Today the weather was chilly and wet but a bunch of hardy volunteers made their way to the canal at the Riverside Resource Centre. David and Martin clipped back bramble while Andy dragged branches and rubbish from the cut – no photographic evidence – but the main task was to repair another wash hole.

Lance, Rowan, Andrew and John Gr operated the mixer and filled the hessian sacks that John Gw trundled down the towpath to Duncan and Mike who set the bags in place.

Gordon retrieved a large stone from the cut and bound it in an ingenious sling. He and Alan then carried the stone to the trailer. It will be put to good use somewhere.

Gordon dropped barrow loads of hardcore into puddles. A layer of fine dust tamped well down will finish the job.

Sue walked up from Trebanos collecting a sack of rubbish on the way.

Tea was taken in the rain, with delicious sandwiches and cakes prepared by Annette. It was her first experience of underwater dining!

Work on the wash hole continued after tea, despite the rain. It takes a lot worse to subdue the SCS volunteers!