Skateboarding session at The Space

26/11/13                                                                                                                      

Today, it was too frosty for longboarding or cycling, so Sally took us to an indoor skatepark in North Berwick, The Space. Nick and Graham were bmxing, while Gav, Connor, Sally & I were skating. I've been really unlucky with skateboarding and people sometimes ask why I carry on but every time I go I enjoy it more than the time before. Today was the first time I'd been since I dislocated my elbow months ago. I was really nervous and cautious to begin with, but I made sure I had a helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads on (which helped with my confidence). After a few hours I felt a lot more confidence and my balance on the board was pretty much back to normal. I'm going to start going more often but take it really easy and pace myself, need to warm up before jumping in at the deep end. I am glad I went with Sally & the guys from work because we all know what level we're at and give each other advice on what could be improved. The reason I like it so much is because It's fun and everybody has a laugh, we also don't take it too seriously.

Foxlake sessions with Innerwick Primary School - By Nick Galloway

For the past 8 weeks we have been working with East Linton Primary and Innerwick Primary at foxlake and playing different games with them and teaching them different things to do with the outdoors. 

For my week with Innerwick we were learning about the our 5 senses (sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste) so we played three games and one big group game to do with different senses. 

The three games we played were colour pallet, camera game and night line with a stealth game as the big group game. Colour pallet- The kids all got given a small bit of paper with double sided sticky tape on it and had to search the forest floor to find loads of different colours and different shades of those colours and stick them to there paper neatly. Camera game- For the camera the kids all paired up, one being the camera and the other the photographer, and the camera had to close their eyes and was only allowed to open them when the photographer tapped the top of the kids head. The camera would open their eyes for 5 seconds at the spot where the photographer pointed their head and had to remember all the picture they seen. Night line- For night line we tied ropes around trees at different lengths and heights, over different types of terrain. The kids all had blindfolds on and had to follow the rope around until the end. Making sure they all had one hand on the rope and the other on the person in fronts shoulder. The stealth game at the end was very like "whats the time mr wolf" but you had to hide behind trees and piles of wood or bushes when ever the person that was it turned round. 

Overall the session went really well and the kids all enjoyed themselves and learned a lot from the session.    

Foxlake session with East Linton Primary - by Gavin McManus

It was the 2nd of October and I was given the first day of leading the Foxlake sessions with  East Linton primary school. I was incredibly nervous about having too do this especially having to go first. Throughout September we had run many practice sessions but a big part of me still thought i was going to mess up.
            Once the bus had arrived i greeted the kids of the bus and Stevie took a slight introduction then it was my time to step up. I firstly spoke about all the safety precautions that had too be taken in the woods and then learnt everyone's names as well as we could. I also discussed with the kids how the session was based around there five senses. I split up the primary school kids into even groups and sent them to the games with there 2 leaders.
            The three small games that were played were;
Observation alley- a game for using the element of sight and to try find all 20 objects in a roped of area
Meet a tree- All about using the touch sense, one participant would lead a blindfolded participant too a tree lead them back to the center and make the blindfolded person try and find there tree
Sound maps- all about using your hearing, all the members would find an area to sit by themselves and listen to the surrounding and draw what they could hear.
            I rounded the session off with roasting marshmallows around a fire and then playing a game of bat and moth which is about using three senses (touch, hearing and sight). The rules of bat and moth is that there would be one blindfolded person and another without a blindfold, they would be in a circle of people. the blindfolded person would call out bat and the non blindfolded person would call out moth. The aim of the game is for the "bat" to capture the "moth".

Fox Lake Session - East Linton Primary School - Connor Kelly

For my week of the fox lake session, We had a variety of games that included Bingo, Colour Pallet, Photograph game and Night Line . Bingo - To play this game you need a bucket, you then go and collect different items with different textures that we have noted down, these textures included rough, smooth, dry, spiky etc. Colour pallet - To play this game we have a small square of card with double sided sticky tape, we then ask the children to collect difference shades of colours and stick them on the card. Photograph game - To play this game, you need two kids to pair up, one kid guides the other who has his eyes shut, when the kids who is guiding finds something interesting he taps the other kids head, he then opens his eyes for five seconds then shuts his eyes again. Night line - To play this game you have a group of trees together and you tie rope round them at different heights and different lengths. you then blindfold the kid and guide them round the rope. At the end we had hot chocolate and reviewed the session.

