What a night of celebration we have tonight as 15 goodgymers, old and new, join to take on the task at the community orchard.

Firstly we welcome our 2 new runners, welcome to the Cardiff crew Evie and Simon.

CROESO

Then we had our pre-celebration for a very special birthday for Llion, followed by a night of fun celebrations at the flyte club.

Penblwydd hapus

After initial greetings and chats, we set off the walkers first on a slightly shorter and quicker route, before Lucy led the runners off through the park on a different route. We had the return of our water rolling barrel baddies, the bowsers, which allowed us to transport 80 litres of water in total at a time. Michael ran with them initially, until we hit the park and then the running challenges could begin. Each runner took a turn of running with a single bowser, and this certainly engaged the concentration as those contraptions had a mind of their own at times.

Our first stop along the way was at the cricket changing rooms, where the outside tap was situated. we picked four people to stay back and fill up the bowsers, whilst the rest ran over to the orchard to meet up with the walkers. Michael gave a quick briefing on the tasks, and a quick overview of the orchard project - which was really looking well settled on just its second year.

We had a couple of tasks tonight, so we split the group up to tackle them,

• running the bowsers back and forth to get filled
• watering the orchard
• collecting seeds from a couple of plants

Michael handed out brown envelopes for the seed collecting, and showed everyone which plants we were collecting from and how to get the most seeds. Our plants of choice were foxgloves and honesty.

Did you know?

The Welsh for foxgloves is "Ffion", remember that next time you meet someone with that name. Other translations are "bysedd y cŵn" and "Maneg Ellyllyn".

After a good half an hour of running back and forth, collecting seeds and Michael eating blackberries from the bushes like a feral animal, it was time to collect everything together, including ourselves, take a group photo and head back. Michael had to leave us at this point to drop off the bowsers at another location so that he could then join everyone for the birthday celebrations and darts.

Thanks to everyone for coming, expect some foxglove planting sessions in the orchard next year thanks to all of the seeds collected.

10 goodgymers tonight, taking to the glorious rain after another heatwave...

oh hello

We were returning to our friends at Cwtch Together, where the stingy plants had shot up. This is not what you want at a play group, so gloves on and elbow grease at the ready, we were off. A group went out into the play fields next to Cwtch Together, as this is where a lot of the nettled were coming from and poking through the metal fence.

Another group were up by the sign, clearing those green meanies away. We had the path cleaners, getting to hard work (one of the last groups to finish working - hardcore).

It was plenty of team work to make a dream work tonight, and we loved it.

This group of 9 gifted joy to Camden's older residents this week!

Our lovely group of Londoners – Charlie, Danny, Gosia, Jackie, John, and Steve – welcomed 2 very wonderful Cardiffians – Dylan and Rosie – this week! It was brilliant meeting you both!

In humid and warm climes, our friendly group started the night with a swift meander through Camden and Kentish Town, and we arrived at Cressfield Close Sheltered Housing in happy spirits :)

Popped between Gospel Oak and Kentish Town, this cul-de-sac hides many a wonderful surprise – some like to visit the city farm (and their friendly goats) and others (like us yesterday) like to explore the (beautiful) communal garden for older residents.

We met our favourite hosts – Marie and Michael – and they were prepared with water and tools, as well as tasks aplenty.

Charlie and Danny turned a patch of planting soil – making it wonderfully ready and waiting for summer bulbs!

Dylan and Rosie tackled a square of weeds and grass – and made the heavy work appear light, leaving it clear and ready for planting!

And Gosia, Jackie, John, and Steve didn't let the hedgerows become obstacles – they crawled and knelt and reached and dug – and they turned a weed-filled patch into a silky-smooth area fit for a flower show!

Thank you, everyone! It was lovely to see you!! And we hope to see you again, Dylan and Rosie!!

Tonight was an evening of celebration.

We welcomed our newest member to the group Jessica

CROESO JESS

Another goodgym baby on the way, we can't wait to meet them Sophie.

And finally, introducing the new Lucy, now with wings....

Happy 100th Deed

Our walkers set off first, a direct route to the task, whilst Michael took the joggers on a slightly lengthened route to the task.

A nice evening for a run, with a good breeze. Once we arrived it was straight to work, the gloves out and the tasks explained.

It has been a while since we were last here, and the genes had certainly bounced back since their last trim. This was the first job for Lucy, to contain the growth and stop it encroaching onto the pathways.

Everybody else, over to the fence, it is time for a fence painting frenzy.

There was no stopping us, even a slight bit of rain fixing halt us. Thankfully the rain passed by quite quickly, so the painting continued along with the conversation of the task.

Have you got your own dabber?

Bingo, well that's the next social sorted then...

Lucy had moved on to dead heading roses and the painting crew had nearly finished the second large fence. No leaving until this parts complete. It was a quick run back, so we stayed on a little longer than usual in order to finish the fence.

Quick group photo, then off we popped.

Next week we head over to global gardens , join us for some active fun.