Only Tools and Horses

24 GG Yorkies went on a sunny evening run to St Nicks for a brilliant combination of tasks.

We welcomed two fabulous new runners to the gang, so let's give some massive cheers to Jo and Nan!

Aron led out the do-gooding mob and it was great to hear everyone having a good old chat. I hung back with Dr Lizzie to administer a bit of first aid to a fallen runner, then we caught up just in time to see the group heading out to the meadow at St Nicks.

The lovely Reserve Manager, Jonathan was giving us a very through briefing on use of dangerous tools and was explaining how most of the meadow has to be carefully managed, apart from the bit where the horses sometimes graze. With perfect timing, one of the tethered horse broke free and decided to join GoodGym too. Jonathan very calmly led the horse away before finishing his briefing!

We had a few tasks to complete and just 30 minutes to do them.

• Rake up grass cuttings
• Load up grass cutting to wheelbarrows/trailers and relocate to the woods
• Learn to scythe and clear more of the meadow (thus creating more grass cuttings)
• De-turf a small triangular patch and sew wildflower seeds

With a big crowd, we broke it down into 10 minute challenges so that everybody could have a go with a scythe and because the de-turfing bit was really hard work.

The scything was extremely popular, everyone loved it despite the fact that 10 minutes probably isn't long enough to really develop some good technique. I was just glad that nobody managed to scythe their own legs, or anyone elses.

It's sort of like a historical re-enactment - Nicole, GG Yorkie

Meanwhile the wheelbarrows and trailers were getting filled up quickly and taken to a secret, magical place in the woods near a stone circle. Only a few people knew where the special location was and hearing the route description was like Chinese whispers, it seemed to get more and more complex over the course of the task.

So it's "go down the path, then the next path, then a path on the left?" - Paul A clarifying Becky's instructions

Fortunately everyone found their way back to help stomp in the wildflower seeds. We also had a quick look at the last patch of wildflowers we planted before completing the Path Workout - a short conditioning workout which included:

• Forward lunges
• Reverse lunges
• Two-footed jumps
• Side lunges
• Ricochet side jumps
• Jumping split squats

With a nice little burn in the legs, Aron led the gang back to base. There'll be more scything opportunities coming up, so keep an eye on the website!