Well spent most of the morning trying to get an internet connection, need to book a car, make some contacts print maps etc.....how on earth did people travel before mobile phones and the internet? would Charles Darwin have done any better with an Ipad, or Christopher Columbus been able to find some cheaper digs in America if he had Google?
Admin stuff done by 3pm (had to change rooms to get a marginally better but workable internet connection) so decided to walk into Stockholm City centre, about a couple of miles. Really striking place, beautiful city, but crikey its expensive, almost double UK..... sorry kids, only gifts will be hotel shampoo!!!
Walked for about 3 hrs and decided to treat myself to a coffee, asked for an Americano expecting something like a steaming bucket that you get at Starbucks or Costa. Imagine my horror when I was presented with a "thimble", half full, without milk, for 3 quid!!!! It was nice mind you.
Anyway while trudging back I was delighted to receive a call from my workmate, Oli. fantastic news, looks like we might get some funding to carry out the Eel stocking project I have been planning for two years!!!!! That's only a big part of the reason why I'm here!!!! apparently Radnorshire Wildlife Trust are keen to stock Llangorse lake with eels ( I have a project to do just this) and we (the Environment Agency) may help fund this. Great news.
Llangorse lake is the second biggest natural lake in Wales, it has a history of prolific eel production and had a commercial silver eel fishery for many years. We ( the EA) actually own the silver Eel trap (adults migrating back to the sea)on the Llynfi. I have a project to reinstate the trap, stock the lake and begin monitoring the returns compared to historical levels, this is just what I hoped for, even if a little premature.
Note the old trap records on the Lynfi, in 1990, 2500Lbs of eels(that's between 3000-5000 eels!!!) were caught in just two nights in October, I'm willing to bet that it's nothing like that now, but with a well planned stocking project we can restore this lake to its former glory.
Great news about the funding. not so great news about the shampoo for the girls - surely you can stretch to a shower cap and a disposable toothbrush? I recall Sweden as being very expensive - I could only afford the head on a pint when i was there. As a citizen of Poundland I can imagine it's quite shock to you. By the way, this is a warning that you are nearing the end of your blog allocation of ten thousand exclamation marks!!!!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great trip - wish i was there!
What, no body told me about that !!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing place but can't wait to get out of this windowless box
JT