park we did some vegetation cutback and did some general tidying up to improve the access to the area.

Bye Bye Balsam and Farewell Murraypark!

2008-08-21T14:16:00.005+01:00

On Wednesday 13th we made this year's final valiant offensive manoeuvre in the ongoing battle with the invasive species on Corstorphine Hill. This time it was Himalayan Balsam's turn to feel our wrath as we tried to pull as much of it up as possible before it seeds.

On Thursday 14th we put the finishing touches to our third and final garden at Murraypark Nursing Home. I have had the privilege of being involved in this project from the outset two years ago when all there was was a lovely manicured lawn and then we came along and dug it all up. What we have left in its place though is a brilliant trio of gardens each with its own unique design and features, though the main theme is most definitely decking! The new gardens provide the staff and residents with space to relax and enjoy the outdoors which wasn't possible previously and I have lost count of the number of times I have been thanked by the staff of the home for the work we have done. So, thank you all for all of your hard work in helping make Murraypark such a success!

Mud mud glorious mud

2008-08-18T15:12:00.002+01:00

Last Tuesday we were up on the Pentlands. We were putting a path in from the car park at Hillend. We put a short section of path in a couple of years ago, but the top of that bit was getting very wet and muddy so we went to extend it further up the hill.

We were joined in the morning by another group of volunteers from Penicuik. They helped by barrowing loads of hard core up the hill to where we were digging out turf. The ground was saturated when we arrived, and as it rained for most of the afternoon we got really wet and muddy. The mud was the colour and consistency of melted chocolate, but probably didn't taste quite the same...

In the end, despite the rain, we completed the task and made 20m of new path. We also had to put a drain in, as the new path was getting under water as the rain got heavier. The drain seemed to do the trick, and the path should be there for many years to come.

Gemma

adventures with btcv chapter one

2008-08-11T13:54:00.004+01:00

Last Tuesday we were at Craigmillar castle i led a group of four volunteers which consisted in Dave cat and Chris and myself Ronnie doing some path reconstruction in preparation for Scotland in bloom coming to view it.Kenny Gemma and Fatima led the other volunteers and done some vegetation cutback general ground maintenance and a litter pick we all had a good day the weather brightened up as the day progressed.
Wednesday at hermitage it rained so we all got soaked but we stuck to the task like the true btcv environmentalists and completed the bat and bird boxes.after dinner those who were willing to brave the elements ventured out into the wilderness to do some vegetation cutback.
Thursday it was still raining and the hardy btcv adventurers ventured out onto the unknown area known only as the dark side of Corstorphine where we took up arms against the mighty Himalayan triffids the battle raged on for several hours and there were many casualties but btcv were victorious our flanking force were on the other side of the hill installing a few seats.after the battle we returned to headquarters and prepared for our next mission more to come

From cake to cake

2008-08-04T12:56:00.004+01:00

On Tuesday, we were working at Murraypark. On the one hand, we finished with the decking and on the other hand, we carried on making the handrail. As soon as we started working, the surprise came by Eileen's hand and her fabulous cake, because of her birthday. Happy birthday and thank you Eileen!!!
The week carried on with Stanwell Nursery, where first of all we made six wooden flower beds and then, filled in them with soil in order to get them ready for use. Once more, the surprise came, but this time by Ronnie's hand and his wonderful cake. It was due to his birthday. Happy birthday and thank you Ronnie!!!
To finish the week, we went to the Pentlands. There, we were making a footpath with the Pentlands Ranger Martin's help.
Fatima

Scald Law

2008-07-30T09:08:00.004+01:00

Last Tuesday we went up to the Pentlands. We split into two groups, with one group going up Scald Law in the morning and the other group staying in the valley, and then we swapped over in the afternoon. Both groups were doing path work; mending cross drains up on the hill and filling in big holes and muddy puddles on the paths in the valley. The sun came out in the afternoon so we put sun cream on and lay on the grass by the burn after we finished work.

