Is it raining?

Yesterday was a miserable day (weather wise) as I joined a group of conservationists (if there is such a word!!) to dig holes for new benches to be placed in the Ripple Nature Reserve. It rained and rained and rained and then rained a little bit more - we were all soaked - even those who were covered from head to toe in the 'proper' waterproofs soon discovered that they were not going to escape the feeling of water running down their skin under all the layers of protective clothing. I gave up wearing the hood on my raincoat because the rain trickled from it on to my face into my eyes and I couldn't see a thing..

This was a first for me - making tea outside in the pouring rain! no sooner had I put a cup out it was full of rain water mixed with hot water from the flask, a soggy teabag and milk :)) but we had fun, laughed and had some very interesting conversations whilst digging and drinking.

This young man hadn't planned to help when he started out on his morning jog: however, when stopped in his tracks by Francesca who asked if he would like to help? true to his word he came back after his jog and we were extremely grateful for his help as he dug through bricks to make a hole for one of the legs of the bench...

We got talking and I discovered that he is a Christian and attends Holy Trinity Brompton in London but was looking forward to the new church opening on the estate.  I told him that I was part of an Ecumenical group and we would be holding monthly services in the new church from September.  He was so thrilled and said he would attend with friends..  WOW music, as well as rain water, to my ears :))

The added bonus for me on such days like today - is the opportunity for so many conversations, the chance to get know people in depth and the reverse happens too :) folk start questioning me about the church etc because we are on neutral ground and involved in an activity.

I wouldn't say by any means say that I was the greatest of help!! but I hope my tea making skills under all conditions proved to be useful - well I certainly did not received any complaints :))

Now this is the scene outside my house today.. blue sky and the sun is shinning but somehow the rain yesterday made the day memoriable and, today, those who will be walking in the nature reserve can enjoy the sun and the views over the nature reserve whilst sitting, for the first time, on new benches placed there for them :))

I am also pleased to report that I don't ache that much at all.......

Ripple Nature Reserve

This morning I joined Francesca, Janet and Holly on the Butterfly Transect count around the Ripple Nature Reserve and over on the Barking Riverside land by the River Thames.  My word it was a hot and humid morning even though the day started with showers - I should have stayed in Lidl next to the freezer compartment!!

(down by the River Thames - Janet, Francesca and Holly)

It was such a beautiful morning and I wanted to stop and watch the boats and tugs as they made their way up and down the river.  In fact when one tug went by I thought of Les Redfearne, one of my golden oldies from Thames View Lodge Residential Complex,  who - as a young boy and man - worked on the tugs and barge boats as a Lighterman.  Les died a couple of weeks ago and Nigel was leading the funeral service at the City of London Crematorium at 3.30pm.

Everytime I stopped to take a photo then I kept losing the other ladies! especially as the grass was so tall - in some places I gave up looking for butterflies and concentrated on not falling over anything :))

Francesca explained that for certain months of the year - a record was kept of the different types of butterflies that were habitating in the area.  We saw white (or cabbage butterflies as I know them) a red admiral, common blues and lots of various brown ones but I can't remember what they were called. Francesca also went on to say that because of the heavy rainfall there were few butterflies than were last year.  All in all it was a good and interesting morning - even thought I look like a red tomatoe at the end of our walk :))

(Broom Bush)

By the time we had finished the walk it was 1pm and I had to be at the school by 4pm for various committees - so from the Nature Reserve I went to Sainsburys then home - grapped something to eat and back out to George Carey School.

What also happened to day - Diane gave birth to a little girl 'Maddison'.

Q. Theme for today is?

A - Gardens

This morning I made my way to Thames View Community Garden to volunteer - to do what? I did not know...until I got there :)  The garden is a piece of waste land behind the Sue Bramley Centre and next to Thames View Infants school and I wasn't too sure what too expect as I haven't been there since it was turned over to the community for a garden.  I was quite amazed at all the raised beds made with railway sleepers - there must have been at least ten.  Each bed has been given to a different group of the community so I helped Hazel and six members of Panda class from Thames View Infants plant out their raised bed.   I took this photo after all the children had left - there were children from the Infants and Junior school and Sue Bramley Children Centre as well as Police Cadets and also some gentleman from the council plus a young man from Home Base.  Home Base had donated quite a lot of flowers and this young man was busy planting them out into various raised beds.

Our finished bed with elephant watering cans..  As I helped to dig and plant it gave me an opportunity to chat to the youngesters (age 7) and I discovered that they all lived in flats and none had access to a garden.  One little boy held up his flower and said to me 'Miss this is the first time I've planted anything' and the smile on his face said it all.  As they left the garden another chappie said to Joyce (organizer of the community garden) 'Thank you for having us I've had such a wonderful time'.  After they had left Joyce and I looked at each with tears in our eyes - no words were needed.

When I got home I had a cuppa with Nigel then went for a stroll in Mayesbrook Park - before most of it is closed for the Olympics.  This is the new sports centre, which has recently been built and of which Karl is a member; however, during July and August no member of the public will be able to use as it will be used by the athletics training for the Olympics.

Large areas of the park have been turned into natural habitat areas to encourage 'Flora & 'Fauna' and on a sunny day, as today, it does look quite pretty with long grass in various areas next to running streams and lakes.

It appears to be working and it was lovely to see wild poppies and other wild flowers being allowed to grow undisturbed and there were also alot of butterflies.  I snapped this little cabbage butterfly as he came down for a rest.

This evening I shall be attending the Green-Finger Gardening Club in Dagenham and the guest speaker is Lawrence Hobbs and his topic is 'Knowing Your Orchids'. If you read my post yesterday you will know that this very applicable to me at the moment as I endeavour to keep my one Orchid plant alive..

Also I have been invited on to the steering group for 'Revamp the Ripple', which is a nature reserve near George Carey Primary School (for which I am a Governor and Chaplain) plus on Thursday I will be meeting Francesca (London Wildlife) for a Butterfly Transect Walk and this is taking place at the Nature Reserve.

So today really has been a day about Gardens,  a park and a nature reserve. I am always amazed as to how my days vary so much - tomorrow it is Coffee and Chat, then off to Barking Riverside Office for a presentation from The Frederick Handley-Page Association followed by a pastoral visit in the afternoon - the evening is still available to anyone?