An absolute scorching bank holiday didn't stop 25 GoodGymers coming out to play. It felt good to be back after a couple of weeks off.

Kate was on her 1st GoodGym encounter so a big welcome!

We even had some GoodGym tourism with Catriona visiting us from London.

Both Emily and Danie were completing their 10th good deeds :-)

The main task tonight was to visit Grapes Hill Community Garden to do some trimming back, weeding, watering, pruning and sweeping up.

6 people also went over to Somerleyton Gardens to clear out a shrub bed so that local residents can make better use of it. Darren, Janice, Kevin, Stephen and the two Dave T's went to do this one.

Both tasks were quite different but required lots of hard work and as always, GoodGym did not disappoint.

I was feeling generous tonight so we avoided a fitness session in the heat so after the task we headed back The Forum where Katy and Bill had brought in some fresh raspberries and damsons from their allotment. Damson gin here we go ;-)

A few then headed to the pub to celebrate Elliot's 22nd birthday.

Next week we're visiting Silver Road Community Centre.

Wow - what a great turn out! Despite rain and thunder showers during the afternoon, which even made our task owner wonder if the task would be possible, our wonderful GoodGym runners were not deterred and turned out to do a good deed for the community and were rewarded by a lovely dry, sunny evening. This week we were welcoming Afiza and Simon on their first Goodgym runs - great to have you join us!

We also took the opportunity to congratulate Pete, Colin and Clare who had all reached their 10th Good Deed - well done you three!

After a catch up on the week's races and socials we went outside for a quick warm up. I love doing the routine where I shout out a number which has a corresponding action attached to it whilst everyone is meant to be running round in a circle. This usually manages to confuse a few people and ended up with the group running in opposite directions at the same time! We then set off on a nice steady pace past the bandstand in Chapelfield gardens for a roughly 3.5km run heading for the bandstand in Eaton Park where we met with the rest of our GoodGym group for the evening and the task owner Stuart. Thank you Lizzie for being back runner.

We are regulars now at Eaton Park so Stuart was ready to meet us with instructions and equipment for the tasks he wanted us to do this evening: weeding the three large rose beds near the Park entrance, weeding and tidying around the lily pond and boating lake and doing a general litter pick of the Park. As usual everyone sorted themselves out into groups for tackling these and got stuck in. Despite the time seeming to fly by loads got done and we had a quick chance for a group photo before heading back to the Forum where I was pleased to share biscuits and beans.

Next week Hitch is back from his hols to lead us (hurrah!) and we will be gardening at the Grapes Hill Community Garden. Yes that does means Hitch + a Hill!

Despite a lot of the group either doing Run Norwich or attending a heavy stag-do over the weekend, we had a fantastic turnout for the hottest run of the year so far.

Joel was on his final outing with us before moving to Malaysia for 3 years, I'm sure none of us will be jealous at all ;-)

As one door closes for one it opens for others as Hannah and Alice were on their 1st GoodGym encounter.

Emily was walk leader and Hayley was back runner and photographer.

We had another new task this week as we visited Mousehold Heath, a nice hilly 2.75km each-way jog/walk.

Will, the warden, met us there with an array of pitchforks, rakes and gloves. The task was to clear as much over grown bracken as possible as this prevents wild flowers and wildlife such as slow worms from getting enough light and sun that they require to survive. The prime example of this is when Hayley found a Slow Worm (see the inspiration for the pun now?) Will was very excited as he hadn't seen one there for 2 years as they are on the decline. With GoodGym Norwich clearing a lot or areas, creatures like these will continue to thrive.

With the size of the pile of bracken we collated you'd think all we need was a Guy Fawkes to go on top of it.

Next week we're visiting Waterloo Park.