A spot of gardening in the dark

Andres (the Old Spike manager) was still cleaning away when Joao and Sam arrived, but it was a good chance to catch up and find out how his dogs and wife are doing.

We had Alice arrive after many months away from GoodGym, she's trying to get back into a routine after getting a new job. Congrats and welcome back! Daryl, Gemma and Paulin arrived in short order afterwards to complete all the runners running to Galleywall Nature Reserve tonight as the rest were to cycle and meet us there.

After a quick intro speech and staying indoors, Sam informed everyone of tonight's ice-breaker question, which was to do with the fact it's National Apprenticeship Week this week: What would be your alternative career (try to keep it within an apprenticeship based career)?

Daryl and Gemma would like to work with their hands...being creative and painting things. Alice want to assist and help film wildlife documentaries. Joao was inspired by Alice, but also likes diving so learn and get paid to being an underwater cameraman. Finally, Sam said he wanted to learn and get paid to become a brewer - eventually make his own beer.

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The vision after the scaffolding comes down

Running through the busy Rye Lane and then the quiet back streets of Peckham, Old Kent Road and South Bermondsey, we had arrived at Galleywall Nature Reserve just in time to meet Jane and Alan.

As the cyclists (Emma, Magda and Vic) arrived, Jane started giving out the tasks. Joao assisted Alan in taking down old rusty chains and buckles from a old sign that was attached to a few trees at the front of the Reserve. In order for this to be done, Joao needed a ladder and some pilers.

Daryl and Paulin teamed up to litter pick around the Reserve as a lot of litter was disposed around the scaffolding area.

Vic was in charge of pruning before moving onto chopping old Christmas trees with Emma.

The rest of the team helped clear under the covered space as a lot of leaves had fallen and needed to be raked, bagged and cleared.

As all this was going on, Sam was introduced to Eddie, who is part of the Scout group that uses the Reserve. He wanted to talk about future sessions in April (when the scaffolding comes down) to move a few things around, clear a few beds and build a few sheds. All ambitious plans, but one where we can help out in small areas.

The 40 minutes seemed to fly by with a couple songs from Dire Straits and I guess concentration on the tasks at hand.

Come 19:55, we stopped where we were. All tasks apart from cutting up the Christmas tree was done. There will be plenty more tasks by the time we come back in March/April. We said our goodbyes to Jane and Alan as the runners ran back 3.7k to Old Spike to arrive just in time for a quick stretch before we all went off home to cook a late warm dinner.

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! It was a freezing one! Maybe it was because I was still ill, but it felt cold and dark. Yet, the tasks at hand kept us on our toes and kept us warm. Galleywall Nature Reserve is a brilliant place to come to, but it's much better in the light. Come Spring, we'll be back!

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Thank You Jane and Alan

GoodGym is all about getting fit and doing good! We praise the runners/cyclists/walkers who come to get fit and help out, but we often forget about our task owner. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jane and Alan for giving us a variety of tasks to do on a cold February evening. The tasks of raking, litter picking and chopping up wood kept us warm. We can't wait for the next trip to Galleywall Nature Reserve.