Our playground has a lush green lawn very nice for running and tumbling. The school's elderly weed eater in the skilful hands of its operator cuts it very neatly. It can't however pull out the hundreds of weeds growing in the lawn which have leaves which get spiny with age and aren't kind to bare hands or even feet.
The group from Grove got stuck in and weeded steadily. Of course, the children got very interested too and were just dying to get their hands on the screwdrivers. Typical of disappointing adults none of us would allow that so they got busy with their hands and as it had recently rained they were very successful and marvelled at the long, long roots. Those of the Grove contingent who weren't weeding were trimming the Tarconanthus bushes. Juffrou Zaan is creating a hedge as a windbreak to protect the playground - and the Pikkewyntjies - from the North Wester in Winter.
At the end of the morning, a pile of weeds lay dying in the sun and a neat hedge stood to attention.
Then it was present time. Our friends from Grove had brought us sacks of mealie meal and catering-size tubs of peanut butter and spreads to supplement supplies for the feeding scheme. This utterly marvellous gift will free up money which is needed elsewhere and smooth the path for the principal and board who have a monthly battle to balance the books. Our gratitude for this thoughtful kindness is heartfelt.
They also brought black bags full of their own and their colleagues' trendy clothes for the second-hand shop in Betty's Bay. Clothes like these are snapped up in no time and generate very good income for the school.
I'm attaching some pictures of the kids showing off for the Grove cameras. They do so enjoy the encouragement and praise and only want to do more daring tricks - if they can.
It was a beautiful day, the Friday Grove came to school.
