The forecast for today was dire and the water level high so we abandoned plans for lime mortaring Bridge 8 and creating a Nicospan barrier. As things turned out, the rain never arrived and the sun shone brightly. Not to worry – we had Plans B1 and B2!

At the Swansea Canal Centre, Gordon and Sharon pointed the tiling in the kitchen while Lance and Chris unpacked the bricks from the gabion basket that had been placed there so precisely only last year. Plus ça change. [Sorry – no photos of these epic endeavours.]

Meanwhile, there were plenty of jobs to be done in Coed Gwilym Park:

The large flowerbed, now full of colour, was tended lovingly and Martin got right down to some grass cutting alongside the towpath.

Bob was determined to drain the large boat, a process that required cautiously raising the bow by means of a small jack. Andy, Alan T and Mike F did their best to assist but in the end Gordon strode up to the trailer and pivoted the boat up with one heave!

Andy, Alan W, Martin and Gareth tidied the area behind the store. Gareth even washed some huge flowerpots.

The store was cleared so that Moira, Christine and Ronnie could paint the walls.

John Grav and Mike F ingeniously cut sections from bike tyres to create bumpers for the canoes. A simple but very effective fix.

We were joined for tea by the Hebron Road vols and Sue, our new rubbish collecting partner for Mike C. Christine provided a delicious selection of sweet and savoury treats.

Not the day we had planned but a great deal was accomplished in what turned out to be lovely sunshine.