Wed 14th April 2021 - GG Virtual Session # 042.

 The attendees this week were...

You really won't need a magnifying glass to work out which of the GGmers above has managed to get an early appointment with a barber / hairdresser. Now the Covid regulations are easing a little we should all soon be looking a little less "primitive". 😀

The conversation opened with comments about the landscaping on the new St Mary's interchange. The general opinion was that it is starting to look a little better now some planting has taken place. Just needs a couple of seats and litter bins now.

Quite a long conversation about the pros and cons of electric scooters and e-bikes on the roads. I am trying to persuade the council that the Newport / Cowes cycle track is a better option than using the main road..!

For some strange reason, at this point the Zoomers from Newport suddenly dropped out - the wonders of technology.

It appears that some kind individuals have taken spades to the meadow area of Pig Leg Lane...

Seems a bit of drastic way to get turfs for your lawn.! Oh well, it will give us something to do when we can get back to "real" GG sessions.

Several people were saying that ducks seem to be turning up in their gardens although there isn't a pond nearby. This is a photo of a pair on the roof of my house, taken earlier today. I assume they had flown in from the pond over at the hospital.

Apparently the Golden Hill site has recently undergone something of a makeover which includes a new willow shrub maze. That got us thinking about a willow igloo that GG built in the play area of Ventnor Botanical Gardens...way back in 2007. Mark found this photo that was taken at the time..

My, don't we all look so much younger in that shot...😉.

Apparently some (more senior!) GGmers have already had their second Covid vaccinations but us "youngsters" still have several more weeks to go. Perhaps we will soon be able to get back to REAL GG sessions soon..???

For those of you who have been contacting Mark about seaweed from Hovertravel's slipway, now the regulations allow it to be collected it seems that it has all disappeared😏...maybe next year?

Take care everyone and remember...even if you have had both vaccinations, STAY SAFE.

Wed 7th April 2021 - GG Virtual Session # 041.

 The Zoomers this week were....

As you can see from the photo we were joined by a very special guest this week – no less than John Lennon himself!  Ever the competitor, Mark had taken part in an online quiz with his choir and the teams gained points if they ‘dressed up’.  Sadly he didn't sing for us - a few lines of 'Yellow Submarine' would have been popular…. Or perhaps 'Help!' might have been more appropriate.

We discussed the way the public are using the grounds of Quarr Abbey very much as a park would be used, with pigs being a popular attraction as well.  Tony’s garden is still being pestered by rabbits and more fence building has been undertaken.  

There was a brief discussion about the white tailed eagle project.  The link is here in case you didn’t see it in Mark’s zoom invite:

https://www.facebook.com/roydenniswildlifefoundation/photos/pcb.4016484681741226/4016479568408404

It is around this time of year that we normally hold our AGM.  Last year due to the pandemic it was deferred until June.  It was felt that it will almost certainly be held via Zoom again, but the date is yet to be decided.

Stay safe.

Many thanks to Alison (again!) for the editorial and photograph. Hopefully, Bob the Blog will be back at his post come next Wednesday morning 👍.

Wed 31st March 2021 - GG Virtual Session # 040.

As you can see from the photo, only a few of us made it to the Zoom chat this morning.  The conversation, as ever, ranged all over the place.  A couple of us mentioned that we are desperate for a haircut now, and the relaxing of regulations will be very welcome.  Mark has been contacting Nick from Gift to Nature and a few other groups to try and set up sessions as soon as possible.  Litter picks certainly seem to be one option.

Tony has been creative making a willow windbreak in his garden around the back of a bench.  Photos have been requested as from the description it seems to be quite a substantial structure (see photo below).  He has also been having problems with animals digging in his garden and wondered if anyone has a wildlife camera that he could borrow.  There was a suggestion that Bob the Weather had expertise in this area and had been known to obtain a few unusual sightings!

If anyone has been working on inspirational garden projects, please do take a photo or two and send into the blog and tell us about it.

Condolences were expressed regarding the sad loss of Derek’s wife, Una.

Have sent you pic as requested by Allison in GG video session today. Willow used from Afton marsh and arbour constructed by myself, Lin (the model) & Viv

Many thanks to Alison and Tony for this week's contributions.

Wed 24th Mar 2021 - GG Virtual Session # 039.

 Those attending this week were...

This week’s conversation seemed to revolve around outside activities.  The willow maze at Golden Hill Fort is now underway after several delays.   The following is an excerpt from Gift to Nature’s recent Facebook post:

‘We are so excited to finally be able to allow work on the willow maze installation at Golden Hill Country Park. 

Willow artist Eddie Glew and his team will start work on Tuesday 23rd March. All work and accommodation arrangements will be fully Covid compliant. 

This is the final stage of our Golden Hill Country Park project, which has received really positive feedback. A mixture of archaeological excavations and improvements for both people and wildlife alike, we are very proud of all those who have worked so hard on this important National Lottery Heritage Fund funded project.'

One of our number also bumped into Nick, G2N ranger, and he has lots of work waiting for us once we are permitted to be out and about. 

It has been noticed that trees are being removed from various sites on the Island – notably along the Middle Road where they arched over the road - possibly due to ash dieback.  Mark advised it can make the trees very unstable so trees are being removed before they can fall down.

Badgers are upsetting the keen gardeners amongst us who have these nocturnal visitors.  They are also causing considerable problems for the cemeteries in Freshwater and Totland, they are a protected species and not easily persuaded to go elsewhere.  

Condolences were expressed regarding the sad loss of Bob the Blog’s partner, Mags.  

Stay safe.

Many thanks to Alison for both the screen shot and editorial this week.