Happy New Year.....!!!!

Wishing all you GGmers the very best for 2018.

Mark has published a new schedule so hope to see everyone at Mill Copse

on Wednesday, 3rd Jan 2018.

(A great opportunity to work off those extra pounds we have all gained

over the festive period!)

Wed 13th Dec 2017 - Shide Quarry, Newport - GG # 715.

Terry's Photographs.

Trying to get the fire underway in damp conditions.

Processing the branches prior to burning.

Yes, there were some reasonably sized trees to cut!

A wood elf, hard at work.

A well earned tea break and shelter from the rain.

The fire did eventually become established.

A bit soggy underfoot.

More rubbish to be re-cycled.

The post session Christmas Party.

The best way to describe the weather for this session was damp....VERY DAMP...! It all started of reasonably well but by 11:00 the rain started coming down steadily and really didn't ease up. All a bit of a shame because, not only was this our last GG session of 2017 but it was also our "office" party. We were tasked with clearance along the northern boundary of this old chalk quarry and then to dispose of the "arisings" on a bonfire. In spite of the inclement weather, excellent progress was made with a wide swathe of the undergrowth cut all the way back to the steep chalk bank. Considering this whole area is chalk, it was very wet underfoot and a few people found that they had holes in their boots...! On completion of the work, the food was laid out and the "party" began. Many thanks to all those who contributed to the excellent spread and supplied the tables, gazebo etc.

So....all that is now left to do is to wish you all a VERY

Thank you all for the sterling work that that has been achieved by the group in 2017 and we look forward to seeing you all in the NEW YEAR.

Once again.....many thanks to Terry for taking the photographs this week and at many of the sessions throughout the year.

Wed 6th Dec 2017 - Munsley Bog, Godshill. GG # 714.

As with many things in life...if you do them for long enough then part of it becomes "tradition". Green Gym is no exception to this so... as it was the second to last session of the year we were at Munsley Bog in Godshill for a workout before going off to the GG Christmas lunch. Things were a little different this year as the "Big Lunch" was at the Dairyman's Daughter in Arreton rather than somewhere local in Godshill.
This year we were working at cutting back and raking on the area to the north of the boardwalk. It is always surprising just how much grows in just one year but it is no match for a band of GGmers..! Everything that was cut down or raked up was transported to the perimeter of the land then carefully piled up so all is left looking neat and tidy.
Although it was a grey, overcast, day it stayed dry throughout and the temperature was a bit higher than the average for this time of the year. Pleased that we are not working there later in the week as storm Caroline is forecasted for then....gale force winds and wintery showers - yuck.

Next week will be our final session of 2017 so, as tradition dictates, we will be at the Chalk Pit in Shide. Please can all those who have agreed to bring food and utensils along REMEMBER TO BRING THEM.

Photographs will be added as they arrive.