2008-07-21T16:21:00.002+01:00

Last week we went to Burdiehouse Burn where we took the rubbish out of the river and we made the path with the help of the ranger Jessica. Also we went to Corstorphine Hill. There we dug out the invasive species like Himalayan balsam and picked up the rubbish. To finish the week we went to the Pentlands in the Regional Park. We flattened a path and we made a ramp to the bridge and filled in some holes with stones.

And that's all folks!

Fatima

Goodbye to Boukje

2008-07-18T13:48:00.003+01:00

On Monday 21st Boukje will be leaving BTCV Scotland to take up a new position with a landscape architecture firm.

Boukje has been involved in many projects during her year with BTCV, primarily her work has been with the North Edinburgh Community Centre Greenspace Initiative which has seen the transformation of community centres and their communities in Granton, Drylaw and Muirhouse. She has also been central to the planning and design of many of the mid-week projects we have undertaken.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Boukje for all her very hard work and help over the last year!

Chris

Tweed House

2008-07-16T21:11:00.008+01:00

Last week we went back to Murraypark to continue with the garden at Tweed House. At the start of the week we were faced with a big muddy hole with a couple of bits of wood, but we managed quite a transformation.

On Wednesday we were expecting a large delivery of plants, so our first job on Tuesday was to prepare beds to put them in. We had to remove lots of turf and find somewhere to put it before we could dig over the ground and cover it with weed-proof material.

Our plants turned up as promised on Wednesday, so we got as many into the ground as possible straight away. There were a few left for Thursday, but when the bark chippings were delivered late on Thursday morning all the plants were in and we could cover the weed-proof layer and make it look very attractive. It was quite a challenge not to lose sight of some of the plants under the bark, but when they get bigger it will look very colourful.

Between putting all the plants in we managed to continue with the decking. We finished the frame and fixed it into the ground, then started to attach the posts for the handrails to go around the decking. The rain on Thursday held off, so we managed to get all the handrail posts fixed in place and concreted in, and even got some of the decking laid.

There are pictures of our work so far on our picture site. We will be going back next week to finish it off.

ravelstone woods

2008-07-07T12:59:00.003+01:00

last week at ravelstone woods we spent the morning clearing japanense knotweed which we burnt on a fire that kenny and the ranger lit.it was agood day weather wise we stopped for lunch at 12 30and had a game of cards there were a couple of new volunteers that came out with us who seemed to really enjoy themselves.after lunch we spent the afternoon doing some path scraping and clearing vegetation that was pertuding on to the path and we finished up at 3 pm then we collected up the tools and made our way back to the van.this was the second time we had been there in the last year.

My last week!

2008-06-30T13:20:00.005+01:00

Hi there! This is Leticia, and because today is my last day with BTCV I'll write this post to tell you what we did last week.
On tuesday we went to the Hermitage of Braid. Our job there was cut down the big branches of the trees that are next to the road, because some of them were touching the top of the vehicles. We met there a lot of kids, in an school trip. They were having fun, as we did, and hopefully the weather wasn't to bad, just a soft rain during about half an hour, but that was nothing now that I know the Scottish weather, the one that you are so proud of.
On wednesday we worked with the rangers again, but this time we went to Cramond beach. It's there a beautiful sp. of rose, wich is not autochthonous, and because it's invasive the other plants can't grow up next to it. So we had to remove this rose from the beach. It seemed to be easy, but we didn't realise that it was a hard work, until we started to pull out the plants, and discovered the long roots that they had under the sand. Some of theme were longer than 3m, or 10 feet sorry, hahaha! The weather was windy but nice, and at lunch time we went to the island. Fraser tried to have his bath but it wasn't enough water for him. Next time!
On thursday we went back to Pentlands, to the car park were we had been the week before. This time we coulndn't start a fire, so we lift all the branches in packets for the next time. It was more luck for the drain that now is unblocked. It was Kenny's birthday, and he brougth a very nice muffins for all of us, uummmm!
Now is time for me to say good bye. I'm willing to go back home, because I miss my family and friends, but I know I'll miss you. It's been very nice to meet you and work with you. I think you are doing a great job and I hope we'll keep in touch.
Thanks for everything, a big hug and a lot of kisses for all of you!
Leticia.

