What is going on? And yes!

Out for my regular stroll today (as I was too lazy, yet again, to grab that early lift and walk home in the dark to extend my routine walk) I found this:

Now I don’t know much, but on close inspection, this appears to be a mx of household waste and what I would term, business waste.

I was very cross.

Having taken my photographic evidence (obsessive behaviour, me?) I continued my walk.

My mood was lifted when I reached the site of my complaint to the council last Friday. The area has been completely cleared, even litter that I don’t think was connected with the workmen has been removed, the plastic wrapping dug into the earth has been dug out and I am delighted. (The work itself I would still describe as shoddy, but this is a different issue…)

I felt far less incandescent today as I am confident if I use my new found contact at the council waste department, the issue will be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Hoorah.

Today’s email:

Dear xxxx,

Thank you for your prompt reply and response to the littering issue I brought to attention by email on Friday. I found today that the problem has been dealt with quickly and thoroughly and I am very grateful.

Unfortunately, today I've found that another issue has arisen since Friday morning, this time with regards fly tipping. A pile of refuse bags containing what looks to be perhaps household waste and with it some business waste has been dumped in the small parking area on the left of the Findhorn Road, just before Seapark View (the old Stables Inn) grid ref. roughly NJ 060 622.

I should probably use the online form to report this, but I prefer to document photographic evidence which the online form isn't enabled to do, so I hope you don't me contacting you directly, especially as the response is so quick and effective.

Thank you again for your help, it is much appreciated.

I’ll keep you posted (‘scuse the pun…)

Edited Monday

On closer inspection, I wouldn’t mind betting (I don’t gamble, and when I do it’s in pants and I win…) that there is a second crime that has been committed here. The blue/purple cable covering is for a specific use, less likely to be used by your average builder. I would also say that the cabling had been stripped and the copper stripped out, so maybe it was stolen. Just wondering…

The reply:

Thank you for your email.

I have reported the fly tipping back to our depot.With regards to the online form, it also comes directly to our waste email here so there is no problem at all with the method you choose to alert us.

Regards

Incandescent with rage!!

I was out for my regular stroll today and I returned incandescent with rage.

There has recently been some works carried out along the local roads that appears to have been related to drainage or water works. When I walked today, I found litter along side the work sites, strongly suggesting a connection between the two. (The litter is generally spread liberally along the verge, rather than gathered in one area) There was also litter that was almost undeniably connected, a couple of plastic bags clearly labelled ‘Macadam’ next to fresh repairs on the tarmacked cycle path as well as plastic wrapping dug into the earth replaced during the works also discarded nearby.

Here is a copy of the email I sent to the council:

I have made a complaint via your online complaints form today about recent littering along the Kinloss to Findhorn cycle path, but I wish to send the photographs I have taken as evidence of the littering which has so infuriated me. The proximity of the litter to the work recently carried out along the road and the fact that some of it is undeniably connected with the work carried out leads to the conclusion that the littering was indeed caused by the workmen. I do not think they were council employees, more likely contractors or employees of the water authority if it was their work.

My son is currently undertaking a regular litter pick along this path as part of the voluntary section for his Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award and I am therefore confident that the mess will be tidied shortly. I find it appalling and totally unacceptable behaviour and whilst I think it highly unlikely that the workmen or the company involved will be reprimanded, they should be utterly ashamed that a sixteen year old youth is tidying up after grown men as a mother would a small child.

The litter in question is a mix of food packaging, cigarette packets and plastic wrapping directly linked with the work carried out. A plastic bag labelled ‘Macadam’ within feet of a freshly tarmacked repair to the cycle path is undeniably connected. The littering along this path is usually spread liberally along the way. This litter is all collected around the work sites, suggesting the work and the litter are connected.

I do hope you find the attached photographs of interest.

I do not expect any action to be taken and if I do not receive a satisfactory response, I will probably contact the local paper too.

I_am_FURIOUS!!

