BTCV Edinburgh Diary

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.

Posted by Chris Peach at 15:52 0 comments  

Labels: Burdiehouse Burn, Muiravonside Country Park, North Edinburgh Cycle Paths, Ravelston Woods

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.

Posted by Gemma at 11:03 0 comments  

Labels: Muiravonside Country Park, North Edinburgh Cycle Paths, Pentlands

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.

Posted by Gemma at 15:03 0 comments  

Labels: Hopetoun House, Pentlands

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.

Posted by Chris Peach at 13:12 0 comments  

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

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

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