There are a few signs we watch out for to mark the beginning of spring. Warmer weather, blossom on the trees, lighter nights - and a return to our regular visits at Chiswick House! It must mean a change of season is afoot, as last night we met Chris the head gardener in the depth of the dark gardens.

While we couldn't really see the transformation over the months we had missed because of the dark, we were told that there had been a lot of planting going on. Over 3000 bulbs were popping up, and there were plenty of new trees. There was something magical about being in the park when nobody else was allowed in, the only sounds the swoop of roosting birds and rustling in the undergrowth.

We were in between the Obelisk and the cascade where the team had discovered a pathway which has been hidden by years of mud and woodchip. Our job was to use spades to lift up everything that was hiding the path so that it could be used as it was originally intended again.

It wasn't as straightforward as it first seemed. At some points we were digging deeper and deeper with no path to see. We feared it might be one of those tasks where we actually made it worse than we were first started, but before long we hit our stride. It was a tough workout but when we took a break to see how far we had come there was an impressive distance of old path behind us.

There was plenty of chat, and even more singing as we worked. The puns were coming thick and fast, and kudos to goes to Michelle for this week's tuneful run report title!

This weekend why not find time to make a difference in an elderly person's life by signing up to this Age UK Saturday friendship club in Chiswick? Or help improve the river habitat next week?. There is plenty to choose from!