After a quick pit stop, nine Goodgymers headed to the kennels for our third task of the morning: to freshen up three tired benches. There was lively debate about the best way to flip a bench and why it was it best to leave the arms un-painted before attempting that. Big thanks to Helen for providing tea, biscuits and sweets but especially for introducing us to the gorgeous Ruby who showed off her ball skills and showered us with kisses - she even taught us the command 'scratch my bum!'

After parkrun we made our way along the tree line collecting litter.

A few stray golf balls were found and 2 bags filled.

As we went to put them in the bin we also found chairs and a mystery bag which turned out to be empty, in true GG style we upcycled this to carry our found recycling!

Great running and volunteering efforts at parkrun today!

We had Jen (timekeeper), Jane (scanner) and Dave (tokens) representing GG in the Funnel Squad, whilst Andy kept runners in check as a marshal whilst Sammy successfully managed to keep up with another very nippy parkwalker!

Well done to today's runners, Sinéad, Wilson and Nene - hope you logged your kms for the January Challenge!

Dave and I arrived at The Moving On Project in Portsmouth and were greeted by a store room roughly the size of an NCP car park, packed to the rafters with everything. We could literally have furnished Portsmouth twice over! After a brief moment of existential dread, we powered through the sofas, chairs, and wheely cages, loading up the trucks and moving the items to the new location. We successfully relocated the furniture without moving the entire contents of the universe—a solid win!

...the grime has gone.

Lovely visit to Mrs D who needed her outside windows washed.

I sprayed, wiped, washed and dried so that they sparkles in the morning sunshine.

Mrs D was very happy that she could look out of her windows in the warm comfort of her home.

Andy and Dave basked in the morning sunshine 🌞 and picked some litter around Kingston Rec.

Usual suspects of vapes, cans, sweet wrappers.

And then what may have been a complete jigsaw puzzle 🧩. sadly we didn't have time to attempt it!

Also found an Easter 🥚 decoration, I guess xmas 🎄 really is over already!!

Team GG Pompey picked their first batch of 2026 litter around Canoe Lake.

Surprisingly and happily there wasn't a ton to collect. but the usual cig ends and sweet wrappers were all put to the picker.

A few firework casings were about after last nights festivities.

And a pesky floating plastic bag was just out of reach for Dave, who gladly didnt take a new year plunge in with the swans!!

After some Happy New Years to GG-ers and parkrun friends. The wonderful Dan Del Picolo played in the new year with Auld Lang Syne on the bagpipes, as is tradition at Southsea parkrun on NYD. Less traditional was Team GG doing the can-can to the tune 🤣👯‍♀️

With red shirts on the course and in the many runners, GoodGym was well and truly represented to kick off 2026.

It was lovely to meet Zainu and Nene for their first tasks.

The January Challenge has begun!