For peat’s sake

This is like a maths problem: how can 11 goodgymers get 75 bags of compost up two flights of stairs in half an hour?

We were so happy to be back at Hotel Indigo for the first time in two years and six days as our original GoodGym Newcastle base. Comfy seats, a warm welcome and it was just like the old days. Half of the group met there while the others met at the task, meaning by the time the walking group arrived, the task was already in full swing.

Our task tonight was a real heavy lifting job, with a whopping 75 bags of compost weighing in at around 20kg each waiting to be lifted up two flights of steps. Newcastle University students union have their very own rooftop garden which is being transformed ready for spring. Task owner Jon had asked us to come and move the compost from the bottom of the steps to the mezzanine, before cutting into the bags and emptying them into large containers that will be prepared for planting.

Liz and Louise took care of cutting and emptying while everyone else got stuck into lifting and doing multiple stair repeats. I cant decide if quads or biceps will be the biggest pain tomorrow, you will have to let me know.

The lifting was done in no time with some proper team work and tenacity, and there was time for a quick breather, water and fruit waiting kindly provided by Jon.

We will be back to the uni garden in the spring and summer to help again and see some real growth from this task.

If litter picking is your thing, we are helping the incredible Bobby Robson Foundation to tidy up the memorial gardens on Thursday, then it's back to Kenton Park for another Urban Green task on Saturday.