Another enjoyable visit to Mr G with amusing chat and a chance to look through some of his amazing artwork.

The supermarket was gearing up for the festive season, with Christmas classics blaring over the speakers. As a former expert window display designer, I don’t think Mr G would have been too impressed by the slightly haphazard piles of seasonal supplies though.

A new item on the shopping list this week: tinned tuna! And in the absence of one of his usual ready meals, I used my in-depth knowledge of his off-list preferences to provide a chicken korma as a substitute.

Maria , Steph Ducat and Harveyarrived early as ran to the park, so helped setup the course, mainly around the roundabout. we out signs up and Harvey did a course check. Alan arrived and joined the crew. While we were waiting for the children, a small girl arrived with her special necklace....a princess necklace which was going to help her with her running. Apparently she would not come without it : so we had a princess on the course.Maria then did the warm up: well done!! Joannaand the others were marshalling around the course which saw roughly 50 finish the course on a sunny chilly morning.

My first visit to Mr G for several weeks and he was on sparkling form. Looking well and stylishly dressed, his highly amusing worldview was to the fore as soon as I arrived. As well as the usual topics, he told stories about some (sometimes notorious) celebrities who are his distant relatives or old acquaintances.

He showed me a photo of himself in the early 1980s which to my mind bore a striking resemblance to the vocalist in a famous Mancunian band. Sheepishly acknowledging the similarity, Mr G insisted that he himself had pioneered the distinctive hairstyle.

Shopping was straightforward: nothing had changed in the list or moved location in the store. Securing the last paninis on the shelf added to the satisfaction of an enjoyable mission.

There was plenty of chat pre-task about whether we would be planting bulbs in the snow last night, but that didn't stop a group of be-thermalled GoodGymers turning up to help out with the second half of a big task last night. Just goes to show that GG Hounslow is made of sterner stuff!

So, after a much needed warm up at the town hall, we ran down to meet Abundance London for the second part of our mammoth task to plant thousands of bulbs on Chiswick High Rd. The plan is that the spring flowers will deter passers-by from throwing rubbish in the beds, to improve biodiversity next to a busy road, and to cheer up the place with a splash of colour!

Last week we had spent some time clearing away the leaves and doing a bit of weeding. Not only did this prep the area for planting but it made sure the pavement had fewer slip risks from the wet leaves. We grabbed our shovels and bulbs and started work.

There were established plants to get in, tulips, daffs and narcissus, and a limited period before we lost all feeling in our fingers. There was no time to lose!

With hundreds of bulbs to go in, and we dug and planted steadily. By the time we had finished, Karen from Abundance London said that we had saved them days of work! Well done everybody.

Don't forget about the session this Saturday at the Bend it like Beckham task and next week we're back at Harvard Hill - see you there!

Alan and I teamed up to help the lovely Mrs L and her husband on a bright and crisp November morning.

When we arrived Mrs L greeted us and Mr A showed us through to the back garden. Mrs L has lost her sight and used to enjoy her garden.

We were tasked with weeding and clearing fallen leaves. Which we enjoyed and spent a good hour chatting as we worked. Alan, who is on the road to recovery after a nasty knee injury discovered that seated weeding was ideal for his current rehab stage.

After filling two garden refuse bags we ventured back into the warmth of Mrs L’s kitchen where we made a further discovery, that Mrs L’s past occupation had been very similar to Alan’s. Chemists unite!