A very secret lemonade drinker!

A speedy run, keeping to the well-lit roads of Richmond, took the group to Petersham Common to meet task owner Ken.

Ken had plans for us to dig a new drainpipe into the footpath, as have done in previous years. But while preparing that day, he decided that it was the perfect spot to create a new microhabitat by allowing the water to drain into a new pond. That meant the pond needed digging first, and that meant very carefully taking out the protected native bluebells in the pond area so that they could be planted safely elsewhere in the common. (Ken is licensed to dig native bluebells, this can't be done without a license).

They are young plants in this area and their bulbs are only small. Each one required careful digging out with a trowel to prevent cutting it off, and the more we looked, the more there were! The group worked not only on delicate removal but simultaneously on their deep squats and ankle mobility to stay so close to the ground!

Further workouts included digging the perimeter of the pond and moving the shifted soil in the wheelbarrow. This is why we call it keeping fit by doing good! As an extra added bonus, Rosie made a lucky find by digging up an original ceramic R Whites bottle!

At the end of a good session of digging, Ken handed out Lindor chocolates which were just the boost needed for the run back to town!