Shiver me timbers? No way. The Larches are warm and the Goodgymmers are sweating from shifting logs.

As I promised at cool down, I shall start this report by saying I just could not believe how hard my group is prepared to work - both on task and on the fitness session.

I have looked forward to this one ever since I missed out on that dark freezing night when you mulched the Larches.

Tonight was more of the same, but this time in the light so we could see what we were doing and could appreciate the lovely surroundings.

We set off at six with me at the lead and Jim back marking - advance party (Mel) had set off for a walk about 20 minutes before.

We welcomed Serena to her second run - she is the first of our members who comes straight from from work and needs to use the changing facilities at the DMU and it was great to prove that the process works ie DMU will provide a locker key to GG runners to change and leave stuff securely - good to know.

We also welcomed back Sam who has been off doing other stuff for a few weeks but she always promised to be back and here she was. Sam is well known in the Leicester running community and has been a great ambassador for GG - very pleased to have you back with us Sam.

Arriving at Saffron Acres after a 4k jog at a nice easy pace there was the small matter of cracking the code lock on the security gate - I struggled for a few minutes then decided to hand over to "fingers" Mitchinson who sorted it in seconds. Come to think of it, did they ever catch that 5th member of the Hatton Gardens team????

We found our tools and with Michaela leading the way with a barrow full of spades we checked out the mulch pile - half the group "Team Mulch" stayed by the larches and made nice little bark donuts round each sapling to keep the roots moist and the weeds down. The rest "Team Logs" went further up the track to shift some very heavy logs out of the long grass so that it could be mown.

Stu concluded that they were offcuts from the Arc judging on how long they had lain there, they were not so much heavy but more a case burying themselves into the undergrowth. On first sight it looked an impossible job but GG Leicester were not to be beaten. Some of the grunts and screams of effort would have easily graced the shot putt circle on the Gold Coast, particularly from the direction of Jim and Sam who appeared to be trying to out grunt each other. Rachel and Serena worked efficiently together to loosen then roll away some mighty timbers and as we manhandled one particularly large piece, an eagle eyed member spotted a little frog who had been seeking cover in the shade. Careful not to squash him Jim saw him off to safety. Before we knew it all logs had been moved and no frogs harmed in the process.

Team Mulch had also done a great job - must have been 50 or more trees mulched, no one can say we dont make a difference.

For the fitness session it was a Fartlek with a difference. Runners were asked to pick a number between 20 and 90 - when I called their name they shouted their number and that was the number of seconds they had to run hard before turning back to regroup - people who had chosen low numbers were suddenly very popular but Frank and Jen - 55 and 75..... not so much!!!

Once again lots of hard effort and great bit of banter and rivalry between Jim and Frank.

I am blessed with a lovely group of people at GG Leicester - this was our best turn out to date this year and long may it continue.

Well Done All