Lucy and I were in Loughborough Junction to help Andrea before the big launch on Monday. We pulled out some weeds, cleaned windows and hung up a load of clothes on rails

There you go Nurjehan how is that report title?!!

Sometimes these things are designed to test us and this week we had a late cancellation of our planned task (Friday) with a Bank Holiday weekend in the middle to try and find something for Tuesday. Quick thinking Sarah suggested speaking to Jean at BWmG and it turned out to be spot on as she was able to confirm overnight that they could be there to welcome us.

And so with dark clouds rolling in the numbers nevertheless started ticking up on Tuesday afternoon until we had 10 runners ready and raring to go. It was great to have Tim back with us after a stint on the sidelines, Dimi so impressed with the group after having her docs checked that she had to come and run and the aforementioned Nurjehan who came all the way from North London and the Haringey group for a spot of GG tourism - awesome.

It's just shy of 1.7kms each way to the gardens so without pedestrians and crossings would be 5 mins (yes there is a bit of a hill) but this is central Brixton at peak time so we made it in just over 10 in the end. Jean and Annie were waiting for us with all the tools and equipment we could need and giving out great tips on how to prep our black bags to collect dead crops for mulch, turning and spreading soil, watering and much more.

The group divided into watering tasks (no hosepipe of course) for the fledgling trees around the park, soil turning and leaf raking / litter pickers. Joao, Tim and Dimi got their arm workout in taking water all over, Clare managed to find a bowl for picking up those most offensive of litter items that you often find in parks (sun's out, **** out**) and Lucy and Inny discovered that autumn has come early due to the hot weather and the incredible amount of leaves that had been shed.

The soil turning group of Nurjehan, Sarah and Tilly were able to carry out their task with lovely wafting mint smells from the planters artound them and by the end of the task the soil had been cleared of the ancient wheat crop that had been burnt by the summer sun (apparently it was colder in the 17th century - who knew!) and was ready for planting of the winter wheat crop. (see pics)

And that was it, a great task with the perfect background of moody sky and golden light on the windmill itself and then we were rushing downhill with runners peeling away to head home with fistfuls of wild mint freshly picked and locally produced.

Thanks everyone - see you all next week.