Monday 21st July
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Report written by Gosia Rybacka
I traveled to Kingston upon Thames this evening to help Mr G with a bit of deweeding in his backgarden. I need to say I had second thoughts ๐ญ on the way there when there was literally a downpour ๐งโ๏ธ๐ฆ every 10 mins ๐.
I arrived a bit earlier and knocked on Mr G's door around 18:40. He welcomed me and right away led to the backgarden ๐ฑ.
Need to say - his garden is indeed overgrown (and I added few photos to show that - in case there is a follow up session). As he mentioned right away the most important thing was for him to clear the patio, where currently the chairs ๐ช๐ช and umbrella โฑ๏ธ stood. He also mentioned that around a couple of week ago.
I got my ๐งค gloves from the backpack and was ready to go ๐. I quickly learned that the entire area was covered with a tick layer of a cotton-like fabric which was wet, dirty and... propely stuck to the ground. I didn't have a scraper and the available brooms ๐งน and rake were to weak yo scrap that off. I eventually used just my hands. This was an activity Inhave been doing most of the time.
I couldn't resist and needed to check what tree ๐ณ caused this damage - based on a photo it's confirmed as Eastern Cottonwoods. The one from Mr G's garden was huge, very old and majestically ๐ grown right in the middle of the garden.
I have also targeted some of the mulberry plants that were just became a bit too invasive for the patio area ๐ดโโ ๏ธ. I grabbed shears from Mr G's toolbox ๐งฐ and cut them down to carve out some extra space.
On a very positive note, there was a little Robin ๐ฆ who kept visiting me as I progressed through the work. I almost felt it's some sort of a fairytale ๐งโโ๏ธ. Either it was monitoring my efforts or maybe was looking for fresh worms ๐ชฑ to grab for the dinner as they got revealed under the "cotton" sheet.
I worked around 1:30h ๐ and ended up pretty soaked, but the result was worth it! Mr G was very pleased and insisted I will take money. I declined and wished him a lovely evening (he might as well spent it in his patio now!)
Kingston upon Thames
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