Showing the proximity of the rubbish to the work site, although it’s more obvious in the flesh

That white strip in the background? it’s this:

Clearly stating what it once contained…

Plastic wrapping…

…more…

Clearly dug in to the work site

Not random rubbish

The remnants of their packed lunch?

Another ‘Macadam’ bag.

I need to lie in a darkened room to calm down.

Or hit the bottle…

In defence

I was browsing blogs the other day, as you do, and came across a post about some young people that had been met whilst doing their Duke of Edinburgh expedition. Whilst the youngsters were admired, there were some issues and questions raised about their training and preparedness for expedition.

I do not know the blogger himself and felt a bit rude commenting directly on his post, but at the same time my feathers were a little ruffled and I felt a need to reply. I can of course only comment with regard my own Duke of Edinburgh area, each area tends to be run slightly differently, although the main training and guidance is the same.

Firstly, in Moray, Expedition Supervisors have completed Mountain Leader training (usually qualified) or Low Hills Award and Moray Award Supervisor training. Assessors will have completed Mountain Leader training (usually qualified) and Assessor training. Leaders also complete their relevant course but as they are not necessarily concerned with expeditions, they do not have to be Mountain Leader trained. As a Leader I have completed mine but also the Supervisors course so that I can assist on an expedition but not supervise alone. All supervisors, assessors and assistants will complete their Outdoor First Aid certificate.

Secondly, all participants must complete their Expedition and Navigation Training before each Award Level Practice Expedition. In Moray, this entails one practical training day at the local award centre in March where kit, first aid, nutrition, camp craft, route card and basic map reading skills, environment and country code and emergency routines are taught. A second day is spent in the local woods with map and compass learning navigation skills.

At our local Open Award Centre, we have found this slightly inadequate, there is a lot of information to be imparted in just a few hours and with at least a couple hundred young people not really giving their full attention, on their mobiles and chatting etc., so this year our local Open Award Centre ran separate training. One night a month for six months was devoted to the ‘soft skills’ and a day was spent in Culbin Forest practicing navigation, a bit of camp craft and emergency routines. This worked well and David and I have also taken two groups out separately to a different local estate to practice navigation further which they all appreciated and enjoyed. This new system was much improved and will be implemented again in the new season. (My Guide and Ranger groups got extra as I covered most areas at a few Guide meetings too.)

As to kit, they are recommended to buy/borrow the best they can afford with regard quality and weight, however, they do have a D of E kit list which they are expected to use. There are points I disagree with, but we go by the book. They are shown and advised how to pack and carry a rucksack, but if they chose not to do so, it’s up to them. The main point is it is Their expedition, Their adventure, Their choice and Their responsibility. We give remote supervision (unless otherwise required) and They do it Their way. They have to follow the route card and timings to a tee, that’s the safety net.

Ultimately, the young people learn from their mistakes, what hurts, how to get lost and find yourself, how to be safe, but with a grown up in the background just in case.

There is more to it that that, but anyone wanting to know more or get involved, this is the place to go. I got involved because I felt very strongly that I couldn’t criticise if I wasn’t prepared to help and share my own knowledge and experience, little though it is.

So there. And sorry for any offence caused!

Stormy weather

Strictly speaking, I don’t suppose my Guiding stuff is of interest, but I did find our last little adventure quite amusing, perhaps for all the wrong reasons.

We had a Guide Camp at the weekend, organised by two of our Guides doing their Camp Permit, so the Leaders took a back seat in the organisation of it other than a bit of guidance through the relevant clauses that they had to complete.

In preparation for the event, I perused the weather forecast for the weekend so that I could pack relevant kit. This takes a bit more planning than the average camping trip as I don’t just need to take clothes to keep me warm and dry, but that I don’t mind getting smoky as we obviously have to spend an amount of time around a campfire, being Guides and all that. I have an old down coat for this purpose, it’s nice and cosy and I don’t need it for standing in a windswept playground with small children anymore. It would be no use in wet weather, but then, we wouldn’t be sitting around a campfire then, would we? The weather forecast was not too bad for Friday night and Saturday, but from the early hours of Sunday they were predicting heavy rain and gale force winds. Deep joy.

