Get-together Brownsea Island 15-17th May

[waveney]

As many of you know I lead the volunteers on Brownsea Island Nature reserve on alternate Sundays.  There is do it ourselves accommodation there and it has been suggested that we organise a Galaxy Zoo weekend get together.  I have checked with the warden Chris.  And it is free the weekend of the 15/16/17th May.  The system is you help the reserve, get a guided tour and we get the accommodation and boat travel.   Other dates are possible, but this is the first weekend that looks possible.

The system would be depart at a set time on the Friday (late afternoon early evening), we have the Friday evening to ourselves, work a chunk of Saturday (say 10 to 3ish), have a guided tour Sunday Morning, and me as a guide the rest of the time.  Returning to the mainland Sunday afternoon.  The island is a haven for wildlife, near Poole.  Most convenient train station is Poole, the boat will depart from Sandbanks (there is free parking nearby).

The Villa has bunk beds for 12 people, after that there are a few mattresses and then the floors...  We have to bring our own bedding/sleeping bags.  The kitchen is well equipped, but we would have to bring all our own food.  There is also a sitting room to hang out in during the evenings.  It has (bottled) gas, electricity, and these days running water.  Don't expect internet access.  Volunteers have most of the downstairs of the Villa, Chris lives upstairs.

Who is interested?

DETAILS FOLLOW



The boat is booked for 3:30.  There are a few later ones for people who can't make that time.

The boat leaves a jetty next to the Sandbanks chain ferry.  There is a yellow shed there where people buy ferry tickets to the island, we can meet up next to it.

You can stop and unload by the shed, but not park.  There is roadside parking beyond the ferry turning along Panorama Road, and along Brownsea Road which is parallel with it.

Google Map

When we get to the island, we can dump most of our stuff in the reserve's landrover and walk to the villa.  Abby (the assistant warden will be arriving later and drive the Landrover and our stuff to the villa (and her Rabbit).  After an introduction from her, the Villa is ours (she lives in a small house behind it).

[fluffyporcupine]

Stickied

[Alice]

I'm interested! I expect Geoff will be too . . .

[quarkspin]

Sounds great. I'm not sure where it is (yet) but if I am free and it is accessible I'd come along too.

ATB

Q

[Geoff]

I'm interested.  If I drive down will my car be safe in the free parking for three days?

[waveney]

I'm interested.  If I drive down will my car be safe in the free parking for three days?

Yes its a very safe area to park. 

[Geoff]

O.K. it's in my diary.  Will bring a supply of biltong and tea supplies.  I assume there are plates and cutlery?

[waveney]

O.K. it's in my diary.  Will bring a supply of biltong and tea supplies.  I assume there are plates and cutlery?

Yes cutlery, plates, mugs, pans and a kettle are provided (there is usually Tea and coffee).  We will need to organise food and drink. 

[Alice]

O.K. it's in my diary.  Will bring a supply of biltong and tea supplies.  I assume there are plates and cutlery?

Yes cutlery, plates, mugs, pans and a kettle are provided (there is usually Tea and coffee).  We will need to organise food and drink. 

I could bring biscuits and cake, and make moussaka . . .

[waveney]

O.K. it's in my diary.  Will bring a supply of biltong and tea supplies.  I assume there are plates and cutlery?

Yes cutlery, plates, mugs, pans and a kettle are provided (there is usually Tea and coffee).  We will need to organise food and drink. 

I could bring biscuits and cake, and make moussaka . . .

When numbers look firmer, perhaps we should take in turns to feed the 5000: 2 x evening meals, 2 x breakfasts, 2 x lunches.  Count me in for a main meal.

I should mention this will be in the middle of the Tern nesting season - Warning tern chicks are cute, there are tern islands with 20 feet of one of the hides.   

[stellar190]

if brownsea island meet-up goes ahead, my mum lives up north, she can drive down to get me to sandbanks, would there be room for both of us?

[Sophie 378]

That's after my exams - so I'm very interested.  I love clearing/cutting trees and bushes, so sic me on that rhody!  I also love wildlife and cooking... sounds like an ideal holiday to me, especially with nice GZ people!

[waveney]

if brownsea island meet-up goes ahead, my mum lives up north, she can drive down to get me to sandbanks, would there be room for both of us?

Definitely - the first 12 people get bunk beds (there are 3 rooms with them), the next 3 or 4 get a mattress on the floor, and after that you get the floor.  Apparently it has slept about 30 (once).

I have booked it now for that date.

[jules]

I am almost certain to miss this one. But on the off-chance we make it - would there be space for a tent?

[Joseph K. H. Cheng]

if brownsea island meet-up goes ahead, my mum lives up north, she can drive down to get me to sandbanks, would there be room for both of us?

Definitely - the first 12 people get bunk beds (there are 3 rooms with them), the next 3 or 4 get a mattress on the floor, and after that you get the floor.  Apparently it has slept about 30 (once).

I have booked it now for that date.

Hi Waveney,

                Thank you so much for organizing this appealing weekend camp for Zooites. Would you be so kind as to post some photos or link about the place for our viewing ? I am planning a trip to Europe around that time and may possibly consider a side trip. I have no hesitation in joining. The requested photos are tools to convince my better half. Thanks again .

JKHC. ( from Down Under )