Only 7 of us met at the gym last night but we doubled in numbers for maybe one of our biggest groups (?) to hang out with The Ideas Hub and friends in the park.

Richard made a surprise appearance, spotted Mohammed maybe doing some warmup laps before 6.30. Leah provided mobile security services (the car boot) and Rich was very happy to talk about his new shoes to someone other than poor Jane. Martin arrived and we were all officially early to set off for a loop of the park before 6.45.

At the park we found Fay and Sallyann and waited for Edith from the Ideas Hub.

The plan was to chat and have fun with some people who have recently moved to town and want to practice English where it might not be their first (or second!) language. It was clear that football is universal, and there was some light jesting about who is currently losing to who while we walked to the gym equipment in Admirals park for a very serious and structured work out.

And by that I obviously mean have a mess about.

The plan is to do some more of these going forward, so if you want to show us how many chin-ups you can do or just have a wiggle on the surfer, come and have a chat!

2 sacks collected, 1 mile covered, Area looks better.

Turns out, only I wanted to!

Anyway, we had a longer run tonight ahead of us to Beaulieu and were so raring to go I even forgot to take a pic. Did an action shot and happy with how clear it is!

Leah was very confident she knew the route there (ish), and led us right to where we wanted to be - a playground! Richard climbed into the tunnel after deciding he wouldn't get stuck, Mohammed clambered on top, and Steve surfed his way to glory.

We then crossed to the new pavement they'd built since last time we were there and met the rest of the gang. While it was supposed to be a painting task, it had switched to cleaning walls and windows after a paint snaffoo.

Leanne began to shamelessly brag about how she is one of a hundred people who is going to be swimming the marathon equivalent in September this year (everyone who knows her knows how much she loves to brag). Fay rudely asked me what was up with my face. Sallyann has sadly put her back out so had to do photos and joyfully pose with Charles with me. We finished up after Martin opined that he had deja vu in cleaning walls, right down to being asked to do the high stuff.

As we were leaving, it happened. Andy Holmes. Voted greatest DJ of all time (or something like that). Congrats! Sadly he turned away when I pretended to drop the trophy.

We headed back to get out of the car park before road closures and went on our merry way. Next week is painting at Meadow View!

We said a very warm welcome to Mohammed for his first GoodGym task, looking to get fit and help out, as well as improve his English. Big thanks to Richard for helping Mohammed to register on the website and to request his t-shirt. Also thanks to Russell for reminding me to do a headcount before setting off; I'm a bit rusty on the old run leading protocol. We were pleasantly surprised to see Jane without Rich, apparently he had better things to do?!

Joel and Ben led us out along the bunny walks in the sun (it was still light?!) and up to Tyrells Primary School. Our task was to excavate heaps of soil and gravel and dig out the patchwork of weed suppressing membrane underneath. Fay was already digging when we arrived, and Sallyann was on photo duty.

Everyone grabbed a shovel and started digging. Some of the membrane was easier to get at than other areas; Martin, Joel, Russell, Fay and maybe Andy, worked particularly hard on one area and dragged out a large sheet of membrane as the last triumph of the evening.

There was some question as to how hard Andy was working, judge for yourselves from the photos.

Excellent work everyone. We'll be back in May for some more hard work.

We've got a community mission at Barrow Farm on Sunday morning and the quiz at the Ale House on Sunday evening, and next week we're painting at Beaulieu Community Centre.

See you all soon,

Laurie

Meeting in the rapidly fading sunshine Fay offered us the option - take on #FaysFysicalChallenge and be legends or wuss out. Naturally, Andy wussed out. You can see the challenge and the rest of us tackling it on the gram. Newcomer Steve must have wondered what he got himself in to! Welcome.

We undertook a bit of democracy and decided to go for the run first, as we were picking litter very close to base. Leah was confident she knew where she was leading us and we set off for a jaunty 4.5km run.

Once we got back we picked up the pickers, the bags, and the area activator. Some disgraceful littering by people, but graceful GoodGymers got to work.

Some lovely finds tonight. My personal highlight is the (empty) parking ticket we found which Steve put on the car blocking the pavement. I'd love to see the driver's face when he saw it.

Rich W will be gutted he missed out on spoons. Someone won't be best pleased they lost their credit card. But even worse, someone will be devastated I'm sure that they ended their night without their trousers and underwear! Three very full bags found, excellent work.

I am looking forward to hearing how Richard gets on eating a kiwi with the skin on as though its an apple, and how Rob's race goes this weekend! Jealous of him going to Prague at the start of April, less so for needing to do the half marathon...

The clocks go forward next weekend so it'll be light for group runs soon, that'll be almost as exciting as getting my hands on some more of Martin's allotment produce.

Happy running everyone! See some people at Parkrun, if not next week.