Lifting Crowns

2008-06-23T11:06:00.003+01:00

It may sound glamorous, but lifting crowns has nothing to do with royalty. We spent the last week removing the lower branches on trees in various parts of Edinburgh.

Lots of trees were planted for the millennium, and they are now big enough to need a bit of attention. Unfortunately it's difficult to get between them, so we have been learning how to cut lower branches off trees with minimal impact on the trees, and helping to clear out the undergrowth between them.

On Tuesday we were up on the Pentlands, in a car park miles from anywhere. On the way we got caught behind a herd of cows being moved to a new field a few kilometres down the road. It really made a mess of our nice clean van... As the car park is so isolated people seem to like dumping things there, so we cut back the vegetation to make it visible from the road and hopefully discourage them. It rained quite heavily in the morning, so we had a bit of trouble starting a fire to burn the branches, but we persisted and had roaring flames by the early afternoon so we could sit and appreciate our hard work. We'll be going back there in a couple of weeks to finish trimming and unblock a drain.

On Wednesday we were out at the Hermitage of Braid doing a similar task to make a bridge clearer, and on Thursday we were at a school in Duddingston helping with their trees. It's amazing how much you can get cleared with so many people, and last week our minibus was overflowing. We had to ask several people to make their own ways to the sites, as the good weather seems to have brought more people out with us.

Sadly this is Leticia's last week with us as she is going back to Spain next week. It's been wonderful working with her, and I hope she enjoyed her time here. We will have a new Spanish VO, Fatima, starting with us in two weeks time.

Gardening Scotland 2008

2008-06-02T19:46:00.003+01:00

Congratulations to all those who helped with Gardening Scotland 2008. Our jigsaw garden gained a Silver-Gilt Award, that's only one off a Gold. Pictures of the garden are on our photo site. Thank you for all your hard work.

29th May - Preparing for the garden show at Ingliston

2008-05-29T20:29:00.003+01:00

I’ve just had a very enjoyable and productive 2 week period out at Oatridge and then at Ingliston preparing for the Garden show….. a lot of tricky wood-work that for a long time resembled boxes with lavvy seats attached all around them…. Then it all came together for the exhibit, and a grand exhibit it was….. something to be proud of………once we rubbed out the pencil marks etc.

Looking around the rest of the show earlier today……(it starts tomorrow)…….there are vast numbers of exhibits there now in all different styles…….the Jacussi exhibits, the Dry Stone Walling Association’s fine collection of arches, Jupiter’s jig-saw…. But what I was struck by was the huge influence that TV garden “makeover” shows have had on the majority of exhibits….. Exhibits that tend to look as if they’ve been constructed from a flat pack bought at IKEA with plants “slotted” into their allotted spaces or as if they’ve “popped up” in a teletubby landscape…. Many looking as if a large part of the finished product came from high energy industrial rather than human labour intensive horticultural processes…..(the sort of things the Volunteers do all the time and are so good at).

I did ask Heath at one point, “where’s the dung?”…….and wondered about the feasibility of an exhibit which could be at the same time attractive and relate to the “muck” aspect of gardening…… I often pass by various of Edinburgh’s allotments and I guess that that’s the kind of gardening approach that I tend to identify with…. And there’s still plenty of demand for allotments…………

I do recognise that the TV makeover approach has made gardening, of a kind, much more available to many more people but I wonder whether it’s an approach that’s really capable of getting people involved in the real dirty handed and sweaty processes of horticulture.

Rob Hainsworth

Great news for Gemma!

2008-05-19T17:44:00.004+01:00

I am sure that you will all wish to join me in congratulating Gemma who has gained a Ranger position in Fife! It is a fitting reward for all her hard work with us over the last 12 months.

The other good news is that as it is a part time position Gemma will be able to carry on working with us a Volunteer Officer so we can still look forward to her excellent baking!

