Today started off a little cooler than usual but soon the breeze died down, the sun came out and the volunteers were sweltering in the scorching heat.

In Coed Gwilym Park, Bob the Boat continued to rebuild the fo’c’s’le of our large boat, not forgetting to take the opportunity for an occasional breather!

Dave wire brushed the railings then Moira, Ronnie and Sue painted them black and white until the paint ran out.

In the Hidden Lock site, most of the vols added to the by-wash wall. Andrew and then Mike F mixed the mix and the vols, including our latest recruit, also called Michael, laid the stones. Andy, seen here in Max Wall mode, moaned again as he lugged the stones further along.

Andrew chose carefully the stones to top his steps up to the High Level Garden and then cemented them carefully in place.

Martin and Mike the Rubbish watered the foxgloves and, when done, Martin trimmed the vegetation in St. Joseph’s car park.

Then Mike gave Annette a hand to expose her wonderful catamaran. Annette baled out the pontoons, responding rather negatively to Andy’s suggestion to drill holes in the bottoms of them. Andy, Sue and Alan T completed the shortening of the chains of the paddle wheel on Chitty Chitty Canal Boat, a marvellous invention. All we need now is a tensioner, apparently. Martin offered his services but they said they wanted a tensioner, not a pensioner.

Tea was taken, with delicious cakes baked by Margaret.

In recognition of his services to rubbish collection, here is a photo of Mike in a cage. We will release him next week.

Martin called in to the Swansea Canal Centre to record the placement of the first few of the roofing slates and the glory of the garden. The final photo also shows the stone barge, with the coal freshly spruced up by John, Christina & Michael.

Yet another wonderful day’s work in glorious weather. Our volunteers are truly magnificent.