Foxlake Session

I led a group of kids from Innerwick Primary School and learned them the basics of survival and living in the outdoors. We did three activities which we're Shelter Building, Creating a fire and Water Filters. I really enjoyed leading the group however I could have improved on more interaction with the kids and my communication skills with them. Overall I enjoyed trying to lead a group. To create our shelter we used sticks and leafs for the main side of the shelter we sent the kids off to collect large and long sticks with the fire myself and my other colleague went with the kids to collect fire wood for the fire but we made it clear that we didn't use green wood or anything that was wet or damp. For the Water Filters we used a milk bottle and a sock for the filter with some sticks and grass.

Graeme Minski

Leading Innerwick Primary   by Abbie Duffy

After 4 weeks of working with a group of primary 4's from East Linton primary, we'd all had enough experience to pick it up a step and start leading a session ourselves. Before the group from Innerwick arrived, I made sure I was fully prepared since it was the first session with them and didn't want to make a bad impression.  They were primary 5's and definitely seemed a lot more enthusiastic than the primary 4's from East Linton. Before the session with Innerwick had started I was beginning to get really nervous. Thankfully the day before we met the children, Sally gave us 15 minutes to prepare a 2 minute talk and perform it to all the guys, it definitely helped to ease my nerves a bit. On the day I just tried to be myself and relax but obviously the first time I was going to be slightly nervous. It went more smoothly than I'd hoped. After the introduction I felt a lot more confident and didn't have any nerves whatsoever of the review. Two instructors were with about 2-3 children each, we played observation alley, sound maps, meet a tree and bat and moth as a big group game. For the review we had marshmallows around the fire with everybody and got plenty of interesting feedback from the primary 5's. I now feel a lot more relaxed and confident about working with the schools now, and looking forward to getting more experience which will improve my skills further. 

Sea buckthorn by Jaimie C

In the last couple of weeks, me and the team have been cutting back sea buckthorn in longniddry.

out of all the job we do, i find this one of the must challenging. Sea buckthorn has a very big root system and it is very hard to pull out. Removing the roots requires a few tools, a matic, bow saw and a fork.

I got a chance to use a new tool last week, the tool was called a pole saw. Basically it is a big saw on the end of a pole and it very handy for reaching tall  branches.  

After the last few weeks i feel we have done a great job and i think the local dog walkers will appreciate the paths being wider and free of spiky branches!

Residential trip by Gavin McManus

In October 2013 the coastal communities went on a residential trip up to strathyre. Over the trip we took part in various different activities from bivvy bagging to a morning swim in a loch.
            I feel like my boundaries were pushed too a full potential through out this trip. Mainly because i was extremely apprehensive about sleeping in a bivvy bag.
             A bivvy bag is an extremely small, lightweight, waterproof shelter, it is basically a lightweight tent perfect for any trip where packing light is a must. 
                  I was nervous about staying in the bivvy bag because the thought of having to seal myself in a tight bag over night was just vile. It took a few hours but i eventually just fell asleep and all my worries were gone.
                  Also in the trip we climbed a mini mountain called ben ann and also took part in a morning swim in loch ard and too say the least it was freezing!



 

Sea Buckthorn Maintenance with David Alcorn

Sea Buckthorn Maintenance by Connor Kelly

For the last couple of months we have been doing allot of sea buckthorn maintenance in Aberlady and Longniddry. In Aberlady we have been maintaining one major patch that is highly overgrown at the nature reserve. In Longniddry we have been making sure that the John Muir signs are visible as the Buckthorn was overgrown past the sign and onto the car parks. We were also maintaining the paths as there was allot of overhanging buckthorn. Once we had cut it out, we cut it up at burnt it at a camping spot. I feel really proud as we have cut out a major chunk of  buckthorn at longniddry and people can see that the car park and surrounding paths are allot cleaner and you can actually walk through without worrying about being caught up in buckthorn.

