Haddo Country Park Blog….

I arrived at Haddo around 9.00 a.m. by which time the car park was already starting to fill up with visitors.  As the Rotarian’s directed cars into the overflow parking area visitors congregated around the welcome marquee where Sheena and Nicola provided information on the activities and gave directions to the Pheasantry where the egg competitions, face painting,  and refreshment tent was situated.

11.02 a.m. and the overflow car park was filling up !

Nanna Mo came all the way from Plymouth to help granddaughter Brogan find her Easter Egg.  (was lovely to chat with them)

Over 1500 highly painted wooden eggs were hidden around the park at various intervals during the day, I enjoyed laying a few myself, and got a real buzz out of watching youngsters find a carefully placed egg within their path.

Egg rolling on the hill – all ages have a go

I was also delighted to hear from Christina, that the NTS event had also been very successful with over 800 copies of their treasure trail being sold on the day.  We both concluded that the two events compliment each other and gave ourselves a pat on the back that “partnership” is working between us at Haddo.

I met and spoke to some lovely people during the Easter Egg Hunt and was delighted to be able to share with them all the activities associated with the regeneration project, the new play area for younger visitors, the upgrade to the toilets and of course the new visitor centre.

75% complete, the new walk at Craigie Wood.

CHAP construction have been onsite for some weeks, as those who read this blog regularly know, there is much evidence (as I mentioned last time, in my “Mud” post) of their activities.  A lot of what we are seeing is preparatory work including tree surgery, tree felling and the progression of works to the Pheasantry.  The demolition of the old garages has been carried out, which is necessary to clearing the site for the adventure play area.

Sunday 19th May.  2.00 p.m. – 4.00 p.m.  “Love life – Love Nature” – Wildlife in Spring.  You are invited to take part in a guided walk around the Country Park where John Malster will help you to discover some of the plants and animals that make their appearance at this time of year.  It is a FREE event and you can just turn up but I would appreciate it if you could let me know you are coming, will help us to plan.

One of the animals you are bound to come across during the Love Life – Love Nature walk

Sunday 26th May – A day in the country with D.A.W.G.S – Family fun day.  For information please visit website http://www.dawgs.co.uk contact ianlynnpat@aol.com or call 01224 208989.  This is a FREE event and a must for any dog lover.  K9VSO and I will be there!

I just happen to overhear a conversation on Tuesday in which someone said

“I hear the Ospreys are back”

Now, as you know I walk this park on a daily basis with K9VSO and we certainly hadn’t seen them.  Not that I didn’t believe my ears, they are due after all, what I was miffed about was that I wasn’t the one spouting the information.  Imagine then, how I felt today when a visitor asked me

“Was that the Osprey we saw?”

Lesley (who spotted the bird) and Ian Michie were kind enough to send me copies of the pictures they took.  I am sure you will enjoy looking at them as much as me.

Till next time, enjoy Haddo take care and don’t
forget to say hello if you see us.