With the UK summer being amongst the worst in history, we all needed a little sunshine last week!

I paid a visit to Mrs. V and was treated to a private concert of some music she is learning to play on the ukulele including "You Are My Sunshine" and hits by Elvis Presley, Leonard Cohen and The Beatles. She's working hard to learn the chords in time for a Christmas concert at her local church.

Although neither of us seemed to be able to hit all of the high notes, it was definitely a highlight of the week.

As this was our final watering walk of the summer, we pulled out all the stops! Julie took two backpacks filled with 6 large jugs of water and Jane came packing another 8.4 litres.

We visited nearly 20 planters around the PO4 area to give them some end of summer season care including dead heading, weeding, pruning, re-planting, litter picking, and of course...watering!

It was great to see some very healthy, fragrant mint and lavender sweetening the smell of the surrounding streets and the Albert Road parklet was looking smashing after our repeat visits.

As in-person visits became more difficult for my coach Ms. L following an injury, we've adapted format and I will keep her company by delivering a series of postcards. As a flower lover, hopefully she'll enjoy the botanical theme and I can continue to send missives from various locations on my upcoming travels to Portugal, Germany and Canada!

The Fawcett Road planters had another top up of water and weeding which came just in time for the extra hot weather. Dead leaves were removed and we left things looking lush and green once again! Jane came packing 8.5 litres of water for the thirsty zebra planters on Talbot Road. Summer has officially arrived!

Three Goodgymers joined the Fawcett Rd Greening group to weed and water community planters in and around Fawcett Road in Southsea. We came armed with water bottles big and small (and one special leaky one that watered JB's bag and butt...) Thankfully the REAL water butt was nearby to refill our cans!

We tackled some very thorny weeds and pulled up deal plants, added some new geraniums and marigolds, and gave the lavender, mint and other plants a much needed drink.

At the end of a long day, the gardening crew enjoyed a little drink on Albert Rd as reward for a job well done.