I read something last week that said you should never start a story with a description of the weather and I thought maybe it’s my British-ness but I always usually start my reports with that. So I definitely won’t tell you how sunny, or warm, or muggy it was for tonight’s group session. A rare laid-back Monday gave me the chance to cycle to the session tonight which gave me a good sense of smugness on arrival. Joining me tonight was Louise on her 299th good deed, Lucy, Scott and Damu who had run to the session tonight.

Tonight we were helping Ouseburn Trust which is a mere hop and skip from Stepney Bank Stables, and an organisation we always love to help. Task owner Dave greeted us with his usual warm (did I mention it was warm?) welcome and reminded us of tonight’s task: cutting back overgrown hedges. This is a task that really makes a difference as it helps to keep Ouseburn safe along the well-trodden paths.

After collecting tools and gloves we headed down to the hedges and discussed whether dock leaves really do heal nettle stings (turns out lettuce does the trick too!). It was also then we found out Damu actually likes the feeling of nettle stings (??) so it was truly a night of learning interesting facts.

The task itself flew by as we chopped and looped the hedges, Scott in particular really giving it some welly with the high bits tonight. We all got really stuck in and the before and after photos show how much we put in. My arms are already shaking writing this!

For the fitness session tonight it was an old favourite, five minute fitness: five short exercises to get the heart pumping and the arms aching (even more!) I always think passers by must wonder what on earth we are up to when we are doing this workout. This was in place of Damu’s suggestion to simply climb the stairs to the Cumberland Arms for drinks for today’s workout, but maybe he did that after I left anyway.

Another blazing hot (not the weather, exactly) start to the week. Well done! Join us this Saturday if you can for an Urban Green Newcastle gardening session in Leazes Park.