Thanks to my friends

Well, I never expected this! I've managed to gain a lot of friends on Facebook, and my good friend Sue even gave me some seeds to keep warm.

There have been an awful lot of people finding me, but some also getting confused. If you get here and don't know where to look, just keep reading down this blog, because I have listed all the places I've been to. Then you just need to work out where I am now!

More pressing matters - snow.

I'm tucked up nice and warm, but I think everyone at the House has been getting quite cold. I feel sorry for them. All the squirrels have taken to their special hiding place, and I hope they'll be against the cold.

How very exciting for me

It seems that I chose the right place to hide!

Already a good number of people have found me, and I hope that they are on the way to finding my friends as well. It just shows that people have clever brains, and can work out a few clues.

So for anyone reading this blog looking for help in their quest ahead, I would say that you should feel free to ask for help, as sometimes the thinking power of a few people can be more than just one. And stay focused on what you need to achieve. Sometimes the answer is staring you in the face.

Good luck everyone!

A trip to the east

I am quite settled in to my new house now. I had a brief journey, only about a mile to the east, to a place called Whiteadder Water. I found this great picture from Your Local Web, taken by Lisa Jarvis.

It wasn't like this today. Cold, biting wind whipping against my feathers made me only stay for a short while before the quick journey back west to my little home.

It did make me wonder how people are going to find me here. Hopefully they will read through my blog and realise where I have been, and where I am now. The problem I have is that if I simply say where I am, then who know who will find me?

What I need to make sure of is that anyone who does find is a friend. And hopefully friends can work out the clues.

Something amazing

I discovered something amazing today.

It turns out that no more than 200 metres from where I am staying is the border with England! I could cross over there and back every single day if I wanted to. Okay, so it might be pretty boring, but I found it fascinating.

Spent some time today with a squirrel called Brent.

There he is in a photo I found on a site called Photobucket, taken by someone called RadioGirl_Montana.

Anyway, he told me about this new thing that people are using called Twitter. Sounded pretty old to me, but it turns out that it's a new way for people to talk to eachother on the internet, rather than using emails.

Sounds fascinating. I'm pretty sure that the other members of my team will be using it, as they are all great fans of this new technology stuff. Hopefully this will make it easier to find where Santa is.

Flights to the coast

Getting used to my new home now. Had a relaxing morning, then a quick fly out to the coast. Turned out to be a mistake thanks to the weather, but I got home quickly!

Home is now nesting in some old brickwork, and I've managed to find some pieces of sheep wool to big out the hole and make it warm and cosy. Visitors to this place die down over the winter, although I did hear people saying that there is going to be a Christmas fair on the 4th.

Who knows, maybe Santa himself will turn up then!

For now, I keep myself warm, talk to the squirrels, and see if I can pick up any clues from them. Anything I find out I'll post on here in case anyone is helping to find Santa.

I really hope we can find him soon.

Home at last!

After several weeks of travelling, I have decided on my home until we head back to Lapland.

It was something of journey to get here, flying North East from my last stop. I noticed on my way over a couple of Asda stores, and it was good to see my sponsors as I flew across the open spaces of Scotland.

It was a long journey, and once again my wings are aching, but it was definitely worth coming here. I think there is more chance that I will pick up clues and be able to help people from here, rather than waiting in the West of Scotland.

I stopped briefly at a town called Selkirk:

And then flew on again to my final destination. More to follow, and hopefully I will find some more information!

A momentous occassion

Something special happened today. A fly to the West, and I ended up at my final destination. A haven off the motorway, this was the silent and calming Riverside Mill in Lockerbie.

After the previous few days, this was a happy place to travel to. Gliding on the wind, viewing the traffic down below me, then landing in a beautful forest away from the noise.

I flew around the forest, buffeted by the winds, but feeling free. It felt like this was the end of my journey, and that now I had a decision to make. Where to stay?

I needed to be easy to find, in a place that people go to, but also somewhere where information could be passed over to me.

