Tuesday evening and the temperature was in the mid/late 20s so summer is finally here and the Lambeth GoodGym crew were out in good numbers for one of our longer runs.

AA Yianny was so excited by the nice weather he forgot to select a category for the group so went with the first thing in sight - favourite type of tree… Anyway warm up done in short order and we were off for a slow steady climb up Brixton Hill.

In an incredible effort from Tilly who had run a 10k two days before was back out for a casual 6kms recovery run - what a hero! With the York 10k coming up this was a chance for a few of us to also get a bit of training under our belts as we have less than a month to go!

Stop start stop start that’s the way of it heading through Brixton rush hour but soon enough we were climbing towards the junction with Streatham Hill and then left onto Palace Road where the Nature Gardens are.

Gerry was waiting for us and first order of business was who would take the scythe on, for this task there was only one person and that was Joao who looked so comfortable with it we began to question if he wasn’t secretly a character from a 90s slasher movie. Next the group split into pairs and threes to begin trimming back all the weeds and rushes that were growing across the paths and around the pond. This was made more challenging by having fairly blunt shears (or indestructible weeds) but the group still managed to pile up large amounts of the stuff which will be left to dry out and then composted in a few days’ time.

As we were all spread out we couldn’t hear Super Sam’s tunes this week but I have no doubt they were amazing as always.

Swish, sweep, repeat. That was the rythme of the scythe doing it’s work while the nettles went to work all over Joao’s legs and the blunt shear bearers were building forearm strength just opening and closing the shears! In the end it was almost as easy using the rake to drag the weeds up as it was to cut them down.

As we packed up to leave it only remained for Shauna and Maya to take in the cuttings that were in the outside of the park and then we could be off back to base at Papa’s.

A fun and physical task for which Gerry was very grateful and a decent run to boot so all in all a very fit Tuesday - thanks everyone!

Arriving at Papa's this evening it was PARTY time! Valcie our lovely host and manager of the Park and Cafe there had booked in a summer party and we arrived to great music and Caribbean cuisine cooking up a storm. 💙

The Lambeth GG community is nothing if not committed to our cause but we were sorely tempted to pull a sickie from the evening's task and grab some Jerk Chicken and rice, a nice cold beer and sit chatting in the evening sunshine.... but of course we didn't. 🌞 Maybe it was the fact that some runners hadn't warmed up their hips for the dancing or maybe we really didn't want to let our friends at Lambeth GP Food CoOp down - but either way it was warm up time with music playing in the background and even a few special guests - with some of the children playing in the park joining in!

In that spirit we discussed our favourite drink or beer, sought out ways to say 'cheers' in different languages and once stretched, warm and linguistically ready we headed to Grantham Road surgery. 🍻

Jonathan met us at the surgery and Sarah had led us round the back to where three enormous planters were waiting for us with each of these needing to be carried round to Swan Mews gardens - a short walk but more challenging when carrying hundreds of kilos of planter....

Just as we had maneuvered the three planters round the building (and Aimee had found us!) and realised how heavy they were the concierge of the apartments came out like a knight in shining armour and offered us the use of a flat 4 wheeled trolley. This was a life saver.

It was noisy, the pavements in Stockwell are awful but with Joao bearing at least half the weight on his own we got the planters round and settled into position in Swan Mews. 💪

To end our task we had two 1 tonne bags of soil to shovel into the planters ready for ... well planting ... and this was done in no time at all. The team grabbed shovels, a wheelbarrow even a plastic flower gatherer and we had the soil shifted and flattened (VERY IMPORTANT guys) in less than 10 mins.

Then it was photos, farewells and promises to see each other again soon, before the short jog back up to base where the party was still going on. What took place after the session?? Well what happens at Papa's stays at Papa's - see you next week all! 🔥

We love heading over to the Remakery for our tasks and this evening we were back out in the gardens (although their projects indoors are great too - sorting nuts and bolts anyone?). ✌

The aim was to get the space ready for their Summer BBQ coming up later in July (keep an eye on the GG website for details) and make it all look respectable and tidy.

8 Lambeth heroes turned out to take part including GG newbie and all around nice guy Michael - great to have you on board! This week we spared the group from Nathan's punishment / warm up burpees and our category was favourite lake or body of water with New Zealand (Kaz), Michigan (Effie), the med (Nathan), Malawi (Michael), lake Victoria Yianny and Surrey Docks (TimTim) all represented. 🏄

It is a short run over to the Remakery so 1.6kms each way but we made good time despite the annoying traffic light stops - although a question for GG community - do we think that pressing the button at traffic lights has any effect on how quickly they change??! Answers on a postcard please. 🏃

Flora met us at the gardens and set us away on various tasks of weeding, trimming and composting. There was plenty to do and we didn't get to tying back the climbers or much watering but Ty was there from Remakery and kept us focused on which plants were weeds and which were desirables to keep. 🌷 🌻 🌹

The group got through plenty of work in the alloted time and we were about to leave when Flora offered us a fresh cut of broccoli straight from the food bed and some fresh mint (delicious aroma!). What a great way to send us off back to Papa's - next time I'll be sure to bring a bigger bag to carry some home with me!! 🥑 🌼

A quick jog back (mind those uneven paving stones Kaz....), warm down and thank yous all round and were done for another week, I forgot how much I enjoy these tasks and our GG ommunity members having been unable to run the last two weeks, it was great to be back!