It was a good catch up with Mr T on all things snooker, golf and the demise of Scottish football, and how he's finding his new glasses, before I headed downstairs with trolley in tow to pick up his weekly shop today.

On his list this week was 1 Jar Coffee - usually there's a bit more detail on this one (well the words "Nescafe original"), but Mr T and I have reached an agreement that unless there is Nescafe original in Lidl he's happy to go without (and refuses to spend quite a bit more buying it from Tesco). However today he said he was happy for me to "use my discretion" to buy him whatever coffee seemed suitable.

Of course I was overwhelmed with choice (well within reason, it was still Lidl after all) when I got to this part of the shop, but hopefully the smallish jar of own brand rich roast will suit his tastes...if not I shall expect management feedback when I next appear at his door!

BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP...

...what's that, we all said...

...BLEEP BLEEP BLEEP...

...it's a fire alarm, we all realised as we arrived at Ashdown Crescent Sheltered Housing yesterday evening...

...IT'S BEING SORTED...

...we were assured – which it safely was – just as our wonderful group (of Celine, Danny, Hanry, Helen, Emilie, John, Justine, Siobhan, and Steve) got going with multiple tasks in Ashdown's special communal gardens!

Emilie, John, and Siobhan cracked a thirty minute miracle turning an overgrown patio into a serene space to relax - amazing!

Justine and Danny seemed to be constantly filling green bags – they captured weeds, trimmings, and other debris – and their efforts transformed the main entrance way into a space to enjoy - wonderful!

And Celine, Hanry, Helen, and Steve must have dabbled in a little magic to make the difference they did - tired and dead-wood filled planters ended up pruned, spruced, and planted with seeds and blubs - magical!

Thank you so much, everyone! Here's to next time!

One lovely morning and one wonderful group - 6.5 miles ticked off together in the sun :)

The wonderfully creative folks at Think & Do Camden have made something special happen...

...just south of Camden Town sits Bayham Place Estate - 4 blocks around a very wonderful green space...

...but their planters had been removed and discarded for fire safety...

...until the wonderful Hafiz and Nicole at Think & Do ran this week's Beeline Box project!

These special planters are recycled, super high quality, and fire safe - and they add colour and life to the estate's terraces. There's one for each flat, and local young people will be in charge of watering and maintenance. It's a gorgeous project and we were very happy to play our small part today!

Alex, Cherian, Emily, John, and Siobhan were on the herb run. They ferried pots (upon pots upon pots) of lavender, marjoram, oregano, mint, rosemary, and thyme up stairs (upon stairs upon stairs) and planted beeline box (upon box upon box!)

Thank you so much, everyone - what a lovely and sunny task!!

Nice Saturday run followed by helping a lovely gentleman with shopping and a good long chat!

"We’ll be running through Camden Town" – I said – "the sidewalks may be heaving" – I warned...

...but little did I know that Camden is trialling pedestrianisation!

And so our wonderful group sped through quiet (and) wide (and) spacious roads on our way to Belsize Community Library!

This lovely group – of Alex, Alison, John, Steve, and Will – got quickly to our evening tasks.

Alex, Alison, John, and Steve grabbed window cleaning spray, cloths, and (the magically named) squeegees – and they brought transparency to windows that were opaque with grime and dust.

At the same time, Will and Alex M hunted for litter and dust behind the sofas and on the shelves, removing everything with the help of every cleaner’s friend: the Henry Hoover

Thank you, everyone! You made a lovely difference! And you turned a normal evening into one filled with community!