One of the first phrases Antony uttered as we arrived at Marston Forest Garden! We hadn't, fortunately he had the tools and the skills required.

It was a glorious evening to spend at Marston Forest Garden. We had various tasks - mostly involving cutting back encroaching brambles and bindweed, weeding around struggling shrubs, shoring up an enthusiastic pear tree and giving everything a good water.

We learned about the proper way to weed mares tail, how to make VERY pungent natural fertiliser (comfrey leaves and water and let it sit and brew) and the importance of snipping down cuttings for compost.

Marston Forest Garden really is a gorgeous haven and we love coming here.

Fortified by tomatoes, red currants and dates we headed off for a lively evening run - across the fields and far away.

Glorious.

We LOVE a scything session!!

The weather was perfect last night for a meander through the Eyot and a spot of cleaning and clearing. After meeting Charlie and having a reminder of the safest way to carry and use the scythes, we strolled to the area that needed attention. Aston's Eyot has a lot of clearings which often get over grown by nettles. This prevents any other flora and fauna from getting established. After splitting into team-scythe and team-rake we got to work. Accompanied by the sounds of the "bumping" boat races and the sassy announcer (very stereotypical Oxford) we made short work of a large parch of nettles and lopped some low hanging branches for safety and to let more light in. It was a delightful task, full of chat about running, books, bakeries and hearing about adventures to New Zealand and Canada from Becky and Ellie!

Thank you for the report title Joe!

Last night we returned to the magical spot that is Boundary Brook Nature Reserve. we've done lots of tasks here over the years - usually moving heavy things, laying paths or digging out bramble roots! This evening's jobs were a little more gentle - or so we thought!

Helen needed us to plant out some little plug plants on the outskirts of the meadows so that they can naturally pollinate and spread over time. Despite the rain earlier in the day, the dry weather meant that the ground was rock hard!

We soon had a fab tag team approach. The water carriers would soak the ground, the planters could then dig and plant the plugs, then more water was added. We made short work of 50 plug plants allowing time to lop over-hanging branches around the paths and start weeding a soft-fruit area.

Bethan and Joe then did a gorgeous after task run.

A lovely evening - good work team!!

Last night we returned to Makespace to continue the tasks we started earlier this spring. It was lovely to see that there was already a raised bed and planting where we'd cleared the ground last time.

This time we sanded benches (much competition for the electric sander), we painted the benches a jazzy turquoise-teal, we weeded around the picnic area and entrance, and we watered all the pots.

Well done Joe for completing your 10th Good Deed and tolerating the Garland of Joy.

Welcome to GoodGym Raúl!

We couldn't have picked a more perfect day for our taster session with the Falcon Canoe Club: The sun was shining, the river wasn't flowing too strongly, and the wind was only mildly gusty. It was a fantastic morning to be out on the river. We're hugely grateful to the canoe club team for taking the time to take us novices out on the river, teach us how to handle the canoes, and keep us safe from rowers and pleasure crafts!

We feel much better prepared for our river litter pick next month, and had a lovely morning paddling on the river.

Welcome to GoodGym Kate!