Mrs. M, was a lovely lovely lady. Everything was clearly set out for me but it was clear she was in a lot of discomfort so it was great to be able to get her prescription and things that she needed. After i completed the shopping and prescription collection, we had a great chat going to arrange topics but we both shared the love of reading. I’m going to try one of her recommendations a classic from the 1800s. It was great to meet Mrs. M.

Oodles of plants and weeds going to seed in the Cemetery gardens so we’re scooped up and bagged or piled to limit the number of new plants (especially of the weed variety) next year.

The soil was bone dry so some weeds were easily pulled out and others were holding on as if planted in cement.

When 12 noon approached, we tidied up and headed to a café for, well, coffee and the heavens opened with much-needed rain bouncing off the vehicles passing by and pedestrians dashing for doorways to shelter. And me declaring this was one of my favourite smells - summer rain. Queue Richard’s extensive general knowledge to tell us this has a special word, Petrichor - the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil or pavement. Will wonders never cease?

Beating the impending heatwave (number 3 of 2025), we gathered in the shade at Workout (except Roddy who was determined to stand in the evening sun) and set off in two group - the runners with Richard now as a fully-fledged Fitness Leader (taking charge of the requisite First Aid Kit) and the walkers where no-one's really in charge and conversations are many and varied.

We had a plan, we knew we were preparing table cloths and decorations for the Festive Friends lunch on Friday, and watering the planters that were very dry. Except none of the decorations material shad been left out, so we kept ourselves busy with watering and weeding the edges of the building and front/side walls so he outside would look lovely for the Festive Friends. At least there wasn't a big pile of bunting to untangle!

There are planters of herbs and many fruits - a fig tree that's looking amazing (note to self - ensure we have a visit in 5 or 6 weeks' time when they should be ripening nicely), raspberries, gooseberries and wineberries where scientific sampling was carried out.

Then the Top Excitement of the evening overshadowed all other finding, conversations and puns as a little hedgehog was spotted and we ensured it found a quiet, shady spot to curl up. I say ensured, when we went back to check it had found itself a good temporary spot, but we're happy to take the credit as we COULD have helped if it had been needed.

We discussed a fitness session as the foot/cycle bridge is quite high, steps and slopes so lends itself, if only there'd not been an impending heatwave, and the pollution levels from the motorway below are possibly not ideal...

Soon we were climbing and descending the bridge just the once on our way back to Workout where it was the perfect evening for sitting out on the terrace.

Fantastic GoodGymming, Bristol!

Jerusalem sage, buttercups, brambles. These are all our enemies at the moment and our job to clear today along with other adhoc neatening of Brunswick Cemetery. I marvelled at the fancy secateurs, which you really have to try to appreciate the genius. We also had an additional task of looking out for a yellow ball that a dog had lost, but this eluded us. A lovely morning out in the deceptively hot sunshine.

Until next time…

Lots of stuff to cut back from the path on the viaduct today. By now veterans of the path we made our way along snipping overhanging brambles and anything we just didn’t like. There is now a clear path to the moon temple and we made a pavement at the far end more passable. The false strawberries were still there as well as the cherry (we think). There was also a (greengage?) plum tree, which we made a note of the location so we could revisit (whether we are brave enough to try them…).

We also learnt about old man Jason, who definitely doesn’t smell 62 as folklore would have you believe!

Until next time…

Still the heatwave, 9 sweltering GoodGymmers set of from Workout to meet 2 more at the evening's task - Hebron Burial Ground. This is a project for the summer to help the local residents get some control in at least some of the space!

With thicker gloves deployed, Long and short snippers, the piles of brambles were soon growing but not before they'd drawn small amounts of blood from various GoodGymmers who'd chosen shorts over leggings in the heat. Congratulations to Frances who went with leggings anyway.

The secondary battle was with stinging nettles amongst the brambles, then with sticky bud whose seeds were targeted and thrown at other GGErs.

Some beautiful bees were making the most of the blossoms whilst other brambles already had delicious berries ready to eat.

Gerry and Jem had kindly provided water to keep us hydrated and we topped up before we made our excuses and headed back to the city and GoodGym Eats as it was the first Thursday of the month. Crispy Dosa was this month's venue with Dushyanthelping some of us choose tasty dosas and then found he'd ordered soup with lentil doughnuts (this may not be an accurate description).

Oh, and the Gromit Unleashed 3 trail is now live, with the GG obligation to take a photo with any sculpture you find when you're with at least one other GGer. Obviously.