Thursday 12 December 2013

Things are Starting to Fall into Place!

Right well not sure where to start! Had a busy hectic few days and some good news!

I'll start with the weekend. I actually finished a knitting project - quite an accomplishment for moi! I volunteered myself to knit a tea cosy for the teapot we use for our teas on our Monday tasks. Below are a few nearly finished photos and the finished article!

The last row...

Blue butterfly (adonis blue) representing the KWT logo

The teapot ready to be dressed

A quick break for a dog walk....



Then taaaadaaaaaa....





I wanted to finish it before volling on Monday. Everyone was impressed and I must say I am fairly impressed too!

Everyone working hard - probably in need of a nice hot cup of tea!

Tea cosy in a more natural setting!

Everyone said how much hotter the tea stayed - in my eyes that is a success!

Anyone know what this is??? Edit: Cobalt Crust (Terana caerulea) a saprobic crust fungi

After the task, we went to check on Oare Marshes after the tidal surge last week. I didn't see the damage on the day but it is still very much under water compared to how it usually looks.

Evidence of the debris washed into the marsh from the creek. Water was flowing so quickly it dragged reeds as well

Water pouring from the ditches


Excess water gushing from the marshes back into the creek via the sluice

A beautiful calm day

On Tuesday I went on an Emergency First Aid at Work Training day. A really handy qualification to have when applying for jobs etc. It was a very informative and hands on day. I feel confident that I may one day be able to help someone if they were in trouble.

Yesterday We had our first proper frost. It still wasn't a proper proper one but the heaviest we've had yet.


Not too sure about that ice...

Give it a little sniff...

Then eat it!

I took Bracken down to the marshes with my camera and tripod slung over my shoulder. I needed an hour or so to clear my head because later on in the day I had an interview. The interview was for a trainee post with KWT and I was told to prepare a 3 minute presentation about a habitat or species group. I decided to talk about falcons! What better way to learn a presentation than go and give it to a falcon! We always see kestrels down at the marshes so that is what I did. A nice hovering kezzie listened very well to me rambling on about him!  I really wanted a nice photo of me and Bracken down there in the lovely morning light, hence why I took my tripod. I got a couple of shots that I quite like...



Anyway I went for my interview, it went okay but I was quite nervous. It obviously went better than I thought because I received a phone call when I got home and they offered me the job!! Truly ecstatic! The position involves working on the water vole project which I have already been doing for a while. I am just happy to be able to have a more formal role in the project!

This morning we went on another lovely walk. Well a normal kind of walk apart from the fact I saw my first little owl!! I wish wish wish I'd had my camera because it was no more than 2 metres away from me and looking directly at me!! I'm sure most birders see lots of these stunning little birds and I'm not quite sure why it has taken me so long to see one. It was well worth the wait though! I will always remember my first sighting of this smart little owl!

Right now I must apologise again for taking so long to catch up on blogs, that is my task for the next few days! I hope you are all having a great week! I couldn't wait to share my good news with you all!

34 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the new job. I bet it's really interesting working on a Water vole Project. Sadly, I've never even seen one. You really are jack-of-all-trades - nice tea cosy.
    I'm certainly not an expert, but the blue stuff in your photograph reminded me of lichen and I came across one that looks similar called Terana caerulea. The Wild About Britain website has a great forum for anything you struggle to ID - I use it a lot even to just confirm my suspicions.

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    1. Thanks Tim, I'm so excited to start! Thanks for the ID info - I just google imaged it and think it is the same thing!

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    2. No problem. If you ever want to do a guest blog about what you do in your project on my blog you're most welcome. Hope you have a good Christmas and New Year.

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    3. That would be cool Tim! I hope you also have a wonderful Christmas a fantastic New Year!!

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  2. Lou that is BRILLIANT NEWS- very well done indeed. Am very excited for you and can't wait to hear more about it- right up my street as you know!
    Wonderful tea cosy too- you are such a clever lady. You could sell those to shabby chic shops.

