It’s Ms F’s birthday tomorrow so gave her a small gift from my travels. Otherwise a standard visit. New item this time was roasted almonds.

Fortunately a family friend of Mrs M was on hand this evening to explain to Theo and I exactly what furniture needed moving and where, so that sufficient space could be cleared in the living room to allow Mrs M to be discharged from hospital.

We started with the sofa and after a bit of huffing and puffing we had it partway up the narrow staircase, and then got very stuck...an extra inch of space was all that was needed to get the sofa over the bannister and through into the bedroom but we couldn't manoeuvre it in any direction to free it. Past similar sofa shifting experience proved invaluable at this point, as I reached into my bag for a screwdriver and removed the four feet, giving us the essential two extra inches of clearance we needed to finally get it to its final resting space.

After gathering our breath, we were able to then move a couple of cabinets and a folding table up the stairs, up another set of stairs and park them in the spare bedroom/laundry room, and our task was complete for the evening.

The Edgy Collective reached out for help stewarding their wassail and procession and three Goodgymmers stepped up, 'apple' to help. The wassail started at Castlehaven Community Association with a gathering of organisers, locals and an amazing side of Morris dancers, the New Esperance Morris. After some hot mulled apple juice, and some lovely vegan gingerbread biscuits baked by Daniella, our host, we moved to the nearby mulberry tree to start the procession.

The tree was hung with cider-soaked toast and ribbons representing the community's messages of hope. We banged pots, ululated and hollered to banish evil spirits, wake the trees and summon forth fruit and good health for the year. Then we set off to the centre of Camden High Street, where the Council has created an experimental, car-free zone. The Edgy Collective's lovely installation, subSTRATUM, sits in the middle of the street outside Box Park, with metal planters full of shrubs and flowers, benches and a stage area for community events.

The Morris dancers then got dancer, with a piper and violinist and a giant pigeon! Camden's high street was FULL, like, FULL, and everyone seemed to be utterly amazed by the joyous, wholesome and weird sight. There were quite a few pigeon selfies too. It was Cherian's first ever experience of this unique tradition and, well, she was speechless! Ariane has been to quite a few, and merrily sang along with the wassail songs.

After the festivities were done, we processed back to Castlehaven, drank more apple juice and mulled cider, cheered and departed. Ariane went off to Regents Park for a run, Cherian went home and I stuck around to help pack down. All round, a wonderful community event, with wonderful people. Wassail!

The first challenge was getting through the door. Ms R's doorbell and entryphone system didn't seem to work (although something clearly alerted a dog in a nearby flat.......). A quick phone call was made, and she helpfully came all the way down from the second floor to let us in.

The wardrobe was already dismantled and neatly stacked outside the flat. All we had to do was to carry each part down several flights of stairs and stack them by the bins. Some quite long doors and side pieces required careful handling, but we managed to complete the task without damaging the decor. Ms R wasted no time in calling Veolia to arrange collection. That left Alice and David to head back out into the Camden sunshine.

Had a really good chat with Ms F today. Managed to book a theatre ticket for her as she struggles sometimes with her phone. Waitrose chucked in a free block of cheese today which is very nice of them. Otherwise all the items were there and with good dates.

12 GoodGymers from ALL OVER London caught some Camden good deeding last night!

Our group last night — super friendly and willing to help as always — hailed from the West and the East and the Middle of London!

It was a multi-borough affair and we were all there to do our usual good deeding at the American International Church for their Winter Shelter :)

Ana, Ariane, Jack, Jackie, Jacqui, John, Kash, Lucinda, Lydia, Steph, and Steve did the GoodGym usual and got completely stuck into all the helping:

❤️ 16 beds were assembled, dressed, and positioned ready for the evening's guests!

❤️ 1 dining room was set with tables and cutlery and napkins and sauces, and the bubbling scents from the kitchen made us want to stay!

❤️ Multiple boxes were lifted and shifted and moved to where they need to be!

And we left having had connection and laughter, and it all made yesterday's January evening feel a lot brighter!

See you next time!!

P.S. Thank you, Jacqui and Steph, for the wonderful photos!!