Don't leaf me this way.

We were a lucky group of 13 in Westminster last night, who all got to know each other as we assembled in the foyer of University of Westminster and waited for our trainer. There was confusion in the air, with mutterings of Cory being in America and the possibility of a new trainer. That said, we weren’t at all disappointed when he arrived in bright yellow cycling gear, grease from head to toe having been delayed by a bicycle-related incident.

The task this week was to clear leaves from a canal-side path near Maida Vale, around 2 miles from base. The jog there was leisurely and chatty, with short sprints towards flashing landmarks added in for good measure. Upon arrival at a leaf-strewn path, we divided up gloves and 4 bin bags, only to realise we didn’t have enough of the latter. Ever the resourceful group, a few of us went on individual missions to get some more – one to a nearby bar (one big bag), another to a nearby house (three bin bags), and Cory to a nearby shop (a packet of bin bags).

Armed with more than enough bin bags, we divided into groups of three with clearly divided responsibilities – one person kicked the leaves into a pile, another picked them up, and the third carried the bin bag. With this streamlined division of labour we were able to more or less clear the path of leaves within the half hour we had there. In the heat of the task, one of us nearly picked up a small dog amongst a pile of leaves, while its owner stood by and admired our handiwork.

Not a glamorous task, but all the more fulfilling given how quickly we were able to complete it. Having cleared the majority of the leaves (see before and after photos), we separated into two groups and took the scenic, 2 mile route along Edgware Road back to base. With bystanders cheering us on, not even the smell of kebabs could hold us back. After a fast run back to Regent’s Street we were exhausted, but beaming with the pride of a job well done.