It was a thirsty Saturday afternoon for GoodGymers, with the scorching sun high in the sky. When visitors from Ealing, Sevan and Kash, rang Mr C's doorbell, they were greeted with a level of hospitality they weren't used to.

"Hello. Thank you for coming. Would you like a drink?" - Mr C.
"Yes, sure." - Sevan.
"Gin & tonic?"
"No, thank you."
"Oh, no gin & tonic?"
"No, really, water is enough."

The Ealing GoodGymers didn't want to feel too much like they were on holiday in Kingston ahead of the job to do. And the job was significant. While Mr C had been unwell and unable to walk, his front garden started to resemble a jungle! He was slowly getting better and began to feel more stable on his feet, but he still needed support to cut bushes and a hedge which were potential trip hazards on the way to his front door. The good thing about the garden jungle was that the only predators there were Sevan and Kash. If only they had better tools they'd be far more deadly for the naughty branches!

Sevan, who worked on the front of the hedge, chose a pair of quality secateurs Mr C had never used before - that's how fine they were! Kash, after realising that the loppers she had picked were not as sharp as she'd expected, opted for the other secateurs that Sevan had abandoned. She was clearing everything on the other side of the hedge: bushes, weeds, ivy, sycamore saplings, you name it. Nothing was safe.

"Look, there's a little oak tree here." - Sevan.
"I saw. I'm going to take it out with the fork when I finish bagging those cuttings." - Kash.

Before Kash finished packing the trimmings, Mr C appeared and told the GoodGymers to keep the oak sapling as he wanted to grow it and plant it elsewhere. He had no way of hearing the earlier conversation because of his severe hearing impairment. Has he had a premonition? Good for the oak tree!

Two GoodGymers removed the trip hazards and got the hedge into a better shape. They've also run out of the black bags to pack the rest of the garden waste. Mr C estimated about 30 minutes of remaining work he thought he might ask GoodGym about or handle himself once he recovers. Today's session definitely made a difference and Mr C was thankful for the support he received.