BTCV Edinburgh Diary

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.

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 12:48 0 comments  

Labels: Cammo, Craigmillar, Ravelston Woods

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

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 13:38 1 comments  

Labels: Cammo, Craigmillar, Pentlands

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.

Posted by ronnie at 13:58 0 comments  

Labels: Burdiehouse Burn, Cammo