Someone might have been barking on about the time, but the rest of us were turning over a new leaf

It was a double task for Richmond on Monday, so just as well 17 of us turned up to take it on. After a frosty sort of day, Mark was intent on keeping us warm by having us skip up the hill towards Silver Birches care home in Richmond. At this point, Group 1 disembarked with instructions to sweep up all of the autumn leaves clogging up the driveway and drains, and to meet back at base by 8.30pm. Group 2 ran on to one of our regular task owners, ETNA community centre in St Margarets, to tackle persistent weeds and mulch the area with bark.

Those of us left behind to sweep felt quite satisfied as we cleared the whole area of leaves, depositing 17 bags (one for every runner) by the time we were ready to go. As two of the home staff popped out to see how we had done, we were chuffed to hear their astonishment at the number of bags we had accumulated at the side of their bins (astonishment that quickly turned to a perplexed musing about how on earth they were going to actually dispose of quite so many bags…).

A short run back to base was made only slightly more interesting than normal when Jenna was so busy chatting that she began leading the group away from Richmond and towards Mortlake, leaving a thoroughly confused back marker *(me!) *to start chasing them down. Fortunately, they turned back before I had to start sprinting.

Meanwhile, Group 2 were busy doing good in St Margarets…and there was no shortage of bark but a little bit shy on time due to the array of tasks that ETNA had entrusted us with. Mark was busy juggling keys to a bin, a shed, a front door and just about anything else that had a lock on it. Mean while all of the runners scurried around in search of bark, compost and matting. We had to strip away the leaves, peel back the bark, pull up the weeds, carefully cut the matting which once in place just left us getting the bark and compost back on (Ha ha how do you like that weeds!). If this sounds easy then you need to put your hand up and let me know the next time we visit ETNA and you can lead the way.

Even with our team divided, with German precision there was a sense that non of us wanted to leave without getting more done! But alas Mark just kept barking on about the time. Each and every runner that attended the ETNA site should give themselves a pat on the back, we finally gave those weeds a lesson, filled an industrial green bin (there was talk of jumping up and down on top to make more room!) and made a great start on the matting thanks to Mahmoud'scrafty Stanley knife skills.

Meanwhile, Jane and Claire put the floristry finishing touches to the pots in the front garden. Not only did it look beautiful but Mark owes Claire an apology, he clearly knows nothing, whatsoever about plants and if you check the photo of the finger pointing at the description then Claire is 100% correct...doh!

A great well done to Natalie for the inspiration on the pun and for your first run that is pretty awesome and note to Holly, don't forget to stretch your arms tomorrow after all that shoulder pressing the dustbin lid.

As well as Natalie another warm welcome on their first run goes to Marie and it was lovely to see the return of Rosie and Laura for their second run with us.

Mark let us know that he would like to recruit some more team members into Richmond’s taskforce, so if you are keen to lead on the social side, write up the run reports, market the group, back mark on the night or do anything that you think will help our Richmond group to grow on its first year of success, then let Mark know.

Finally as mentioned, the London GoodGym social see's its last one of the year this Thursday (9th) , details can be found here