North Marine Park in South Shields is in full bloom and so was the junior parkrun this morning with another fabulous turn out.

Paul and I helped out at two marshal points, cheering on the mini runners and walkers around the 2k course. A lovely way to start Sunday.

It’s been ages since we helped out at Byker Lodge so I was really happy to get the call a few weeks back to come and help with some gardening in their lovely outdoor space. It was a great warm evening for such capers, unlike when we tried to help at Connie on Saturday and plans were scuppered by heavy rain. The great British summer, eh?

A warm welcome awaited runners and walkers this evening, with Damu leading the way. Byker Lodge is a brilliant facility offering support to adults in the area and just the type of task we like was waiting for us. We were tasked with edging the paths (always a very satisfying workout!) and digging out some weeds which Scott had already got cracking with, with gusto before the walkers even arrived. It was a brilliant session with everyone really stuck in- in fact I didn’t think we were going to get the shovel out of Max’s hands when it was time to go! I hope you can see the differences in the photos from tonight.

The task owner Scott was so grateful for the effort we put in and delighted that we could fit in a part two to go back next week. It would be great to get a big turn out and finish the transformation! We felt really appreciated tonight as a tray of snacks had been left out for us finishing up.

There are two more ways to do good and feel great this week as we support two new tiny forests in our patch. Drop in on Tuesday in Fawden between 4-6 or at the same time on Wednesday in Westerhope.

Monday: check. Brilliant turnout: check. Great task: check. Dog at GoodGym: check. Every box for a perfect start to the week was checked as we met for a marvellous Monday at Stepney Bank Stables.

A great group tonight for the session helping our hosts Stepney Bank Stables with a clear-up job to get the top stables spick and span ahead of Saturday’s Ouseburn festival where visitors are able to take a tour. Stepney Bank Stables is a fabulous community project and if you’ve never been make sure to pop in on Saturday if you can.

It was great to see Dan and Ellie back for their second task in three days as we don’t get to see them for months at a time. We also welcomed back Matt who did his first ever GG task at the weekend. Damu arrived in a celebratory mood tonight too with a pint in hand from The Cluny! That’s a good way to enhance GoodGym performance I’m sure.

Lots of elbow grease was required for the task this evening: brushing, scraping and flicking being three key actions for effective cobble cleaning. None of this is glamorous (apart from perhaps using a leaf blower) and Louise also got stuck into some heavy duty cobweb clearing despite a dodgy knee. Best of all, Dan’s wheelbarrow skills were required- always a happy sight. You’ll also see from the photos Ellie had the very impawtant job of keeping Stepney Bank Stables resident Good Boy Scout company for much of the evening.

Before long 45 minutes had passed and the yard looked sparkling - check out the before and after photos!

With a very squeezed amount of time we headed back for a team challenge to find and photograph three things using whichever strategy they saw fit: something that makes you smile, a living creature or insect and three street name signs. There were only five seconds in it at the end so it was pretty much a draw in my eyes.

Thanks everyone, a really positive start to the week.

Tonight’s task was initially billed as part two of a two part task, then it became part one of a potential two part task, and it turned out being part one of one. Phew.

The group session tonight was to help our friends at Ouseburn Trust the spread the word about the upcoming Ouseburn Festival which takes place on the 13th and 14th of July. I was delighted that the task organiser brought her dog Bruce along to drop the leaflets off- surely a good omen for a good night ahead. Louise was thankfully fine and back in action after a nasty fall at the weekend and Damu’s legs were also still working after the Round Sheffield Run on Saturday. You can’t keep a GoodGymer down! I was delighted to see a newbie along for the session tonight, big welcome to Scott on his first ever good deed. I just know he’s going to do some good stuff with us so go and give him a cheer.

While we were initially under the impression there were around 100 leaflets to distribute, a quick count revealed there were actually 320 meaning a team decision to ditch a fitness session tonight in favour of getting them all delivered in one go. Challenge accepted!

Martin was in charge of the route tonight and while I wasn’t sure I would ever forgive him for what felt like 3000 steps to get there we appeared in Heaton ready to start in no time. Why are steps so humbling?? Incidentally Martin also inadvertently provided me with the pun for this report after starting a discussion about biceps during the group photo shoot.

There was a back up plan in place in case we didn’t get the whole leaflet drop done in time but we didn’t need it as we flew through the flyer stack in no time and started heading back. Hopefully this brings along loads of locals to enjoy all the great stuff on offer at the festival.

We’ve got a busy week ahead including a midweek race opportunity at The Monthly Mile in South Shields, a big Sunday bike ride and not one but two gardening sessions with Urban Green Newcastle. All are welcome and we’d love to see you.