I kind of knew it was going to rain, but the hope is always that the forecast has exaggerated it and speaking as a qualified meteorologist this is mostly the case.

Not today though, although it started dry and our hopes were piqued. Our usual organiser from the Farm, Helen, was busy this morning with a school group so delegated to Evie to help guide us. The task was simple, the farm are building a landscaped garden for the geese (of course they are), and the circular path around it needed laying with sand.

Simple, we know how to barrow sand, we might just be the best in the world at doing it. These 'Global Experts' were Cosmo, Bennath and Meyrick and we grabbed a barrow each, and a spade (there was some frustration around the lack of shovels, which then spawned a discussion around when a spade is a spade and not a shovel, but as I said, Global Experts), located our sand bags and got to work.

As we began, the farm was busy, with humans and animals aplenty. However, the rain got heavier and heavier and after 45 minutes, there was not a sign of any animal, human or not, with the exception of the rare spotted Red GoodGymmer barrowing sand in the middle of an absolute deluge.

We pressed on, did the job despite the conditions, of course we did. Big shout out to the crew today as we all went above and beyond.

I was in town early for the mission, taking some time out for myself and relaxing in Victoria Park reading my latest book on the origins of life in the Universe. Gradually intruding upon this wonderful calm was the growing rumble of thunder, getting louder by the minute.

Looking up at the sky I could see what this fuss was about, there were a fair number of cumulonimbus clouds bubbling up from the east. As a trained meteorologist, I fired up the lightning checker app on my phone (lightningmaps.org if you are interested) and could clearly see the lightning hitting all around the area between Bristol and Bath, and getting closer.

There is a meaning to this story trust me. I quickly scarpered, and besides it was all but time to head to the mission. Back at St John's Court again, to help make the place a brigther and nicer place to live for the elderly residents, I was met there by Emily, Tanya and James.

Ann, our steadfast coordinator at St John's, led us around the back to a couple of new wooden tables and a planting station that needed painting, this being our job for the evening. However, no sooner had we started than the heavens opened, and one of those cumulonimbus clouds I mentioned earlier was now above is and the downpour was merciless. Seeing as it's been quite warm and muggy it may have been nice to stay outside and get drenched (painting was out of the question though). However, I was a real killjoy and told everyone to go inside in case there was lightning (there was thunder after all), as not only was I concerned for the safety of my fellow GoodGymmers, as mission leader, but I didn't want to do a pile of paperwork.

When the rain ceased we had a half hour left of our mission but what we had been painting was now drenched so Ann had us do some weeding at the front.

You might think spending the hottest day of the year at the local open air swimming pool would be ideal but there's a snag - Cleveland Pools is currently closed following flood damage.

The only creature who got to have a dip was a visiting bird who fancied a bath.

Our job was to keep the site looking shipshape and Bristol fashion ready for the moment it is brought back into use. This time Meyrick and Ruth pulled weeds and poured compost around plantings to discourage further growth. Meanwhile Paul oversaw all the volunteers who were also helping out and also made a number of trips to the compost heap for us.

We managed to complete our task, despite the heat.

The promise of more homemade cake (it was delicious) will go a long way to tempting us back to the historic lido for another session.

Sort of… It was our monthly visit to Bath Community Gardens, doesn’t the time fly. Bennath, Meyrick and Kate spent a lovely couple of hours working hard in the glorious May sunshine. Meyrick dug some good holes in the poly tunnel beds and Kate filled them with manure and water, for Meyrick to then top them off with a little mound of soil. Finishing off the dirt sandcastles with a little stick flag. The idea being cucumbers will be planted in the mounds. Meanwhile Kate continued to load up the wheelbarrow with manure and added it to a second bed in the poly tunnel, prepping the soil for further planting. Bennath escaped the warmth of the tunnel and was very diligently removing weeds and hoeing beds that were already sporting their planty wears. Naturally we got called to stop for break time and we had a lovely chat with some of the regulars. Always a pleasure and we look forward to seeing everyone next month.