Living on the hedge

A lovely long run along the Malago Greenway today and past the berry maze for 21 of our 22 Saturday runners. Dave (our 22nd) had diverted to collect some bulbs kindly donated by one mission recipient to another and was meeting us there. Thanks very much to Richard for backmarking.

More woodcraft skills today as Martin introduced to the beautiful setting of Manor Woods Valley (largely unchanged over the last thousand years) and explained our task.

The lengths of hazel freshly coppiced on previous visits were to be bound together to form a 'dead hedge' - a great place for hibernation, birds nests and the odd toad. This would mean shifting them to the new site while cutting some into stakes and driving them into the ground. Since the space would be quite congested, two other small groups worked to clear more path with loppers and shears. It was important that everyone had plenty of space with so many sharp tools around.

I'm pleased to report that with the loss of zero fingers and toes a sizeable hedge was indeed constructed and after a group photo we headed back in two groups with some help from Matt, Clo and Dave as run leaders and back markers.

During the stretches, Chris (our resident GG Bristol supermodel - ask him next time you see him!) invited anyone from the run today to join him for a 12k training run tomorrow, meeting at Dom's coffee house on the centre. And oif course you're all invited to either of our group runs next Saturday - just remember to come half an hour earlier for the longer option to Streetgoat!

Welcome to Cat and Katy on their first GG run today - lovely to meet you both!