When we arrived at camp the forecast was mentioned and it was suggested that certain areas in the camp field were maybe a little exposed, but we’ll come back to that…

Anyway, we had no campfire Friday night as it rained and the two Guides couldn’t light the fire. That meant that when us Leaders were up earlier than is decent for a weekend (and at least two hours before any of the Guides!) we had to prove that we could do it and between us (and a couple of firelighters…) we managed to persuade some damp leaves and twigs to burn a bit and slowly, gradually, we built it up to a bit of a fire. I was then appointed Fire Master, utterly hilarious as I was always the kiss of death to the stove we had in the last house. I took my position very seriously and despite only having damp wood available, I managed to keep it going and ended up with a beautiful blaze, woo hoo!!

I am the Fire Master! (or Mistress?!)

We had quite a bit of fun during the day on Saturday, completing tasks and challenges with our teams (patrols) all within the theme of Fairy Tales. They had based the challenges on various tales with a twist, including Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. We laughed a lot. We knew we were going to suffer for our exertions… We had a great time around the roaring camp fire before retiring to our tents.

I didn’t sleep well on Saturday night, although I’m not sure why. I wasn’t worried about my tent, I’d pitched in a nice sheltered spot, and I wasn’t really worried about the Guides’ tents and utilities. They were not pitched well or sensibly (I’m not warranted, I don’t know anything) but they were in no danger, what was the worst that could happen? There was rain in the night and I heard the pots and pans go at some point, but no screaming. I stayed snug in my bag.

The Leaders were again up nice and early and I soon realised there was more talking and less laughing than normal, so I got out of my nice cosy bag and started to pull my waterproofs on over my baselayer and Ronhills. Sure enough, a rather stressed sounding Leader called from outside my tent to say they had “an emergency situation” and could I come and help…

So when I got there, the gear from inside the utility tent had been moved to a sheltered spot and the girls told to dress, grab their kit and move into the Leaders’ tent. We took the utility down (with no problems) and I was told “it’s wrecked”. I think the webbing that helps keep the form at the bottom of the tent may have come adrift from the pegging points. Disaster, obviously. The Guides tent looked a little misshapen, but I think on close inspection, there may have been one or two bent pole sections, but nothing disastrous. I don’t think that at anytime the girls were in any danger, we had shelter by way of other tents and the toilet block, the worst that could have happened would have been gear wet and blown around, but no one as in danger of injury.

Windswept and interesting…

There was no one sleeping in that pod, luckily

Er, that’s not right

And nor is that

Mountains out of molehills were made, but then I know nothing. I’ve hardly done any camping with Guides and they have years of experience. I haven’t survived high winds and torrential rain in a tiny tent in the middle of nowhere….

The ‘expert’ arrived. One of the husbands, a Mountain Leader and D of E Supervisor/Assessor. I do agree with him that repairs won’t be too difficult, maybe replacing a couple of pole sections, but I’m not sure that replacing all the poles with fibreglass ones would be the way to go. Speaking from experience, they do break and when they do, they shatter and fibreglass splinters are not fun! The worst these girls could have had was a clonk on the noggin with a hollow aluminium tube. I also happen to think threading a new aluminium section is far easier than the fibreglass ones. They are a nightmare. Anyway, what do I know? I’m not a Warranted Leader or a Mountain Leader with years of experience.

Maybe it was just the lack of sleep made me grumpy.

I kept quiet and came home after camp tired, damp, cold, bruised and aching. Such fun! I suspect we’ll do it all again sometime…

To the end

I was feeling quite positive initially when I got home on Tuesday 14th May. I had made the only decision I could but I’d been having such a brilliant time. As I deep cleaned my gear on Wednesday, I became more and more miserable. Why had I given in so easily? Why hadn’t I just continued regardless? David was well aware of this and soon, a plan was hatched. We already had a room booked at Kingussie for a night of comfort halfway across, we’d take a day out around Aviemore and stay there as planned. So long as I was well enough recovered and my gear organised (I could borrow his Rab Neutrino 400 bag as mine still needs to be sorted out) David would then take me to Braemar on Saturday to meet up with Laura and finish her Challenge with her as planned.

