It was the perfect evening for a spot of GoodGyming last night. With clear skies and warm weather, we met at Cavendish school, a regular task location for us, to help with the ongoing improvements the new caretaker is bringing in.

First stop was to take a look at the nature project we've been helping with, and it was fantastic to see new pathways and big compost bins had appeared. After firefighting the weeds and overgrowth for so long in the past it feels great to see real progress happening - we'll be back again soon to support some more!

Our job for the evening was in the school grounds themselves, and it was a biggie. We were tasked with moving a huge pile of green pine cuttings over to the playground area to provide a soft surface underneath the climbing frames. So with Chris and Florian taking charge of shoveling the big pile of pine, and Suze, Luis, Emily, Tish and Jon transporting it over to the site, while Michelle and Remy raked, we were soon operating like a finely oiled machine.

Before we knew it, we were all smelling very Christmassy, and the playground had a brand new covering. We just had time to knock out an intense glute session whilst trying to remember the Superman theme song. After a quick Swan Lake recital from Michelle, we recreated one of the best GG Hounslow photos to date, and then headed out. Thanks for an amazing effort last night everyone!

Don't forget we have a couple of missions coming up which could definitely do with a few sign ups! Especially this one to help plant at Harvard Hill and next week's lunchtime shift at Hounslow foodbox which is also looking very quiet!

Next week we're going to be helping Abundance London reclaim an overgrown area in Chiswick, see you there!

Last night we had an epic task full of fun, progress and hard work, but before we go into that, we must say an huge, massive, colossal WELL DONE to everybody who went to Paris for the marathon this weekend. There were PBs galore, and some great running in what sounds like tough conditions. Congratulations to all the runners - Matt, Eloise, Alan, Lucy and Jonny - and also to the supporters who did an amazing job cheering and keeping tired spirits high.

With a weekend of those proportions, it was no surprise that a small group headed off from the Town Hall to meet a larger group directly at the task location. We have been to Cavendish school many times over the years, but a treat was awaiting us when we met Andrew, who has taken over the project. After hours of battling the weeds and clearing leaves, we found that a mini digger had been deployed to create an ampitheatre, the overgrown area had been cleared, and a couple of ducks had even taken up residence on the pond.

Our job for the evening was to transport lots of logs to make a seating area for the children, to spread mulch over the newly cleared spaces, and to move cuttings into the skip. We jumped into action. While the mulch shovelers got a great work out, there was some excellent artistic direction going on with the log layout, and Gus and Louise tested their balancing skills on the wheelbarrow ramp in very impressive fashion!

An earlier poll had decided that weary legs trumped fitness, so we extended the task a little. With the job done (apologies for forgetting the 'before' shot!), we took the opportunity to take some fun log-based group shots, and then split up into three groups - running, walking and cycling - to head back to base for stretches, pub, cake and in some cases, more running.

Don't forget that tonight is the Goodgym monthy social in Brixton. It's a great chance to meet GGers from different areas and catch up on all the good stuff that's been happening.

We also have a mission to help clear up a green space in Gunnersbury which needs a few more pairs of helping hands, not to mention a GG highlight, supporting the WLQP put on its 10km walk in June.

It's been a little while since we were last at Cavendish school, so it was great to be back last night. The long term plan has been to transform a pond area next to the school into a wildlife learning space for the kids, but the project has been stalled. However new caretaker Andre has joined the school and is keen to get it cleared and safe to use asap, which is where we come in!

So after a nice steady run to the school, followed by the inevitable struggle to get access (GG Hounslow's success with locks and codes is not unblemished!) we met with Andre who gave us our instructions. They mainly involved an enormous skip positioned helpfully right next to the garden, and an even more massive pile of leaves. The idea was that one was deposited into the other, with the aid of some big brown bins. On top of this, the pond had to be de-scummed and some bin bags dispatched.

We immediately jumped into action, with Emily and Stefan raking the pond surface, Chris immersing himself in the skip, and the rest of the group tacking the wet leaves.

It truly seemed like the leaves were multiplying by the minute, but after half an hours hard work, there was definitely a significant dent.

We waved goodbye, and set off for Turnham green by foot and two wheels for our fitness session. We tried something new last night, a drill which focused on acceleration and pace. The tic, tac, toe element proved somewhat challenging, not helped by the dark conditions, but before long heads and tails were chasing each other across the grass. We finished off with an incremental acceleration around the loop, and some much needed stretches.

Great work everybody! Next week we're off to Gunnersbury park see you then.