Emily, John and Gosia visited Hogsmill Community Garden today to help out with a couple of maintanace tasks requested by our lovely host - Julie.

It has been raining this weekend (almost all the time), so it was hard to expect anything else this morning. Fortunately, the weather was quite merciful and gifted us with a calm cloudy sky and just an occasional light rain 🌧.

Our first task was to cut back overgrown lilac tree 🌳, mulberry bushes 🫐 and some pesky vines which occupied one of garden's fences (one on the left of the entrance). The shed was very well equipped and we got a pair of shears ✂️ for each, which allowed us to tackle the task in around 30-40 mins.

In parallel, we also poured out accumulated water from trays placed near the same fence (which were used for flower pots and planters 🌱). Some extra water from time to time is nice but certainly we didn't want these plants to drown 🏊‍♂️.

After completing our first task we sat down at the table for a tea ☕️ and a great chitchat 💬 with Julie. We learned a bit more about the history of the garden, as well as events already hosted and planned for the future.

After this small break we kicked off the second task which was to take down a garden pavillion 🎪. Completing this task wouldn't be possible wihout a wonderful collab between GG and our host (one person per each corner). All was dismantled and put intro a polytunnel (as instructed) in around 15 mins.

Julie was very happy with the outcome and she invited us again (as there is always plenty to do) 🙂. It was a great productive start of the day and certainly we shall be back

Unfortunately I was not able to complete this mission 🙁. I would like to report few more details that might be useful for reorganising.

It turned out that instead of the chair (which I expected based on the description), it was a small sofa that needs to be assembled. Ms I also mentioned few other furniture that requires the same.

I was really considering making a start on it but:

i) I am not experienced in assembling bigger furniture and got worried I will not get it right;

ii) from the size and the level of complexity of the instructions, assembling it looked like a job for at least two goodgymmers (and maybe someone stronger than me);

iii) the room it's currently in is small and crammed so I think it will be the best idea to complete the assembly in one go (rather than in parts).

I was very sorry I wasn't able to help Ms I today and I think she also knew that this could be a case as right in the beginning she said that she expected 2-3 people to arrive 😆.

I have taken few photos of the sofa that needs the assembly. I hope they will give a good idea on the work required and could be used to rearrange the mission.

It was a proper summer ☀️ day today (finally) perfect for some evening gardening work 👩‍🌾. I arrived at Mrs C's doors at 7, she welcomed me and right away led to her back garden to explain the task.

The garden was not in any horrible state but was just fully "occupied" by some unwanted climbing weeds that were just literally everywhere - on a fence, an apple 🍎 tree and all Mrs C's flowers 🌸 and bushes. It wasn't just her problem as they seem to be also in the entire neighbourhood 👑.

Tackling these pesky vines as the first activity I took on and one I spent most of my time on (maybe around one full hour 🕑). Mrs C brought a pair of sharp scissors ✂️ which massively helped me in cutting down and entangling the unruly plants.

Mrs C also helped with the gardening work at some point, getting rid of the weeds from the bushes and also brooming 🧹, cleaning up the weeds and sweeping the leaves 🍂.

Once I was done with the weeding I took over the broom and continued the general tidy ups. From time to time I crouched to pull out the weeds stuck inbetween the pavement blocks.

Mrs C's was very happy with the outcome and kept saying "Thank you", "Thank you", "It's hard to believe", "My husband won't believe". It wasn't that much of an effort from me so I was glad I was able to make such a big difference and made Mrs C smile 🙂.