The Time Has Come To Spill The Beans

Got these pics from Bob...who went to a metal festival in France..forget the name of it but I wanted to go due to the classic line up. Mr Bobarooney has kindly sent me some pics of which two are above. On your left as you look at the screen is Dave Mustaine and, I am sure, Dave Ellefson...the original members of Megadeth...woohoo......Hook In Mouth....Peace Sells But Who's Buying..classics...and, I am assured, this was taken during Holy Wars. Next..on your right is the mighty Kerry King in typical stance with BC Rich flying V..the mighty Slayer kicking out the jams......yes I!!!!!! Bob had taken a classic full stage shot of Slayer in action but it was too blurry to put on here...he was up at the mosh pit...like I used to..but now I don't. Well done Bob..flying the flag for the old school!!!

Dave Mustaine looks like his legs are about to bend and snap!!!!

So why did I not go?..well....at the time...I was not sure what was happening with jobs and stuff and, if I was just doing the season here, then they would need me...being high season..and the fact I do not get any holidays either..cheek!!! But I found out what lies ahead of me just last week...days before the festival so Bob had to go on his own...let's face it Bob...we are like an old married couple when we are together....I would have wanted my pipe and slippers while you were out stepping up to the plate of metal!!!!!!!!!

It has been mentioned I kinda sneaked the facts in on one of my previous entries so..here goes. After years...and I do mean years...of volunteering...moving on..leaving people who were (and are) good friends..living out of cardboard boxes (God bless you Morrisons for your veg boxes) I have now secured a main grade post funded until March 2009. This is with Aberdeen City Council and is as a Community Woodlands Officer..they are in the process of applying for further funding and, if I can make a good impression, they will keep me on. So, thanks to all those that have kept me going over the years.

In no particular order...Mum, Dad, colleagues at.....Calderglen Country Park....Breadalbane team at Lochearnhead (amone the wee man!!!) and everyone in the community groups..ALL the NTS people from Newhailes to Perthshire..AND LET US NOT FORGET THOSE AT NORWICH UNION who put up with me as I went through the change from office fella to country squire...in no particular order...Mrs "sexy minx" Grieve, Mr "Slick" Coombe...Mr "Eddie Murphy" Parker...get outta here!!!..Mr "I put on a grumpy exterior as a way of protecting myself" Thom..u know it big man...always in my heart..Jilly Willy...Fi Fi Fluffytop..Busy Lizzy (and Stormin Norman!)....Janey Gaunt (baddabaddaschwing)..the Double GG (never forget the vision of those lycra shorts!)..WPC Harrower (cuff me baby)...Fat Boab for the opportunities and support through thick and thin...For all of those I haven't mentioned at NU..muchos appreciamundos.

Let's not forget the one that didn't make it. Jug Lugs Thompson..."that's Thompson with a P". Everything I see and do I hope you can see..for you are always in my heart..you and the tan...blimey...you told me it was a real tan...from Bonnyrig?.....right!!

OK..so..it is a massive change...main grade and side stepping from countryside ranger work...working in amongst those that need it the most. So what else....well...I kinda met someone..like..you know...a lady..and she is lovely. We were introduced by a friend..like....msn addy's (oh, the modern world!!)..and chatted...and we met up in Aberdeen and hit it off. So..don't know where it will lead but we have agreed we both like each other and will see what happens.

So..from conservational transient monk...to conservational conquistador with a lady!!!..hell...who would have thought. TG..if you are reading this....I know u would never have thought!!!

Start date is a bit fuzzy but it is going to happen within the month of July..hell..I am even having a meeting on Tuesday with one of the fellas I am working for...woohoo!!!

I think that's enough for just now...a lot in there...hard day tomorrow..pulling reed mace out of the ash lagoons at Levenhall...it is going to be very mucky. Later.

The Most Embrassing Mistake In My Career..Ever!!

OK..so I think I told you about my strimmer packing in on me on various occasions??....well..it would pack in after 4 hours use and not start again. Nick to that one and another over to Levenhall (excellent for birds if your a birder, by the way) on the outskirts of Musselburgh...thats Mussellburrrrrrra not Musselborrow for the Americans reading...anyway...we all thought it was the mix I was using for fuel/oil..Nick flushed the strimmer through with pure fuel and they used happily for ages.

