As we convened on the towpath this morning, Mark sent a message to let us know it was 4 years to the day since GoodGym Richmond was launched, and the first ever task was... balsam bashing! Although it's bashing season this was still a bit of a lucky coincidence, as today's task was a "top up" from the first round of bashing last weekend.

This task is a popular one and so it proved today, with a huge bunch of GGers present from Richmond, Hounslow and Wandsworth, matching the size of last week's group. As usual, newbies to pulling up the giant plants quickly found out how enjoyable it is, and they definitely weren't "bashful", soon "pulling their weight" (literally) with "balsamic vigour" [thanks Laura - got your 3 puns into one sentence ;-)].

Last week we cleared a good chunk of a large area beside the towpath, and Sufiyo had invited us back to finish the job. And we did it in style, steadily tearing down the hordes of stalks with only the occasional yelp from a brush with a stinging nettle - luckily Doctor Sam, dock leaf spotter, was on hand to provide leaves to soothe the stings. As the morning wore on, the sun started getting hotter, and a few people sought shelter in the shaded areas where they could carry on working in the cool.

Shortly before finishing up, we discovered that Himalayan Balsam makes for an excellent javelin (provided you don't break it as you pull it up) and amused ourselves hurling them across the area we were working. Eventually, we pulled up the last of the balsam in our space and gathered in the middle for a socially-distanced group photo before heading back to the towpath to applause from the Friends of Ham Lands volunteers as thanks for all our efforts and congratulations on our 4th birthday.

To cap off a lovely morning, we then ran / cycled / walked back to Richmond bridge for a well-earned rest and coffee & treat from Tide Tables to finish the birthday bash. Well done to everyone on a fantastic task this morning, and to all involved with Richmond GoodGym (members and visitors) on 4 fabulous years - here's to the next 4!