Bog and Norwich

Today was my second session in the bog on the heath. It is one that I didn't even know was there until a couple weeks ago. There is quite a big of sphagnum moss as well as grasses and a pond. There is also a sort of spring that comes up at one point with water making its way to the pond. It is a really gorgeous area. Our main task is to rid the main area of bramble, by grubbing it from the roots. The first task I did today, however, was to wade in the pond and get out some logs that had been put in. There was one other person helping me. We put on waders and got in. Unfortunately for both of us, we got our socks soaked. For me it was because the boots seemed to leak from the foot, the other guy the water came over the top. It would have been quite funny to see us there in the water, try to walk through it. The mud at the bottem made it slow going. But, in the end it got clear and look so much better. It is the satisfation I love.

On another note, I am taking a trip up to Norwich on the 3rd of April for a Peak Oil conference. I am going to stay over at a b'n'b which is always great. Gotta love the full english breakfast. I will, of course, go up by train. Hopefully I will get to see some good sites, have to do some more research on it though. I also hope I can remember my camera to show pictures to you all.

Great british roast.

Okay, so I have to confess. One thing I LOVE here is a british roast. One of my former housemates, who I still see from time to time, hooked me on them. He can do a fantastic one. I was at his place last night, with his girlfriend and another friend. He made a roast chicken with potatoes, carrots, cabbage and yorkshire puddings. And gravy poured all over it. I was eating faster than I normally do just because how good it was. They also do roast beef and roast pork sometimes here. Chicken takes ages to cook though, so I was forced to sit through all the good smells until we could eat. He rubbed butter and garlic on the chicken and sprinkled the top with sesame seeds. That was different, but amazing just the same.

I must attempt a roast myself at some point, though I may do a pork to be different. But I won't forget the yorkies, they are the best. And anytime anyone wants to visit, I will prepare a roast just for you!!! :)

Shelves, shelves, and more shelves. And internet.

So I was by myself at my course today, one person doesn't come in on fridays and the other was sick. I was given the task of building loads of shelves in the new stonemasoner's workshop. It amazes me how sometimes you can get a lot more done by yourself then with a group, at least in things like this. I used all sorts of tools, including a jigsaw, drill and the measuring tape (which never seemed to leave my side.) I put together quite a few of different lengths and widths. So, if any one needs some new shelves built, you know who to call.... :) We are going to have a small "taster" day of stonemasonry as well, to use the shelves and tables we have built. I think it will be quite interesting and possibly fun. I will definately report on that when it happens.

I love the internet for being able to find just about anything, whether it be old or new. My love of Hampstead Heath has led me on a search to find all things that were published about it. The local libraries have books that aren't in publication anymore, but lo and behold the internet comes to the rescue. I have found and ordered some books which would otherwise be impossible. And for a cheap price, I was quite amazed. There is alibris.com, abebooks.com (abebooks.co.uk), and allbookstores.com. Also, amazon.com or amazon.co.uk is a good place as individuals sell on there too. I do love to read, hope all of you do too. :)

Planting and Mystic River

Firstly I had a great volunteer session this morning. The corporation has put in a new long planing bed in front of the cafe. It was to be filled with all sorts of plants. I was pleasantly surprised to find out we would be planting them today! We crammed it full of great plants including goarse, daphne and some more I either don't remember the name to or didn't get. But, it was a pleasure to see the final results. I should have taken pictures, but I didn't. I am really bad at that. I definately love the great outdoors.

Secondly was that I saw Mystic River today. It is one I had heard of before. One of my housemates had it on dvd, so I borrowed it. I absolutely loved it. It was directed very well by Clint Eastwood (then agian I bet most of you have seen it and knew that.) The acting and characterisation was amazing. I highly recommend it to anyone. Also, on a bit of a tangent, I saw Monty Pyton and the Holy Grail last week and thought that was hilarious. I am ashamed to admit that I haden't seen a Monty Python before, but hope to see a lot more now.

That's all for now, hope to have more soon.

A Wicked day.

I went to the Natural History Museum today. I have been there before, but not to fully look around. And as seeing as I am into conservation now, I thought it quite appropriate. Firstly, it wasen't as big as I thought, but what it had crammed in there made up for it. Two things stuck out for me. The first was this Tyrannosauras Rex they had. It is the most realistic one I have ever seen. It can actually sense people around and turn it head and roar at them. It also wags it's tail and moves it's tiny little arm. This is technology for you. I stupidly forgot to take my camera for pics to show, but hopefully next time. The next thing, and it probably isn't as impressive to most, was a huge slice from a sequoia redwood tree they had on display. This thing was massive and about 1335 years old. As most know, they grow in the sierras in California, where I am from, so it was like a slice of home. I was surprised in that they didn't have really any plants or trees on display, but it seems as if they are more dedicated to animals and minerals there. The redwood slice was the main thing they had, guess it is why it impressed me so much!! It was a great time out, as most of the museums in this great city are.

The other thing that made my day was that I found out that Wicked, the play of the untold story of the witches of Oz, is definately coming to London. There was an ad for it in today's paper. It opens in September, so I am going to book tickets straight away. Now, if only I had someone to go with.... To read more vist: www.wickedthemusical.co.uk. I think it should be a blast. I will write about it once I see it of course. :)

Working in snow.

Okay, so it wasen't a big snowfall or anything. Quite light in fact. But, it is still a cool experience. When I was on my course today we were doing some general tyding up of an area which includes pulling brambles and nettles from the root and clearing some braken. It was in an area of the cemetery where they used to have a pond, but unfortuately too many people through beer cans and other rubbish as well as urinated in it, so it got infilled. Anyway, at one point while we were working, a light snow started to fall. It was the kind you could catch on your glove and see the small white speck. It didn't stick on the ground or anything, and it was quite brief. Still, it was a perfectly clear sunny day and brought a big smile to my face. I do love working outdoors because you get great experiences like this.