Seven sturdy Goodgymmers gathered at the Phoenix for our group re-run to Shepherds Hill Gardens. It's a good long one, and to make it inclusive, we set up a walking group as well, with Patricia and Paul setting off early.

Yet we also gathered to celebrate yet another amazing milestone: Richard's 400th mission! Well, technically 402nd, as he'd been busy over the weekend helping at Ally Pally Park Run, but still, out came the hat, and we had our little ceremonial congratulations for the evening.

Subham joined us just in time for the warm up, and tonight's icebreaker was about pets, dissections and weird animals. Rachel shared a story about feeding crickets on the loose, and I recalled a fond memory of my tortoise, also called George. And, courtesy of Victoria, we learned schools in the US do a lot of weird dissection.

Then it was off for the long 2.7km run to Shepherds Hill, where Pat had already broken out the brooms and rake. There was a pile of dumped cement in one corner, which Subham gamely resolved, while Patricia tackled the grass areas, raking everything up. Everyone else was on path duties, catching all the early autumn leaves and carrying them in bags down to the leaf pile in the wood.

And before we knew it, it was time for our little tea break - some lovely fresh mint, guava juice and biscuits - so many biscuits, including a special vegan treat for me! We ate enough to earn the run back to the Phoenix, arriving about 20:30 for a warm down and a pat on our proverbial backs for treating ourselves to a night of fitness and helping the Friends of Shepherds Hill shepherd the hill.

A few good gym members came online to do yoga.

Yoga talk Strength training one of the most important elements of yoga as we grow older. We lose 3% of our strength from 50 years old per year. ( Dr Chatterjee ) our muscles provide energy production and storage. Acting like sponges for sugars. An important way to fight diabetes and stronger muscles help us burn more calories during the day.

Well, a slightly disappointing session this one because we all arrived just as the delivery van was finishing up. Paul was first and managed to help push a couple of trolleys, but Subham and I arrived just at the start time to find they were packing up and going. And it was a small enough delivery the grocery team decided they didn't need any help inside.

Paul had Gus with him and needed to go to something else, but Subham and I decided to make the most of the weather, grabbed a coffee, then walked to the Glebelands Open Space, where we did some of the outdoor exercise trail before heading home. Next week, hopefully there'll be more lifting!

Five of us — Cherian and me from GoodGym, plus three of the regular Stephens House & Gardens volunteers — got stuck into a fairly substantial job at the Friday morning gardening session.

Our task was down in the Dell, where an area of around 30 square metres needed to be completely cleared of grass. We first marked out the triangular-shaped plot and then set about removing the turf.

Armed with sharp spades, shovels, rakes and a wheelbarrow, we gradually stripped the whole area back to bare soil. It was pretty physical work, so the occasional pause for a chat in the lovely sunshine was very welcome.

As often seems to happen at Stephens House, the subject of celebrities came up — helped along when one rather well-known face happened to stroll past us. He shall remain nameless, although he’s known for playing a particularly London character!

Gus supervised proceedings, briefly considering getting involved before deciding that watching the squirrels in the trees was a much better use of his time.

After about two hours, we’d cleared the whole area and left it ready for the next stage of the project.

Then it was back for the traditional and very welcome tea and cake. (happy birthday, Alan! )

Another satisfying morning helping the regular volunteers look after this wonderful community garden.

Paul and I joined a small team of volunteers with the aim of helping Elaine take apart a giant polytunnel for transporting to her school in Brent.

We quickly realised the scale of the challenge, with poles bolted to underground plates, overgrown borders, shelves and other furniture to take apart or move and the giant plastic cover to try and free without ripping it too much.

So we did what we could, bravely getting stuck in with tools volunteers had brought along or some of the equipment still on site. And while we didn't finish the job, we made a good start for Elaine to carry on with on Saturday.