This morning Eltham junior parkrun marked its 10th birthday, and we were there to help the celebrations go with a swing while also helping making sure the event ran safely for everyone taking part.

It was bucketing down when we joined the other volunteers to collect our hi-vis jackets and high-five hands. Spirits were high 🥳, even if the weather wasn’t playing along 🌧.

Then, as if by magic, the rain eased off as we headed to our positions; Peter as timekeeper, Ivar marshaling at the 'Corner Out of the Bushes', and Johnny and Sarah doing a double act at 'Split Point'.

Three-two-one-GO!

Fifty-four youngsters and their grown-ups set off for two dry, albeit ridiculously muddy laps, slip-sliding round with plenty of smiles.

Once the finishers were through, we helped pack everything away before enjoying some birthday treats - a fitting way to celebrate a decade of junior parkrun with our friends at Eltham juniors!

This very fine Saturday* 11 of us arrived at Mycenae House, some after already volunteering or running at one of the Parkruns, or swimming or just successfully rolling out of bed, hey we don't judge and it's all an achievement on a very fine Saturday.*

We joined the Friends of Mycenae Gardens who were busy getting on with planting over 400 tree whips by the dead hedge which we've spent many a day building up. We got to work, digging, planting and stamping (and playing hide and seek) and soon they were all in place and it was time for cake.

AND Today was a very special day because it was Johhny's 50th and a bit birthday...Aka his 60th 🤫. Which is particularly exciting because he will shortly get free travel, eye tests and all sorts of discounts now that he's gracefully moved into the 'Seniors' category. But it's only a number - there's nothing senior about Johnny other than the wisdom and life experience he carries with him, not to mention his many good deeds! So very fitting that after the task we enjoyed coffee and cake together to celebrate our lovely friend.

A great morning with an amazing group of humans - thank you all!

Tomorrow we have litter picking in Charlton

Wednesday we have a run to Dee's Nursery to help out in the garden.

And next Saturday it's Gardening at the Hospice in Bexley.

Until next time!

Rachel

*(not fine, not sunny, just grey, grey forever grey but let's pretend we experienced some finer weather just for a moment, please 🙄)

After several hours of very heavy rain indeed, the clouds unexpectedly lifted and the sun even poked through with perfect timing for the Community Litter Pick organised by Welling Station and Discover Welling.

Four of our GoodGymers (Robert prefers not to be in photos) joined the mission to clear litter along a footpath running parallel to platform 2.

And there sure was a lot of litter to clear!

Alongside station staff and two local residents others, we collected loads of bags full.

Star finds included a pair of trousers 👖, an umbrella ☂️, and a MacDonald's staff name badge!

The darkening skies signalled time to call it a day and we headed homeward. Just in time too, as big rain started falling not long after.

Another task well done and definitely time for tea 🫖.