A bright and cheery day came as a great relief after the awful weather at the weekend. Volunteering was once again a game of two halves!

At the Swansea Canal Centre, all was calm as we waited for WiFi to be installed. Bob and Pete launched our new boat and Bob fitted his electric motor. He sailed merrily up to Pont John and back, although there was a minor technical hitch – a fuse blew in the battery box!

Martin cleared weed from alongside the boat basin. He seems to be really enjoying himself.

John Gw attached a stop to the gate to prevent it from swinging open across the footpath.

The few of us working at the centre enjoyed a pleasant break with three delicious cakes baked by Margaret. Jan and Moira arrived on a mercy dash – things were not going well in Coed Gwilym Park so refreshments were needed urgently.

Meanwhile, things got off to a gentle start in Coed Gwilym Park. Dave looking very natty in his hat tidied up along the woodland edge. Diane and Moira were gardening, but not from a very flattering angle.

We had a party from Gellionnen School on the canal. They’re learning about Vikings, so came complete with shields! They had a great time!

And then it all went downhill! The intention was to remove the two abandoned boats that had been drifting aimlessly between the park and the Buried Lock. The vols spent most of the morning trying to get the larger of the two boats out of the water and on to the flatbed trailer – they didn’t succeed and had to put it back in! They did get the smaller one out, which Gordon intends to take to Yun Yun’s Ty Banc Canal Group at Resolven. Its currently on the trailer at Hebron Road.

The volunteers worked hard today to good effect, although the boat retrieving team may have been a little frustrated. Better luck next time!