The return to Urban Green Up

Following on from last week we returned and once more double gloved we carried on where we left off last week - the nettles were very much depleted after last weeks task and we took on other tall unwanted plants uncovering more and more smaller plants and some flowers. Elaine, as always, was on hand for plant identification when we were unsure. Bags of litter were picked up and in amongst the plants lay a broken toy guitar an echo of last week's pun perhaps.

By the end of the task the site looked transformed by our two sessions - many hands make light work

And talking of light - Being near to November the 5th there were a lot of fireworks to be seen and heard but the bright sparks working at Urban Green Up were the best show of all. Some people stopped to find out about us gardening at night with torches. Its all in a Goodgymmer's Monday night of course.

Thank you Elaine for having us.

3 runners met on Hope Street to embark upon a 2 mile run to Lark Lane, where we were met by Helen from Lake Lane Neighbourhood Association and 3 more goodgymmers.

Armed with pickers and hoops we set of into the night to clean up the Lane. At first it appeared that there wasn't too much litter, but, before long we realised our bags were getting heavy and we had, in fact, managed to gather six full bags!

Find of the night goes to Jo who happened upon a whole bakewell tart!

Sadly, having not bought bakewell tarts of our own, we left hungry but satisfied with a job well done. Brilliant work from everyone to leave the streets of Liverpool that bit neater and tidier.

This evening was a first of a two part task.

We were faced with a forest of nettles that needed to be liberated to the weed pile in order that other plants could breathe and see the light. Even the path was obscured by them in some parts.

On the outskirts of the plot on the pavement was a significant amount of leaves which if left would have ended up a slippery mess in the next rainfall.

So we set to it with brushes loppers spades and all double gloved (thank you Elaine for the loan of marigolds to put under our gardening gloves).

The nights have drawn in and we worked under torch light - it feels a very warm feeling to see glows of lights and hear the chat of Goodgymmers we can brighten any dark night I reckon.

Jake was on form tonight coming up with tonights pun and managed to get another one in as he was sweeping the leaves up - saying 'Leaf me to it'. (And a huge well done for 40 tasks completed Jake)

We managed to clear the path and a significant about of nettles uncovering many smaller bushes and plants that will have the space and light to grow now and a ladybird!

We will be back for part 2 next week

Ran-walked about 5 miles to Miss L's house who needed some help in tidying up her garden as she has quite severely hurt her back. We watched a u-tu video to get the strimmer working, learnt something new about strimmer wire winding. Yay and we got it working, more Miss L than me!

So started on the front garden, with a few bumps and reusing my new skill of winding up strimmer wire up and got through 2 rounds of strimming the front lawn when the wire ran out and refused to stay with my new wind wiring skills!

Therefore after 3 bags of greenery raked from Miss L's front garden it looked a bit better but a bit uneven! Hopefully can go back to resolve the unevenness.

Went over to Mrs D. to tidy up the garden and have a lovely cuppa!

Mrs D has difficulty in her nerve endings in her feet so can't tend to the garden. The garden just needed some bushes pruning, weeds pulling and brushing to sweep up the autumn leaves. Plus the gathering of multiple footballs from the football pitches behind Mrs D garden.

After a couple bags of greenery were filled, we stopped for a cuppa tea and biscuit to natter about the places Mrs D used to live and the history on her road and family. Definitely love to go back and natter some more.

After completing some weeding at the docks for the Liverpool Famine trail, I ran through some locks to Miss M's garden. Miss M needed some help tidying up the garden with the lawn mower. After some use of arm muscles, that I do not have, I got the diesel lawn mover working, Good-gym is not just a gym for the legs! I got into the rhythm of the diesel engine and wind-chimes in Miss M garden and filled the green bin.

Miss M was happy with result and she gave me a little bear hug ornament which I accepted unwittingly as it was soo cute, not knowing it had money hiding in the back! Oooppss donated it back and will be used for team equipment or something nice for Liverpool GG. Thank you Miss M.

I was a bit unfit after 5 miles and 2 tasks that I got the train home and to my surprise from the window I could see Miss M. garden looking quite tidy from a far!