Styx and stones may break my bones

5 do gooders and a bodiless head took to the streets of Haringey armed with an overwhelming need to do good along with making light work of the 2k run and eerie task.

We missed you guys - Hurry back now ya hear

Due to unforeseen circumstances we were unable to attend last weeks planned task. This week however it was back on. We were headed for a community space called Styx. A little slice of East London, which had been almost magically transported to Tottenham Hale. There were only a few of us this week as some of our fellow goodgymmers had got in touch earlier in the evening to say they were unable to make it (We missed you guys - Hurry back now ya hear). This didn’t stop banterful conversations flowing between GGer’s. Off we set into the moonlight and what a beautiful moon it was. It seemed to tempt me in some weird way. Anyways. After a brisk 1k run we had reached the task gates, which were locked; one or two of my fellow do gooders look at me worriedly.

Mr Miyagi and his wax on wax off method

Fear not - within seconds Simon, who works at Styx, seemed to just appear from nowhere. He let us in to the courtyard and away we went to look for the wood stain and paintbrushes we would need to stain some benches and the wooden floor atop of a sea container. We found them but there only seemed to be two brushes and ten bated hands. We all jumped to attention looking around for some extra brushes. While searching through a pile of wood and perspex off cuts, in an old art installation in the courtyard, I saw a pair of old socks that had clearly seen better days. I instantly thought of Mr Miyagi and his wax on wax off method. I then wondered whom I could bestow these soggy socks on? Paul popped into my mind. I of course refrained from this trail of thought and thankfully as the last stone was turned another member of the Styx team turned up – Conner. He found a few rollers for us and the job was a good’un.

Someone was even nice enough to have left us some left overs. Mmm!

After searching for a stick in styx to mix the wood stain the team got straight to work with staining the benches. This was tackled with such eager vigor we were able to splinter off into two groups. One staining the benches and the other staining the floor atop of the sea container, which is a lovely little dining area. Someone was even nice enough to have left us some left overs. Mmm!

I looked down at my arm

While checking the vicinity for any ghouls, ghosts or walking dead I stumbled on a bathtub with a gun in it. I told myself not to panic and was right not to – it wasn’t as real as it looked, merely a prop that had probably been used during one of Styx theatrical events. The vicinity was safe and the team were still grafting away. Nice! Paul mentioned wax on wax off as he painted the rooftop. I thought if you only knew Paul, if you only knew. I then tugged my arm on the banister as I made my way back down to check on the benched team. I looked down at my arm and it seemed hairier than usual, this really freaked me out as I probably have twice the hair of your average dude, baring in mind my waist length locks. I also realised I had a slight toothache. Anyways.

We were drawing ever closer to the end of the task. We had managed to finish staining the floor and benches with a little time to spare so we hosed down the decking, cleared away the wood stain, took a few silly photos then left the Styx Space - locking up as we went. A round of high fives and we were off back to HQ for a rather interesting game of planks. Hmm! After our usual sprint along the home straight I got the guys to do an elevated plank with a twilight twist. We then stretched before departing. Off into the moonlight I rode.

That was the last thing I remember

During my ride home I just couldn’t seem to take my eyes off the moon. I also had an un natural urge to eat, I thought of the left over pizza left on top of the sea container but that didn’t seem meaty enough. This hunger was turning into a pain. I then felt a sharp pain on the palm of my hand. I released the handlebars to check my hand – my palm was cut and my nails were freakin huge. That was the last thing I remember but I found this selfie on my phone this morning.

Next weeks task

Until next week folks

Be bad (Halloween only)– keep fit and stay out of the light,