We left home and dropped the two Saturday workers early and had an interesting journey through damp, low cloud, thinking of those I knew in the area that would perhaps be wallowing through bog and clag. We drove passed a field full of black grouse en route, I was utterly delighted! What a start to this slightly odd adventure.

So I found myself in Braemar amongst dozens of Challengers making their own ways across Scotland, although I felt a little on the outside of it all. Laura arrived and as it was raining quite heavily by now and we didn’t fancy camping, we headed off in search of accommodation. At our first port of call, the Braemar Lodge Hotel, we enquired after B & B. They had nothing available but they did have a lodge free that they would let out for £100 for 2-4 people, or £120 for 6. We snapped it up and trotted off to the Fife Arms to persuade four other wet souls they’d like a bed for the night. Alan Sloman and Andy Walker were not hard to persuade, then a dutch couple decided they fancied a comfy bed too, a deal of £20 a head seemed too good an opportunity to miss. It was quite fun teaching Alan and Andy how to use the reclining seats in the lounge of the lodge and Gayle and Mick popped by to use the kettle and have a comfy seat to eat their main meal in the dry before returning to the flooded campsite to move their tent. A very pleasant evening (including a visit to the Fife, again, where we found Challengers, Alan, Andy, Phil, Nicole, Colin, Norma and John and lots of nameless others!) was had by all.

Sunday 19th May 2013

Braemar to Ballater

17.2 miles 1172 feet

(There are no photographs today. I felt disconnected at this time)

We perhaps didn’t get off to a flying start, but by 10am we were on the road to Ballater, intending to stop for lunch at Laura’s on the way. Laura and I have walked through the Ballochbuie Forest before, so were relaxed and chatting all the way to Balmoral. The weather was relatively kind to us all day, in fact, quite warm and dry. We met Cathy Cain having lunch by the side of the path and later Tina and Graham, having lunch by the burn at Connachat. At Crathie, we popped in for tea, soup, toast and a gear change before the road plod to Ballater.

At the campsite we found quite a gathering of Challengers and after throwing up the tents I quickly stepped into the shower before we went in search of food. Unfortunately the pub had stopped serving, so we made our way to the Italian restaurant. We had a lovely meal (although it was a struggle, what with an Italian restaurant not having pasta and giving a vegetarian parmesan after having requested none…) before returning to the pub for a bit of socialising. Tony, Lee, Norma and John, Adrian Fortune and Colin were there and a few others who I’ve forgotten (sorry) and we had a lovely time laughing and swapping stories and explaining for the umpteenth time that I’d retired because I didn’t want to die alone in a tent in the middle of the Monadliath. Eventually we were unceremoniously thrown out of the pub (I seem to remember a similar event last year, they don’t really like us) and we failed miserably to tip toe back onto the campsite and make no noise after 10.30 pm…

At this point, I also remembered I’d not blown up my Synmat. I was giggling even before I tried this tricky manoeuvre of lying on my back blowing up the mat on top of me, then trying to reverse the situation, all inside my Laser. After just one breath (and giggle) I came up with a cunning plan. The toilet block! Off I went, soon to return with the now inflated mat tucked under my arm (all I needed was sun, sea, sand and string bikini and I could have been on my holidays) only to realise I now had to get it through the tent door into my tent. Fun!

It would have been a good nights sleep but…

Monday 20th May

Ballater to Birse Castle

11.1 miles 283 feet

(No photographs, see above)

We were woken at some unearthly hours by some ignorant campers getting up and chatting way too early and I was a grumpy bunny! This was to become a bit of a theme. Laura and I had a plan to eek out our food. We would pack, strike camp and find breakfast in Ballater before a quick shop and off towards Aboyne. As we left the site, we were given the troubling news that nowhere would be open for breakfast at this time, but this turned out to be duff information as we found The Bothy cafe open and cheery, so in we went for a good start to the day. After porridge and an egg butty (Laura), bacon butty and yoghurt, granola and fruit compote (me) tea and fresh orange, we powdered our noses and went off to Co-op to resupply for lunch. Not that we could find anything that particularly tickled our fancy.