This wasn't the place, although a squirrely I met called Martha was very friendly and helped me spend a pleasant day in the forest. We nibbled on berries and nuts, and chased eachother through the trees. But this is the kind of place I could live, not stay for a couple of weeks.

I will decide over the next couple of days where I should go, but the important factor is I need to be somewhere that gets a lot of visitors. Then I know that I shall pick up any information that gets passed around.

Better planning means better wings

Today I flew a short distance to the East after picking up another tip on where the squirrels are hiding out. I ended up at Torwoodlee Estate, just a short distance away.

At this point I realised that I could have easily visited here on my way over, but my planning skills are not the best. Maybe the reason why I am in this mess!

Anyway, the Estate itself was marvellous. Quite, peaceful, and full of winter. But the ruins were a perfect place for a small robin to nest and find some shelter. For the first time in a long while I felt motivated to sing for some time, the sound carrying across the wind.

It was a very nice morning, well worth coming here. Unfortunately no squirrels this time, so think this might not be a good place to stay.

A partying robin

I should have posted this yesterday, but ran out of time after having the night of my life. On Saturday morning I flew West again to Cardrona Forest near Peeble. Here is a picture from the Forestry Commission.

It was quite peaceful up in the trees for most of the day, and I managed to keep myself amused. Then, as the day drew to a close, I noticed a sudden surge of red squirrels and birds through the trees. It was nothing much to begin with, then grew bigger and bigger.

I decided to follow them through the forest to see what was happening.

There, in a clearing, was a marvellous site. Not only squirrels and birds, but deer, foxes, badgers, all gathered together. Talking, chewing on mushrooms, supping drinks from cups made of bark. It became immediately apparent that I had stumbled on some kind of party!

The evening flew by. It turned out that this forest is seen as something of a show ground, and most of the animals come here at the weekend to celebrate and relax. With winter drawing in, they were heading off to their respective homes, and the performers and residents were having one last party. We drank dew, ate nuts and berries, and I met a few red squirrels who I made friends with.

I also picked up some evidence that most of my friends have been using something called Facebook, so I need to get on there as well. It was a long evening, and I ended up sleeping late today. Making plans for my next flight, although I do need to find somewhere to stop soon!

My kind of place

Another fly to the east, but not too far this time, and I landed at Paxton House.

I have to say that I was quite taken aback. Not in a "this is amazing" way, but in how relaxed and at home I felt when I got there. It was like being at home.

Strangely, the squirrels I met here were also very sedate, very calm, and seemed to fit in with the surroundings. I spent the day flying around the small forest, perching on the house, and going to Paxton House Garden, which you can see above me (the photo is from gardenvisit.com)

But there is no rest for the wicked! It will be time to move on again in my continuing quest for my friends. The latest rumour is that Rudue Reindeer is on something called Myspace? Must check it out.

The Squirrel with bad eyes

After regaining some energy, I took a long flight yesterday evening and landed at Floors Castle. It was some journey, and I slept through the night before waking to a wonderful view.

It was definitely worth the fly!

Although the forest here wasn't big, I did manage to meet a squirrel with certain eccentric tendencies. If he had worn a top hat and cape I would not be surprised! As it was, he was after some glasses, and preferably a monocle.

I did suggest he could go and buy some contact lenses from my sponsors at Asda Contacts, but he definitely wanted a monocle.

It was shame really as Algie was a wonderful squirrely with a big heart, but terrible eyes. He spent half the day bouncing off trees and running away from shadows. His bumps and bruises were only little, and we settled down for a hearty helping of acorn stew in the evening.

Decisions are made

Good morning world!

After waking up with aching wings (again) I decided it was time to get my plans sorted for where to travel. It seems obsious to me that the network of rumours is down in this corner of Scotland, so I should stray far. Talking to the squirrels in Mabie, they gave me a heads up on the best areas to visit.