The Jupiter experience.

2008-05-19T11:22:00.004+01:00

once the clouds lifted and we were let to work in some nice sunshine i took a group of four volunteers and we continued to put up the rabbit fencing of which we have about half of the whole job completed.kenny led the other half of the group and constructed one of the gates needed on the job. we enjoyed our ususll game of cards at dinner time and had a good laugh in the meantime.one of the volunteers had a slight mishap with ao ongoing problem with a lopsided bench which we aim to fix the next time were there but all in all everyone enjoyed themselves.the job itself has at most two days left untill completion.next entry to follow shortly

Our map is online

2008-05-18T13:38:00.004+01:00

We've created a map showing the sites we work at. What's more, the sites will eventually link to their respective photo albums and blog entries! Look at Corstorphine Hill and Blackford Pond for an early taster of the future.

If you view the larger map then you will also get a list of all the sites shown on the map. You'll also notice a new link to this map on the left for easy access in the future.

View Larger Map

If you notice any sites missing from the map that you would like to be included please let one of the VOs know or leave a comment below.

Last week with the rangers

2008-05-12T11:10:00.002+01:00

Last week we had a great time. It was hot and sunny so we enjoyed ice creams while sitting round the bonfire.

On Tuesday we went to Corstorphine Hill and helped flatten a path as well as take out more salmonberry. At lunch time we had a great game of cricket/rounders in the sunshine.

We went to Burdiehouse Burn on Wednesday. We had a bonfire and took rubbish out of the river. We found a shopping trolley, prams and lots of unidentified things, and Willie was so enthusiastic he fell in. Luckily it was so warm his clothes dried and he enjoyed ice creams with the rest of us.

On Thursday we cut down more laurel around Blackford Pond and burnt it. No-one fell in this time, but we still had time for more ice cream.

Photos

2008-04-28T11:55:00.002+01:00

We're making an online collection of photos from our recent projects. You'll find them here:http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/BTCV.Edinburgh

If you have any photos you would like to include please let us know and we can add them.

We've started a blog

2008-04-09T19:19:00.001+01:00

We've started to keep a blog of our activities at BTCV Edinburgh. We'll aim to give a weekly report, so keep checking back to find out what we've been up to.

BTCV Edinburgh Diary

The Edinburgh Blog Is Moving!!

Our new contact details...

The Edinburgh Blog's Back

Gardening Scotland

Regular Churchgoers

stones

Goodbye and thanks for all the cake!

All over Edinburgh with the Rangers

The cement is in, there's no going back!

The ground is level, now on to the carpentry...

Giant rocks, gas and some silly games

Rocheid Path finally finished!

All change

Spring has sprung

Gemma's last week *sob*

Steps, gorse and plenty of rubbish

Various shenanigans

Conservation Volunteering and Traditional Crafts

Wheelbarrow races

More work on the Rocheid Path

Farewell Ronnie!

The Rocheid Challenge

A week with trees

The Hardy BTCV Adventurers Go Forth

Anyone for some Archaeological Conservation?

Mud Glorious Mud

Publicity from Craigmillar

Mud mud glorious mud

Snow and ice and haymen

Message from Fatima

Twas the week before Christmas

Goodbye and Hello

3 weeks in 3 minutes or less

Rhododendron city

Our first visit to Hopetoun

Goodbye and thank you, Fatima

Untill we meet again

The longest week

Conquring the Burn and dompleting Cammo

From light showers + mud to sunshine + mud = MUD!!!

Uncovering the Hermitage

the saga continues

Bye Bye Balsam and Farewell Murraypark!

Mud mud glorious mud

adventures with btcv chapter one

From cake to cake

Scald Law

Goodbye to Boukje

Tweed House

ravelstone woods

My last week!

Lifting Crowns

Gardening Scotland 2008

29th May - Preparing for the garden show at Ingliston

Great news for Gemma!

The Jupiter experience.

Our map is online

Last week with the rangers

Photos

We've started a blog

Gemma's last week sob