Guns N' Roses

Will this rain ever end? It rains, it drizzles, it looks like it's about to rain and then it absolutely hoses down. Oh well, looking on the bright side, it keeps us in gardening tasks.

And yesterday was precisely one of those — a long run and a gardening task that was not for the faint-hearted. Visiting George Mason Lodge, the best care home on the borough by a country mile, is like visiting an old friend. It is such a welcoming and friendly place with lovely staff and residents who often pop out to say hello.

The spirit of the place can be summed up by the story of Auntie Ivy, who was the reason we were there yesterday. Auntie Ivy, a genuine Windrush original who spent her career working as a nurse and lately she was a resident at GML. Once a nurse, always a nurse because despite her failing health and advanced age (we are talking telegram from the Queen here, people), she would make sure she helped to look after the other residents at GML. Sadly Auntie Ivy passed away but as a tribute to the care she received at GML, her family donated some rosebushes and other plants, and our job was to plant them.

There is a lovely bed at the back of the garden where the bushes can be viewed from the house but the ground is seriously hard with tree roots and stones everywhere. Fortunately, any crew that is going to run in the weather we had yesterday is not going to be deterred by a bit of tough ground so out came the guns and in went the spades.

Half an hour later and newly planted rosebushes in place, it looked so good that as Axl Rose might say "if I'd stare too long, I'd probably break down and cry."

But with no time for my sentimentality, we had a quick photo call before heading back out for a thorough soaking and a run back to base.

Great job all, you rock (and roll).

I hope we can see you all next week for more gardening activity. Sign-up here

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