Hard as snails

One lonesome loon legged it through Bromley, covering just under 7km IN THE RAIN and pulling a big bin bag worth of weeds up at Downham Community Centre.

Rain doesn't stop play at GoodGym! We still do good! ...or at least that was the mantra I chanted to myself, as I created a whole new series of training moves along London Road. First was the Dodge-the-Four-by-Fours-Attempting-to-Splash-me-with-Road-Grime and the second was Leap-Over-ALL-THE-SNAILS! I wasn't entirely surprised to be tackling tonight's task by myself, this is not the kind of evening where you look out of the window and think, 'I'm going to give GoodGym a try tonight, yes, that'll be fun!'

Fact is, it was fun!

The run out was largely down hill, nice! Occasionally a kind driver would wave me on, taking pity from the warmth of their car, smashing! I got to fit in a nice bit of exercise in a different area and I had the pleasure of not having to look at the map once, result! Admittedly, I did keep wondering if I was going the right way, but,

• there was no way I was stopping

• I didn't want to get my phone wet

• I didn't care! It was liberating not knowing if I was, in fact, going the right way!

I was going the right way and before I knew it, I was standing in the reception of the D(r)ownham Community Centre, faced with a frankly stunned-looking Shane. 'Oh. Erm, I don't think we have any towels. You know, you can leave it for tonight if you like'. I dripped a bit more. There is no way I was running all that way and not doing any good. Show me where the good needs doing and I will do it!

Out I went, Shane still offering concerned get-out clauses, but no, there was weeding out back and it was all mine! It was quite pleasurable really, tramping in puddles, shoes squelching, rain dripping off my nose, pulling up weeds, softened by the rainfall, chopping away at brambles and nettles and trying to 'do a Simon' and get a decent selfie with wet fingers. In no time I had filled a whole bin bag and decided my work here was done.

That down hill became an up hill, but no problem! The four-by-fours had eased a little now and I had the warmth of the train to look forward to. On I went, feeling the warm glow that only comes from making a difference in your community. How about joining us one week? Come on Bromley, your community spaces need you! Next week is up and ready, so why not sign up and see what all the fuss is about?