Barking mad!

Only the brave (or totally crazy) would run around & task in storms and rain like last night's wet and wild weather, to help others in Peckham.... Lucky for me, I found four others who were just that!! As bonkers as me... Yipeeeee.

Could it be, we have not one but three, merry newbies, along to chop down trees and all boys in shorts can you believe, Girija and I couldn't have been more pleased!!

Yes joining Girija and I were 3 brilliant boys: Josh, Alberto and Daniel, all new to the Goodgym mix and how impressed was I that their first night was chosen to grace the elements and run in rain up to Grove Park allotments, to give back to their local community!! Amazing!!

Not only was it running in the rain but tasking in the rain too!! As I had been unable to predict the madness of this 'summer' weather and had pre-booked us to be down at the outdoor task of Grove Park allotments for another week. Wow and with so much to do, Liz our host couldn't wait to stand anorak- arm in arm, to unite as one as we busted through those jobs as one courageous crew!!!

Kicking off the evening Liz explained that we had 3 big tasks to achieve this eve..... * 1) The dismantling of the ancient cupboards inside the shed, * 2) The shovelling, wheelbarrowing and distribution of woodchip, * 3) The epic sawing and chopping down of the dead tree!!!!

So starting with the tree Josh set to work on the sawing effort while the rest of us tackled the other two jobs, quickly completing the shed part and moving onto team woodchip workings pronto!!

But Josh powered through and eventually was joined by Alberto our engineer who took his position as tree tackler very seriously and joined Josh in a vigorous attack of the dead bark!!

As Girija, Daniel and I shovelled, wheeled and dealt out more troffs of chips than I could count, the tree anihalation continued, with both boys banging away, this time with mallets and lasoued rope for the yank and pull technique!!

But before long the timer was nearly ticked out. Shed had been completed and woodchip distribution too!!! We only had that pesky tree to complete and it would be a full set of tasks done and dusted for this week . Pow Pow!!

But just as the boys were on the last stub to victory, I engineered a brief time-out rest, absolutely nessasary and required to reboot the energy. This of course involved indulging in some homegrown raspberries from the crop!! Yay!!

Back to work and with 2 minutes on the clock, it was heave-hoe here we go and Wood you believe it, the final fell was complete as the tree hit the decks for its earthy demise!!! Hurrah!!

As a thank you for our efforts Liz rewarded us with gifts.... 2 of the most gigantic courgettes known to man and with the run back to achieve, we carried that voluptuous veg like it was a relay, taking turns to hold the hoard all the way home!! I mean.... where on earth would you ever race rain holding mutant veg and be screaming with laughter all the way...? Only Goodgym!

Back at base and we had just a smudge of time left for a short core lessons, involving knee tucks, press ups and planks, bringing us home to a finale to be proud of!!

Oh what a night! The weather gave us a fright. But battled it we did, to give back to our Liz and the allotments at large, before a homeward charge!! Fab night. Fab tasking and Fab crew.

See you next time!!!

DO GOOD. FEEL GOOD. INSPIRE