The proof is in the pictures. We've come so far clearing this patio!

A hardy bunch of GG Yorkies assembled to help out the annual Brass Monkey half marathon race once again. Various roles were covered including marshalling and manning the water stations. One not so hardy GG-er (me) was nice and dry as I was on baggage duty for the first time and it was great fun! There were several GG folk running and lots of familiar faces from other local running clubs. Well done to everyone for doing a great job out in the rain this morning - your support was very much appreciated by all the runners.

Back to Danesmead Wood to try and finish the path. It was a but wet but the five of us made good inroads into the pile of woodchip and ensure the path was refreshed. We then had a cuppa and a snack and headed off to get dry.

As a patch of the Memorial Garden was looking bare and the saplings were struggling a different approach is being trialled using donated trees. The instructions included digging big holes, breaking through the clay layer with a big pole, adding various soil improvers (compost, rabbit poo, egg shells & biochar), tucking the trees in with a layer of mulch, hammering stakes & attaching recycled guards. There were lovely sounds of laughter and chatter as the glorious GoodGymers got on with the task alongside some Treemendous folk.

The session ended admiring Lucy's pond and Leanne educating us in Kula hygiene aids over hot drinks & cakes.

Despite the wet start to the day 8 of us met at the Tiny Forest. Once allocated our tasks we swiftly set to work. Old plastic tree guard debris was litter picked then hole digging and poling began. The secret mulch stash was acquired by our brave & fearless party venturing deep into the wild wood, Mitch left a trail of mulch crumbs to save him & his crew from the witch & the gingerbread house deep in the woods...

There was plenty of shovelling & barrowing action to transport the mulch to the Tiny Forest. Once there it was hauled & spread amongst the tiny trees. It should suppress the pesky weeds and keep the roots happy, whilst jam tarts kept us happy - thankyou Rich.

I think I've sobered up enough to write this report... Today I learned a lot about spoons, Pencil Museums and the addictiveness of litter picking. At this point in January I don't think anyone bothers to read these reports so I'm just going to waffle on a bit... yaddy yaddy yadda... after so much litter picking throughout this month theres nothing more to say... Leanne recommended you simply refer to the picture. THE END