Today’s weather was a bit overcast but pleasantly mild and dry. The volunteers spilt into two parties, one in Coed Gwilym Park and the other at the Swansea Canal Centre.

In the park, Mike planted the apple tree that he had rescued from the canal centre and nurtured for a couple of years. It is already looking at home in its new spot.

Dave steadfastly continued to tidy the brash behind the canoe store.

Christina weeded the flower beds and then cleared the paths between them.

Jan popped by with a lovely whippet she is looking after. It was awfully shy but eventually plucked up the courage to take a biscuit from Andy and sniff Anna’s bum!

The main task was to drag Canadian pond weed that was in danger of blocking the canal. John Gr, Duncan, Aled, Bob and Andy first worked alongside the golf course and then by the slipway. Their labours should make paddling a little easier.

We all gathered in the Canal Centre for tea and chat, accompanied by three wonderful cakes baked by Margaret.

Sharon pointed out the superb window panels containing the canal seal that had at last been installed as the final act of the “225 in 2023” celebrations.

After tea, some of the vols returned to the park to drag out more weed while others continued with tasks in and around the centre.

Sue cleared ivy and bramble, from the mural. They were beginning to obscure parts of the picture. She also repaired some missing brick facade at the top of the mural which had been weather damaged. In this latter task she was assisted by Alan T who mixed the Unibond and both him and Martin and, later, Andy who held the ladder steady.

John Gw added an outdoor tap.

Bert, Phil and Duncan rearranged the soil on the canal-side path,

Gordon fashioned two wedge-shaped gabion baskets that were lowered into place and filled with rubble. This work completed the barrier between the culvert and the canal.

Busy, busy, busy on two sites today. The canal will soon be fully restored – in our dreams!