For some parts of the country winter never left, but at Forsinard we have been lucky enough to grab a couple of days without the "white-stuff". Today, however, we have had it return with strong winds blowing icy snow across the landscape.
Despite the conditions I ventured off to take photographs of a bridge on one of our access tracks with two of our volunteers (Dario and Ewan) and our Assistant Warden Claire. We are looking at removing felled timber from one of our recently acquired plantations in the future and so the bridges have to be able to support the weight of the lorries. Once the trees have been felled we can then get on with the job of improving the condition of the bog and re-wetting the area.
As you can see from the photographs it was a little snowy!
Ewan and Isolde also helped me last week with cleaning out the water tank. As you might expect this involves draining it down, getting inside with brushes and giving it a good scrub out before letting it refill again. Our volunteers are a good lot and didn't even complain when I asked them climb into a water tank in the middle of winter. I do hasten to add that I did get in there myself....never ask others to do something you aren't willing to do yourself!
Isolde turning the water off...
Getting stuck in to the cleaning...
Ewan turning the water back on...
Today is also a special day because Claire has just turned 30! To celebrate the occasion our new part-time administrator, Yvonne, has created a special master piece...it is almost too good to eat...almost!
The amazing "Argo Cake" made by Yvonne!
Claire driving the argo for comparison!!
Keith, thanks for your comments. Luckily weather has improved quite a bit at the moment with more sunshine! Hopefully will be running some more 4x4 safaris this summer, will try and post some photos on the blog. Paul
happy birthday claire the argo looks fun after freezin at the bridge u need a little fun cake looks good. thanks for ur hard work. hi paul, have not 4got our safari