Well what a night, and what a pun! All credit to Ivar of course, who struck GOLD with that one and set off a tirade of puns in the whatsapp group.

Some walked and some ran to the task - with two simultaneous ice breakers, the best of which being "what's one thing you hated as a child that you now love?"

On arrival we split into teams - an indoor and an outdoor group. The innies were putting back up some gilded ceiling panels, the golden evidence of which is still on Mark's face apparently - what a great way to evidence who did the real work in that group 🤓

Meanwhile the outies pottered around the community garden, watering the beds, weeding and chatting. And Rubaina gallantly rescued me from a spider - especially glad you came back Rubaina and you can be paired with me for all future bug related tasks, thanks very much 🙋‍♀️

But last night was more tour that task and hey what a great way to spend a Wednesday evening than looking through the stores at the Prince Philip Maritime Museum. We checked out lots of paintings of shipwrecks and battles and portraits of lots of middle aged white men, and one woman who looked a bit taken aback to still be there. It was cool to get a peak inside and hear about some of the paintings - it's been a while since we've been in and we've had lots of new friends join us since then!

Time came to head off and then Aidyn caused some drama almost getting himself locked in (we almost did but we wouldn't have actually forgotten you, Aidyn.)

Great to see you all as always!

Coming up

There's loads going on this weekend in addition to the parkruns so come and join a session if you have some time!

Saturday:

• https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/spring-bulb-planting-and-mulching

• https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gardening-at-hervey-road-community-garden-1ed22d2f-d7a0-489e-8a74-da9f3d7430db

• https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/remove-fence-in-sutcliffe-park

Sunday:

• https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/helping-at-the-cabahs-plant-sale-e89cf473-6588-423d-85cf-691658b18405

• https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/clean-up-charlton-10ce0687-9b2d-408e-b009-96e6222da227

Next Wednesday we've got a Charlton House start and a run to Charlton Manor Primary School: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/gardening-at-charlton-manor-primary-school-e46f1ec7-a47c-4ac6-bf6f-fb36414e9c9c

Until next time!

Rachel

Four GG’rs in three south London, boroughs made a difference at the weekend with their litter picking. Ivar was clearing a large grassed area on the A20 in his bit of Greenwich, including a lot from the McDonalds opposite.

Cecilia was also in Greenwich, but a little further east in Woolwich, in addition to picking litter, she was able to promote GoodGym to a trio of passers by, one wanting to know how to get involved!

Adi was up and about earlier than the rest of us and witnessed misty scenes whilst picking up litter in the south west corner of Lewisham in Sydenham’s Mayow Park, there was less than recent weeks probably because of the unsettled weather.

Meanwhile, Paul was in Southwark’s Peckham Rye and following parkrun walked back round the course picking up dropped rubbish, there were slim litter pickings though, he only managed to half fill his trusty bag for life.

The fact Ivar’s legs look like they’ve been repeatedly mugged by a hedge is proof that shorts weren’t necessarily the best attire for this task.

Ivar, Cat and Kenny showed up to a very autumnal Oxleas Woods, and joined the Friends of Oxleas Woodlands to tackle some unruly brambles and trim back sycamore trees. The brambles, however, had clearly taken offence to our presence and were determined to leave their mark. Our trusted gardening gloves weren’t really up for the task.

Halfway through, we finally got our hands on some heavy-duty gloves, making the battle slightly less one-sided.

The park is looking tidier, the trees are happier, and someone has learned that long trousers are not to be feared!