Conference

In October we attended a conference in Longstone which had  similar organisations to TCV and Mobex East Lothian. When we arrived at the conference we had to sign up to three activities and these activities were ran by some of the organisations that attended the conference. I really enjoyed attending the conference because it gave me an eye-opener into what I want to do after the year. The three activities I did was ten minute fire, cooking outside and outdoor games.

Graeme Minski

Expedition in Strathyre and Aberfoyle by Connor Kelly

On Monday the 14th of October Coastal Communities went on a expedition up north. We left Prestonpans at about ten o clock in the morning and made our way to Strathyre Outdoor Centre.

 When we got there we unpacked our stuff then packed our bags for biving and wetsuits for swimming in Loch Ard the next morning.

We left to make our way to Loch Ard, when we got out the van it was about a hour and a half walk until we found a comfortable camping spot. We had to make a fire because it was getting very dark very quick. Once we had our fire going we had something to eat then set up our tarps and bivi bags. We then tried to go to sleep but it didn't quite go to plan, it was a wonderful night and all the stars were out.

 We all got up at about eight O clock in the morning and we got changed into our wetsuits and went swimming in the loch, we swam to a little island. the island had steps up to a overhanging rock that we were jumping off. We stayed for about half an hour then left to go back to our camp site. 

We all got changed then began our journey back to the van. We left all our stuff in the van then we drove to the bottom of Ben A'an. We didn't have a ruck sack or any kit, we only had a water bottle. We then began to walk to the top of Ben A'an. Whilst walking up we came across a stream and we got fresh water. When we got to the top. the scenery was amazing, as we saw lots of surrounding mountains and over Aberfoyle.

 We walked back to the van and went back to the centre. We went into callender and had a well deserved chippy, afterwards we went back to the centre as we were going home early the next again morning.

Mull By Nick Galloway

My first proper experience of leading a group of young people in the outdoors came when i was asked to go up to mull with my boss to help lead outdoor activities with a group from Knox Academy. 

The age of the group ranged from 14 to 17 and there were 8 kids in the group plus 2 teachers. The activities we done were: gorge walking, coasteering, rock climbing, orienteering and other small activities around the grounds of the house.

As it was my first proper leadership experience I was very nervous to meet the group and doing the activities with them but as I went to Knox Academy I had lots of things to speak to the kids about and lots of questions about my old teachers which was very cool and relaxed me a lot more.

Day 1: We went for a walk around the hills just to see a bit more of where we would be staying for the next week. We seen some amazing views and got told some amazing stories.

Day 2: We went rock climbing with the group. All the kids were very excited about climbing and some were a little scared seen as the had a fear of heights. They all done super amazing, even the ones who were scared of heights, and had a load of fun. It was all new for me as i had to keep an eye on the kids for safety reasons and encourage all of them plus help out with the belaying. 

After all the activities the kids had some cool down time before bed time and this is when i got to speak to them and get to know them all a little better. I also got to see how Demi (there youth worker) handled and spoke to the kids and the kinds of things she done with them weather it was group tasks or review sessions or games. Which was really good to see that side of the youth work as well as the outdoor stuff so it helped me even more.

Day 3: The next 2 days were what the kids were most excited about and which went for me as well. We went gorge walking which involves walking through a gorge with plunge pools, waterfalls, rocks and fast currents so Stevie, Andy and myself were all on high alert for the kids safety. They all managed to do it very well even when some were scared of the water! And they were all on a super high after it which was good. 

As the week went on i had been paying attention to the way Stevie and Andy acted in the water and out the water and during other activities with the kids and how they were double checking everything and keeping the risk assessments going throughout the day. So i was learning all the time from much more experienced people which was helping me progress and an outdoor leader and still does help me.

Day 4: We went coasteering. Coasteering is when you go into the sea with wetsuits, helmets and  buoyancy aids to swim long distances and to scramble or traverse across or around rocks and islands and also to jump into the sea. The jumps can range from small to massive it would just depend on your own ability on what jumps you would do. For Stevie, Andy and myself it was the same as gorge walking if not more for being on alert with the kids because the sea is so unpredictable and the jumps were large. They got shown how to be safe in the sea which they all paid attention to. All the kids completed the coasteering as much as they could or wanted to which was fantastic and everyone of them said they loved it and wanted to do it again which is a massive plus. For me it was a great experience with knowing where to be in the water for the kids doing the jumps and for just swimming about and also scrambling across the rocks.

