It was more kitty then snippy at the start of our monthly session with HANGOT today. As we walked the tools from HANGOT's base to Osterley Lock Orchard, Steph and Andrew found a cat owner in distress. The pair helped the owner get back onto their bike and later, Melissa saw the cat and the human lazing by the canal 😺.

When the team got to the orchard, everything had shot upwards since their last visit 4 months ago and the ground was covered with nettles and brambles. Those needed to be cleared from around the trees and at the back, there was a damaged plum tree to take care of too.

Steph and Andrew went straight for the log moving task at the plum tree. It turned out to be some big branches that needed to be cut down to size and moved to the compost heap. With the help of some HANGOT saws, the dead wood and weeds were cleared and the tree patched up, with the hope that the tree will recover and continue to give fruit.

Melissa, Scott and Sevan roamed around the rest of the orchard, clearing rings around each of the fruit trees. They chopped, they raked and they moved the brambles, nettles and other weeds to the compost pile, completing their work on most of the fruit trees. Cutting away the rival plants meant that the trees could take all of the nutrients and rain (if there'll be any) that they needed from the soil, instead of having to share it with the growing blackberries.

Today was the last session for long time HANGOT leaders Mirjam and Frank who are moving out of the area. Mirjam was the task owner when GoodGym Ealing were introduced to the group and they've influenced how HANGOT has developed and thrived. The relationship with GoodGym was handed over to another HANGOT member, Clive, a few months ago and new leaders are now in place, but Mirjam and Frank's departure marks a changing of the guard at the orchards.

As it happened, the person who founded HANGOT 11 years ago came back to volunteer at today's session. As she and Clive caught up about the many changes and moments of luck and difficulty over the years, Clive was heard to say:

"We couldn't have kept going without GoodGym."

...and he said it because he believed it. Not because Sevan was sitting next to him.

Back to a familiar house and person : I had several session about a year ago at Ms M. The back garden needed attention. I got the mower but it was missing the grass collection bag and Ms M said it was broken/missing. This meant I would be splashing my legs with grass etc and mainly dust as very dry due to the sunny weather. I collected all the rubbish before mowing(half a bag full of rubbish. Then yes, my legs were sprayed with grass, smalls stones and loads of dust. I trimmed the tree and removed the bramble from the garden. All the weed in the side entrance and on the terrace removed completely. Once all packed, i moved my socks down and thought nice tan Steph, but no it was dust!! I left to stop and a local store that I know to get a drink found some frozen 500ml water bottles - ice ice cold drinks!!

I arrived at Ms S after a short run(5km) from a morning community mission. Ms S led me through the house to the back garden. A family member came during the week to start the crusade against the bramble and weed. The crusade was on again this afternoon and cleared all the brambles(dry and fresh), plus the bine weed and trimmed the tree coming from outside her garden. Found loads of different balls, but Ms S does not know where they are coming from. Once I cleared the area, found poles and plastic bits of a gazebo. Ms S came several time with an ice cold jug to fill my 500ml poach as it was super hot - enjoyed the ice cold water. Bagged 7 bags and 2 containers of bad weed.

Another coaching session with Mr T my 2nd coach. Over a month with him. Running to and from his place, Stay fit do good

It was a relief that the new oven was up and running today. In spite of the heat, Ealing Soup Kitchen’s clients much prefer a hot meal. Manager Angela was today’s chef and she cooked a Caribbean special of stewed peas with ox tail and rice. Vegetarian option was also popular and ran out which is unusual. I was on serving duties and kept busy with a constant flow of clients - all wanting their food and a seemingly endless supply of cold drinks. I always enjoy serving as I get a chance to chat to the regulars - and meet the new clients.

It was another hot one today but that didn’t deter the clients from lining up for tea and coffee. And a lot must have missed breakfast as there was a big demand for breakfast cereal. Such a demand that we thought we had run out of milk at one point - but one of the resourceful supervisors had stashed a secret supply! Slushies were also a great idea.