I got it back yesterday..put in a new fuel/oil mix...and it packed in again!!!!!...so Nick came down and tried it...definitely a blockage says he...flush it with fuel and see what happens...I did and it worked..I put my new fuel in and it didn't. Phoned Nick and told him...must be the fuel is contaminated...says I...how can it be I am using the stuff from the brown container..pause...knew this was significant...the brown one says Nick...it's yellow...the brown one is CREOSOTE.....I had been mixing the fuel with creosote all this time..what a muppet...thing is..the machine had been running on it for ages before it packed in.

Anyway...I have a team meeting today and expect, quite rightly, to get a good ribbing!!!! Now I have to figure how to get rid of to gallons of flammable creosote!!!!

Hey ho..such is the rich tapestry of life.

Ye Gads I'm Tired

Check it out..bout time I rectified the lack of mention of France...view of Avignon from the Palais Du Papes....Palace of the Popes for the non French speaking. Many stairs up to this point with the lovely Anne Laure (my uncles friend) but what a view..hey...I even got the lighting done nice as well.

What a weekend..long drive to Aberdeen...seems I missed the traffic for the Royal Highland Show..don't know how...spoke to a woman at Gullane..said she had to leave at 5am to get there..I travelled past Ingleston and onto Forth road Bridge at 8am without any trouble...very weird.

Anyway..the express Holiday Inn was very nice..even though I was staying in a smoking room...it was good cause it faced the back and not the busy front road. It rained ALL the time but I got a lot done..including looking at rooms..so..still waiting for final letter...but it looks like I will be staying in an area called Torry..bit rough and ready...Aberdeen HMP is at the end of the road and the place smells of fish...oh dear..doesn't sound too nice..but it is...at least to begin with..oh..the reason for the fishy smell is the processing factory on the Dee!!!

Coming back down was a problem..tired and hung over...3 stops for a doze in total AND a stop off at MCDonalds..barf...coffeeand McChicken Sarnies....did the emergency stop at Cockatoo restaurant (which, I am told, is very nice) in order to make the final push along the A9.

Still tired now...and it is Tuesday..been strimming most of the day..until the swine packed in on me...could it be the park plug? Someone has nicked our throw line as well..so that was replaced...and, all of a sudden, the sun came out and it was lovely....hussah!!! Hopefully sort it tomorrow and get back on with the show...still the east side to do.

OK...will be able to be more definite on plans once my disclosure comes through and I get the final letter...woohoo!!!

Oop North

Check out the time..up on a Saturday...I admit it was difficult to get to this point...instead of early bed and no booze I chose...4 pints at the Mercat followed by a quantity of Dougie's vodka and watching Glastonbury on Sky...hey ho..never mind...get a kip at Perth. I view the voddy as payment for ensuring young Carol doesn't have a partay!!!

Quiet week on schools but lots of other stuff going on. I wore my "waterproof" boots yesterday...Nick chose the inside class and I got the outside one..planting wild flowers in the long grass...wet feet..wet socks...which I kept on all day...in wellies after that...oh dear..they are drying and, indeed, smelling as I type....good burgler deterrent!!!

Off to Aberdeen to look at some rooms...this time..hopefully for longer than 6 months!! Stop off at dad's on the way back on Sunday..gong to be a long drive though.....Goldfrapp back to back..hussah!!!

I have pt on 3lbs!!!!..how did that happen?...blimey...hey..it will be off by end of next week cause I get my strimmers back and will be doing that all week as we are quiet...get it done and dusted. Gullane PS on Monday am...final part of the John Muir Award...picking litter...thing is..with the bad weather there might be so little I have to go around and put stuff on the ground...gotta look after the kids you know.

Right..coffee!!!!...and then we are off.

Later

It's a sham!!!

Yet another classic cock up!!..we are told class will be on site from 11am and we have to turn up at 12 to do rock pooling. We turn up at 12 to find the kids in amongst the pools and all very wet...no!...wait!!!..let us show u how to do it professionally!!!...swine....the secretary had got the message wrong....so...after much apologies..and they found loads as well!!!!..we slinked of for lunch..to be honest...I had been a bit miffed that the school wanted us to break the sanctimony that is lunch at midday!!!

So, one of my tenants has decided not to pay his rent and I had to chase to be told...he is lying low and the next step is the sheriff in town...oh dear!!..the Glasgow flat is just "late paying" and it would appear the very expensive flooring in the kitchen is "scuffed"...no explanation....just.....that is what I saw...hey..worth the investment then!!! And..to top it all...insurance policies are ready for renewal...hussah....the glory and untold wealth of being a property magnate..yeah..rite.

