Our second week returning to St. Paul's Community Hall, how much of the railings can we complete this time, and with a bigger group?

Our numbers had doubled, but we were limited to paint holders..... We could also feel the light slipping from our fingers into darkness matching the paint in our pots.

Michael continued with “encouragement”, whether asked for or not.....

We’ve Got This

Everyone had their own way, Su, Darren and Julian working like the limbs of an octopus. Neda, Natasha and Adam getting down to work, taking it seriously...

It’s nice to paint something different>

Jonathan and Dylan the lyricist got to great work, they were our two pros from the week before, making easy work of the painting. And finally..... Our later arrival, Dylan the dabber!

We managed a good amount of painting, we even painted part of the floor! There was talk of holidays, music from our very own goodgym band, and the upcoming half marathon.

Go goodgym Go

The countdown began, was extended, and then some more. Until, the paint had been used from all our pots.

we’re not leaving until you’ve finished you’re pots>

As we headed back to the start location we agreed our plans for the cheer points for Sunday’s half marathon.

See you all on Sunday, and then next week (session here)

On an unexpected sunny evening we made our way to help Stargarallot, soon the light will be leaving us much earlier so lets enjoy it whilst we can. 3 goodgymers tonight, working like a group of 30.

Our tasks were, clearing as many raised beds as possible in out allotted time. Covering the soil with some donated cardboard to suppress any new growth, and feed the worms. Challenge accepted.

We got to work, Michael taking a few photos before getting gloved up and hands on also. We made our way through 3 beds, 3 wheelbarrows of waste to become compost, plenty of cardboard and many many smiles and fun.

10 goodgymers tonight hitting the street and taking on the call of help for another local community group. Forget me Not cafe is a wonderful group that meets, using the space of St Edwards Church in Roath. Their mission,

"We provide a friendly and welcoming environment, suitable for people with memory problems and their carers also people recovering from a stroke or people who feel isolated and vulnerable"

Over the years they have developed a raised growing section at the front, a wild meadow to the back and some (finally fruiting) fruit trees. It’s been an absolute pleasure to do good alongside this beautiful group who take time out to help and inspire. When we had the call to help with the grounds, there was no way to say no. 10 eager goodgymers made their way to help, we cut back to clear the street, we mowed to encourage new wild flowers and we attacked the bindweed...... The one weed to bind us all!

Great to welcome back Will...

CROESO

Tonights tasks..... Listed in no order of importance.

Mow the meadow Cut back encroaching plants on the public path Cut back all brambles Remove the forget me knots from the wood chip path Untangle the bindweed currently destroying plants

Six bags of green waste and we are done.

Buddleia cutting coming soon, in the rainy season.... We’ve seeded some clover and hope that we see something pop up next year, but you never know with q wild meadow.

At last some rain to clear the air, it was lovely to run in after the heat of the past few weeks. A mix of cyclists and runners today as we returned to Global Gardens for some tidying up of the children's play area.

Our route was a nice 5km tonight, and even with the rain still quite a warm one. There were some hills up and down for an extra bit of workout for our legs.

The jobs at Global Gardens tonight were,

• Tidying up the mud kitchen from the overgrown greenery
• Battling the bindweed around the storytelling seating
• Cutting back brambles and nettles from underneath the net seat
• Opening up some space around the young plum tree

Straight to work tonight (after a plum from the old established plum tree), determined to make a mark tidy up those areas for the children to use on their next visit, and get some good before and after photos. Our determination paid off as we came to the end of our 30 minutes volunteering, the rain had stayed off for most of the time and we have managed to clear a smashing amount of space. Some quick photos and it was time to head back to town for a proper catch up.

Join us next week as we visit our friends at 'Forget me not Cafe'.

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