Storm Herminia cut our workforce in half but three GoodGymers still came out to help the volunteers at Sydney Gardens. Dave, Meyrick and Ruth started with a group run from the Leisure Centre - actually it was more of a leisurely walk but, hopefully, we managed to clock up a mile or so for the January Challenge.

Jane Austen once walked the paths of Sydney Gardens - she lived close by and attended promenades and other events in the park. So when GoodGym turn up to help restore the grade II listed space, they stand in solidarity with the author.

Today however the pleasure gardens weren't quite so pleasant, given the appalling weather. We had actually been due to move (heaven and) earth to fill in a rather large dip in the ground but rain stopped play.

Instead, we were given the job of helping the regular volunteers clear topsoil and vegetation with a view to creating a path next to the railway. Network Rail has recently installed some fencing next to the track to make it safer and Gill, the organiser, wanted to extend a walk alongside.

She pointed out what looked like a recess for a bench for visitors to enjoy the view and watch the trains go by. Who knows? Perhaps the esteemed author sat there once.

Spades, forks, colourful buckets and wheelbarrows were brought in to tackle the piles of soil and brush. You might say, "What on earth were we doing to take it on in the downpour?" But that's GoodGym for you!

We managed to make quite an impact during our session - although more work is needed to see if the famous writer's footprints will be revealed. (Spoiler alert - very unlikely!)

We work in partnership with the Friends of Sydney Gardens on every fourth Sunday of the month, and love doing so. Last week we had an urgent request for help, with days to gather some GoodGymmers.

As it turned out, there were 1,000 tulip bulbs and they needed planting very quickly. In fact, my lack of knowledge or horticulture showing here, it was technically aleady too late as they ought to have been planted last November time. I'm guessing they didn't arrive in time for that and it turns out a late planting won't stop them growing, they just might be a little late.

Despite the short notice, GoodGymmers Alice and Meyrick were able to make it and we joined their regular team of volunteers. First task was to dig holes, and despite the freezing weather this was much easier than we'd thought. In fact the main frustration were stones and roots, but we dug ourselves some good holes.

By the time we left, our GoodGym holes added to their holes was enough to consume all 1,000 bulbs. With any luck, when we return in late spring we will be able to see the fruits of our labour.

Almost Christmas Eve, yet GoodGym were still at work, like Santa's Elves. Sydney Gardens is going to see a lot more activity from GoodGym in 2025 but as it was, this was more of a winter whimper, the weather also impacting attendance.

I myself was not there, as I was ill, but to the best of my knowledge Cos was, helping the team of volunteers that meets once a month on the fourth Sunday.

On Sunday morning, in the remnants of Storm Darragh, a lone GoodGymmer strode forth. The plan had been to help them plant 1,000 bulbs. However, they didn't have enough gear for this so I was relegated to a quieter corner of the park to work alone.

The task? To dig a hole near the entrance to one of the grottoes where we had previously cleared the foliage. This wasn't s pointless job though, there were two reasons for the digging. Firstly, they need to dig down to clear the entrance way of earth, as the stairs and entrance to the grottoes are under a good 100 years of gathered topsoil. Secondly, there is a need for some topsoil to fill in some 'dents' in the topography.

I managed a reasonably pile in the hour I had, but the Earth was thick with roots and rocks, so wasn't easy to break up.

It may have been (very) soggy but that wasn't going to stop four hardy GoodGymmers from helping out at Sydney Gardens.

Two big dumpy sacks of play sand had been delivered to nearby* the children's water and sand playground which was strangely devoid of actual children. Which gave GoodGym a perfect opportunity to be big kids!

The luxury of three wheelbarrows meant we quickly split i to roles of loaders (Felicia and Melanie), barrower (Cosmo) and raker (Evie) all trying to keep up with everyone else. At times the rain eased off but kept coming back with a vengeance.

We managed to shift close to the whole two bags but prioritised channel clearing at the end of our session to try to free some of the water that should cascade down through the playground rather than just making a series if huge puddles, so shovelling and trowelling wet sand was our toddler-like finale - great work!

Now to dry out...

*not quite near enough

Our visits to Sydney Gardens have increased in frequency this year, and since it is such a beautiful location we are all the better for it.

Sunday saw 4 dedicate GoodGymmers rock up to help once more clearing the foliage away from the two secret grottos. Now these were created in pre-victorian times - a natural reservoir collecting water from the hill was covered over with a dome, into which two entrances still exist. Their plan is to clear these entrances in order that visitors can gaze excitedly in to the 'dungeons and dragons' style caverns within.

Shout out to GoodGym Bristol as joining Bath stalwarts Cosmo and Meyrick were Bristol Area Activator Melanie and Richard; Richard of course joined us some weeks ago to help paint a pavilion in Batheaston.

Today's job was to clear more foliage, there is still much remaining. Long term, they plan to clear the rubble that has collected around these portals to the underworld but the first task is clearing a safe way to them.

We made quick work, with some excellent assistance when needed from the local pack of volunteers. There is still more to do so expect a return, and I can't wait to see what these look like when the task is completed.