So far I've been here:

• Dalbeattie Forest
• Creetown
• Galloway Forest Park
• Drumlanrig Castle
• Eskrigg Nature Reserve
• Mabie Forest

Which, considering the size of me, isn't that bad. I now have a short list of other places to visit:

• Riverside Mill, Lockerbie
• Paxton House
• Floors Castle, Kelso
• Cardrona Forest
• Toorwoodlee Estate

Once I've been there, I should have all the information I need, and also know that best place to wait for Santa to find me. I know that he is an avid reader of blogs, so although I won't be able to give away my location, I guess the best thing to do is keep blogging until he works out where I am staying. Then he can pick me up!

For today, a rest, and get some energy back into my wings.

Time to stop moving?

Another brisk journey today, heading west again over to Mabie Forest.

Even in the cold, the forest was full of people hardier than I would ever be. Biking, walking, and dogs walking their owners as well.

But I have to admit that the recent journeys appear to be taking their toll on me. I hadn't been there for long before I found a hollow to hide in and had a good 30 minute doze to build up some energy. Something I'm really not used to doing.

It made me wonder. Is all this travelling worth it? Sure, I'm making some nice friends, like George pictured here (and taken by Gilles Gonthier)

But it seems like I am flying for no reason. What I should do is get some clues together for Santa, then sit down and wait to be found or contacted. So I made a decision. Tomorrow I will decided all the places I shall go to try and get information, and then stay in the most likely place that will be helpful to my cause.

As it happens, George and friends knew nothing. But we were able to steal some sandwiches from bikers!

Helping a friend

I made a quick journey over towards Lockerbie, or just to the West of Lockerbie to a place called the Eskrigg Nature Reserve.

On a cold day like today, it was good to find some shelter quickly, and I did this in a small hollow in a tree. Most of the animals were quiet today, hiding from the weather and getting ready for winter.

Sitting in my hollow, thinking of my next move, I heard a sniffing and sobbing behind me. There, sat in a corner, was a small red squirrel. Still bushy tailed, but definitely not bright eyed.

"What's the matter"

"Oh you don't want to know," followed by deeper sobbing.

It turns out the squirrel (Jez) had been spending a lot of time hording food for the winter, but after taking a bump to the head from a falling branch, he had forgotten where he had kept them. With winter approaching, he didn't know what he would do, and it was too late to start hunting again. The only thing he could remember is that he had buried them in the ground somewhere.

I knew that my mission to help Santa was the most important thing, but I couldn't let Jez down. He needed to find something buried, knew the rough area it should be in, but couldn't remember the exact location. Then I had a brain wave.

Flying high above the area, I looked down at the ground. It took some time, scanning the landscape for a tell tale sign, but at last I saw it. There on the ground was an obvious area which had been uncovered recently. I flew back to find Jez, and we rushed to the mound.

Jubilation spread across his face as he dug and found the acorns buried in the shallow hole. Jumping from foot to foot, nibbling on an acorn, he was full of excited emotion.

I spent the rest of the day being introduced to his friends, have a tour of the area, and then settled down for the night to have a well earned rest.

Feeling like royalty

Another journey off today. This time heading East and slightly North to Drumlarig Castle.

As you can see, it's a marvellous place. Fantastic scenery, with the castle itself standing out of the trees.

Met another friendly squirrel by the name of Gilbert who let me site in the tree, eat some acorns, and talk about the weather. He'd been having a hard time over the last few wet days, but was getting back to normal now.

I also heard, through some friendly blue tits, that Stuart Snowman had headed somewhere down south, but not too far. Apparently he's travelling around the country, but has a base somewhere in the north of England. This is great news, as he's not too far from me, and I might be able to pop down and see him.

Also heard some worrying news about Santa himself, but I'll keep my ear to the ground. In the meantime I guess I should be looking out for Carpenter Jim a bit more than I have been.

But today was a good day. Sitting in castle grounds and feeling like a king!