It was the perfect evening for a spot of GoodGyming last night. With clear skies and warm weather, we met at Cavendish school, a regular task location for us, to help with the ongoing improvements the new caretaker is bringing in.

First stop was to take a look at the nature project we've been helping with, and it was fantastic to see new pathways and big compost bins had appeared. After firefighting the weeds and overgrowth for so long in the past it feels great to see real progress happening - we'll be back again soon to support some more!

Our job for the evening was in the school grounds themselves, and it was a biggie. We were tasked with moving a huge pile of green pine cuttings over to the playground area to provide a soft surface underneath the climbing frames. So with Chris and Florian taking charge of shoveling the big pile of pine, and Suze, Luis, Emily, Tish and Jon transporting it over to the site, while Michelle and Remy raked, we were soon operating like a finely oiled machine.

Before we knew it, we were all smelling very Christmassy, and the playground had a brand new covering. We just had time to knock out an intense glute session whilst trying to remember the Superman theme song. After a quick Swan Lake recital from Michelle, we recreated one of the best GG Hounslow photos to date, and then headed out. Thanks for an amazing effort last night everyone!

Don't forget we have a couple of missions coming up which could definitely do with a few sign ups! Especially this one to help plant at Harvard Hill and next week's lunchtime shift at Hounslow foodbox which is also looking very quiet!

Next week we're going to be helping Abundance London reclaim an overgrown area in Chiswick, see you there!

Did Mr K’s shopping in time to watch the start of the Liverpool game with him!

It was a double header last night in Hounslow! With two tasks to choose from, there was something for everybody. We also got a chance to welcome Beata to her first Hounslow session - great to have you join us!

Those that preferred a shorter run/walk to a local organisation took on the weeding task at Chiswick Methodist church, led by Michelle. What sounded initially like a relatively light job actually turned out to be quite the session. Luckily, as Michelle put it, they took it very methodically....have a look at the impressive before and after photos to see what the group managed to achieve. They also had birthday girl Alanna there to keep spirits up - many happy returns to the lovely lady herself on her special day! When the group is reunited next week we'll give you the bumps.

The second group set off on a slighter longer, and arguably somewhat less scenic route to Gunnersbury Park where a hefty job relocating logs waited for us. We used what three words to find the exact location, running past many very much smaller piles of logs en route. When we finally did arrive, we realised the scale of the task. There was no shortage of enthusiasm though, and we started shifting the logs as fast as our legs could carry us. Until, that was, we discovered a section of the local wildlife that had made the pile its home. Lifting up the wood we found lots of little families of frogs nestled in the mud. So as not to disturb their peace, we gently worked around the tiny amphibians, and soon only the giant unliftable logs were left. Great work everybody.

Next week we're off to do another stint at the Cavendish Nature area, so pack your gloves ready for the next step in this exciting project.

Have a great run into the weekend GoodGym!

Back at the Rose Community Centre food bank in Brentford this afternoon. Arrived at the same time as a volunteer group from a local company who were on their first visit, so it was decided to give them the typical food sorting experience while I agreed to help clear up the outdoors area.

Managed to sweep away 10 bags-worth of leaves and twigs, which I was quite pleased with for a solo effort.

Or not quite solo…I was shadowed for virtually the whole task by an inquisitive magpie. Not usually my favourite bird given my footballing allegiance but this one didn’t seem to mind working with a Black Cat

Shopping for Mr K, this week featuring Fairy washing tablets.

After a short hiatus over the dark winter evenings, we were back for our first visit to Chiswick House and Gardens to lend a hand last night.

This amazing local space is run as a charity and free for people to enjoy, but the team have a lot of work to keep it as safe and welcoming as possible. So, after a warm up, we ran the short distance tot he estate garden and met Chris, the lead gardener, who had a very exciting job for us to do.

As we pushed our barrows over to the site in question, we got to know Vivien, who had joined for her first session - welcome to the group, great to meet you! We arrived to find several logs and a big pile of leaves and branches. The task for the evening was to build a hibernacula - in other words, a safe habitat for amphibians, hedgehogs and other creatures which increases biodiversity.

The first step was to dig a big old hole - or as it controversially became known, a shallow grave! Then we lowered the trunk into the pit, and started loading it up with smaller branches. meanwhile posts were being hammered in a circle around the hole, before weaving the leaves and twigs round them. have a look at some very impressive before and after pics!

After all that work we created one successful hibernacula and still had time to knock out a intense tabata section. Sorry about my notes disappearing half way through! Frogs, power lunges, shuttle runs, and half burpees were all executed with great form, well done everybody.

Next week we're back to a local church to help with a tidy up outside, hope to see you there! Don't forget we also have our weekly visit to help out at Hounslow community foodbox, and an upcoming green area tidy up - there's plenty to get involved in!

All the very best of luck to Steph who is running the marathon on Sunday, and to all those supporting on the day.