Soon we were on the Deeside Way along which we plodded happily all day. We met a couple who we have yet to identify, John and Norma, another threesome we have yet to identify and Richard and Rosemary (?) along the way. We had a few pauses, including a pit stop at Cambus o’ May bridge and tea, scone and panini at the hotel at Dinnet.

It was quite a warm day again, although there may have been the odd short shower. We paused again at picnic benches beside the airfield, watching the gliders gliding. At this point, the air was thick and humid and dark clouds were gathering right over where we were headed for a wild camp near Birse Castle. We were not thrilled. As a bit of a joke, I said to Laura “Of course, we could just get on a bus at Aboyne and go to a little B & B I know at Crathie and get the bus back tomorrow…”

“Brilliant!” was more or less the reply. I reasoned that an evening with good food, a bath and a comfy bed in familiar surroundings would be relaxing and more reviving than a night in a tent when we felt there might be stormy weather on the way.

We made good time to Aboyne and caught the bus. We were back at Laura’s a little before six and searching through cupboards and freezer for something simple but appealing. The excellent chef produced a simple fried rice with onion, peas, cashews, ginger and soy sauce. It was delish and hit just the right spot! Baths were had and the route discussed (it morphed a bit each day) before I was in desperate need of a couple of matchsticks to prop open my eyelids and I had to bid my favourite hostess goodnight and retire to my cosy, comfy bed for the night.

I slept.

Tuesday 21st May

Aboyne to Tarfside

14.1 miles 2895 feet

We had the best start of our walk together today as we had to catch the bus at 8 am. We made it in good time and were on our way through Aboyne to the Fungle Road just after 9 am.

This was another mainly fine, sunny day but the wind was a bit of a taster of what was to come over the next two days. There was some referring to maps and GPS, just to make sure we stayed on track, but it wasn’t a technically difficult day, just a little physically demanding as we plodded up hill, and a bit more up hill, on paths of varying states of repair, but mostly good and clear. In fact, it was quite a nice day’s walking, except I was very aware of the pain Laura must be experiencing with each step. There were good bits, we disturbed a meadow lark’s on its nest right on the edge of the track. We peered into it’s nest to see a clutch of tiny eggs just quickly, before leaving it to return to sit on its precious treasure.

It took quite a while before we reached the area we had intended to wild camp the previous night and really this affirmed that we would not have happily made it there the night before. In fact, we would not have made it there the night before! We’d made the right decision.

Around about here we managed to find a place just about suitable to stop for lunch, but we were a little short of water and the river was not easy to get at. We both had soup, I had a coffee and as I’d also carried a small bottle of coke (my emergency supply) I was more than happy for Laura to use the rest of my water as we walked if we didn’t find another supply.

On the way to Gannoch

The track now took us off the Fungle, which was deemed too steep for a while, and off over Gannoch and Tampie before meeting the Firmounth Road and heading down to Tarfside.

There were views!

Lovely day

Windswept and interesting on Gannoch

There may have been some dancing when we reached Tampie and joined the Firmounth. We were briefly joined by another Challenger avidly avoiding Tarfside and looking for a camp spot after a ‘tough day’ coming over Mount Keen. He disappeared quickly over the horizon, later to be seen lurking by a burn way off the path. I don’t think the mad dancing woman coloured his opinion. He hadn’t noticed her I’m sure.

Going down hill was slow and painful. The newly repaired path should have been a delight, but Laura was convinced it had been surfaced with marbles. Even when the path eventually levelled out, it was still somewhat slow progress as we were both tired by now.

Joining the Firmounth

At Tarfside we were greeted by tent city and were utterly delighted that we weren’t the last to arrive (although others may well have travelled longer and further) the tents went up (my turn to whinge) food rehydrated and scoffed, comfy clothes donned, feet nursed and then off to the Masons.

