As much as I’d like to say that it’s always sunny in Horsenden, today it would have been a difficult statement to defend. The early morning welcomed Ealing with showers, so we were prepared to face the Saturday task at the farm in pretty damp conditions. Lucky for us, the rain stopped, leaving behind just a grey sky and lots of mud (dangerously obscuring deposits of cow muck!). None of that deferred most of the GoodGymers who signed up for the volunteering day, including two new starters, Ash and Melissa - well done to both for showing up!

Since the regular volunteers managed to complete moving bricks and other items to make space for a farm trailer before 10 am, Elsa from Friends of Horsenden Hill had a different job for us up her sleeve: a bramble bash! She warned us about cows hanging out on the other side of the fence enclosing the paddock where we would be working. The Shetland rare breed bovines, working at the farm in the nature conservation department and grazing the meadows, were supposed to be easy-going gals, but Elsa suggested that we should give them space in case they go for a walk outside their enclosure - which they did!

Just when we moved the wheelbarrow over the narrow gate to the paddock and stopped for the task briefing, the cows appeared on the Horsendens Gruffalo Trail, approaching us cautiously. Uh oh, what now? We made the perfect impression of minding our own business, hoping that the animals would do the same. They got the hint and ventured as a pack to another pasture.

Meanwhile, Ash and Sevan missed the encounter, busy with a bonus task: moving gravel onto the edge of the road to the farm to redirect the rainwater towards the canal to prevent flooding. They joined the rest of the group later for the bramble bash and watched the cattle from a distance.

Having cleared a good section of the paddock and built a higher dead hedge on the other side of the fence, we traditionally returned to the farm’s hub to order pizzas, coffee and beer, then sat in the shelter area for the team lunch. We got to know better the new farm volunteers whom we met at the session, shared interesting things to do in Ealing, and spoke about cycle paths and trails along the green spaces in the borough. The conversation inspired some of us to go for a walk on top of Horsenden Hill and enjoy the view.

Thoroughly enjoyed it. Won't be needing the gym today! Everyone was friendly and I feel we got alot done. Somehow ended up with mud inside my wellies lol. - Ash

We will be back at Horsenden next month on the first Saturday as usual - if what we do sounded like fun to you, join us for the task and team lunch with pizza. Sign up here!