The hayfever was RAGING this evening but we are STRONG!!

This evening we headed back to OXSRAD, but this time for an outside task. As part of their general spruce up, attention has now turned to the garden and access paths. The wheelchair access paths were getting quite overgrown and picnic tables in the community garden needed sanding ready for repainting.

Armed with shovels, trowels, a broom and an electric sander we made short work of our tasks and left the area looking a lot tidier than when we arrived. GREAT WORK TEAM!!

Some of us then headed into the evening for a magical mystery exploration of Oxford's footpaths and nature reserves.

Welcome to Goodgym Maruf, we hope to see you again soon!

After an 11th hour cancellation of our planned task (thanks to the task owner getting a wasp sting to the face) we headed to Marston Forest Garden instead.

The warm spring has had grass, goose grass, michaelmas daisies etc springing up and swamping the fruit trees, so we were on a mission to clear some of that and give the trees and shrubs room to breathe. We carefully worked around goji berries, seabuckthorn, plum trees and more, avoiding the Nepalese raspberries and wild strawberries. An hour made a big difference, so a good alternative task for a sunny evening!

Lovely to have a London visitor in the form of Kash.

Well done for reaching 100 Good Deeds Fred - superstar!

What a glorious morning!

Thank you to everyone who cane to the Blenheim jaunt.

We started in the town square and encountered some very mean boy ducks and did some excellent people watching. We them set off around Blenheim Palace park stopping to admire sheep and lambs, avoid some very protective goose parents and their fluffy babies and also to get our breath back at the top of the big hill!

The routes were planned to perfection (yes I'm feeling smug about that!) and we regrouped in the square before having our all important post-run refreshments.

It seems that we even managed to tire out coach Rosie!!

I'll be planning some more social run/walk sessions over the summer. Keep your eyes peeled!

We LOVE a scything session!!

The weather was perfect last night for a meander through the Eyot and a spot of cleaning and clearing. After meeting Charlie and having a reminder of the safest way to carry and use the scythes, we strolled to the area that needed attention. Aston's Eyot has a lot of clearings which often get over grown by nettles. This prevents any other flora and fauna from getting established. After splitting into team-scythe and team-rake we got to work. Accompanied by the sounds of the "bumping" boat races and the sassy announcer (very stereotypical Oxford) we made short work of a large parch of nettles and lopped some low hanging branches for safety and to let more light in. It was a delightful task, full of chat about running, books, bakeries and hearing about adventures to New Zealand and Canada from Becky and Ellie!

Thank you for the report title Joe!