Thorns in our sides, yu(cca) know that's all yo(wie) ever were

Saturday afternoon's mission number two for Team Luong-Kidd started with Patrick (who'd already completed Parkrun and a morning mission) and I running the 4km from Barnet borough to Hornsey in Haringey for a second instalment of extreme gardening. We were met by Mrs H, a lovely Dutch lady, sadly confined to a wheelchair, which clearly restricted her ability in her beloved garden.

The main priority was relocating a 6-feet Yucca tree from a pot back to the earth, which necessitated digging a large hole in stoney soil and prising the giant plant out of its former home for 7 years! We impressed both Mrs H and ourselves by wrapping it up in 20 minutes, signalled by loud and excited excited 'yowies' from our hostess, which I gathered is a most positive 'yes/yay' in her dialect.

That's when the situation became real thorny. A metal frame formed an archway into the main garden, which had become consumed by an intricate entanglement of rose branches; which, as well as being one of the most beautiful flowers, are also the most lethal . This whole area had to be trimmed back for both aesthetic and Health & Safety reasons, although I managed to self-harm and even attack poor Patrick with a few falling branches.

Throughout all, Mrs H project managed, entertained and encouraged us before kindly serving coffee and cake before we left. She wants a return trip as soon as possible so I guess that's a satisfied customer and a job well done. A great and rewarding afternoon all round.