Busega Scotland opened its charity shop in Lossiemouth for some early season sales. Our experienced shop manager, Chris Petrie, was ably assisted by her granddaughter Aoife, and by trustees and supporters who served behind the counter.

One of Busega Scotland’s intentions is to ‘give back’ to Moray, for the great support it receives from its home community. The charity shop is a prime example of this, as goods are recycled at bargain prices. We always have plenty of customers. Some visit us everyday, as we receive enough stock to regularly refresh what we have on the shelves.

A kind donation met the shop rent for the week, and Busega Scotland projects benefitted by over £600. Customers were happy, the shop assistants enjoyed themselves and we are sure that Chris and Aoife,  have a great sense of satisfaction. The shop will pop-up again in the autumn.

Many thanks to all who donated stock, our workforce and customers.

When John and Christine were last in Tanzania, before Christmas, the ground around Mayega was parched and rains scattered and sporadic. Farmers were being adversely affected by drought conditions and there were worries aplenty. The situation is now much different.

The Tanzanian Meteorological Agency has reported 15 weather related deaths, as torrential rains batter many parts or the country. Sometimes rain is gentle but often it comes down in torrents. It is when these storms go on for extended periods that the trouble really begins, with damage to farms, homes and

infrastructure. With over 80% of Tanzania’s population depending on agriculture for their livelihood, the weather is a key factor in the wellbeing of the rural poor.

The pictures were taken from the road to Mayega by a good friend of Busega Scotland, Phil Vandenberg. The water at the Magu bridge had probably risen 20 feet and was just 3 feet from the carriageway. Phil works in agricultural development and said that for some farmers the rains had caused significant damage, while for others the prospects are good. Let us hope for a good growing season and a bumper harvest.

The first Busega Scotland quiz night south of the border took place on Saturday 7th April, courtesy of Leamington Irish Club in Warwickshire, who had made their premises available free of charge, and local eateries, businesses and friends who had kindly provided raffle prizes.  Although entrance was free, everyone made generous donations, resulting in £478 in cash from the 50 people who attended, with £100 already raised from those unable to be there, and other pledges and proceeds from a silent auction for an original watercolour by local artist David Knight still to be added.

Family, friends and ex-colleagues of Debbie and Robin Hill were interested to hear about their work in Tanzania, especially in respect of the Moving On project, which will be supported by the money raised.  It was generally agreed that the questions set by Robin and Debbie were quite tough.  Copies have been sent to Christine and John so that some of them can be used in the future in Moray if they like !

Thanks once again to Mike McClafferty and  the Station Hotel, Burghead,

for organising another “Hairy Bottle “.

The bottle of Benromach Single Malt Whisky  was won by Ryan

and raised £56 for Busega Scotland.

Busega Scotland’s annual accounts summary  1st  December 2016  to  30th November 2017 can be viewed here

https://busegascotland.co.uk/annual-accounts/

Although the profile of the final walk is similar to ‘the longest day’, it is simply more doable. It has an overall climb of 1,590 feet, but the underfoot conditions are so much better and the major climb is at the start. The reward is a magnificent view down the river to Spey Bay, from near to the summit of Ben Aigen.

The most touching moment was meeting Mr and Mrs Frog in their passionate embrace. Does taking such a photograph make me a member of the paparazzi? Although these two amphibians have only just become celebrities.

It was also sad to say a kind of goodbye to Christine and her selfless deliveries of tea and cakes (all homemade, of course). What a boost to morale they were. A large vote of thanks to Cenzo, Jenny, Peter, Therese, Linda, Ruth and Mike who shared many miles together, with conversations about a myriad of subjects. By the end we were experts on almost everything.

Can I make final mention of my Fidel hat (a present from my son Graeme). It travelled each of the 65 miles and I’m pretty sure it is

the first one to go all the way from Aviemore to Buckie.

So I will finish with a quote from President Castro, “It doesn’t matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action”. That is Busega Scotland.

If you read the reviews on ‘walkhighlands’ about the Grantown to Ballindalloch part of the Speyside Way, you will realise that it has some detractors. In fact, one contributor said they would never walk this section again and others described it as ‘dangerous’ and a ‘real struggle’.

