After the heatwave broke, it was time to get a second coat on!

Temperatures hadn't plumetted that much in reality but our task this evening was the complete the task we started three weeks ago: protecting the boathouse doors for the scouts. This evening we headed out to put the second coat of teak oil on.

Starting with a good stretch in the sunshine on Richmond Green, half the group started walking to the river while the other half did interval sprints around the green, getting six sprints in before jogging off to the riverside.

Armed with brushes and oil, the doors were soon looking well-fed and happy, giving us time to go and get well-watered at the busy pub next door before sunset!

Honor, Chris, Ken, Anita and run leader Liz achieved best possible performance on Monday’s group run task combining quality, speed and humour to transform seven benches in Buccleuch Gardens at zero cost.

Before and after shots of all the benches taken with added zest!: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKtzvMrI9_e/?igsh=Y3d1c2JxYmVsa2R4

Lunchtime session at GoodGym Richmond‘s sponsored plots in Buccleuch Gardens: scouting for tasks to tackle during the evening group run session and undertaking a miscellany of saw and secateur wielding jobs.

Chris and Anita worked to create new supports for the self-seeded hop plants that have been coiling across the Three Pigeons Plot. Heading into the overgrown water meadow area by the river, a band saw was the perfect tool for harvesting Willow poles but also proved a useful implement for hacking a path through the monstrous nettles, Himalayan balsam, gunnera and Hogweed.

Meanwhile Ken did a brilliant job tackled the brambles which have become an increasing problem in recent months ( and only brambles were bashed, no plane trees were harmed ).

The beautiful deep pink ‘Duchess of Dalkieth’ rose donated by the Duke of Buccleuch also benefited from a little gentle deadheading.