GoodGymers arrived from all parts of Bethnal Green and Mile End. And not just from there. Nia came all the way from India, partly to do the task, but also because she was greatly missing our lovely January weather. Mile-End-Emma arrived from Australia, quite recently, and new-boy Gabe (welcome Gabe) claims to live outside Tower Hamlets altogether, over there in The City. Even though nobody lives in The City. And we all arrived bang on time - except for the usual tardy suspects, of course...

Nia, Lobo, Gabe and Bethnal-Green-Emma, were using their artistic talent to paint chairs (Bethnal) green, as well as varnishing a table and chair. Lucinda and Mile-End-Emma were filling gaps in a brick wall, doing a great job (according to Mile-End-Emma). Several miles away, at the other end of the estate, Ilana, Ciarán and Bethnal-Green-Emma were restoring a graffiti-covered wall. Closer to home, Rohan and I practised for our future potential careers as dentists pulling teeth, as we yanked nails from planks of wood, using the back ends of hammers

All this vigorous work was our best bulwark against the cold. But January isn’t over yet - there’s still a special Tuesday task at Ocean Youth tonight, then Saturday lunchtime at Rocky Park, and the usual Felix Project tasks the same day. Be there or be somewhere else!

Lobo welcomed Sam for his first Felix task. The 30min run to the task warmed Sam up for packing some rice while Anna and Lobo did some labels for the 2600 meals done this Saturday. Then Sam and Anna moved into warehouse. Sam did a few pick up lists, while Anna did potatoes. Many potatoes. When Lobo passed in the warehouse he counted at least 24 trays, and that's 300kg of many many potatoes.

It was Ines first task ever! Luckily she had the good supervision of Afshin on doing some pick up lists. Hard work that was soon compensated with some chips and fizzy drink. Anna and Lobo did some packing in the kitchen, over 2600 meals!

Kitty, Anna and Lobo collected 3 bags full of rubbish on a Saturday jaunt around Wapping’s pretty cobbled streets. We were kindly lent the litter picking equipment by local community-led litter picking organisation, WaSh Wombles. Although many of the streets of Wapping seemed unusually tidy, we managed to find some litter hotspots and fill up our 3 bags before the sun set.

It was dark. It was wet. It was very wet. But this garden was swept like a hurricane.St Margaret's House has today the most pristine garden East London as ever seen.

So many people turned up to Tuesday's task, I actually lost count! Ocean Youth Connexions became Goodgym Connexions with people travelling from all corners of the city - Goodgym Newham, Camden AND Greenwich kindly joined us at Limehouse. Shout out to Lobo who led an enjoyable scenic run before the task.

Task owner Kamal quickly organised us all into smaller teams. Some donned overalls, others grabbed litter pickers. Painting was a major task - it seemed like more or less everything was covered in a new coat of paint. Walls, walls, shutters, more walls. Ladders and extendable rollers were used to reach high places though most of us remained at ground level. The outdoor team tidied away bags full of rubbish and leaves.

A great evening, with new connexions made with pals across borough lines. We return here next Tuesday for more....painting!