As Autumn approaches, 10 goodgymers take the opportunity for one last task before the need of running lamps.

Walkers and runners met at the Glassworks and took two different routes to the task. Whilst the cyclists met us directly there.

Tonight was a return to St. Paul's Church and community centre, to help finish the tidy and trim, with a little bit of painting thrown in for good measure.

The runners were the first to arrive, so they had pick of the tasks. Dylan, Darcey and Jonathan were our keen choppers, taking on the tasks of removing all growth from the in front of the railings.

Soon, joined by our cyclists and still 5 minutes early, Dylan and Rosie made their way over to clean up the sides of the building. Although completed 4 weeks previous, by goodgym, the recent rain had brought down a lot of moss and vegetation from the roofs.

Bang on time, the walking group arrived. Emma and Martin joined Michael to help cut down some of the cut bush even smaller to make more room in the green bin. Neda and Su went straight to painting....

Just like the Forth Bridge, the railings here seem to be a never ending painting job...... But we don't mind. Unusually, we managed to find a gate that we have never painted, so this was the focus for the painting team. Emma and Martin joined to increase numbers, and it became a task that we had to complete.

Highlights of the evening, Darcey giving tree vibes with her branches, Dylan and his blooper moment as he became the bush he was cutting (it fell on his head) and of course Jonathan and his pure joy of getting his flag photo that he thought we were only doing when he didn't attend.... As if we'd do that.

Tonight's tasks were all completed to the soundtracks from the new Zumba group in the hall, along with many whoops and yeahs. Who knew Zumba was still going strong?

We went over the allocated time slightly, finishing all tasks at 19:40, with just enough time for a photo (minus Rosie). Jonathan finally got his picture with the flag... Twice.

What time is it?

It's goodgym TIME

At our usual start location of the Glassworks, we met walkers and joggers alike. We gave a great BIG goodgym welcome to our newest member - Mel. Glad that you could make it along.

CROESO

3 cyclists, 5 meeting us there, 2 walkers and 4 runners in total making a good 14 volunteers ready to help the SAMYE foundation once again. It's always a pleasure to return to this charity, one of our originals from the days that we started up in Cardiff.

Today, there was an extra suprise and our mascot for the task - ROSIE.

As per, there was a whiteboard list waiting for us when we arrived, and whilst everyone (mostly Jonathan) were busy with the dog, Michael had a quick walk around with Lorraine to see the big jobs.

On the list for tonight was,

• Hammer a drawer front back on in the Dolma flat.
• Saw the curtain poles to size in the Tara room.
• Clean building 252 - mop the floor, clean the bannisters.
• Put a pick axe together - brand new from the box.
• Sweep under the gazebo and collect all of the leaves and soil that have fallen.
• Weed around the doors in the front.
• move the chair and table in able to turn over the rug in the counciling room.
• Finally - the BIG JOB, dig up the large daisies, lavender, rosemary plants that have spread too much in the back garden.

Plenty to be getting on with, so lets split up and get to it.

David went straight to sorting out the drawer, Jonathan wanted nothing but the saw.

Mel and Neda got gloved up and were after all of the leaves.

Dylan and Rosie got to cleaning those doorways.

Turn around, Michael and Jenny. It was rug time.

Llion and Dylan were on cleaning duties, quietly due to sessions going on.

David then joined Lucy, Darren and Emily for the pick axe session out back. First to break down the roots, so that the spades and forks could be used to try and dig out as much as possible.

There was even a bit of extra time for Jenny & Llion to weed the vegetable beds and find some potatoes.

Before we knew it it was time to down tools and head inside for a treat of home made soup from Lorraine. Will the dog be here next time we visit? You'll have to join us to see....

Another hot hot evening for the goodgymers of Cardiff. We welcomed our first timer to the mix....

CROESO

Welcome Abdullah, we are very pleased to have you on a task with us tonight.

It was a mixed group of joggers, walkers and cyclists for the journey, but all on the same route direct through the beautiful park and up to the cricket ground changing rooms. The only tap, and in direct sunshine....

So to our task for the evening, to fill the four bowsers (40 litres in each), run them 300m to the Orchard, empty the water into watering cans (some heavy lifting required), rinse and repeat.........

We were also joined by some of the orchard volunteers, some helped us with the watering whilst others went off for some wild seed collecting - some yellow rattle had been spotted so they were on the job to collect as much as possible for use at the orchard this winter to help us keep some of the grass under control so that our wildflower meadows could be expanded.

First job was at the tap where we all gathered, we filled the four bowsers and 6 watering cans and made our way to the Orchard. There were a few water works, some unfortunate drips and a moistened short crotch (sorry Jonathan).....thankfully it's hot enough to dry off fast!

Before we even got started there was time to stop and watch a cluster of dragonflies that were feeding at the orchard, just ask Michael he has a lot of videos of them....

Time to get tasking

Abdullah, Jonathan, Rosie, Darcey & Dylan were all on can duty, and what beautiful cans they were.

Aaron, Michael & Nathan were on bowser patrol, along with one of the orchard volunteers and even the lovely Mel that leads the orchard. In total it was 7 trips to the tap for each bowser = 2.1 km each. Add on the 40 kg of water for each of the 4 trips full, and thats an impressive 160 kg of weight per bowser....

What a workout!

In total we went through 610 litres of water, helping to keep our trees going, which in turn is having an amazing effect on the wildlife in the area. We have seen a noticeable increase in butterflies, moths, and bees. We have had green woodpeckers nesting, seen many a dragonfly and the occasional Jay and Tawny Owl.

It's such a pleasure to see the Community Orchard get stronger and bigger every year.