Wed 12th Dec 2018 - Shide Chalk Pit, Newport. GG # 765.

Alison's Photographs.

Bob's Photograph (tea break).

Alison's Photographs of the Christmas party...

Judging by the food on the tables and the smiles all round...

everyone seems to have had a jolly good time..!

As has become something of a tradition with Green Gym, the last session of the year was held at Shide Chalk Pit. This year things were a little different as...instead of having a party in the pit, we had a normal session, followed by an early finish and Christmas meal at the IoW College. Needles to say, we did manage to squeeze in a regular tea break - shown in the photo above..! Our task was to cut back the undergrowth and coppice the shrubs along the northern lower edge and dispose of the arisings on a roaring bonfire. The weather is still very mild for this time of year and it was dry underfoot thanks to the nature of the chalk. This is a beautifully tranquil area right on the edge of Newport and it is always a pleasure to work there.

A photograph of interest (thanks Alison!)

Remember, back in the summer, when we were working down at Pig Leg Lane in Ryde...the "table" we used for tea break..? I think we would need wellington boots or even thigh waders to be doing the same now...😀

So, another busy year of GG sessions draws to a close. All that remains for me to do is to wish everyone a .....

I hope you all have a wonderful time over the holidays. The first session of 2019 is at Bouldner Forest on the 2nd January so why not come along and try to burn off all those extra pounds you gained over Christmas and New Year...🎄

Wed 5th Dec 2018 - Munsley Bog, Godshill. GG # 764.

Terry's Photographs.

Where were we this week?....LOOK...^

Here we go at the start of another busy session.

Those with log burning stoves were not disappointed..!

Ah yes... there is always some raking to be done at this time of year.

Time for tea...and mince pies.

Merlin looks on in anticipation.

A good turnout.

What an improvement..!

Not quite taken from the same view point....

but it does give a good idea of "before & after".

As we start the run up to the Festive Season, you can always guarantee that GG will have a session over at Munsly Bog...it has become part of our tradition. Although it was a rather damp, overcast day, it was a dry start and still unseasonably warm as we all made our way across the board-walk. It always amazes us just how much things can grow in just one season - particularly here where it is moist all the year around. The brief was simple, just cut everything down to around two foot high (so the stumps can be treated later) pile it to the sides and... rake up as much as you can. Terry's great photographs show exactly what we were doing far better than me trying to put it into words. Come tea break it was mince pies all round  (thank you to Vivian & Tony for collecting them from the bakery) which made a very welcome interlude from our labours. Perhaps the weather gods were with us this week as it started to bucket down with rain just after the session had drawn to a close.

Please don't forget that next Wednesday will be the last GG session of 2018 - to be held at Shide Chalk Pit. This will be followed by the Christmas dinner up at the Technical College.