BTCV Edinburgh Diary

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.

Posted by Gemma at 15:33 0 comments  

Labels: Hailesland Family Centre, Hermitage of Braid, Riverside Primary School

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.

Posted by ronnie at 15:29 0 comments  

Labels: Hailesland Family Centre, Poet's Glen, Water of Leith

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.

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 13:35 0 comments  

Labels: Hailesland Family Centre, Pentlands