Holland Park Estate by Jenny.

Another great turn out at Papa's park this week, despite it getting ever colder and darker - good stuff! Before we got going we had a big round of applause for Katie who has hit 100 good deeds, and she and James were presented with their, erm, "prizes," which included some vital 1930s tips on how to be a good husband. Do share, James.

The group split in two for the runs and tasks, although it sounds like all the runners were doing something green-fingered. The faster group ran a total of 4 miles to St Bede's church, where they helped keep the flower beds looking lovely; those of us on the more sedate 2 mile run went to Holland Park Estate and also spent our evening in flowerbeds, pulling up weeds and getting the soil ready for a lot of fresh new plants.

Probably the most impressive feat of the night was Rebecca's bulk buy of a variety of torches for only £11- absolute bargain!

Having been told there would be cake on our return, I definitely ran quicker on the way back- and it didn't disappoint. Thanks Becca and Katie. I'm going to dream about chocolatey pastry goodness tonight. Another fab Tuesday night session- well done everyone!

St Bede's Church By James

Mulch ado about nothing

25 of us mulched our way up to St Bede's Church near Streatham Hill. They'd received a delivery of mulch and needed it spreading on their flowerbeds to release some bacteria-y goodness into the soil. We split into mulch collectors and mulch spreaders and got to task, enjoying the fresh aroma of newly ground mulch. Special mentions go to Elise for her gracious technique of throwing empty mulch buckets over a wall for them to be filled again, and to the various wheel barrowers transporting the mulch from the pile to the beds, many of them runnning while doing so. Once we'd coated the beds in double layers of mulch, we mulched on back down the hill to Papa's park.

MULCH LOVE

As we said goodbye to September, GG Hackney were also wishing a fond farewell to Coach Ellie from Brent, as they hosted her for one last fling with the East.

After a bitter-sweet housekeeping, an energetic team of eight adventurers took to the streets to conquer the creeping cold and complete the mud shifting task for the Narrow Street partnership.

With a swift shuffle to Wilton Estate to collect the tools with Debbie, the team split into 3 sub crews and at varying speeds weaved their ways through the back streets up to the meet point to begin.

The people of Mare Street didn't quite know what to make of the red shirted army of spade yielding warriors as we hot foot it through the crowds. Luckily though, Ellie's safety briefing beforehand saved any casualties befalling the night... "don't hit anyone coz we'll get sued" Right you are then!!

Arriving on task the team worked furiously stuffing bin bags with soil from the old flower beds and stacking those bags into pile upon pile. The combination of lifting and squatting, worked up a sweat, got the blood pumping and kept spirits high, despite the holy bags and outpouring of the already collected mud!! Our hard work only to be undone and completed again twice over!!!! Aghhhgghhh

Despite the set backs, the time crept away and the crew wrapped up the final throws with a total of 12 full bin bags and 5 empty troughs!! Good work.

As quick as we'd arrived again we were on the move, with a weaving and bobbing manoeuvre extravaganza and last wheelbarrow push up to Wilton for the final drop.

Upon Steph's request and to the..... Ahem... Delight?!?? Of the rest, the night ended with a masterclass in squats and a team who were schooled in "engaging their glutes" and conditioning their hammys. Becoming experts in no time (despite the odd accidental twerk) coach Ellie was proud and set the homework to continue the good work started and invited them to GG Brent to keep it up!

Stretching to finish and a collective team brain scratcher to come up with the pun....I'm.still waiting for team entries LOL The night was at a close for another week.

Until we meet again Hackney Crew, you've been a delight and a breath of fresh air, to this westy out of water. See you again soon!!

FEEL GOOD. DO GOOD. INSPIRE

My take on last night is a bit sketchy... except for one key moment. The moment I stuffed a piece of Jay's cake in my mouth.

First, let's cover off the events before then;

We met. We made sure we didn't defecate in Papa's. We welcomed the lovely new people. We congratulated Beth on her drinking marathon. We congratulated ourselves on GoodGym's speed volunteering award from Boris. We split into two groups. Group one ran to Palace Road Nature Gardens. They did some gardening. They ran back. They ran a good 6-7km. Group two ran to Brockwell park Greenhouses. They shoveled manure and cleaned out the pond. They got free veggies to take home. They ran about 5km. Everyone met back at Papa's.

AND THEN JAY ARRIVED.

With Jay, came the most wonderous of cakes. A flourless chocolate cake, laced with orange and rum, covered in fresh cream, blackberries and raspberries. It was possibly the best thing I have put in my mouth. EVER. And I have put some magnificent things in my mouth in my 34 years. I have never heard so many "OH MY GOD"s and "WOW"... it really was that good.

I feel sad for all those who didn't get to taste it. Perhaps a lessen will be learned though. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS COME TO GOODGYM!!.