Hello to everyone,

My name is Shane. I am a 48 year old single male who has lived in a rural community/countryside all his life.

I have lived in SE Derbyshire all of my life. Am near to Derby (and Nottingham, I suppose), but I tend to avoid towns and cities like the plague!!! Having said that, my ancestors were from Oakham, in Rutland, and it's still a quaint old market/rural town.

Talking of which, I did spend quite a few weeks working at Rutland Water Nature Reserve under Tim Appleton about 10 years ago.This was part of my course at the Derbyshire Agricultural College (aka Broomfield College), at Morley, near Derby.

I love walking (am a postman, believe it or not), and there are loads of walks/footpaths, etc, near to where I live. Am also a bit nifty at the dry-stone walling, have also done a bit of bird ringing, but again this was about 10 years ago. Currently contemplating giving it a bash again"!

I like all animals (with the exception of domestic cats!!!), but studied otters at college. Guess what? Never seen one!!! Had the opportunity to join a couple doing research on otters in South Wales about 10 years ago, but turned them down to work at Rutland Water!!! Was I right? Who knows!

Anyone care to get in touch with me and have a chat, then be delighted to hear from them.

Bye

Welcome to the forums Shane! Pleased to meet you.

I've always thought being a postman in a rural area must be a very enjoyable job, especially in the summer months! I wouldn't be too keen to do it in a city though.

I'm a big fan of walking in countryside too, I don't get to walk as much as I'd like though at the moment.

Hi mate, and welcome.

I would love to work with Otters. I have done a number of surveys for them, and i to have never seen one.



Chris.

Welcome to the forums. I have never seen an Otter either, would love too though!

Hi, hope you enjoy your time here. I'm sure you will! I too would love to work with otters, such brilliant animals.

Howdy Shane, welcome aboard