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    1. Thank you so much CT! I am chomping at the bit to start!! One month today actually! I thought I could make lots of the little butterflies for the KWT visitor centre to sell possibly! Make them into broaches or something.

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  3. Gorgeous sky shot .
    Love, love , love that tea cozy !

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    1. Thanks Willow, I could make you one if you liked! I don't often use a teapot - only really whilst out on tasks!

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  4. Congratulations on the new job. I am so pleased for you and it'll be wonderful working on the Water Vole Project. Well done :)!!!!!

    I love the tea cosy especially the blue butterfly :) Very impressed with your knitting - I have never attempted cable!!!

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    1. Thank you RR :) I can't wait to start and get to know everyone at the trust too! Glad you like the cosy! Cable is really easy don't be phased by it! :)

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  5. The tea cosy in it's natural environment had me chuckling, I must keep my eyes peeled for one next time I'm out in the field.
    Very,very well done on the job too it's not easy getting into that particular job and I wish you all the best in the new job.

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    1. Haha yes I guess it does make it sound like a rare specimen! Thanks for your kind comment, I really put my all into the interview and that obviously came across!

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  6. Congratulations, what a wonderful way to prepare for an interview too. You can keep us up to date on the water voles and the mink problem-looking forward to it. Love the tea cosy. The last photo is my favourite-the trees look like paper cut outs.

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    1. Thank you Suzie :) I will try my best to keep you all up to date. Maybe I'll even get a better photo of one of the cute little critters!

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  7. Congratulations! And how wonderful that you can continue your work looking at Water Voles. Fascinating stuff!
    The tea cosy is fabulous - perfect for keeping the teapot warm when you're outside.
    I haven't seen a Little Owl for years. I once lived in a cottage in the middle of nowhere and I used to watch a pair in some barns next door, but I think that was the last time I've seen any. They are lovely little creatures.

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    1. Thanks Wendy, I am so happy to be able to carry on learning about them and go on training courses etc!
      It was quite by chance I saw it, I went back this evening but it wasn't there. I shall certainly be keeping my eyes peeled! I've even been dreaming about them!

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  8. Excellent News LM! Good luck for the future and where ever it may take you :)

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    1. Thanks Stewart, I am hoping it might be a step on the conservation ladder and some day maybe I will get a paid role!

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  9. hi Lou. Well done and congratulations. Love the sunset.

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  10. Hoo-rah! Well done Lou :) that is great news. Could not think of a more inspiring way to prepare for an interview! Great little owl sighting :) such a cracking bird!
    Tomx

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    1. I was ecstatic! Still am! I do think being in the great outdoors helped me think clearly about it!

      The little owl was really adorable! It wasn't there again this evening though. I am quite glad I didn't have my camera else I would have been faffing around trying to get a good photo rather than admiring it! x

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  11. Congratulations Lou. I'm certain that if the Water Voles knew, they would be pleased to have you looking after them!

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    1. Thank you Phil! That is very kind of you to say so!

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  12. Congrats on the job success Lou Mary those people obviously recognised a keen and reliable talent when one came knocking. The tea cosy is fabulous and I admit I didn't know anyone still used one in place of a tea bag, but sometimes the old ways are best. Your pictures are especially good this week.

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    1. Thank you Phil, I am keen and definitely a nerd - looking forward to getting back to learning lots! I love using a teapot!

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  13. Congratulations Lou on the job and nice tea cosy......

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    1. Thanks Em!! It was quite simple to knit actually :)

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  15. Well done as regards the knitted tea-cosy, it looks superb and evidently also performed its job admirably. It's also nice to see some one whom still uses a tea pot as tea made simply in the mug is never quite the same :-) Additional congratulations as regards your new job :-)

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    1. I am very pleased with how the tea cosy turned out!! I love tea from a tea pot! Thanks for the congrats, this year has been kind to me! I hope you have a great Christmas!

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  16. No new posts? you must be busy at that new job, although the weather down your way has been worse than our own.

    Happy New Year - and find some time for blogging and birding.

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    1. I will hopefully put together a post in the next few days! Thanks for stopping by Phil :)

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