So, off to Aberdeen this weekend to see some rooms..and a nice date...but more of that later..if I am allowed...gonna pop in and see dad to give him the pressie I bought in Edinburgh and take the final draft of my Will..of which my godmother gets a flat...if ure reading Noreen!!!!....on the way back..going to be knacked by Monday but at least it should be sorted.

I entered the equipment shed today to find all of my strimmers have gone!!!!...swine...asked all day who had them and it seems my fellow seasonal, Kathleen and Nick..the fella in charge at Levenhall..have been strimming like mad to get things sorted..so..with the 3rd strimmer fixed..it looks like I will don the green suit of poo, wellies, hard hat, goggles and ear protectors and sweat like a donkey all day tomorrow..yay..but that means they owe me..and I have lots of paths that need a wee hand trimming...plus Nick owes me for the bird box making last week...my thumb has recovered thank you very much. Won't be wearing my pvc sheep dipping dungarees...ok for cold and wet weather but somewhat unpleasant for anything warm...and the scrapes do get warm i tell thee.

But Gullane seems to have survived fine without my attention...and I found another patch of orchids...woohoo!!!...in the area that usually gets cut..so..next time the guy comes along..I have been told to lie down in front of it!!!..no way babes...early purple and northern marsh...very exciting of that be assured.

Hey ho...here comes the summer..but then...I wont be there!!

SB

I don't believe it!!!!

All hands to the pump!. Gold panning in Tynedrum, 2006

Look at those kids faces..?..amone...this is interesting!!..they expected to find lumps of gold lying there for the taking!

Ok...first off..for all my readers (ha ha!!) I apologise for the gap in entries. There are a number of valid reasons for this..the main one being on an 11 day stretch with no break..including one day of interview in Aberdeen..a long trip that was...albeit with a nice sleep over at mum's...So, I thought, rather than writing...ooh eck, I am bloomin tired and grumpy (hard to believe, right?)...I would keep schtum. So, here we are on Sunday morning surrounded by cd's.

On the 1st day off (worked an extra one for time in lieu) I hot footed it to Edinburgh town to exchange boots at Millets. With 64 bar burning a hole in my pocket I set out to seek the shop they call Hogs Head..or Head Music as is now (www.hogs-head-com or e mail hogshead2006@clara.co.uk)...the best second hand shop in town...woohoo!!!..metal heaven..had to leave afore I spent all my cash..onto Fopp on Coburn Street (not Coburg Street...that is for a clientele of a different nature)..2 more cd's there and a rather nice present for Pop Bly..he will like it indeed!! With all of these and the cd's borrowed from the library I have aprrox 25 hours of stuff to listen to. They are as follows:-

Library
Go - very best of Moby..a good representation of the man's work

Freedom Fields - Seth Lakeman (introduced by my old boss..Callum McSporran)....a folky singer singing about folklore in Cornwall...I know it sounds pants but it is VERY GOOD..track it down and listen.

Stop The Clocks - Oasis...nowt to say about this..if you were "avin' it" in the 90's..get it

X&Y - Coldplay...hmmmm..bit moany and self absorbing this..a few gems...check fix you and speed of sound

Fopp
Far Beyond Driven - Pantera..for the connoisseur of fine metal...uncompromising, punishing with a fine cover of Planet Caravan at the end

Absolution - Muse..another gid serving from these fellas..turn it up..on yer stereo not the lap top!!!

Head Records - Tim's shop!!!!
"2 from the Vault"...The End Complete/World Demise - Obituary...grind/doom/death metal..call it what u will...Scott Morrison engineering (Tampa) at his best..amone the Tardy brothers!!! Saw them at the Astoria as well..Trevor Peres..scary eyes

Dream Catcher, the VIIth Coming/In Memoriam - Cathedral...UK grind/doom at its best..In Memoriam is from the past..definitley...remember when they supported Morbid Angel all those years ago...this from the time Lee Dorian had just split from Napalm Death

Substitute For A Catastrophe - Zillah...Andy's band..and Roddy..hey..gotta keep the faith..check these guys out..keep local talent going

The Big Black - Orange Goblin...stoner rock at it's best...phew..all the way from London..a gem indeed..open chord/fuzz box riffage..you don't need to partake of the herb...just listen to the album...funny hidden track as well

So, that's it!!! All for me to listen to.

Check the pics at the top..gold panning in Tynedrum....all the kids (and big kids) expected to be able to find lumps of gold lying there..shame it was only me that found a sliver the day before!!! Another perk of the job.

