A week at Plodda/Corrimony
A brilliant week working at the Corrimony RSPB (Black Grouse) reserve, whilst staying at Plodda Lodge. Lots of singing and cakes (even some three course meals). Jane successfully navigated us through the first couple of days, before Rosie joined us on Monday evening to see the week through.
We finally got to see a Black Grouse (male) on Friday, and I personally managed to visit three sizable waterfalls in just the one week, Guisachan, Plodda and then Corrimony falls on Friday afternoon for lunch with the vols on our last full day together.
All too soon it was Saturday and time to pack up and leave. As Mick sat in Plodda Lodge garden strumming and singing “You can’t always get what you want…”, I was loading bags into the back of the van, thinking about what an amazing group of people I’d had the pleasure of getting to know over the week. And I must admit I got a bit of a lump in my throat. Later, after the Focaliser changeover in Tesco car park, I drove Birch (a van) back to Findhorn. The Sun was shining and I realised that I was pretty damned happy to be working on a Saturday. You can’t always get what you want, but if you try…
Ok, photos now available here
Some of my favourites are shown in the gallery below…
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- The first day of the experiment.
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- After applying the spare wheel Jane needed to rest
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- Jane’s last day on the hill. No one looks sad to see the back of her, but of course we were.
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- Mick Dimaio put a peartato in my lunch box. This is the silliest photo I could find of him. It’s not even close to pay back…
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- Craig came out to see us and then spent the day on the phone! Only kidding, he did take some pics of us too.
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- Guisachan Falls
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- High vis vest fashionistas Naomi and Louise. And Ellie.
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- Friday lunch next to Corrimony Falls
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- Charlie, Lisa and myself. I look happy, but it was time to pack the bus
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- “I saw her today at the reception…”
On my OWN! And a pretty cool sunset.
I’m back at Findhorn – after a slow start (pretty much the same as usual then) I eat a hearty breakfast and head into the TFL office. It turns out that Rosie, my co-focaliser for the forthcoming week, is ILL! I will have to take a bunch of potentially unruly volunteers out on my OWN!
Actually, Jane from the office will have to come out and drive for me because I’ve not taken my PCV practical yet. Jane has only been on one work week, ever, and hasn’t done the Focaliser training. It’s ok, I’m fine about it. Everything will be just fine…
Craig picks up Rohan, who I’ve not seen since the training, and we get our briefing in between sorting out the food order for the forthcoming work-weeks, and grabbing some extortionately priced food from the Universal cafe. We make up for it by taking seconds during our TFL bought meal in the CC later.
Finally, after a bit of revision, Rohan gives me a shout from outside, and I go out to see what he’s on about, and see this…
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- The boy Wadham in The Blair Witch Project, But Without Any Rooms.
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- The shepherds were delighted.
TFL Week at Strathan Cottages on the Attadale Estate.
I’ve just finished my first TFL week of the Autumn season. We stayed on the Attadale estate – worth a look if you’re passing – and worked at Achnashellach and Reraig. Big praise goes to Calum, my co-focaliser, who I felt totally comfortable working with. Good job really, as, due to the lack of beds, we ended up sharing a double together. Compliments have to end here I’m afraid, as the big man sure does move about a lot in bed, and is 6 foot 5, or something.
Anyway, we planted 3000 trees and the group seemed to enjoy themselves. Photos to follow when I get a better internet link
Ok, photos are now available here
Here are reduced res versions of some of my favourites… (actually I’ve just noticed that they are higher resolution than the way they’re displayed through photobox!)
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- Mr Wilkinson posing for the front cover of next year’s work week brochure
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- Fine accommodation.
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- Alex receives his ‘surprise’ Birthday card
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- Being kept amused…
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- So, you can see what I was laughing at…
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- I have no idea what this is, but it’s very cool.
Dundreggan – 2nd Focaliser Week, 16th to 23rd May
I spent two volunteer weeks with Deborah in spring last year, and now it is great to have her as a co-focaliser for the week. Our group is an interesting mix of three experienced guys and four female newcomers. It’s great to spend time at Dundreggan again, my first time back since the training in March. And getting to know Steve and Allan a little better. We also have the pleasure of meeting local wildlife photographer Jane Bowman, who gives us an enthusiastic presentation of her (amazing) pictures.
Unfortunately, I’ve only a limited number of pictures as I somehow contrived to leave my phone charger in my van at Findhorn. But they are here…
My first Focaliser week – Plodda and Glen Cougie, 2nd to 9th May
My first week as a Trees for Life Focaliser, working alongside the Moth Daddy (Russell) and with the support of Manoj and Kath, nothing could possibly go wrong…
Life since the office 
Major endorsements