The first section, from Grantown to Cromdale is a delight – through woodland and along the river bank. Then the challenge begins. The walking is very rough under foot and at times it is a route not a path. The profile shows a climb of 1600 feet, and there is a debate on the two main websites as to whether the walk is 13 or 14.5 miles long!

But there are some serious highlights; the restored railway carriage at Cromdale, views south down the Spey valley and the longest bird feeders we had ever seen.

The whole walk took about 7 hours and it was a very wet day. It is also strange that when you are tired your memory makes familiar sections seem shorter, while in reality they are so much longer. In contrast to Peter, I really needed that walk to be over, whereas he literally takes everything in his stride and never complains! The only incident that raised a smile, for us not Cenzo, was his encounter with a slurry pit; finding himself stuck and up to his knees in the stinky, gooey water. Some things should just not happen.

The top team were back together for the 17 mile walk from Aviemore to Grantown on Spey via Boat of Garten and Nethy Bridge. The route is generally flat and in its early stages follows the track of the Strathspey Steam Railway. Unfortunately, no trains were running along the 10 miles from Aviemore to Broomhill (also known as Glenbogle in the BBC series the Monarch of the Glen). There is work in progress to extend the line to Grantown.
Leaving Boat, the path enters the Abernethy Forest and passes close to the RSPB reserve at Loch Garten. The loch is renowned for summer visits from ospreys, who nest in the reserve. The species became extinct in Britain in the early 20th century but in 1954 two breeding birds from Scandinavia came to Garten completely of their own accord, and slowly Scotland was recolonised. The ospreys have two links with Busega Scotland; they fish regularly at the mouth of the River Spey and are seen from time to time from John and Christine’s front window. Also, they over winter in Africa – but west not east.
Keeping with the wildlife theme, a pair of woodpeckers were hard at work near Aviemore and Christine had the pleasure of watching a treecreeper, while waiting for us at Grantown. There was also a cow on the platform at Nethy Bridge station.

However, the day ended in disappointment. The planned reward for completing the longest walk was an ice cream was in Grantown. Both ice cream shops in the town are closed on Mondays. How unfair is that?

Day 2 started with a surprise, on a beautiful Spring morning at Ballindalloch! No Cenzo or his wife, Sheena. What could have happened?

A little bit of investigative journalism had unearthed the story. While Cenzo’s birthday is not until the 30th, a major surprise party had been arranged for him the previous evening at the Laichmoray Hotel in Elgin. Despite his best efforts, the evening got the better of him and he was in no fit state to reach the starting line. Therese, Linda, Jenny, Peter and John had to leave without Mr and Mrs Main.

Therese imaginatively suggested that the walk should be re-named ‘Old Dodgers’ (apologies Sheena!) but we are sure that Cenzo will be back on Monday.
Check out the photograph of his incredible birthday cake, complete with the Saltire and Tanzanian flags. Cenzo had generously asked that donations be made to Busega Scotland in lieu of birthday presents.

The Upper Spey Valley is the heart of the Scotch Whisky industry and the Speyside Way passes many distilleries and cask stores. The one at Tamdhu was very evocative in the morning sunshine and close to a patch of wild garlic.

Second walk completed in a comfortable 4 hours.

After many weeks of planning and preparation, the Old Codgers (and friends) are finally on their way. The starting point was the historic Buckpool harbour, in the Moray Firth town of Buckie. It was built in 1857 the local laird and intended it to be the main port for this stretch of coast. However, within 20 years a new and much bigger harbour was being constructed a mile to the east. Buckpool harbour was doomed, due to its silting problems, and the fishing fleet moved away.
The Old Codgers started moving west, aiming for their first ‘fly cup’ at Spey Bay. In addition to John, the walkers included Cenzo, Jenny, Peter and Cenzo’s daughter, Tessa.

Spey Bay itself is an historic site and the point at which the River Spey enters the North Sea. It is also home to the Scottish Dolphin Centre. However, its origins go much further back and are linked to the salmon fishing industry. John and Christine can remember when net fishing from open boats was still practised at Spey Bay.
The fly cup was provided by support person, Christine, and was accompanied by homemade oat biscuits, raspberry cake and gingerbread. Don’t you wish you had been there? Well fortified, the walkers turned south and followed the river to Fochabers, so completing the first 10 mile walk.