A lovely day on the cut today. Seventeen volunteers busied themselves at three locations. Firstly, Martin combed the paths around the Hidden Lock site for interesting wild plants. His finds included corncockle and salad burnet.

John supervised Rhodri from CRT as he excavated and tidied the towpath bank at Trebanos, the northernmost end of the southern in-water section. Phil and Andrew from the Mon & Brec Canal turned up to help out. This essential work prepared over 70 metres of bank in preparation for consolidating, building up with cement filled bags and finally topping with soil so as to allow the growth of vegetation. Once completed, this section will be ready for dredging in the autumn. One day’s work with the digger achieved more than the volunteers could accomplish in a month!

The majority of the gang assembled at Ynysmeudwy Upper Lock where the repointing of the by-wash was almost completed. Anna and Cerys made sure everyone worked hard!

Dave and Andy bashed balsam whilst Ronnie weeded.

John and Mike relaxed after another busy session litter picking.

And then, much to our surprise and delight, the team from Whitethorns turned up. They are always out and about tidying up but usually concentrate on the stretch around Bryn Tawe School.

Getting ready for tea time, Martin and Cerys had to walk the plank, the former with much more confidence than the latter! Luckily, Anna was on hand to offer her sister encouragement.

Another busy day in lovely weather, for a change. Well done everyone.

The following day, Wednesday, we were pleased to welcome Martin Tanks and Mik Bradley, team leader and assistant respectively, from the Waterway Recovery Group who had come to assess the site in preparation for the working party 24^th – 31^st August that will clear vegetation from Loc Uchaf Ynysmeduwy.