Working week...

I'm writing this after doing just over a full month.

I feel very fortunate to be able to spend three days a week at a beautiful place where I am learning (a lot of) new skills and spending time with good people who share many of my interests. I am also able to be outside and to challenge my body; all that fresh air and discovering new muscles! Most important, I am doing something valuable.

New skills:

• I have my Brushcutter License and can use the Brushcutter effectively and safely.

• I can drive the Gator and the Land Rover; I can drive both off road and I can tow a trailer with both. I can almost reverse the trailer when attached to the Land Rover.

• I can identify some moths.

• I can lock and unlock a vast array of gates and doors. Harder said than done with the containers.

• I can sort of make things out of wood - with guidance!

• I know how to refuel the canisters.

• I can sort of put a ring on a bird... with a lot of careful guidance.

• I can use the computer to enter data.

• I can identify Common and Soprano Pipistrelles by their clicks on my detector.

• I can find and replace tools in the right places. There are a lot of tools.

• Creating Risk Assessments and filling in Task Sheets.

• I think I know how to fill one of the Bird Feeders.

Skills that need work:

• Using a power drill.

• Reversing the Gator with the trailer. Actually, I need to improve reversing the Landy with the trailer too.

• Remembering all the various locks and forms.

• Identifying more moths.

• Knowing what materials and tools are needed for tasks.

• Attaching and detaching the trailers to the Gator and the Land Rover.

• Identifying the water birds - aside from the obvious. Actually, that goes for all the birds. And trees. And other plants, insects etc.

Skills I have yet to attempt:

• Chainsawing.

• Managing a structural task.

• Using the flail mower.

Today I gave Mischa, Michael and the two Peters a taste of my latest mead - it got a thumbs up!

I saw new things for foraging.

And apples one wouldn't want to eat.

So, overall... all's good with the Volunteer Officer Role!