A lone GoodGymer put on his greasy overalls and headed to the London Transport Museum Depot this morning. Sevan met with the team from All Aboard Club and had the pleasure of placing the sign on the road to direct today's attendees up to the depot. On the way back, a child who was very early asked if he could go and play already - an hour before opening time - so Sevan had to tell him to be patient and keep watching the passing tube trains. There's a perfectly placed bench to do just that.

Up in the track building area, loops were the order of the day. Sevan created 2 that then evolved during the build, with more and more people coming along and adding bits. Unlike most All Aboard Club sessions, the track was ready 20 minutes before doors opened. So early that not even the children who sneak up the stairs ahead of time had turned up yet. All of the builders had a few minutes to sit back (next to the fan) and appreciate what they'd created.

So, what happened to the boy who was so eager that he was outside an hour early? He wasn't the first one in, nor the second. He was number 3 and went straight to the box of locomotives and carriages to make his perfect train. Maybe the big trains outside held his attention for a bit too long.

Hot Saturday lunch time and I arrived at Mrs R after a morning community mission. Its was already 29degres at 1pm. Todays mission was not to melt i the sun : weeding the front garden as loads of grass and weed in between the paved bricks, but also against the neighbors wall. I wss following the small amount of shade when wedding ..shaddy man!!!Mrs R came out with an ice cold can of coke and a bottle of water. I did not melt and the weed plus grass had vanished. Been there, sun that!!!

This Saturday we ticked off another HANGOT orchard from our bucket list: Blackberry Corner - probably the furthest and most difficult to water. It's been a hot and dry summer, so the fruit trees were desperate for water if they were to bear fruit this year.

Before heading to Blackberry Corner on the other side of the canal, Steph Ducat filled the 100-litre water tank at Bernd's Shed to be used throughout another hot week.

Blackberry Corner didn't have any facilities for watering, so the volunteers had a proper workout, carrying the buckets and cans from the far away canal. Luckily, a friendly boater offered to throw her hose through the fence, which would make the journey with buckets much shorter. But what a challenge it was to discover where the hose was located! Frank and others from HANGOT had a rummage in the overgrowth along the fence to finally find it.

Apart from watering, our side task was raking the grass Frank had cut using a scythe. We'd then spread then grass on the cut nettles between the fruit trees. According to Frank, the released seeds would promote the grass growth in the following year, hopefully reducing the spread of nettles.

It was the first session for Victoria, who quickly got stuck in, watering the thirsty trees. Welcome Victoria - you have definitely deserved to come back later in the year to try some of the fruits of your labour! The watermelon lollies kindly given to us today by the boater with the hose, were a bonus reward and more than we expected from the session!

It was a hot one in the kitchen today! Jacquie was on tea/coffee on her first session of the day. She then helped Arul serve until 3pm - the clients loved the meal. Beef stir fry or a tofu veggie option, both with rice and vegetables. Then there was watermelon and apple strudel for dessert. Luckily there was enough for seconds!Was it brave the treat or brave the heat as it was super hot yesterday in Ealing - the kitchen and being in the crypt of the church does not help.

Nothing more satisfying after a good weeding session : abracadabra - the weed disappeared for the moment. Helping getting rid of the over grown weed in the neighborhood - car park invaded the flower beds and started creeping on the car park spaces. Would say the brambles were making their way as stealing a parking space. Nice little weeding session in the evening cooler temperatures. Forgot the before picture, but you can see the final result and a massive bag filled. Collected some litter too : some plastic bottles.

The second Tuesday of July saw four GoodGymers assembling at Bodyline Fitness in Ealing Broadway for a run to Hanwell, led by Steph Ducat. Today's run leader was joined not only by the regulars: Freya, Harvey and Sevan, but also by a special guest, Bassam Mahfouz. While not everyone might know that Bassam is a keen runner and a volunteer, many residents recognise him as a Member of the London Assembly for Ealing and Hillingdon, currently focusing on matters such as environment and transport. When the five ran through Ealing, every time they stopped, someone said hello to Bassam.

The team arrived at Wharncliffe Viaduct to meet the task owner Dee from the William Hobbayne Charity, who looked after the Half Acre Woods. Kash, who walked to the task, was already there. Dee, concerned about the mosquitos lurking in the woods, offered the GoodGymers an unassuming lotion in spray, reportedly used by the Forest School people to repel insects. We think the mysterious mist has worked as by the end of the task, we've earned only plant-based stings from nettles.

Today's job was the summer classic task - something we had done almost exactly a year ago - cutting back the overgrowth on the path along the viaduct. Harvey and Steph tackled the brambles and nettles encroaching on the entrance to the woods from the Station Approach road, and Bassam, Freya, Sevan and Kash dealt with the growth on the River Brent side. Dee swapped shears for a litter picker and collected cans, bottles and even dog poo bags revealed by the chopping squad.

While we worked to widen the path, passers-by genuinely appreciated what we've done. Walkers, runners, parents with a pushchair, and an exceptionally grateful cyclist enjoyed using the path, no longer worrying about being caught by a rogue bramble. Even without all the thank-yous we heard, we could tell that in just one hour we were making a visible difference in the local community.

Next week, we will be back in Hanwell, again helping the William Hobbayne Charity with cutting back undesirable plants. Don't worry, the brambles and nettles in the woods won't grow back that fast. We will be tackling the area we started clearing last month in the Hobbayne Community Gardens. Join us next week!