Yesterday was a really good day and the project feels like a real thing now – not just a lot of e-mails, phone calls and boxed up springs.
We have put in the stakes ready to support all the tree totems. This went much more smoothly than I anticipated due to the great practical skills and knowledge of Hugh who has cut all the stakes and helped me to put in the stakes (well I say helped me – he had the big mallet – I strategically positioned the stakes). Even without the totems they look good and we had a couple of interested onlookers who will be visiting when the installation is in place.
I also now have the batteries to power the lights – they weigh a ton! I will have a body builder physique by the end of this project with the daily lifting of 3 big batteries – I think I need to invest in a wheelbarrow to take them to the site.
Today was my first ‘research walk’ with some lovely year one pupils. They had all filled their collectiion bags with leaves and twigs in the first ten minutes and were very good at remembering tree names – I was very impressed! Another group tomorrow – years 4 and 5 so should be a different type of walk – I’m hoping they don’t quiz me too much on the trees as my tree knowledge is basic to say the least! I am learning more than anyone and can now recognise several trees (with crib notes of course) which was more than I could say last week. Thank god for Cheryl the great ranger at Fineshade who gave me a crash course in tree recognition!
