OK I'll admit it wasn't really a pail...it was a couple of watering cans, which we filled with water from the butts at the Maidenhead Community Allotment to slosh on the beds, trugs and trees to keep them verdant and happy.

This was one of a couple of extra visits we are making to the allotment this week as temperatures are soaring and we don't want the plants to get too thirsty. Ana, who has honed her green fingers on her own allotment, couldnt resist some weeding, while Amy and Vanessa shared the watering.

The conversation flowed from Taskforce (Ana and Vanessa are both keen to join - whoop whoop!) to Mexican cooking - the numerous yellow blossoms on the courgette plants had Vanessa dreaming of tacos de flor de calabaza...yum yum!

When we had finished at the allotment we hit Boyn Grove park for half an hour of hill reps and some relaxing and restorative Pilates stretches. It was great to be out in the park on a balmy evening, even if we were all sweating buckets...or should I say pails?

Then Amy ran home carrying a sunflower (a beautiful gift from Ana's personal allotment), as you do.