Gardening in a dry pond? I know we're shallow

Throughout the day, Sam received texts that people would meet him at the task. This was partly due to the fact a few lived close to the task tonight and partly due to a few people wanting to rest their legs before Sunday's Big Half. Tonight's run would take us on a 4.2k run either way, so it was understandable.

Sam met up with Benjamin and Nelly, who both arrived by 18:40, thus giving us time to take it chill to warm up and run the 4.2k at our own pace.

A pond with a dry sense of humor

Benjamin, Nelly and Sam just arrived as Mikhail showed up to meet Jane, who got the first runners/volunteers stuck into the first task. Noticing that the pond had unfortunately dried up; actually provided an opportunity to clear the banks of the willow bushes that were growing in there. Benjamin, Nelly and Mikhail got stuck in before being joined in by Alex as they had a system where two people pulled out the willow and two people chopped them down further in order to compost down quicker in the compost heap. They were later joined by Vic, who wanted to get in the dry pond and not get stuck this time (unlike the last time in waders....).

There were a few other tasks; Emma and Magdalena who arrived by bike were given the task to sort out the items felt underneath the canopy and determine what was junk and what wasn't before putting everything neatly back. It was great to see Magdalena back at GoodGym after a year or two away. The third task require just one person, so Emma took on the job of clearing the gutters of leaves before joining Sam on the final task, which was to fill the smaller pond (that hadn't dried up) with stored smelly rainwater.

After a couple of buckets of rainwater filled the pond, a few trips of shredded willow brought to the compost heap and a clear back office, we had completed all the tasks set by Jane within 40 minutes. This meant one thing; a HIIT session. Yet, knowing many are running the Big Half this weekend, Sam didn't want to tire everyone out. He just put them through a few squats (and jumping squats), jumping jacks, high knees push ups, tricep dips, lunges (and side lunges) within 8 minutes before calling it a day. After our group photo in the dried pond, Sam asked the ice-breaker question at the end, which was about the fact we will be getting a new PM on Monday: Which famous personality (sports, musician, actor/actress, author) would you want as your PM?

There was a overwhelming majority that would like Marcus Rashford, but we had actress Emma Thompson, Grime artist Stormzy and TV personalities like Jeremy Clarkson and David Attenborough, but the best answer came from Alex who has been dealing with the two candidates on offer and would think a "rock" would do a better job... We can only hope for the best!

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Thank You to all the GG-ers

A personal thanks from me to all those who came out tonight! A personal thanks to Benjamin and Nelly for coming on the run from Old Spike with me. Yet, a thanks to everyone for understanding the last minute change of destination and still being keen to get involved!

Thank You Jane

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 for saving this week's group run. A last minute change meant I had to go back to my original plan and asked Jane kindly if she could have us this week. So, a massive thank you, especially since you came back from your holidays and had no clue what state the Reserve would be in. We're glad to help out where we could for 40 minutes. We will be back in the Autumn to further shape this Nature Reserve and plant bulbs.