With freezing temperatures, a forecast of snow, and a phone call from the task owner on the way to our first session of the year saying that the ground was too frozen solid for us to be able to dig, January was being particularly January last night.

Still, we didn't let it hold us back. Wrapping up in as many layers as we could find (well, most of us. There are some hardy souls - I'm looking at you Ealing - who seem weatherproof!) we met up at Chiswick Town hall for our first group run of the year.

We did a quick warm up, cheered Ealing activator Kash for an epically amazing 1000 good deeds, prepared for Gus' 50th celebrations next week (we need to spread out the joy) and then head off into the night to the Chiswick Allotments.

Meeting up with the rest of the team we made ourselves comfortable in the heated hut on site, taking our time saying our happy new years and re-layering up. When we couldn't avoid it any longer we braced ourselves, and made our way outside to tackle the jobs.

The tasks for the evening were to clear a big pile of weeds and transport it to elsewhere on the allotments, and also to clear two patches of ground near the greenhouse of weeds.

We cracked on with the jobs. As the pile grew smaller, the weeding team worked hard removing all the grass and other plants away so that the grave of the late allotment cat, Catkin, could be revealed properly. Great work in tough conditions everybody!

On our way back to base, we discussed whether a fitness session was on the cards, or if heading straight to the warmth of the pub was a better idea. I'll let the reader guess the outcome!

Here are the upcoming sessions I mentioned - there's plenty to chose from! Tomorrow there is a brilliant session to help preserve vole habitats along the riverfront and on Sunday there is a litter pick followed by speed session - feel free to come for either or both parts!