BTCV Edinburgh Diary

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

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.

Posted by Gemma at 14:44 0 comments  

Labels: Hermitage of Braid, Meadows Yard

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.

Posted by ronnie at 11:53 0 comments  

Labels: Pentlands, Tynepark

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!

Posted by Chris Peach at 14:16 0 comments  

Labels: Corstorphine Hill, Murraypark

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

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 15:12 0 comments  

Labels: Pentlands

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

Posted by ronnie at 13:54 0 comments  

Labels: Corstorphine Hill, Craigmillar, Hermitage of Braid

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

Posted by BTCV Edinburgh at 12:56 0 comments  

Labels: Murraypark, Pentlands, Stanwell Nursery