We enjoyed the festive fun at this Christmas fair. I welcomed visitors and pointed excited children towards Santa's grotto, while Dave managed the raffle where there were so many great prizes including a lot of kitchen ware. At the end, we helped give out the prizes, then cleared away the tables and chairs in record time.

We joined a group of local volunteers to clear litter from the station platforms; through the railway fencing; and in the adjacent streets.

Just one hour later and we'd filled multiple sacks and the area was a more pleasant environment for the Hilsea train travellers.

As usual on our trips to the synagogue, Barbara had found plenty of tasks to complete keep us busy.

The boys got stuck in with sanding, dusting and glossing a table that was in need of some TLC. Meanwhile, Henry Hoover was in demand, with the Katies in the main chapel and up and down the staircases. Sinéad and Sammy were kept busy in the kitchen corridor with some clearing, cleaning and dusting.

We also enjoyed some mince pies, provided by Sam, and received a lovely Christmas Card and some goodies from Barbara and her team.

Today's gardening task was a big one! It was WOMAN vs. WEEDS, and I think it's safe to say that they'd been there a while...

Approximately 30 potted plants were also tidied up, lots of soggy rubbish removed, rampant vines cut back, a tidy garden tool basket created, and 2 bags of garden pebbles distributed as ground cover.

After the transformation, Mrs. F joined me on the garden stoop to admire the result which was a nice reward in itself to see.

After Mrs F had a fall from her toilet due to a broken hinge it was time for a new throne seat.

I took the old seat off, even though the remaining hinge was hanging in for dear life. Then fitted the new seat and checked it was all set for Mrs F.

Thank you to our lovely team of GoodGymers for helping out with a bit of an odd task this week!

Part 1 was an adventure into our loft to bring down some old CD racks that are being transformed into planters for a local charity. Dave and Andy seemed to have some pent-up rage as they ripped off the backs with their bare hands!

We then walked the racks in a rather unusual convoy through the streets of Buckland, then set them in place and started loading them with compost ready for planting in spring.

As we were finished in plenty of time, we tidied the shed and had a little basketball challenge. Dave also tested out the pirate ship slide and declared it a good experience, "except for my spine". That is certainly a review from someone creeping closer to 40!!