Storm Herminia cut our workforce in half but three GoodGymers still came out to help the volunteers at Sydney Gardens. Dave, Meyrick and Ruth started with a group run from the Leisure Centre - actually it was more of a leisurely walk but, hopefully, we managed to clock up a mile or so for the January Challenge.

Jane Austen once walked the paths of Sydney Gardens - she lived close by and attended promenades and other events in the park. So when GoodGym turn up to help restore the grade II listed space, they stand in solidarity with the author.

Today however the pleasure gardens weren't quite so pleasant, given the appalling weather. We had actually been due to move (heaven and) earth to fill in a rather large dip in the ground but rain stopped play.

Instead, we were given the job of helping the regular volunteers clear topsoil and vegetation with a view to creating a path next to the railway. Network Rail has recently installed some fencing next to the track to make it safer and Gill, the organiser, wanted to extend a walk alongside.

She pointed out what looked like a recess for a bench for visitors to enjoy the view and watch the trains go by. Who knows? Perhaps the esteemed author sat there once.

Spades, forks, colourful buckets and wheelbarrows were brought in to tackle the piles of soil and brush. You might say, "What on earth were we doing to take it on in the downpour?" But that's GoodGym for you!

We managed to make quite an impact during our session - although more work is needed to see if the famous writer's footprints will be revealed. (Spoiler alert - very unlikely!)

We work in partnership with the Friends of Sydney Gardens on every fourth Sunday of the month, and love doing so. Last week we had an urgent request for help, with days to gather some GoodGymmers.

As it turned out, there were 1,000 tulip bulbs and they needed planting very quickly. In fact, my lack of knowledge or horticulture showing here, it was technically aleady too late as they ought to have been planted last November time. I'm guessing they didn't arrive in time for that and it turns out a late planting won't stop them growing, they just might be a little late.

Despite the short notice, GoodGymmers Alice and Meyrick were able to make it and we joined their regular team of volunteers. First task was to dig holes, and despite the freezing weather this was much easier than we'd thought. In fact the main frustration were stones and roots, but we dug ourselves some good holes.

By the time we left, our GoodGym holes added to their holes was enough to consume all 1,000 bulbs. With any luck, when we return in late spring we will be able to see the fruits of our labour.

Welcome to Bath City Farm everyone!! GoodGym Bath's fave place to visit. This a great project, the farm is extensive, has a wide range of flora and fauna and offers an array of educational and volunteering opportunities. It's also free entry to the public so a great morning or afternoon out for the family.

We are never quite sure what we will be getting up to when we go, and there is always the hope that it doesn't involve manure; and lucky us, this time it didn't.

It was a very cold Saturday morning, but the Sun was out and otherwise the weather was beautiful. A good crowd as well, GoodGymmers Ruth, Kate, Amy, Jane, Kam, Katie and Meyrick rocked up to see how we could help.

Some excitement pre-mission as ever dog-hero Jane ensured a roaming dog she found in the road near home was left in good care on her way to the mission.

This was a long session as well, so we were able to get multiple tasks completed in the time we had. To begin with, we cleared the top of a metal 'shed' in order to get our hands on some pond liner that had been stored there. As we were getting it down, it started spilling a load of stagnant water so we decided to let it leak and deal with it later.

Next up was carrying some animal feed to the pigs and lambs across the fields. We made it to the pigs (we were also instructed to count how many there were) and they were very grateful for the food. We sadly stalled trying to find the lambs as we were faced with crossing a small patch of land through four very scary looking bulls, with actual horns and everything.

It's unsure if the feed-group made it to the lambs as Ruth and I returned to the pond liner to finish that job and deliver it to where it would be needed by a later volunteer group.

After this we extensively litter picked along the main road leading to the farm, it looked fresh as a daisy when we were done.

An excellent morning at the farm, thanks all for your help!!

Every year, we have one of our most popular missions: putting up the Christmas decorations at St John's Court at the end of November. It's really great, you should try it, it's almost as if Christmas starts with this mission.

However, there obviously comes a time when we have to reverse our good work and take the decorations down. Now, usually, this is not as popular a mission as putting the decorations up; no one wants to say good bye to Christmas.

Last night though, we had a pretty good crowd with seven GoodGymmers turning up to de-Christmas St John's Court. Newcomers Alice and Steve were both very welcome indeed and we look forward to seeing them both again on future missions!

Also in attendance were GoodGym stalwarts Stephen, Tanya, Meyrick, Vicky and recent addition Katie. All in all more than enough hands to help pack everything away.

There was genuine thanks from the residents as well, one had even come downstairs especially to thanks us for putting up (and taking down) the decorations for them every year as they could not do it without us.

We left promising to see them again next Christmas - it's only 352 days away....