lovfinion

Kev, I'm really chuffed re your course. I went to Elmwood and did an HNC in amenity horticulture, before that I did a course (ONC) on Conservation and rural eccology at Perth College, I loved it, but there wasn't any follow up to it, which was why I switched to Elmwood. Afrer Elmwood I went back to Perth College and did an HND in Leisure Management, which was a bit too sprort orientated for me - yawn!!:). I know that land management courses are good re job market. I wish I was doing the course that you are doing, it will be fascinating. I know your time will be swallowed up with study, but try and squeeze in what ever voluntary work you can at Vane and don't forget SNH, they do some reallly interesting work re suveys on all manner of things.

Wishing you all the very best Kev:)

Tracey:)

Yep, I was back at Vane last week for lunch with Sadie (Colin's partner) and I was at the last party - all good and really nice to catch up again. A lot of new faces:) It felt brilliant to be back again. There are some lovely folk at Vane and I do miss them, so it was good to see everyone again.

What course are you doing Kev? I know what you mean about getting use to to college, but once you get into the swing of it, it's fantastic.

I put my notice in with my last job, one of the reasons for doing so is that my daughter is due to give birth very soon and as her partner is based near Poole, he might not make it in time for the birth, so I have been told by said daughter that I am to be her birthing partner. Nervous?!! You have no idea and it's not even as if I'll be going through the pain!!

Anyway, hope to see you soon and hope all goes well with college:)

Tracey:)

Sorry for not responding earlier. A Sea eagle!!! You lucky so and so!!! At Vane Farm as well, how brilliant!! Am I full of envy? Oh yes!!!:) I haven't had much time to get my Vane fix, what with mum and work!! I feel awful, I'm suppose to be doing my breeding bird survey......! I'll have to update the breeding survey map and get on with it ASAP. I'll have to speak to Chris and see if he can get the vols to help out re this. I don't know if I should ask Chris to get someone else to take over with the nest box survey, it would break my heart, but I just feel that I am not doing it justice recently.

Tracey:)

Hi Kev, what's happening with you? Hope all well. Not sure what is happening at Vane recently, I've been so busy, but if you are in the loop let me know:)

Tracey:)

Thanks Kev, it was good to meet you too, finally! Let me know how you got on with the bird ringing. SNH are good to vollunteer for as well, I'll tell you more the next time I see you.

All the best

Tracey:)

Dougie is a lovely man isn't he, he never loses his cool when things get busy in the coffee shop. That's brilliant that you can get a lift in with him, Vix said that she and Dougie car share now. It's a brilliant idea, saves them both bringing in their cars when they don't have to.

Wish I'd seen the Snow buntings (never see one) and the Filedfares, Kevin you are so lucky!:) Oh, er apart from the toilet cleaning job:D:D:D

Sneaky, doing all your Xmas shopping on line!:D:D:D Mind you as you said how stress free, defo going to do that next Christmas:)

All the best Kevin:)

Tracey:)

What happened to the taking it easy then!!!:D :D :D The bird count sounds like it was good fun, good numbers of Whooper swans and seven Barnacle geese not bad at all:) I wonder what you'll be doing tomorrow? It's a wonderful reserve and it's a pleasure to be able to be a part of it and helping out where ever you are needed. It certainly is a feel good factor, knowing that every thing you do is important and really makes a difference.

I've still got Christmas shopping to do, bah humbug and all of that:D :D :D I hope you and yours have a brilliant Christmas and New Year.

Tracey:)

Hi Kevin,

what a shame coming down with the flu! It was last week that I got it as well and boy it is just so exhausting isn't it! I'm not as bad, but still tired. Hopefully by the time Christmas day arrives we'll both be fighting fit again:) Just take it easy Kevin and don't try to do to much.

Take care

Tracey:)

Hi Kevin,

just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year:)

All the best

Tracey:)

Hi Kevin,

Wow, what a day you had yesterday!:) In spite of the fact that Buzzards are fairly common now, I still think they are amazing to watch. I wish I'd ambled in yesterday, so that I could have seen the Ravens as well and yes I also think they are just amazing. I've only ever seen distant views of them at Vane, but when I went up the Schiehallion we were very lucky to be quite close to them. We were at the top of the mountain and they just seemed to stay with us and even followed us as we descended for about 20 minutes, during this time they flew very close to us and it was the first time I'd heard that wonderful cronking sound that they make. Memories like that are for keeps and it's nice to dip into them:)

Glad you didn't have to do hard labour when you were there:) I'll be in on Friday, having lunch with Sadie again. I was saddened to hear that Richard had left, a really nice lad, I'll miss him.

Yep, I took my camera and took some pics of the birds on the feeders behind the willow fence in the picnic area, anyway moving on.........okay, my pics were pretty awful!:( More practice me thinks!:)

All the best

Tracey:)