To Be Frank

Under grey skies, in orange trainers, Sean met up with Neda on Fairwater Green. It was Neda's first ever mission - Croeso i Goodgym Caerdydd! Welcome to Cardiff Goodgym, Neda!

They got acquainted as they walked to Mrs V's house. A knock-knock on the door was answered with a woof-woof on the other side, before a smiling Mrs V appeared.

Around the back of the house, Mrs V introduced Neda and Sean to Frank. A gentle giant, his big kind eyes told of sincere happiness brought by the sight of two new play companions. They gave him a fuss as Mrs V outlined their tasks.

Ill health and recent circumstances meant Mrs V's garden needed some urgent TLC: weeding the side path, tidying up plant pots, pruning some saplings, removing nettles and brambles, plus some ad hoc tasks, too.

A good range of equipment was laid out. The strimmer, though, needed it's wire rethread before use.

Politely Playful

While Sean faffed around with the strimmer wire, Neda got stuck right in like a natural born Goodgymmer. She meticulously weeded the side path of the house. While doing so, she unearthed a ball and simultaneously played fetch with Frank.

Adorably Confused

Sean admitted defeat to the strimmer and turned to the assortment of pots dotted about the garden. One-by-one he cleared out the weeds and retained the desirable plants.

Sean unearthed an odd shaped object. "One of Frank's bones" said Mrs V, "you can pop it in the green bin" she advised. Sean did so and put the pot down with the others. Poor old Frank began pawing at the earth. He looked up at Sean and Mrs V with a puzzled look, which brought a smile to their faces.

As Frank continued to forlorn search, Neda and Sean continued working, pruning back the small trees along the fence using loppers and shears.

At this point, Mrs V provided the volunteers with a hot cuppa. They all paused to chat about the work of Goodgym and Mrs V's recent experiences.

A Different Kind of Rock

Onto the next section, and again Neda dived in, impressively pulling up the bushy nettles - roots and all. Despite wearing a good pair of gloves, she suffered a few stings for her committed efforts.

Learning from past experience, Sean wisely opted to attack the brambles and nettles with the loppers. Not learning from past experience, he stupidly wore shorts and picked up a few stings on the leg.

Mrs V had earlier warned that she'd spotted the odd rat in her garden. Sure enough, Neda discovered a few rat holes going under the fence. As a solution, she filled up the holes with some rocks.

Talking of rocks, it was clear Frank's companionship is Mrs V's rock. A consistent, calming presence amongst the choppy trials and tribulations of life. If only everyone had a Frank, then there'd be a great deal more gentle kindness in the world (He gets my nomination as the new UN Chief Peace Envoy).

Putting the Mission to Bed

A security camera needed reattaching to the bracket on the wall. Boosted by a big plant pot, Sean was able to reach a refit the device.

Frank's stinky, rain-soaked old bed needed to go in the black bin. It did so, but only with a great deal of squishing with the end of a garden hoe. Cue more confused looks from Frank.

Neda had done well to clear up loose cuttings as she worked, so much of the tidy up was to rake up Sean's

They moved the green and black wheelie bins to the front of the property. Easier said than done with a curious pooch plodding around - Sean had to distract Frank with a game of fetch to ensure he didn't follow Neda through the open door. Mrs V noted that he didn't want to see us leave.

Goodbyes

Frank lay down, resigned to the exit of his two new friends. Following a goodbye chat with Mrs V, and a final fuss over Frank, Neda and Sean departed to catch the bus home.

The golden tones of autumn may fade, but for Sean and Neda, the experience of Frank and Mrs V's warm company endures.