Working party.

It was a stunning morning today for a number of reasons. Firstly a Sparrow hawk decided to catch its breakfast outside our place. Then Little S and I cycled down to the common to help out on the working party, passing masses of black berries and dog walkers (at nine on a Sunday morning?). The sun was shining and the forecast was for dry and sunny.

Reaching the rendezvous twenty minutes early (it's Sunday...meet at half nine, d'oh!), we had time to have a look around the Jubilee Boardwalk before we got to work. The pond is a sight to behold if you haven't been down there. The sun caught it through the trees as we trundled up to see it on the new Scout's boardwalk. It takes you right into the heart of the pond, and if you have young children there is no better way to get close to nature and watch the pond skaters and ruddy darters and listen to the birds. And (as long as they don't leave the board walk) NO MUD!!!

Back to the cleaning up. Brushes in hand, we swept up the board walk, weeded, climbed trees, flung pond weed, ate biscuits, scythed and listened to the happy natter of people enjoying themselves. Two hours later, we were muddier and more than a little pooped, but the common shone, not only from the sunshine but also from a good makeover. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours out of doors and cheaper than the gym. Little S barely made it back up the hill on the bike, but she really enjoyed herself. I did too, looking forward to the next working party in October. We'll make sure that the sun is available.