Another lovely sociable evening with so many faces to remember! Alan, Andy and Phil, Mole, James Boulter, Graham and Tina, Stuart and Maria Scott, Ann and Alvar Thorn (Ann came and had a lovely chat, they too had had to retire and it was lovely to see them) and so many others, I need to get the list to check them all! As usual, there were so many people that hadn’t really intended to be there, it’s always the way. Sue Banfield also turned up for a social and we had a nice chat by the tents.

Another late evening and we eventually decided we really needed our beds. We had another disturbed night, with Wiggy being poured into his tent in the early hours and then chatting and singing to himself for quite some time.

Wednesday 22nd May

Tarfside to North Water Bridge

15.9 miles 710 feet (sure that should be more?)

We were disturbed early again by early risers and a chap talking and laughing very loudly in his sleep. He nearly got a kick.

Bright but breezy

First breakfast

We weren’t too slow in leaving and made our way to the Retreat for breakfast, having decided that the path we could see on the opposite hill, that would have taken us to Brechin as planned, didn’t seem appealing. We had a lovely full cooked breakfast and tea (you may have noticed that eating was no longer an issue for me at this stage) before setting off for the riverside track to Edzell. Another lovely day, but the wind gradually increased all day.

Having decided we would rest our feet and snack regularly we didn’t and it was four hours later at a grassy patch near the Rocks of Solitude before we dropped our packs and lay down in the warm sun for half an hour to recharge our batteries. It was a very pleasant stop.

A quick look at the map and we were off again to find the more direct footpath down into Edzell. There were many boot prints this way and at one point someone had kindly drawn an arrow and TGO to direct the tailenders the right way, but I was confident of the route. We were soon in Edzell dropping our packs in the small pile outside the Tuck Inn and joining the odd Challenger inside. Tony, Lee and Bob were there and a few others that I can’t name, again. We enjoyed a repeat of the meal we’d had here last time, Cheese Toasty with crisps and salad, powdered our noses and then went off to the dangerous bridge, which this year was safe.

I had a quick waterproof faff as I noticed the rather foreboding clouds behind us but the walk was straightforward and we plodded on our way along that long, straight road. After about an hour, Tony, Lee and Bob stormed up behind us and after just overtaking Laura, Bob was called away to The Shortcut. Laura couldn’t get my attention, (wind noise, traffic and perhaps a little distance) so we continued, although I did notice they’d disappeared when I paused to let Laura catch up and have a water break. A Shortcut? On a straight road? We were happy to trudge on.

As the flags of the campsite hove into view, we could see the boys across the field along side us. We headed into the reception ahead of them and as they arrived, after we’d booked in, I commented to Laura that it was a most excellent Shortcut that we must remember next time. (Perhaps Scenic Route would be a better name as it does at least avoid the busy road, but having measured them, they are both 1.5 miles. I don’t know how we beat them as they have legs up to their armpits and ours stop at out knees…)

We were glad to have come this way, despite it being North Water Bridge, again, because the wind got up and was really gusty as the day went on, we would have had a rough time going over the Clash of Wirren. Another time.

It was cold. Very cold. Having pitched the tents, squeezed in between the closely packed others, I showered in the dark (why didn’t I remember the light pull?) and Laura washed socks. We sheltered in various warm places before deciding we weren’t hungry and didn’t want to join frozen Challengers however sociable they were being, so we went to bed. The chatting in the background lulled us to sleep and I woke later thinking I’d gone deaf, surprised to find they’d all been beaten by the cold and gone to bed. I was woken once or twice during the night by the odd enormous gust of wind but otherwise slept well until…

Thursday 23rd May

North Water Bridge to Montrose

8.57 miles 361 feet

Other ignorant, selfish campers were up again, enjoying friendly chat, foul language and banter at 6 o’ b****y clock! I’m not anti-social but believe in good manners. Arrrrgggghhhh! If I was not so well brung up I’d of given them a piece of my mind, grumble, mutter. It wasn’t until after Laura had showered, my second coffee and we were striking camp when Mole mentioned we weren’t our usual cheery selves that I had a minor rant and felt a bit better. Still, note to self, PICK YOUR PITCH MORE CAREFULLY! One of them put his muesli in with his coffee, divine retribution, ha!