OK...so, things have changed slightly...ahem...over the past few days. I have been offered a job with Aberdeen Council as a main grade ranger..yes..after 5 years of slog and vagrancy I get my chance. as my mum put it.."you just don't believe it do you?"...well no...I don't. All this time moving, working, enjoying it, leaving folks behind..I can now start to plan things. OK..it is funded until 2009...but so is the whole project..not just my job....it is up to me to make a go of it...working as a Community Woodlands Ranger in areas with severe social and economic issues..all those years back when I kissed the Blarney Stone...it all pays off..the patter is the key!!

So..now I look to head north to the Granite city. I better go cause they sent me a disclosure form to fill out in order for security checks..then the official letter of offer..and their uniform is BLACK......woohoo!!!!

Later

Just a quickie

Hey..it's Sunday..and I am knacked...think it is the last 7 days on that has caught up with me AND prepping for this interview on Tuesday..still to finish..iron my troos and..yes...the beard is coming off!!!

Definitely got the Friday, Sat, Sun off so off to Millets I will go and get a refund for my wee boots on one of them. Application for Kilmarnock can wait until I get back from Aberdeen..looks like a Wednesday evening slot..then prepping for interviews for the following week.

Got my 1st target species survey under my belt using the GPS...glad it's done...pressure on...interp boards painted...definitely pressure from the top on that one..and my BBS.. but no butterfly survey..the weather has been blooming awful. Ayrie...not blogging tomorrow so may be Tuesday..up to mum's tomorrow night..then Aberdeen..but a LONG drive back on Tuesday...Aberdeen to Haddington..pppprrrrrrrrppppppppppp.

Hey, it would be boring if any other way.

I broke it!

Just added this in after main post..this should be enititled "I'll just stand here then". Transect line measuring over a hummocky raised bog..Jo (LHS) knows what she is doing..at least one of us does!!!..Tuftster beside her..is that 30 metres?...aye...as long as your happy. East Kilbride at its sunniest...watch out for ticks, boggy holes and snakes...ah..the life of a ranger..we looked proffessional though.

Having worked a total of 11.5 hours yesterday (plus standing in a thunder storm, watching my colleagues play fitba) from dawn till dusk...I was pretty knacked and, as usual, it was nasty weather..so..I got my sheep dipping dungarees on and started strimming the back path...right at the end..the bit I had originally wanted to cut..the strimmer just made funny noises and died on me..hell's teeth..now I am in for it...just hope no.2 works...my lime green poo suit wouldn't have been any good as it was too wet...and I wanted to get my dungees out...woohoo!!!!rubber dungees...blue helmet/visor/ear muffs/goggles..covered head to toe with pith, seeds and cuttings...every ladies dream...no?

Well..Thursday was a blinder..on the job at 6.30am and the survey went well..still a lot of birdies I dinnae ken the song for..but nice to be out at that time..bit of that..bit of litter...sanding down interp board for painting (should it stop raining)..back to HQ..ready for bird box building..cancelled due to The Janny not "finding" any more wood for making them..bit more back at the Crib..get the works van...hussah!!!!..by this time the heavens opened up (wet from watching colleagues slip about on the pitch)...Gullane was dark and foreboding..but the ladies turned up dressed for their dinner..so...I took them round a very wet Gullane..through long, wet grass and sand..hey..they asked to do it..got a bottle of Smirnoff for my troubles...back to HQ..pub!!!!!...home..up at 5.30 am...home by 11pm..had to have a shower as I was honking..ever tried to have a quiet shower?...hey ho...read for the weekend...me and Ricardo (ey oop lad) are on..bins are being replaced..2 blokes with a lump hammer and nails...oooyah!!!..GPS is primed to find orchids and such like..hussah!!!!

Plus I have to prep my presentay..just 5 mins on Powerpoint..so..busy busy...still find the time to go to Mercat.

Boots finally gave up the ghost and, having has enough of wet socks, I just bought another pair (Millets'will be returned) along with my super cool sports undershorts...woohoo!!!!...I is one comfortablay mother!!!

U know?...I am quite a busy bee..not bad for M.E.

I don't believe it!!!

Look at the time!....been up since 5.30 a to the m...those birds better appreciate it....God only knows what state I am going to be in tonight at 7.30pm for the Lingniddry Ladees!!

