Heron, Calgary Bay

This was the final picture I took today (and I took lots).

Sometimes the  best comes at the very end but today everything was good.

I was in North West Mull at the invitation of the Mull Native Woodlands Group to attend and speak at their AGM. 

I have been working with the group for a couple of years, helping to take forward a voluntary agreement with the two community forestry companies on the island and the Forestry Commission not  to to use neonicotinoids  in planting.  The group has a wide ranging concern for the wonderful environment in which they live and the neonics issue is just one thing they are taking forward with determination and considerable success. 

There are also many other active groups in what is a very special and active community centred on Dervaig.  As a result of local initiative many of these bodies also came together today  to celebrate what they were doing, and to share a great spread of goodies that everyone contributed (here pictured , in part,  by one of the movers and shakers for that, another blipper Wanderers13.) 

One of those groups runs the village hall, where some of books from my study move ended up.   That was recorded on blipfoto by both me and Treshnish, who was also on hand to record much of today which (after a surgery ) also  included a visit to the Community Orchard with some of the school children,  seeing  the new bunk house , talking with people from a wide range of organisations who were exhibiting  this afternoon , listening to young people who are learning to play the fiddle as a result  of the efforts of a very active Mull Music Group and eventually having an amazing dinner with  my community hosts  in the house of two very talented individuals who are preparing to open a restaurant (which will be exceptional if what we had this evening was anything to go by).

We were staying at Calgary and on our way there for the night Cathleen and I stopped to walk Rula on the beach.   The light was just going and the sight of a heron in the sea, standing stock still in front of the sunset was just the perfect visual end to a superb day.

Thanks to everyone who took part, and for the fantastic experience and hospitality.   It was the sort of day that made me realise how privileged I am to represent , and be part of the lives of, so many amazing and committed people.

My extra photos are just samples of so much else that was happening but here are images from  the orchard,  the dinner, and the visit of the children to the library.