Our route sorted (another variation) we were off. We could feel the pull of sandwiches and cake and made really good progress along this last section of road walking.

Sunshine and showers

It wasn’t too busy and wasn’t too unpleasant and eventually we fell into the coffee shop at the soft fruit farm that Laura vaguely remembered the route to. We had roasted vegetable and cheese paninis with salad and crisps followed by carrot cake with strawberries and cream and a coffee each. Superb! Especially as it was Laura’s treat (thank you Lovely!!) and after the obligatory powdering, we were off to find the beach.

That was more tricky than it should have been (having looked closely at the maps since, sorry) although as we found out later, the howling gale and high tide would have made the beach walk tricky, so our alternative route along the golf course and climb over the dune at the end to the new board walk was a good ‘decision’.

Laura was soon dipping her toe in the sea, having completed another successful Challenge. Well done Laura!

New boardwalk, Scurdie Ness and Laura

Toe dipping

A windy, sandy finish

We went off to find The Park, stuffed with Challengers. I booked into our room and went to rescue my parcel. After an amount of socialising and a fabulous time with Mike Knipe and Peter Molenaar having a delicious curry, we went to bed.

It was an emotional day. I should apologise to those who bore the brunt. Thank you.

Next time, I have a cunning plan…

Unbelievable!

I went on my usual brisk stroll this morning. It was a beautiful day, clear blue skies, sunshine, mild, birds singing in the trees and

y_e_t

m_o_r_e

r_u_b_b_i_s_h

The water containers were only recently dumped (between last Thursday and this morning) and who ever dumped them felt the need for a further deposit whilst they were at it as there is obvious evidence of human waste right beside the containers. Lovely.

There are old tyres and various other items besides the take away litter which has more than likely be left by the wildfowlers who frequent the area during the season.

As you can see, I photographed the evidence and emailed it to the local authority who replied very quickly to say the waste team had been requested to investigate.

The clean up took a while to happen last time I reported fly-tipping, but the email response was much quicker this time, I hope the clean up will be too.

I’m still working on the theory that rubbish attracts rubbish.

And I still find it incredibly irritating! I pity anyone I catch in the act (so to speak) when I’m having an off day…

GRRRRR!!!!!

Mad litter lady on the loose

I have noticed on my daily walk the gradual increase in litter. There is always a slight increase during the wildfowling season, but there seems to have been an increase in general over the past few months.

It drives my to distraction.

What annoys me even more is the fact that I go out everyday and as soon as I start to see the odd bit of litter I remember that I have forgotten the bin bag and tough gardening gloves that I intend to carry everyday to collect the litter.

It’s an age thing. Sadly.

Today went a little differently.

I still got to the cycle path before I remembered I’d forgotten. Again. But this time, I found a carrier bag near my turning point, so I was able to use that to collect litter on my return trip.

I did get a few odd looks, but it’s okay, no one will recognise me, I was wearing sunglasses…

Litter collected over roughly 1.5 miles

I even separated out the recyclable bits. I feel virtuous today.

I deserve a treat. More cake!! Or chocolate…

A little rant

I believe I may have mentioned somewhere before the annoying habit some companies have of charging extortionate rates of p & p as some sort of punishment for living in a beautiful part of the world. I've recently stopped using a couple of companies as they have now started charging except for a minimum spend. Only if I intend to meet that requirement will I use these companies. I had p & p issues with a small item that were resolved with the kind help of a fellow Challenger (for goodness sake Carl, get on with the write up!) before the Challenge.

Well, I was about to try something new that I'd read about elsewhere (can't remember where, but I got there from Alan's place and order the product online rather than buy off the shelf in the supermarket as it was cheaper and free p & p, my favourite. Oh, well, it is until you enter your postcode!!

No, I won't be buying from there then.

Grrr. Stomps off in a right old huff.