A great session with Friends of Portswood Rec trying to cut out as much bramble as we could from the hedges to keep on top of it. We started early at 8.30 am to beat the heat as it was forecasted 29+ that day. Two full bags so a great success although I should have remembered that the Mahonia bush is just as prickly as the brambles. Next time longer sleeves and perhaps not climbing inside the hedge might help.

Finn and I joined the Friends of Portswood Rec, clearing up brambles and and other weeds around the park.

We cleared the tennis court which was slowly being invaded by weeds, dodging the occassional tennis ball.

Denise was really happy with our progress and would even like us to come back sometime - a great task overall.

I received a warm welcome from Garth and Denise from Friends of Portswood Rec as I joined them for a pruning party. It was a stunning, sunny autumnal morning so all the colours of the trees looked magnificent. I set to work giving the overgrown hornbeam hedge a trim which was great fun with my ratchet loppers. Then I moved onto another overgrown lime tree which also needed a trim. Some of the offcuts were put to good use for a new bug hotel. We filled two bags full and were rewarded with tea/ coffee and biscuits. I will be back for more fun with my loppers soon.