Our second successful task at the local community orchard in Cardiff.

Welcome to our first timers, Jenny and Mhairi.

CROESO

And back for more, on their second return task Darcey (and the orchard again.... do you have a favourite task already?).

Our groups tonight had walkers Michael, Jenny, Rosie, Dylan and Dylan.

Runners Mhairi, David, Darren, Darcey, Aaron and Emily.

And on the cycle..... Lew.

With very little rain in the recent months we needed to help out the trees in the orchard. With some only recently planted (this year), they are much more vulnerable to droughts.

Unfortunately other community spaces in Cathays and Bute Park have had 30-40% of their newly planted trees die this year due to drought conditions.

GoodGym are not going to let this happen to the orchard!

A great team effort watering a lot of trees. We had our extra workout rolling the bowsers to the tsp and back, then team spout got to the watering cans. We managed all the trees tonight, and then had a wildflower spotting session with the wonderful Bodge.

On a glorious day in the sunshine, goodgymers got together for the long overdue task of Orchard watering..

The community orchard in Bute park was in need of a good slosh o' water. After heatwave after heatwave, those trees were rattling the fences for us to come in.

Due to all of the events in the parks recently.... The orchard had to be fenced off for its own safety. This had meant a cancelled water session last time, but no more. Finally as the people of Cardiff get their parks back, goodgym can get to the orchard.

We met at Glassworks as usual, and welcomed our first timer Darcey..

CROESO

We set off on our run, a light jog due to the heat.. A slight detour due to the get out for the events crew as they disassembled the monstrosity of the stage and walls, but we made it to the orchard gates. Our organiser, Mel messaged to say she was running a little late so we got comfortable in the shade relaxing after our run.

David decided to try to break the code for the gate lock, but with no success.

As Mel arrived, on her bike with 2 water browsers and a watering can (Michael had run with 2 from his allotment), it was time to get into the orchard to get volunteering.

There are over 60 trees in the orchard, so our task was a big one tonight, the plan of action was simple....

• fill up the 2 browsers (60 litres each)
• decant water to the cans
• give each tree 1 FULL can of water

We rotated, giving everyone time for a different workout. Running back and forth to fill up the browsers, they were quite a workout on their own once full, but fun to roll. Lifting and pouring the water into the watering cans, a great upper body workout. And last, but by no means least, running to water the trees.

We were even lucky enough to see a green spotted woodpecker, but not in time for Jonathan to get it on the merlin app.... Maybe next time...

Speaking of which, we will return in 2 weeks for another watering session as we head into a big ol heatwave....

Join us won't you.....

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