I have a new job. It's going to be the most tremendous fun.
OK, I admit it is an unofficial appointment, but Gail is a real bona fide volunteer, and I am going to help her, so that counts doesn't it?
What does it all involve?
Well the idea, basically, is to encourage people to go out and enjoy our country's wonderful woodlands. The project has a website listing all just about every wood you can visit in the UK. You can follow the link and search for a wood near you. No, not if you live in Australia, or the USA, or South Africa, don't be silly!
The volunteers' job is to add content to the website: photos of their local woods, plus comments and information relevant to visitors (car parking, special features, flora and fauna, terrain, amounts of mud etc. etc.)
My unique role, of course, is to add the canine perspective.
For example, last month Gail and I visited Tollohill Wood just a stone's throw from Aberdeen city. You can see her comments and photos here.
But she didn't say anything about the sheer joy of romping around, in freedom and safety, sniffing out every corner of this splendid little oasis ...
inspecting the fallen trees ...
and those that look like they're fallen but aren't ...
and pausing briefly in the stripey sunshine ...
before rushing off to indulge one's natural fox terrier instincts.
Apparently volunteers are expected to comment on the toilet facilities too...
We shall be visiting more woods in the next few weeks (if ever it stops raining). Watch this space.
Bertie. To be an AWGV is more than mega cool . It's awesome !
ReplyDeleteWhat a top job...and we know you'll be fulfilling your duties with enthusiasm! Can't wait to see some of your woods.
ReplyDeleteNever thought we'd say it, but we with it would rain here. It's raining all around us.
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & roxy
PeeS. We feel that if you'd been allowed to go cycling with Gail, you would have alerted Albert to the presence of a bollard and avoided the accident.
Sounds like a great job Bertie and you will be the best assistant ever!! Love the pictures!!
ReplyDeletewags
jazzi
Hiya Bertie, we think your work as reporting from the canine perspective is invaluable. We appreciate slightly difference things to the peeps...and this makes good reading for us dog bloggers. Looking forward to your reports.
ReplyDeleteTail Wuggles, Rubie
How wonderful! My human tells me that way back in the late 1960's (or was it the 1970's), even thouugh she lived in a far away land called New Zealand, she had books called "Adventures in the Little Woods" and "More Adventures in the Little Woods" about the wonderful creatures that were in the UK woods. The paintings fired up her imagination, and when she lived in the UK in the early 90's she even looked for those special woods! In fact she still has the books, but who knew one day you would be there guiding us both to those magical places.
ReplyDeleteWe will be following your posts with great interest, and I'm sure my human will be dusting off the covers of her books and reading me stories to match your pictures.
Love and woofs,
Riley
Wow...what a wotten waven job you landed, Bertie!!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, Gail is totally right about 'Mount Ice Cream'. We hadn't thought about that. The word 'cornetto' may also refer to an Italian croissant. Maybe we ought to call it 'Mount Yummy' :)
Keep on wagging (and bouncing),
Tootsie
That is great Bertie- sounds like fun. You can definitely add a dog's eye view:)
ReplyDeleteWow, what a fun job! Congrats and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh well done Bertie, mate, seems like the perfect job. Personally, I don't think you can beat yellow flowers to pee on, but that's just me...Anyway if you can let me know what you find... Deccy x
ReplyDeleteCongratulatons on the new responsibility Bertie! Horatio's dying to show you his favourite woods... Pressemenan in East Lothian is well worth a visit.
ReplyDeleteThe canine perspective is VERY important and I think you will do a fabulous job with your new position! Can't wait to see more pictures.
ReplyDeleteYour pal, Pip
Great first post about your new job. My favorite part was the bathroom facility review.
ReplyDeleteCindy
What an honor, Bertie! You've done well already. Do you read Shawnee the Shepherd's blog? She hikes in many state and national parks her in the US. Maybe you could join forces!
ReplyDelete-Bart and Ruby
PeeeS: an excellent "facilities" review!
hey Bertie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pawsome job! Congratulations! It sounds like a lot of fun and I do hope you are well compensated for your hard work.
Gail did a good job on her write-up but I prefer our canine point-of-view. The toilet facility looks like a pawsome old rock. Wonder if any Picts ever sat on it? BOL!
Suka
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am glad that Gail was able to land you a job. They are somewhat hard to find on your own but yours sounds like great fun. We will be looking forward to further reports. Just try not to get too carried away with your opinions.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Stella, Mom and that creepy cat
Bertie, sounds like the perfect job. Look forward to seeing more photos of you working. No worries, and love, Stella and Rory
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new assignment! We think you will be a most excellent reporter and ambassador for the forest and parks department!
ReplyDeleteOh Bertie, that is a splendid job and we are looking forward to seeing all your photographs. They should simply put up a link to your blog, methinks. BTW, if you walk around in our 'woods' here, you are sure to get eaten. BOL!
ReplyDeleteLotsalicks
TOBY IN SOUTH AFRICA
4 Paws up to you Bertie, great job, just checked our area on the web site and found some new place to sniff out. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHave a good week
See Yea George xxx
Bewtie
ReplyDeleteCongwatoolations on that vewy impawtant appontment
How lucky fow all those hoomans to get yoow input and wisdom. Do they know yoow expawteese in all things skye en tific? Those woods you get to inspect awe absolutely a dweam..any foxy kid (and hoomans too) awe vewy lucky if they can go and explowe them..I only wish I could come along and have you as my guide
Smoochie kisses
Asta
Mazel tov, Bertie! We're sure you'll be promoted to Associate Web Guide Volunteer in no time. The canine perspective is bound to be a huge hit with all right thinking persons who, of course, take their canine family members on all their nature outings.
ReplyDeleteJed & Abby
What a great job!!!! Have fun!!!
ReplyDeleteBewtie
ReplyDeleteDo not wowwy
That Isadowa Dunkin(wondew if she ate lots of Dunkin Donuts?), sowwy fow di gwessing..anyway, that look was vewy tempowawy , hehehe
Mommi did pewk up wif all those lilacs, but I'm afwaid, the house of hew long ago fwiend made hew all weepy, sheeesh, hoomans awe so difficult
i hope yoow weathew gets bootiful soon..i think we'we sposed to get some wain
Smoochie kisses
Asta
You get to report on the AMOUNT OF MUD IN THE WOODS??? Oh, Bertie, in our wildest dreams could we ever have found a better job for you...specially after having just read your most recent post!!
ReplyDeleteWhat is that hoooge hole in the ground?? We three terriers are coming at once to inspect and nose around...
We love our woods...just the quiet and solitude...and all those special spots to pee one's brains out...(that was Scruffy...)
XXOO
Lacie and the boyz
Must look at that website. Thanks for the tip off
ReplyDeleteLove and licks, Winnie