Bark and Broom

Another Monday and another GoodGym task :)

We returned to a task venue that we haven't been to since last year and one we used to visit very regularly. Kamelia Day Nursery used to be one specialising in care of babies and young children with extra needs but these days it welcomes all babies and toddlers.

This evening we met with Deputy Nursery Manager, Vicky who gave us a small wish list for this evening.We were asked to weed the mud kitchen area before laying new bark and raking it through. We were also asked to sweep the playground areas which had become covered with a thin layer of sand. John, Ricky and El got on with the sweeping which proved to be quite a job and needed further enforcements later !

Barbara set about doing some weeding followed by helping John with the sweeping of the sand he had carefully collected .The remainder of the team started on weeding the mud kitchen in advance of distributing the bark. I nipped home to pick up another broom which Roxy set to work with. By the time I got back all the bark had been beautifully distributed and raked into place. As I wasn't there to witness this transformation, all the team can take take credit for it ! However I have a feeling that Craig , Stéphane, Sarah and Ryan played a part !

After the bark was completed, Stephane did some great weeding and tidying of the border of the mud kitchen whilst everyone else pitched in with shifting the sand and other debris that had been collected.

Tools down and we discussed and arranged our next social ( the important things in life! ) which will be Monday 9th June after the task . Details TBC but it seems there will be a lot to celebrate again!

Have a great BH Monday - next week we will meet on Wednesday. Details to be uploaded later today.

Julia xx

*The new Andy *

11 of us arrived at Kamelia Kids to give a helping hand to this centre that provides care for all children including ones that need a bit of extra tlc.

Tonight we met Nick who has had to fill very big shoes as Andy has now retired. Nick has been there 3 months and was intrigued to learn who we are and what we do. He had been told a little about us so was already prepared with various jobs.

The main one was painting the outside toddler play kitchen which the majority of the group got stuck into.

Gillybean got straight into some pruning and tidying of shrubs and tomato plants. Ricky started on the brushing a play area then transferred to painting.

Meanwhile Belinda and Paula began a massive sweep and tidy of the playground- this was a huge task as there was so much sand ! As quickly as we swept it seemed to re appear again !

*Meanwhile in the kitchen.......

Everyone was trying to avoid getting paint splattered by Sarah 🤣 John in particular was on high alert ⚠️ The competition was on to see which group could finish their end first Whilst John and Sarah were playing their games 🤣 Paul, Anne, Sue , Ryan all worked really quickly to get the whole kitchen done including all the fiddly bits ! It was a wonderful before and after transformation and very satisfying for all involved. 👌

Great job team 👏

See you next week for the cemetery pruning and social - more info to follow.

Have a great week !

Julia x

Three of us put an extra good deed in this week and visited Kamelia Kids for some much needed painting activity.

it was lovely to see Andy again who is always so grateful for the GoodGym help.

John headed out to the playground to touch up the red wall whilst Barbara and I made a good start on painting the fence in an attractive rich forest green colour .

We were joined by John and Andy and managed to accomplish the whole task.

Thank you to my mini team for going the extra mile on an evening when at least one of us would have preferred to be watching the rugby!

See you next time.

Julia

Yay - we are back to full function so photos galore!

On Wednesday the fabulous 4 reunited with Andy , the maintenance manager, at Kamelia Kids childrens centre to give him a helping hand with preparations for this weekends fete.

We donned gloves ( thank goodness ) and armed our selves with pots of wood stain and brushes and headed to the garden where Andy had asked us to help finish painting fences, gates and childrens wooded play furniture.

We worked very effectively in the given time and actually managed to get more paint on the wood than on ourselves ( apart from my hair!)

Many thanks to John who worked like a trooper ( as he also did on Monday but I neglected to make this point clear!! ) Belinda and Barbara who both covered a lot of the fiddly bits very accurately.

Another lovely hour together with great vibes.

Many thanks team!

See you on Monday :)

Fresh back from his unexpected encounter with a seal while swimming John arrived to help Andy with the final stages of readying the beach hut for its coats of weather resistant emulsion. First task was to repair the hole that Barbara had 'discovered' yesterday, followed by two hours of sanding and final undercoat. All ready now for Andy to begin the overcoat tomorrow.

Sizzling hot

On a hot August afternoon a small but mighty team joined forces with Andy, the caretaker from Kamelia Kids to work on a beach hut makeover.

John and Gillybean were thre all afternoon and John into the evening. Massive kudos for all this help on such a baking afternoon of relentless sunshine ( Quite a nice place to be but none the less hard work in very hot weather! )

Barbara,Lucy and Duncan joined after work and helped with the undercoating paint work. Belinda was on beer aid duty for John!

Before long the work was done and we sat and relaxed with a drink. Sadly not enough in advance interest for a BBQ so we didn't bring one - big apologies to Lucy who had come all the way from Portsmouth for it :(

Round 2 is tomorrow when John is assisting again - high five to our resident GG hero !