Back again at the Mulbery Tree Community Garden. Unfortunately not joined by any other Goodgymers this time. With the recent rains - everything growing like mad! Lots to do and the 12-1pm lunch time slot included a celebration for my birthday - the gift that keeps on giving! Enough cake I think, particularly as I can't "run-it-off" at the moment!

On a beautifully sunny evening 5 Goodgymers set out to help the growth of new trees in Lordship Rec. Mike, our task owner, briefed us on the benefits of putting wood-chip around the base of recently planted trees - assisting with moisture retention, weed and grass suppression, temperature regulation, nutrition, etc. However he was very clear that the wood-chip should not touch the tree itself (to prevent moisture build-up and rot at the base). What we need is "Mulch Doughnuts" he insisted. Great fun was had, and the task was completed well within time, of course with the accompaniment of various insect bites. This was Paul's 50th good deed for which he received an endearing hug from Julie. The team, which included The Neil, James, and Mark, decided to do a walk from task, somehow ending up at Woodgreen Spoons! They were joined by Latoya who managed to escape from work, and thirsts were well quenched. Congratulations Paul on your 50th task - see you in black soon!

The weather was great, there were several tasks with most getting done, and the coffee/tea at the beginning and lunch at the end was gratefully enjoyed - thanks Catherine who was task owner for the day! We also each left with a bag of "garden greens", and this time there was some "red" as well (cherries). Call-out to Asan who has become a regular and to Olga who has a long history with the garden and who recently joined Goodgym.

HEN is a residents' association covering Hartham, Elsden and Newlyn Roads in Tottenham. This was a new task for us, and we were warmly welcomed by Matt, who had a few tasks for us to help prepare for their upcoming street party.

First up there was hair: Matt produced a hedge trimmer and before you could say "short back and sides" Mark had got to work on an overgrown hedge across the road, where until recently the association's longest-standing and much-loved resident had lived. Around the corner, resident Sophie had a barnet of Marge Simpson proportions for Mark to tackle. Finally, James had a go at executing a mullet for a resident who is currently injured and unable to cut his own hedge.

Of course, the streets will not be ready for the party without a bit of makeup. Matt showed us a couple of areas that have been tagged by people with a demonstrable lack of talent. James and Helen got stuck in with paintbrushes and a tin of grey paint, with Sarah providing moral support (eg "you missed a bit"). These are now blank canvasses, and Matt has plans to stencil them in the future.

Matt has promised to invite us to the upcoming HEN do, while both he and Sophie said they may join us on a run one day soon.

There were more reasons for celebration tonight too - Sarah and James' recent birthdays, and James' tenth good deed. Great work team.

Another warm and sunny day with plenty to do in the garden. Everything is growing at a rapid pace now. It was Olga's first good deed with Goodgym - she joined recently - welcome Olga! After 2 hours in which much was accomplished, the team enjoyed the traditional lunch under the Mulberry Tree. The mulberry tree, along with others, was subjected to quite severe pruning a few months ago but is starting to show early signs of mulberries, although likely the cheery tree and plum trees will have fruit ready earlier. Some rain would be great - but hey, hard not to appreciate the sunshine!

5 runners ran to the Haringey Learning Partnership to prepare the ground for a new shed.

The base for a new shed had been set-out, but needed reinforcing. The ground between the beams needed lowing to allow for further reinforcement to be added. So that called for us to get out the mattocks and swing away and the rocks and roots!

It's amazing to see the changes taking place. The pond we helped dig filling up with frogspawn. The new chicken coop.

Soon we'd dug out a basement level, and had a few minutes to spare, and squeezed in a quick tidy up of old green waste bags, and got a good arm workout moving the pallets ready for construction!