Haven And Hill

A day of many happy returns today as we were not only wishing Tom a happy birthday but also had two group runs on offer returning to two of our favourite task venues. Could today's big turnout have been influenced by the promise of cake from Tom? Or was it the choice of a long and short run option and two fabulous tasks, giving everyone something to look forward to?

We welcomed Russell along for his first GoodGym group run and hope you enjoyed the experience Russell!

We also congratulated Chris and Alison on their London Marathon heroics last week and Hugh who had completed the Paris Marathon a couple of weeks earlier - well done guys!

The longer option was wonderfully led by Richard who expertly guided us through town and along the gentle ascent of the Bristol Bath Railway Path to The Haven.

The Haven is a 1.3 acre oasis of countryside near Greenbank cemetery where people who have issues around their mental health and/or drug/alcohol misuse can have a safe space to relax, socialise and be involved with activity's such as gardening,art,sculpture, woodworking and nature conservation.

Here we were met by Julia and Alistair who got one group pulling out weeds and nettles from a raspberry patch, taking care not to get stung in the process and then barrowing the waste over to a compost pile. Working efficiently they soon had the patch looking clear whilst taking care not to pull out any raspberry bushes.

The other group helped out with building a dead hedge to encourage some wildlife to inhabit the area. Under the careful supervision from Alistair, including some excellent axe instruction, the group managed to strip down branches for the hedge and make stakes for supporting the hedge and by the time we left this was looking great.

All the while a duck busied itself foraging for something to eat - I'm not quite sure how successful it was but seemed very content getting it's beak dirtier and dirtier as it patrolled the area, whilst a chicken pottered around nearby.

Meanwhile, Jack led the shorter run option to Windmill Hill City Farm. Beth from the the Farm showed us the around and it was clear we were going to have to get out of a bind (weed)! The farm was in need of bindweed haircut and the team duly obliged. Grabbing the weeds and securing them in buckets to be disposed off, so they hopefully don't grow back. A robin made the best of the situation and was eating up the earthworms as we dug out the weeds!

Chris had a bit of a different environment to the hot streets of the London Marathon and found himself ankle deep in horse muck. Debs and Emma decided to test Chris's shoveling skills forming a rapid two woman wheelbarrow gang - racing to ensure that they never ran out at the other end, where it was emptied onto the ground so provide a bit of fodder to get the veggies growing well on the city farm. There was just enough time for a cup of tea and a look at the new spring animals and goat kids and lambs were very popular with all, we look forward to going back to Windmill Hill City Farm again soon.

Nice work everyone today and big thanks to Richard and Jack for getting everyone there and back safely!