Oh Dear

Seen last night's post...fueled by Stella and the power of Clutch...very sanctimonious..but then...aren't these gardens of remembrance meant to make you think about that sort of thing..anyhoo.....the mop head music of Inspiral Carpets (from Oldham, you know) is soothing my fuzzy head as I prepare to rawwwwwk pool..gen up on Gullane's history..back here..app form for Kilmarnock, review stuff for presentay for Tuesday and then my kip...clear headed I tell thee..for tomorrow's very early start.

Later

Perth...Eddie Murphy...Eddie Murphy.....Perth...get out of here!!!

Hey

1st time been to the Mercat of an evening in a long time...only one in...spent a long while talking to the manager/owner..broke the rule...made contact with someone...doh!!!! Mind, took 2 months to crumble..on the way back..went to the chippie and then to "Normandy Gardens". Just sitting there and listening to the birds and stuff..how many young men, younger than me..gave up their future so we could have ours?..all our superficial troubles and empire building?...good grief...some never made it out the boat....the time it takes to say..a pint of Stella please..and a whole boat gone...hey..bit morbid?...suck it up..i thank God for every day I walk where I am..why not you?....bit preachy that..sorry everyone..but it is a very tranquil garden by toll booth bridge in Haddington..where they used to hang folk.

Anyhoo...digging drainage ditches (reminded me of Crianlarich..27th December) at Gullane, cutting Buckthorn..someone asked to take them to her private garden....nnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...interp stuff and cleaning the boards...next...sanding and painting!!!..woohoo!!!!!..all in a day on the cusp of environmental pioneering..seriously..it is a cool thing!

Rock pooling tomorrow and then back to painting...management zones and the like.

Had to tell Dodge bout my interviews....he thought I was messing about before...which I never do...so all is well..Aberdeen on the 12th and Ullapool on the 21st!!!


My usefulness on this planet has gone...until tomorrow..tara!

X

That's it for 10 days!!!

Hey hey...back on the map after a round trip of relative hedonism....but that's it for 10 days....I had 2 weekends off so now is my time to work it baby...but many things happening inbetween. What a night Friday was...a good chance to chat to NU chums and say a farewell to "fat boab"...some may have not got on with him but he gave me a good few chances to take on high profile projects and was there when his name sake decided enough was enough....always in my heart Mr "jug lugs". Everyone else was on good form and I did try to chat to as many as possible...Mr popular...yeah right!!!..hey, even Mr "Spidey" Parker was there...albeit in a lovely pastel lemon cashmere sweater thing....bless..the banter was flowing like the beer!!!!

NICE TO SEE YOU ALL

So, here I am....bedsheets washed and drying...room hoovered...work rucksack cleaned out and, of course, hand saw cleaned and ready for action...poo gloves, gardening gloves and strimming gloves dried out and packed away. D's son is here for the 1st time staying over...kids....keep the place alive and fresh...so, no chance of any kip..bless...shopping to do and fuel to buy..Lidl..what an absolute find..oatcakes...mmmm....macaroni cheese in a tin...hussah..no one told me they dinnae gie oot placcy bags though...lucky I have big hands!

Of course, I will have to pop into The Mercat...they will be worrying about me!...last time the saw me was on Wednesday pm..after the forum...they will be thinking I am lost in the Bay Horse..God forbid.

In addition to the usual surveys, patrols and buckthorn cutting....no strimming!!!!...Gullane is all short and tidy... I have a few school groups and the local Ladies Forum...oooohhhhh...young man...Caroline...you owe me for this one!!!...and a wee bit of painting...a new interp board went up and, as you would expect, it made the other two look shabby...and they are as well...so sand paper out and then painting away....woohoo!!!..only thing is..as a non moving target I am assured to get nailed on various pressing issues and, as you all know, state management is my forte!!

Thought I would pop this image in...the "caravan d'amour" on Arran....my home for the 1st 3 week placement on the island..the place that shall not be named...after the "Thistle Camp" where the 1st pic taken....2nd time, I spent 2 days in the back of the van and the rest in the "rabbit hutch" stipended onto the back of the castle.

Interesting..before the age of total capitalism...the head gardener had established a relationship with the Chinese government...he would go over there and obtain some seeds and...in return...Chinese students would have a placement on Arran...hussah...so this place had enough space for 3 and I got it all to myself...note the gas canister next to the kitchen window...when u turned on the hot water the swine fired up...always thought it was going to explode..pppprrrrrrrrrrrpppppppppp..hey ho...wouldn't know about it really...just felt bad for the person who would find me ass neked hanging upside down in the trees.

Right...better go and do something..very muggy just now...time for another electrical storm?