Following the excitement of the pontoon restoration project and the drama of the near miss with the magnolia paint, it was a calmer affair at Cody Dock yesterday with watering being the main task for the evening. Although it’s cooled down a bit since the heat waves of August, the recent dry weather meant that the assorted vegetation around the gardens was in need of refreshment. Kiran, Graham, Phoebe, Sharon and Kevin tackled the bigger section on the east side of the dock, which includes the permaculture garden. “But what is permaculture?” everyone has been thinking, but possibly too afraid to ask… The purpose of permaculture is to allow plants to flourish as they would in the natural environment, and this means that wildflowers can spread and provide a habitat for birds, bees and other small mammals. Basically a bit of rewilding and the creation of an ecosystem that allows native species to thrive. Elsewhere, me and Rosa covered the sensory garden, the polytunnels and the dry garden (yes, this did definitely need some water, we double checked). We were pleased to hear that Cody Dock won a couple of awards in the London in Bloom campaign, recognising all their efforts with local volunteers and businesses to improve biodiversity and green space in the area, very well deserved!

The other main task was to bask in the glory of the completion of the Pochee Pontoon, which we’d worked on restoring during our visits over the last month or so. Although it was a bit dark by the time we got on to this and we were inspecting the finished pontoon from the other end of the dock, it did appear to be ‘all white’ and indeed floating as required for the Dock’s brickwork project. Basia had very kindly brought some bubbles and biscuits (we learnt that Bourbons are vegan, who knew?) to celebrate as we kept the evening chill off round a fire pit, made from the drum of a discarded washing machine (obviously).

We’re back again next Tuesday to make a start on some bench restorations and then this evening will see the continuation of the ‘Newham Hamlets’ boundary merger over at Malmesbury Primary, look forward to seeing some of you folks there.