Only our second time helping out at Colum Road, the age assessment hostel in Cardiff. On what had been forecast as a possibly very wet evening, we were very happily surprised to have the rain wait until our task and run were over.

8 GoodGymers met at Glassworks, on Wharton Street. Michael planned a run that would still allow for a run close to 5km total, there and back, even though the task location was pretty close by.

We had a lovely jog to the task, chatting to each other about recent events, parties and gatherings.

After 20 minutes, we arrived at the task location. Michael had already been here once today, as he dropped down some tools for the team to use from his full time job with The Salvation Army. They were met by Tari, his beaming friendly smile welcoming them into the hostel.

Our task tonight had a few different jobs,

• Weed the gravel out back
• Tidy up the leaf fall
• Remove the Christmas lights we put on the railings last visit
• Wipe down the tables and chairs
• Cut down the buddleja
• Weed the front of the building

Our eager volunteers had no problem smashing out the tasks, working methodically through the list. Ruth and Lucy were top of the group for fun tonight with the cordless leaf blower.

Once the back yard was complete, everyone was sent out front to help cut down the pieces of buddleja to fit in the garden waste bag. Unfortunately, the green bin was still full at the hostel, so some last minute plans were put into place.

30 minutes soon went by, and after a group photo taken by Tari, it was time to head back.

Our first litter picking task since the mammoth January challenge, we are here to stay active and get things done.

5 goodgymers met outside the glassworks, or usual start location. After a catch up chat, we made the decision to walk out to the beginning of the task as one group.

Lots of chatting on the way, where we have lived, life experience, general chat..... Now lets get to the task.

Michael handed out gloves, litter pickers and bags and it was time to start. A few wondering eyes from passers by as we set up in a corner of the street.

Hopefully the goodgym logo will be emblazoned on their minds after tonight.

2 teams set out, litter pickers and ploggers. The conversations continued as we cleaned the streets, filling bags with various items including a drinks dispenser, not a television... It was too big for the bag. Michael even found himself distracted when the crew pointed out a spring base from a mattress, rusty and old looking, but still full of bounce.

Like a toddler on a trampoline

As the plogging came to an end, it was time to drop our bags at a designated council bin for collection. Take a group photo, and then head back to our start location to complete the 5km.