Day 5: Day 5 consisted of a few wee activities around the house and just chilling out until we were ready to go home.

All and all the trip was amazing. It was so good to work with the kids and do the activities we done. I learned a lot about youth work and myself. it also really opened my eyes to what i want my career to be and that is to work in the outdoors with young people doing these extreme sports.    

  

                                                                   Spain
From the 25th July - 8th August I was in Spain; near Salou, for a family holiday. I was with my Mum; her boyfriend, his son and my sister. We stayed in a Keycamp caravan at Playa Montroig camping resort which was about a 20 minute drive from Salou. On site there was loads to do, such as; restaurants, bars, crazy golf, ping pong, zumba, aqua gym, kids clubs and discos for all ages. Every night there was a thirteen plus disco at a place called the 'Pai Pai'  from 10pm - 3am, then a over eighteen  disco at the 'grill - rock and roll club' from 1am - 6am. They were on every night which was really good and I met so many new people. One of the best days was when we left camp and went into Salou to a theme park called Port Aventura. It has some of the biggest rides in Europe. The biggest highlight of my holiday was taking paddle boats out and snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea. It was probably the last family holiday but definitely one of the best. 

Filming by Nick Galloway

Coastal Communities group got given the task of making a short film or edit. We all agreed on a documentary style edit about the sports we do and the sports people wanted to learn.

The sports we filmed skateboarding and bmxing. Everyone in the group has different levels of skill from beginner to advanced. We got loads of footage of different tricks and lines, like 360s, kickflips, big airs, boardslides and loads more, which were for the more advanced members of the group.

We also got loads of footage of the beginners in the group learning new skills like kick turns up the quarter pipe on a skateboard and learning how to roll into ramps properly on a bmx. Showing how to do the right techniques for ollies and how to just ride about safely.

By the end of our filming everyone improved majorly with bmxing and skateboarding which gave us all a massive sense of accomplishment.    

Fencing and Drainage with the T.C.V

This month the T.C.V the crew were in Dunglass doing drainage and fencing.The weather has been very warm and humid which doesn't help with staying dry. We started out with digging out an hold drainage pipe which was not doing its job properly. The ground was very rocky so it took a lot of strength to dig the pipe out. Once we removed the pipe, we dug it out to make the fall increase to help larger quantities of water clear away faster.After we completed this we placed a new pipe in the ditch, filled up the trench and the water cleared away in good time.

The next task was building a fence on the side of some parts of the path which were becoming a safety risk to walkers. I was looking forward to this job because i have experience in building and wood work.
Once we completed are job we looked at a new site where we would be building another fence. The following week we completed the job in one day. Job well done id say!

 

Filming and Skating by Gav


This week we were set a challenge to make a film about our favorite sports/hobbies. My chosen sport was skateboarding, I chose this because i love it and also I can help Abbie and Connor as they chose skating as well.
I really enjoyed this challenge because taking pictures and videos is one my interests. I really enjoyed filming other people so they could see the progression they had made.
          It was amazing to be able to put both my interests into work and also pass my skills on to other members of the group, for example give Abbie and Connor tips to improve there skating ability's and also pass on any ideas i had for filming to make the footage look the best that it could.
          During this challenge i was able to push my ability's more as i had the chance to try new tricks whilst skating and get it recorded on video to see my accomplishments.

Fencing with TCV by Connor Kelly

Fencing with TCV by Connor Kelly

On the 1st of August we started building a fence at Dunglass on the John Muir Way. It was hard work but it was good seeing a finished product. It was a physical push to finish building the fence which had only taken us three days.We also managed to do some drainage across the path. There was so much water coming from a massive wall running along the path and rain which was causing the path to fall down the banking. We used allot of different tools like meles, pinchbar, hammer, screws, post holders and saws. 

Graeme Minski


For the past two weeks I have been learning how to ride a BMX in a skate park. I've been getting taught by another member of the Coastal Communities Team. We have been to a few skate parks such as East Linton Skate Park, North Berwick Skate Park and Penicuik Skate Park. I've been learning how to roll in and being able to keep my feet level, I also learned how to carve around the quarter pipe. I have only really started to do the basics of riding a bike in a skate park and I am keen to learn more.

