Another physical session at the Trencherfield Allotments, moving the tree branches out of the way of the paths for the the regular users.

This week we were facing thicker, longer and more tangled branches than we ever had before, with the bottom layer posing a particular challenge. However, after a few whacks to the face from errant twigs, we got the hang of the twist/pull motion we needed to ensure success.

And successful we were! After a few back and forth trips, we had created an impressive pile of garden waste well shielded from the necessary path and were able to call it an evening. Despite being unable to run to the task due to a small (embarrassing) injury, Dan and Faye were able to get a run in on the way home!

Our first physical task of the warmer weather!

A deceptively difficult foray into all things tree felling (or the aftermath thereof), we braved fairytale style thorns and walking the plank in order to clear up the paths that had been blocked by tree trimmings.

Gloves on and ready for (almost) anything, we took turns hoisting branch piles above our heads and tramping single-file to the designated spot behind the shed. A few, "oofs" and "ouches" later, we realised that the thorns and jagged edges were going to require us to be a lot more vigilant.

Refusing to be beaten, we quickly made light work of the pile of plant waste and were off into the evening for some well-deserved pizza!

Off the rails!

Three Goodgymers from Waltham Forest went to Traid charity shop to help them with a store refurb. Ramon, Ruby and Charlotte ran varying distances (Ramon and Ruby definitely ran furthest) and met at Traid on the High Street to help the team do a big spring clean and rotate their stock for the new season. They helped take the clothes from the rails to be packed in huge cardboard boxes, so the store could be cleaned, displays and rails could be moved around, and new stock could be put out. They also helped move some big boxes of shoes (Ramon found a pair he liked!) The trio made short work of the task and by 7pm had put on their running shoes (not the ones from the charity shop) and headed off into the night.

Hurrah! Another trip for GGWF to Walthamstow toy library with the lovely Helen C.

After a short run there, we (Alex, Charlotte, Ramon, Ercole, Dan, and another Helen for good measure) met at the task, and finished off with some hill reps (ok, the stairs). For Ercole, this was a walk in the park after 40 reps of the Springfield Park mound today!

Our task? Sorting out fancy dress into categories.

Dear Reader, this may seem simple, but let me assure you, that this task could be over thunk. Especially with yours truly around. Do all the princess costumes go in the Disney pile? What about Star Wars costumes, aren’t those owned by Disney now?! Shall we keep all the cowboy/sheriff costumes together with Buzz costumes? Robin Hood- historical figure or fictional character? Will mixing Marvel and DC superhero costumery cause a rip in the fabric of the space-time continuum?! And, arrrrrrrrrrrrr these trousers piratical 🏴‍☠️ enough to go here?! We pondered all these, AND MORE.

But mostly we had a very jolly time, with some outstanding dressing up and accessorising (although worth remembering what Coco Chanel said (@Ramon) about taking off the last thing one puts on!

And I’m afraid there were devastating scenes breaking the news to one GoodGymmer that the unicorn 🦄 costume belonged in the “mythical creature” costume pile, and not the “animal” pile. Ercole, we hope you’re doing ok now..

Anyway, fairly speedily we had things categorised and wrapped up, faster than you can say “professional web-slinger, coming through!”.

Reader, our task was done. We helped with locking up, and sped off into the (Dark K)night.

Another GoodGym favourite session at TRAID Walthamstow!

Upon arrival, we were instructed to get to work packing hangers away into large cardboard boxes and stacking them on packing crates to be shipped off.

After making light work of the first task, we set about loading piles of clothing into even bigger boxes to be sealed, lablleled and sent off. While not the easiest job for anyone unable to see over 5'7, Ercole took the lead on filling the taller boxes. While the boxes continued to pile up, Ramon shared his legendary knowledge on all things stretching, physio and discipline (seriously, if you're not up for the missions, at least come from the free PT sessions!)

Our superhero Helen arrived just in time for everyone's favourite part of TRAID missions: dressing up. While rifling through the smaller boxes to sort the clothing from the accessories, the team came across a few pieces that we just had to try on (hilarious photos to follow).

After a good fashion show and even better organising, we were done, dusted (literally) and ready to head home. TRAID sessions are always a group favourite and there are a few throughout the year so if this sounds like fun to you, keep an eye on the website!

“On 29th February, 3 Waltham Forest GoodGymmers leapt at this task 😊.

The toy library needed our help once again, and we were only too happy to oblige. After a short, very wet run to Greenleaf Church meeting point and on to the toy library, our spirits remained undampened. We received a warm welcome from manager Helen, and the lovely Robin. Once inside, after offloading a donation of sippy cups from FBN Towers, we got to work.

Our task? BALL CLEANING. As any fool know, ball pits are widely known to be a horrifically veritable soup of immune-challenging microbial diversity and snot gloopery. At the toy library though, their balls are (impressively) cleaned weekly, so, as balls go, these were pretty hygienic! We attacked the task with gusto, much like toddlers at the toy library play sessions snack time, only with fewer crushed breadsticks and squished raisins involved.

Disclaimer- it’s almost impossible to write a report about cleaning balls without some suggestion of deliberate double entendre. I can assure you that any whiff of this is purely coincidental, so any smuttiness is therefore your own problem!

So, where were we? Yes, Sarah and Natasha set about washing those balls thoroughly with hot soapy water, and I patted them dry with a towel, with help from Robin. Lovely. We finished the task in what seemed like no time whilst we chatted (taking care to discard any squashed balls).

Helen gave us a tour of their lovely newish premises (previously the Limes), including impeccably well-organised and categorised toy rooms, swap shop, and sensory room. Great to see the toy library thriving and growing under Helen’s consistently awesome leadership.

We finished and tidied up, popped the towels in the washing machine, and headed off separately into the night. We hope to see you again soon at the toy library!”