We returned to Bramble Hill farm to weed their bindweed, feed and water their pigs, ducks, geese, and hens, and fix some fencing in preparation for incoming sheep.

Six of us met at Mud Dock this morning to run to Eastwood Farm to help Derek and Ralph from Friends of Eastwood Farm to pull their balsam out. The invasive weed bursts into flower in a few weeks and we needed to remove it before the seeds spread further.

Once we had tackled a hot 5km of hills, dodging Spring Festival traffic and with a couple of detours for good luck (Shona Sat Nav in rusty working order this morning), we met Fi, Darren, Richard and Ellie who were already getting to work.

We spent a lovely hour doing the therapeutic balsam clearing (with some intertwined less-therapeutic bramble and nettle removing) and discussing whether this was in fact the Kleenex balsam (it's not). In this time we managed to get rid of several metres squared of the balsam and our slave-owners kindly (but unwillingly) let us away to go to our next task.

I for one have found my new favourite hobby (and Fi took her new found skills out on the road on the start of our run back) so we are looking forward to more balsam next year!

On a grey June day,

A gaggle of goodgymers met and said hey,

There may be rain falling from out of the sky,

But we want to do good or at least we will try..

I led a warm up which was chaotic for sure,

But atleast no one could say they were cold anymore,

Off we ran and took the "scenic Clo" way,

We reached St Werburgh's and found other goodgymers, wahey!

We had various jobs like clearing old rubber and other waste too,

Emma cleaned out the play tunnel,

So now the kids can go through,

Lots of sweeping and beating*,

But no painting this time,

There was moving parasol bases and Chris made pipes chime,

When we finished the jobs, there was one thing left to do,

Play music on the wooden instruments, a rain dance, so the sun shon through!!

Welcome to Vyvyan it was her first run,

I'm hoping you will be back and you had fun,

It was also great to see missed goodgymers Lisa and Fi,

See you all soon,

That's all from meee...

*No goodgymer was harmed in the making of this task

Thanks Chris for the title!