                                                           Longboarding; by Abbie Duffy

On wednesday the 17th until Friday the 19th July Stevie took us up to Strathyre for a residential. On the thursday we decided to go longboarding, we first loaded the van with all the gear such as helmets, sliding gloves, elbow and knee pads then set off to Loch Katrine. After arriving we got all geared up and took a look at the path we were about to longboard. It was a 80km road which circled the Loch and it was really busy so we had to be extra careful. The first block of the road was really smooth but as we went on it got really worn away and was a lot harder to control the board. That longboarding session was more about cruising at our own paces, it was far too busy to do board sliding or anything. The best part of that session was seeing the amazing views of the loch in the sun with the mountains in the background. The views were definitely the highlight of the trip. 

Hill walking on Ben Lawers By Jaimie Currie

We started of with climbing Ben Lawers in the blistering heat, not soon after we started i was already sweating a lot. taking the heat into consideration i was determent not to get dehydrated.

One liter down and we reach our camping spot and begin to set up are tents and start cooking.

After a bit of energy we start to walk to the summit. the wind was strong and the air was and cool, walking on the rocky path with mountain sheep parting as we walk past, we begin to start the last push.

Walking up the steep rocky path was not easy and i was grateful for the cold breeze keeping me cool.

visibility was about 15 meters, we were right in the clouds, temperature was dropping and visibility was degrading.

Finally i can see the Cairn marking the peek, we climb on to it, holding on because the wind was that strong!

Taking as much photos as we could feeling euphoric with a hint of achievement we get together for a group photo and start to make our way back down.

Ben Lawers was my first Munro and a great experience, and I am looking forward to my next one.    

   

  

Ben Lawers 2013

Ben Lawers

We started at the bottom of Ben Lawers at the car park. We all had a bag pack each full of our tents, sleeping bags, roll mat, stoves, pots, food and extra clothes. We went through a reservoir to begin with. It had amazing scenery but it was extremely difficult as it was a big step every four feet. We got about halfway through the reservoir and I realized how hard and how far it was going to be. It took us about an hour from the car park to find our camping spot. Once we found a flat surface we set up our tents. We then made some food over the stove which was filled pasta. Once we had finished some of us had a little explore around the area we were camping. When everyone was ready we continue to walk up Ben Lawers. After a while we came across a little fast flowing stream. We all had a drink. We then continued to venture up Ben Lawers. We then realized we started climbing into the clouds. It took is about one hour and a half from the camping spot to get to the peak of Ben Lawers which was 1,214m from the car park. We stayed up for a while and took a few pictures. We then climbed the second Munro. Once we were at the top we took some more pictures. Stevie showed us some navigation and bearings which got us back to the camping sight.

Loch Voil by Nick Galloway.

On our second day in strathyre we went to Loch Voil and made our way to a view point that looked out over the Loch.

The walk up the hill was fairly laid back and the weather was stunning which made it that much better. As you reach the view point the woods fall away and you walk out onto the clear patch of grass with a bench and a cairn looking out over Loch Voil.

The Loch was beautiful and went for miles with mountains surrounding it from every side. The water itself was like a shimmering carpet of blue with the sky changing from beep blue to bright orange as it hit the top of the mountains.

On the walk down the hill we walked through the grave yard of Rob Roy and his family which was very cool too see. The view of Loch Voil is a sight that will stay with me forever.

Longboarding by Gavin McManus

Since the start of the summer the  coastal communities group started doing longboarding training. We started by being taught the different techniques of what to do as well as contributing what we already know. We started with basic skills such as balance, hill bombing and foot stopping. once these were taken on board we learned more advanced skills such as press up slides, power slides and learning to Coleman. We all helped each other passing on tips we had, especially to members of the group who were struggling more than others. From the day we started to now everyone has upped there game as well as pushing ourselves to high levels. Hopefully in the near future there will be a longboard expedition on the cards.

Coming down Ben Lawers

When we setup camp in the Ben Lawers we decided that we would climb to the top of Ben Lawers. Once we had climbed to the top of Ben Lawers we decided that we would take a different route back down the mountains back to Camp. We had to use our navigation skills and the equipment we had on us such as maps and compasses so we could get back down the mountain safely. We had to use these two items to navigate our way through the wind and mist. It was really windy and misty when we we're coming back down the mountain.

