This week's RWQ could've been gone either way, but as it happens, it nose-dived into a fast-flowing mountain river, strewn with jagged rocks. I mean "what's your favourite pair of shoes ever?" isn't that inspired, but I know strange people that could've talked about their best running shoes, for like an hour. I know too many runners. Anyway, we still had some solid responses; old converses, NFL shoes, vegetarian shoes, track racing spikes, some fluffy slippers and a pair of swanky boots.

We completed a couple of types of post related jobs at the Get Out Garden. Dismantling and decanting a com-post-er, and supporting posts to divide the garden. Like a postman, you guys delivered the goods. We cleared the old structure of palettes and dropped the compost onto some beds, while discussing insects, jobs, and comedy. Kev and Hils, ably knocked in some posts with no tools but enough ingenuity to make it happen.

And Kev, before i forget, cloud seeding; releasing of silver iodide into the atmosphere, which has a similar structure to ice, hence attracts it, and forms rain.

Next week, it's Hackney Adventure Playground. Sign up here.

Have a corking weekend, some LM spectating perhaps.

Till next week,

B

Finally we got some evening light back, as Rebecca noted, whilst realising she'd never seen us under the harsh reality of daylight. We spoke about our most watched film; Flash Gordon, A Bridge Too Far, Lion King, Die Hard (2?), Lord of The Rings and Home Alone but to mention a few.

Somewhat of a smellier Greenway trip than normal, as works were being carried out, we arrived at Abbey Gardens before our leader, Xuan. In the meantime we opened a lock, found a key, opened another lock, and then took out some tools for our task, Crystal Maze style. Hils and Matt launched into some heavy duty compost turning work, Brad and I worked on some easy weeding and conversation, whilst the others cleared a few beds of weeds. A surprise cameo from Rosa, was a nice treat to see her at a session. We also ate some rather strong and punchy cress, which is where the random title comes from, if you had wondered.

Next week we hit up Cody Dock again, but following on from news of a finger being bitten off, by an old GoodGym runner nonetheless, please apply caution when flyering. It was an absolute freak accident, but no harm being extra cautious.

Sign up here

ps. Huge congrats to Matt, he's expecting a little person in August! pps. Good luck Rebecca on your HM, enjoy the challenge.

Till next week

B

Over to Hackney Adventure Playground, been a while since I said that. A huge hearty welcome to Alice for her first session in Newham, slotting seamlessly into the task, hope you enjoyed it. Our old pal Chris is back in Stratford too, after a few years away it was great to have the man back. We broached the topic of guilt once more, this time in a musical sense. Whilst some of you claimed to have no guilt re music, you understood the assignment nonetheless; Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, S-Club 7, Lil Wayne, Peter Andre and Dolly Parton all providing us some auditory pleasure, but at what social cost?!

Rambling over we jooged through the QEOP and down the canal towards the playground and a well overdue reunion with Ange. She explained how Sport England money is supposed to be paying for a new ground, ten years in the making. Our job was to clear some materials Ange had hoarded for future use (makes you rethink how bad it is keeping that sentimental mug ). Namely these huge wooden poles and fire doors, these things had serious mass, we needed the full GoodGym gun-show yesterday to make it happen. There's no doubt you've made a very useful difference to a marvelous local service, for that I salute you.

Next week we head to Park Village Oasis, sign up here. We're going to finish blitzing a tiny green area to prepare it for some fruit trees.

Till then,

B

The mercury dropped, but technical layers were added and the folks of Stratford marched on. We discussed "favourite non-profane insults" and got some good ones: idiot, weasel, numpty and this week's winner...you big wet lettuce.

We arrived at Cody Dock in groups, greeted by the effervescent , Basia. She led us to the toilets, strangely, or not so strangely for those of you that recall last year being awkwardly walked into a portaloo, which in a turn of events was a secret door to a hidden party, I shit you not (pun intended). This week, that didn't happen, but it was warmer, so there's that. We did 'touch-up' the toilets; the walls, ceilings and benches in particular. We discussed Petra, the history of violence in the middle east, mist coats, Joey Barton's enjoyable implosion and 30 year wedding anniversaries, amongst other things.

I personally had a very pleasant wednesday evening, hope you did too. I'll pass on the barcode that Basia sent to sign up for their party on Feb 9th, I'll see you there.

Next week, we're at Get Out, sign up here.

Till then,

B

Last hurrah of 2023, forecasted to be a select few, until it became apparent that people just didn't sign up, lovely surprise really. We discussed "what makes you feel old?" as our weekly opener and the answers flowed like Frank Sinatra at a Bingo night.

• Getting told you give off "dad vibes"
• When an adult is born this century
• The severity of hangovers
• Looking in the mirror
• Excitement levels of buying a new vacuum
• Being the longest serving employee (by decades !)
• Seeing NOW 3654 being released when you bought NOW 01
• When someone thinks you were in education in 70's...and your in your 30s. Low blow.

Right, now that's been shared, and I've re-cackled, let's dive on into a superb end of year swansong. Featuring a jog down a scenic Bow Road (think I saw a fox eat a pigeon), then into the church. Matt and I rolled in, doors locked, and another chap was waiting to come in too, clearly not yet of the red t-shirt persuasion. Ajenny opened the door and said "GoodGym?" He said "yeah Jim, how do you know my name" at which my brain caught up with what had happened and started a very noisy internal laughter that meant I literally couldn't speak. After regaining myself, I said to Ajenny, "we're GoodGym, he's Jim". Anyway, he was looking for another church, I hope he found it. Legend.

We were there to butter a load of sandwiches, I've got the figure three hundred in my head, sounds plausible. It's usually done by two people, who start at 530am and finish around 8am. Not this time. We lined up either side of a table and got to it, buttering white and brown bread, then repackaging it for the fillings to be added later. If anything we were too effective, wrapped up in thirty mins or a dash less. We discussed coming back to help again in late January, then we ambled over to the Forest Tavern for our Xmas Do. Excellent night with new and old members, celebrating your evening efforts and what you've done over the year. So many hands lent to some incredible grass roots organisations, quietly propping your community up - marvelous bunch. We eventually had to leave as the pub was too trendy and gave Kev hives, that's gentrification for you.

I'll see you beauties on Jan 3rd, have a few lined up in the NY, but will list and share pronto.

Thanks again for your efforts - and making wednesday a pleasure - hats off to you all.

Till next year XXX

B

Just a few of us met at Print House, we discussed "amazing and awe-inspiring things of the natural world" on route to Cody Dock - starling murmurings, life and the improbability of existence and an ibex's incredible cliff-side poise.

Billed as a midweek exercise in catharsis with the loose usage of demolition in the run listing. A more measured deconstruction happened on site, as the Princes joined us and Charlotte finally caught us up. Basia, our old mate at Cody Dock, was there to lead us to cladding removal glory. Tooled-up with drills and some hustle, we set about methodically taking off all the cladding. Once we limbered up and got up to full speed...we were literally unstoppable. If you wondered how effective your Wednesday eve was, see the before and after picture, evidence of your clout.

We nipped back and said our goodbyes to our Charlotte. We will miss your sarcastic retorts, openness and general lunacy. Good luck in Calais and beyond, see you soon mate.

Next week we head to Plaistow Primary, sign up here

Till then,

B