The new Splash Pad takes shape as development work continues.

If you walk around the Lido you’ll spot a new island for the birds.  This is not the result of volcanic activity but Sean, the ranger, who has spent many hours constructing the platform.  Today the platform was launched with the assistance of Derek and the Woodland volunteers.

See the launch, step by step.

The beach was being well utilised with 5 volleyball courts neatly marked out, fencing and bright flags.

Amazing how quickly sporting facilities can be created without spending £20 billion on an Olympic village.

I thought volleyball was 6 v 6 but these matches were 2 v 2 which seems like a lot of chasing to me.

Congratulations to Sean and the team for preparing the facility.

Two baby ducks off for a swim.  There are also two baby coots but they’re hiding under a bush so not easily photographed.

More and more residents in England are discovering that their homes are sited within flood zones.

This doesn’t appear to be deterring these Coots which have established their nest on the tip of a boulder which, with recent rainfall, is now showing only an inch or two above the surface.

The Lido has been pumping out water in the last few days but the rate of outflow is being matched by the inflow from the stream.

This three mile walk starts close to Ruislip Lido with its sandy beach, before leading walkers through Ruislip Common and into some of North-West London’s historic woodland such as Copse Wood and Mad Bess Wood.

Date: Saturday June 21, 2008, registration is at 12pm - see Marie Curie web site for further details

I would like to thank everyone who came along today, we collected over 20 bags of rubbish. Thanks to Donna at the pub for the well earned refreshments. A few of us are going back at 0800 on Sunday to top up our good work and we look forward to making this a regular event. Thanks again to all our volunteers, I hope no one got sun stroke.

See you all at the AGM on 29th May at 7pm in the green huts on the embankment.

On Saturday 10th May we are meeting at the car park entrance at 10:00am.

Please come and support us!  We need litter pickers and we would also like to recruit new members.  We will have a table by the Lido entrance and even if you just come to say hello we would love to see you. And don’t forget on Sunday it is the anual Woodlands Open Day where there will be demonstrations and stalls.  It’s always a good day!

Another year, another herd of cows.  Doesn’t seem like a year since the last arrival.

Some of the cows have both horns up, forecasting sun, some both horns down forecasting rain and this one indicates showers.

Despite the snow work continued on the path which was completed by the afternoon.

Widening the path improves the safety for pedestrians walking to and from their cars and is concrete (well tarmac at least) evidence that the Friends of Ruislip Lido can a make positive impact on the facilities.