Surfing; by Abbie Duffy

One of the sports that I show more of an interest in is surfing. Fortunately while working with mobex, we get the chance to improve our skills in it. On tuesday 25th June, Stevie and Bob drove the 6 of us down to Belhaven for a surfing session. After kitting up with wetsuits, gloves, shoes & boards, we arrived at the car park at 11ish. Luckilly, it turned out to be a really sunny day with 1-2ft waves and offshore winds. I have already had surfing experience of catching unbroken waves before but when Stevie asked us to set ourselves a goal to reach by the end of the session, mines was first to catch some clean waves. After stretching and jogging on the beach to warm-up we began surfing. A few hours after catching some nice waves I decided to set myself the challenge of progressing my bottom turns and going in the direction of the wave breaking. I knew it would be challenging because I usually surf a 7'6 fibre glass and that day I had been using a 9ft foam board which was a lot more heavey weight. Unfortunately, i didn't manage to do bottom turns but I wasn't bothered because I had still had a good surf. After a few hours the waves just weren't picking up and everyone was getting a bit bored, so we left our boards next to the bags on the beach and went in for a swim then headed back to the van at 1ish.

The conservation volunteers by Jaimie Currie.

 (T.C.V) The Conservation volunteers.  

The conservation volunteers is a british chartible origanistion that works to facillitate enviremental conservation through practial tasks undertaken by volunteers.

During my time with T.C.V I have Been using lots of tools, I have lots of experance using tools as my previous job was in the building trade. one of the jobs i found intresting was forestry work, working in the forest is new to me and i enjoy learning the skills that are being offered to me.

I have learned how to use tools safely and how to maintain my tools correctly.

I really enjoy working with T.C.V and I look forward to learning new skills. 

Coasteering 

Coasteering is a combined Rock and Water sport, coasteering is mainly based around the coast normally before we  go out to do coasteering we use internet sources (www.magicseaweed.com) to check the swell and wind speed.  When we get ready to go and do coasteering there is vital equipment that we need to take with us such as, wetsuits, buoyancy aid, wetsuit gloves and boots, helmets and hood. We also take with us a rescue kit which includes throwing line and first aid kit. Coasteering is a sport that you have to push your comfort zones to the limit. It can be a very challenging sport but it can be a really good adrenaline buzz.

John Muir Way

We (The coastal communities group) took part in a three day expeditions on the John Muir Way. We started at Fisher row in Musselburgh and walked seventy kilometers to Dunglass.
As we all did this we noticed it wasn't just a physical push but a mental push as well
. As there were times when emotions were running high but we worked as a team and edged each other to go on and push ourselves to the end.
Completing this expedition gave us a huge amount of pride and something to be proud of!

Scrambling by Connor Kelly

Scrambling

The Coastal Communities Group took part in a scrambling session on North Berwick Law and Traprain Law. 

Scrambling is a mixture between mountaineering and rock climbing. We did the session as a team building exercise as we did not know each other very well.

 It was not much of a challenge or a push as it was really relaxed. We talked about different techniques, looking at dynamic risk assessments and we also had a look at a group shelter.

 The equipment we used were walking boots and helmets.

The skills that were used during this exercise were good footwork, being able to pick out the easiest and safest path to follow. 

At the top of North Berwick Law we all made hot chocolate with a stove and pot.

Surfing by Nick Galloway

As part of the coastal communities group we have to practice a lot of different sports. Having never been surfing before this was a massive new challenge for me. The equipment we use are surfboards and wet-suits. You need to be confident and have good balance.

Never surfing before I had to learn the techniques for lying on the board, standing up and falling off. For standing up on the board you have to get the balance point right. for falling off the board you have to cover your head and your stomach to protect all your vital parts.

When I first tried to stand up on the board I kept falling off and face planting the water but I have a lot of determination to keep getting back up and keep trying. When I eventually managed to keep my balance and stay up on the board I felt a massive sense of accomplishment. Learning to surf has given me a new set of skills and it was a great experience that I plan on getting much better at!