This fine evening we had a slight change to the scheduled task of bagging up sports kit for Preloved as there wasn't a huge amount to do on that front. Instead, Anne and Zak agreed to meet us for a bonus session in Locke Park.

When we arrived at the park our first task of the evening was to gather up equipment from the tool store to transport to the work area. Our job tonight was to tend to various gardening needs around the upper end of the serpentine walk.

First on the list was chopping back branches overhanging the numbered steps up from the walk. We used loppers and large secateurs to cut back the vegetation to the paths borders and created headroom for ease of passage up and down the terraced walkway.

Chop to it!

Our second task was to cut down vegetation obscuring the view along the Serpentine Walk from the bench on top of the cliff at the far end. We ventured over the fence at the top to begin the chopping process, quickly finding out that we couldn't see where we were treading, thus discovering many boulders and large drops hidden from view, making our task that bit more 'fun'. We continually checked the sight line from the bench and trimmed accordingly, occasionally glimpsing Anne who was busy edging the bed below us in the valley. All of the chopped sticks and leaves were thrown over the railings at the top ready to be bagged up at the end. Whilst doing this we were approached by a passer-by who was curious what two folks in red t-shirts were doing up to their necks in the bushes... when we explained what we were up to they were rightly impressed with our industrious efforts! Another good GoodGym advertising opportunity, t-shirts thankfully on display during our encounter; always recruiting!

When we had finished the chopping, we checked the view from the bench and were impressed by the lovely meandering valley scene winding away below us!

Don't take me for a tool!

All that was left to do was bag up our cuttings and drag the bags to suitable locations by the path's side for the gardeners to collect. All together 3 full rubble sacks were filled up, and this was without including any dried leaves, just the branches we had cut down. The dry fallen leaves will probably be on the cards for our next trip in a couple of weeks time, when we will be joined by a new member!! Woop!

We then all took the tools back to the Locke Park lock-up, escorted by Zak, and said farewell until the 19th. Looking forward to it already!

Thanks to Kirsty for the excellent title pun!