Southville Ward have opted out en masse from the Bristol Waste glyphosate "opportunities" so are choosing the weed by hand rather than obliterate the gutters and gaps on their roads. Many of the roads have group of residents able and willing to help with this initiative but some are struggling so GoodGym Bristol jumped at the chance to help out. Even though it was blisteringly hot.

With walkers from Workout and others meeting us at the task, we were soon hard at it (well, gently and calmly dissuading the weeds from their temporary locations) with scrapers, hackers, slicers and brooms all playing their part. In the shade.

With frequent swaps and slops (of water to drink), we soon moved from Warden Road across to Church Lane, by some sheltered housing and private housing. So much grass, dandelions, other-weeds-we-don't-know-the-names-of and a few stones/rocks. Honestly, only a few rocks. They just felt extra heavy in the heat.

With a final sweep (both visually and physically), we were on our way with a secret stop/mutiny to ASDAl's frozen treats aisle to choose a pack of 4 fake Cornettos in mint and another 4 in salted caramel, the wrappers were off as soon as the "Your Payment is Approved" banner appeared on the screen. With only 6 of us eating the ice-creams we than had the surprisingly difficult task of giving away two Cornetto-equivalents - one to a now-happier security guard and the other to the SIXTH person we tried - how is Bristol not snapping up the offer of a free Cornetto?

Fingers crossed for a cooler one next week, off to Hebron Burial Ground with it's extremes-of-weather reputation...

On top of the usual maintenance tasks at the berry maze, we managed to dig out an old fence post that had snapped at the base, and postcrete a new post in. everyone chipped in as we took turns with a challenging dig. Great work everybody! thank you and see you again for the next session

A grave day for brambles when GoodGym comes to town. What are we doing today, Brain? The same thing we do every week, Pinky! Armed with our usual plethora of tools we snipped, whacked and nibbled away at the undergrowth at Hebron Burial Ground. There was important cat business to be had and a myriad of topics to discuss. Snail orgy anyone?

and now for something completely different:

If a cat sat in a hat would it like that? If a cow said hi to you now would it say ciao?

Personally I think a cat would but the cow one needs more research. Maybe just Italian cows and ones that are very fancy. Anyway thats enough stream of consciousness writing for today.

Until next time…

5 GoodGymers spent Saturday morning at a newly referred project - Stonebridge Park hostel in Eastville which supports homeless men. We had a great introduction to Stonebridge by the manager and then spent an hour or so chopping back brambles (and discovering cans). The difference made in that time was amazing, well done all!

Frances had a great time playing with the dog - Branston (what a pickle?!). Freya tried raking up Jordan hence Mr Mean look, and Richard and Jason just behaved themselves as always!

Sunny Friday and a forgotten shed key meant hand weeding which was fortunately easy with the drier soil and meant the whole wheel barrow was soon full and we were on our way for the rest of Friday’s sunshine.