Teamwork makes the steam work

Tuesday group runs are the perfect place to blow off some steam after a long workday. Sevan, Steph and Kash got active by doing a nearly 4km run together, looping around Walpole and Lammas parks. At the end of their route, they went full steam ahead when they spotted a lonely headtorch on the other side of the bridge near Rickyard. It was Madhan!

The team picked up steam when Claire and Milly arrived. Armed with...

• 3 wheelbarrows
• 4 shovels
• 2 rakes

...we found our way in the darkness to a fresh woodchip pile. Maybe we were guided by the smell of Christmas trees reincarnated as mulch?

Ranger Jon had a job for us: to woodchip a path near Rickyard. Our gang didn't want to employ a steam engine to crack a nut, so we split into smaller squads of shovellers, barrow drivers and rakers. We soon discovered the work goes quicker when the wheelbarrows are in operation all the time, so one of us ran to fetch a fourth barrow, which kept the shovelling crew occupied. With this optimisation came less time for breaks, and it became easy to run out of steam! The GoodGymers swapped jobs with each other when needed. No one had to work under their own steam as we tried not to leave anyone alone in the dark.

As we uncovered lower layers of woodchip, the pile released warmth and clouds of steam. According to Milly, it was an unexpected pleasure to fall into such a warm, steaming heap.

When we were nearly done with the path, and the phrase "just four more barrows" started sounding like truth, everyone picked up steam to finish the task in an hour. It was tough to see how flat the path was in the dark, but Madhan and Sevan did their best to smoothen the surface. Our 6-person dream team got the job done!

For those who missed the woodchipping workout tonight, we have an opportunity next week in Blondin Park. There are other tasks and attractions planned so don't miss that one!