Influential Otters: Lena Longtail

Hi guys this is Lucy Littlepaws here. Today, as part of my Influential Otters series, I am bringing you the inside scoop, the world exclusive interview with the Leader of the Scottish Sub-Raft. Lena Longtail.

I couldn’t pass up this unique opportunity, the Leader of the Scottish Otters, right here in the UK Raft HQ. The morning after the marvellous feast, I caught up with Ceannard Longtail over breakfast in the Holt canteen where they have recently started serving a rather fantastic salmon and frog medley which goes perfectly with the first coffee of a morning. Ceannard Longtail was sitting at a table by the window that overlooks the decoy otter indoor training pool. She is an exceptionally well put together Otter, alert and attentive, even at this early hour. She habitually carries an O-pad pro on which she can often be seen making notes, or answering email. She greeted me warmly and poured me a coffee from the large pot on her table. So, as we were both appropriately caffeinated I posed my first question.

Good morning Ceannard Longtail, you have recently been voted in as leader of the Scottish Sub-Raft, tell me how have you found the first few months in office?

Good morning Lucy, how nice it is to talk to you, please call me Lena. The first few months have been extremely eventful, and enjoyable! I am extremely fortunate to have inherited a brilliant team, I have made some changes to reflect our new Wider Wildlife Initiative and related policies of course, which is bringing a whole new dimension to the Sub-Raft. Especially exciting as you may imagine is the newly formed partnership with the Wildcat Clutter. It is proving to be a very advantageous situation for all concerned.

Ah yes, the Wider Wildlife Initiative, Lutra has made some mention of this in briefings and I have to say it sounds extremely exciting. What prompted you to start building relations across species?

Much like yourselves here in The Raft, we Scottish otters have always maintained cordial relations with our fellow creatures but it is only recently that we have considered that we need to work on building real relationships. We decided that, in light of the Situation and new leadership in the US Raft, a more unified outlook would be a good idea. You must understand that unlike you we are a good deal more spread out in the Sub-Raft, it takes a deliberate effort such as this sort of concerted effort to even initiate contact with some of the other Scottish Species.

This sounds fascinating! So, Lena can you tell me a little bit about how life has changed since you have become so influential?

Well before I was voted into office I was head of the Biological Utilisation Research Department at the Loch Holt. I had a really fabulous team working with me and we were close to some spectacular developments in the areas of Functional Enhancement and Energetic Enhancement. Of course since becoming the leader of the Sub raft, I have had to put my own study of medicinal botanicals to one side however I am confident that the new leader of the team will continue advancing the field in my absence! I do believe, however, that it is important to keep my paw in and am looking forward to reading their research papers and theories.

We all know that work life balance is very important for maintaining good health. What sort of things do you like to do in your spare time?

As I am sure Lutra has mentioned to you, spare time becomes increasingly difficult to find when you are in this sort of position. However as you say, it is important to make time for some relaxation. I love to get outside into the beautiful mountains around the Loch Holt. I love walking or swimming out into the countryside with my art materials in tow and painting watercolours of what I find.

Oh that sounds lovely, are going to see Lena Longtail Originals decorating the halls of the Loch Holt in the near future then?

Ha ha, no! I shouldn’t think so! I am really not very good, and tend to stray slightly too far into the impressionistic. I think creative splodging would be a better way to describe my art. However I love the act of creating and the results are not too important to me.

Lastly a couple of quick fire questions to really get to know Lena Longtail:

What is your favourite midday snack?

I do love a langoustine or two and of course a sturgeon salad is just fantastic!

How do you like to relax last thing in the evening?

I love to read, curled up in my den with my favourite book, a mug of hot chocolate and a bowl of clams is the perfect way to end the day!

So, I just have to know, what are you reading at the moment?

Right now I am reading a lovely book about Humans, they are so funny they do things that are so much like otters that you would almost think they understood us. This book is set in their land based equivalent of the River Cam University. There are some fantastic characters in it and some absolutely amazing hats!