Cold air back, but with it some healthy numbers for a trot down The Lea. Cat and Georgina blessing us with a cameo after a long stretch away, great to have the duo back. Rosie returning post-lurgy plus Brad and Paul getting stuck in after a while.

We discussed "guity tv pleasures", there's an array of nonsense that we just can't turn off: Gladiators, The Bachelor, Bad Architecture, Scrap heap challenge, First Dates, Selling Sunset and this weeks winner, moo-ve over everyone else, Georgina's youtube habit of watching cows get their hooves trimmed. You can't script this stuff.

The exhibition hall at Cody Dock looked like it had been developed a bit more since our last visit, the greenhouse I think just sprouted over night. Which isn't not normal for Cody Dock. One group swept, whilst another team made some chairs... and eventually all ten of us were on seat construction. Thirty chairs made and trillions of dust particles tidied, solid work that.

For those going to Cody Dock for Friday shin dig, send pics and have a cracker. See you next week for an overdue reunion at Hackney Adventure Playground, it's only been four years. I'll set up the listing now.

Till then,

B

Huddling outside base, a warm air was punctuated as cold rain fell on team. We flew through an improvised question: "what's your favourite Parkrun - or run if you haven't done one, yet?" Upton Park, Valentine's Park, Holtham Parkrun, a run somewhere in Southampton, canal loop and Beckton coming in for the win for the jovial ways.

Down to Get Out Gardens, a first for Matt and Cat in the Bow permaculture haven. We were missold a planting session but had a solid stint at weeding instead. Two beds, two teams, several forks and trowels - we got to business. Catching up on life as we went along; Coronation concert line-up, Mexican tequila tasting, outsourcing work abroad, two week Half Marathon training plans and more.

The before and after pics look great (which I can't seem to upload). I do love a Wednesday eve at Get Out, such a compact biodiverse spot off the urban Bow rd. I'll book another one in there in a few weeks. But from one awesome green community space to another, next week it's Abbey Garden - sign up here

Get some lovely weekend miles in as the temp picks up a bit, see you'll next week.

B

A highly anticipated return to Get Out Garden, it's been one whole winter and a dash of autumn since we last harvested a haul of sumptuous cherry tomatoes in Bow.

As per recent weeks, we greeted a bunch more of the squad at the gardens. Keiran, laid down the instructions loud and clear: one group tidying up, another on compost turning, a couple on seed sowing in the shelter of the polytunnel and a potato planting crew to boot.

The early rain petered off and we cracked on till just after eight, before downing tools and heading back into a cloudy dusk sky. Kieran must've been impressed as has been in touch about locking in another session asap.

Next week we're at Nomadic Gardens, get stuck in and sign up here

Apologies for a very tardy report, I blame the baby.

Till next week,

B

Some kind of tipping point occurred yesterday, as we shot up from two sign ups to a very respectable eight, in seemingly minutes. Folks certainly weren't coming out for the weather, no top-up tanning up for grabs, a dark sky spat out constant drizzle and the mercury was low...and there were tube strikes.

Hils, Kev and I ran over, we had doubled numbers on arrival as Gualti, Cat and Georgie joined us from the rear (no laughing at the back). Charlotte and Sarah joining us at Abbey Gardens for the full complement. We buzzed Alice and she gave us instructions; spread the massive pile of woodchip between the new beds. Simple, classic GoodGym graft - get a sweat on and make on a difference.

We alternated shovelling and barrowing, with three transporting the goods and the other five launching smoky wood vaguely near them. A random chap got stuck in, clearly a natural at shovelling in the dark - potentially a first for us at GGN. The pile was seen to before 8pm came along, which let's be honest doesn't always happen. So let's acknowledge that hustle.

I'm off for a couple weeks now peeps, but I look forward to catching up in BST - don't know about you, but I'm ready for Spring.

Sign up for next week here at Nomadic Gardens.

Be glorious,

B

Booted off March with a flyering session yesterday, four of us ran down to Cody Dock, when we eventually became a respectable eight. Amongst the chat on route was "what's your favourite pizza?" Goats cheese and red onion? Half and half style, with tuna on one side, cajun chicken on the other? Ham, olives, mushrooms and goats cheese? American Hot? Or as Kev said -"ALL the pizza".

Two groups dished out some info for the upcoming Spring Fair at Cody Doc, see details here. With a plusher flyer than we're used to, things are obviously going well dockside. Louise, joined us after her Tour of east London's back streets, just in time to post a few leaflets.

Not a huge amount else to report really - next week should be nice, short run over to Get Out Community Garden, for some hands on action in Bow's permaculture oasis. Sign up here

Have a good end to your week - and enjoy those pizzas.

B