Blue sky and sunshine for the 12 GoodGymmers who braved the hill up the Totterdown, making the mostbof the Banana (Benene, Binini,Bonono, Bununu, just for Frances) Bridge before it, too, closes for a couple of years to be fixed.

A local group is looking after some green spaces and making them more inviting, including this one (not the actual orchard but still technically an irchard as it has five fruit-like trees) that needed some woodchip moving from a big pile to start creating a winding path, hindweed to pull and fruit trees (what with it being an orchard) to water.

Riya, on her first good deed, mastered shovelling, raking and the all-important GoodGym proficiency test for wheelbarrowing after revealing she'd never tried any of then before - great work!

The runners, led by Vaguely Northern Darren and backmarked by Caroline, who was backmarked by 50-good-deeder Caroline, had already gotten to grips with the woodchip path-laying by the time the walkers arrived so Richard and Frances joined Melanie in trying to pull up the bindweed without pullout out, nor falling down, the bankside. Somehow Ed joined the path gang although he'd walked and defected to the running group for the return leg (where Marianne's 50th good deed cake was waiting - delicious!).

Darren took some lovely photos in the sunshine and if you can see through the glorious glare of the sun, Tom, Gareth and Freya were all hard at work casting long shadows.

Soon we'd weeded and pathed and were on our way back down the hill for tea, cake (and Ed's burger), cider and a lot of nonsense chattering about skiing chickens and Mr T(-pot). All pretty standard stuff.

Same tine next week?

goodGym members came together to do online yoga.

Yoga talk

Fascia plays a crucial role in both injury protection and recovery. Let’s dive deeper into how it relates to injury: Initial Protection: When you experience an injury (such as a muscle strain or tear), the fascia surrounding the affected area acts as a protective barrier. It helps contain inflammation, prevents further damage, and provides stability. Think of it as a natural splint that immobilizes the injured tissue to allow healing to begin. Restriction and Adhesions: However, if the injury heals without proper attention, the fascia can become restricted. Scar tissue forms within the fascial layers, creating adhesions. These adhesions can limit movement, reduce flexibility, and cause discomfort. Imagine a web of interconnected fibers becoming tangled or stuck together. Chronic Pain and Reduced Mobility: Over time, untreated fascial restrictions can lead to chronic pain and decreased mobility. The fascia loses its elasticity, affecting joint function and overall movement. You might notice stiffness, reduced range of motion, or discomfort during certain activities. Myofascial Release: To address this, techniques like myofascial release are used. Myofascial release involves applying gentle pressure to specific points along the fascia to release adhesions and restore mobility. Yoga, as mentioned earlier, also contributes to myofascial health by promoting hydration, flexibility, and mindful movement. Preventing Permanent Restriction: It’s essential to work on fascial health even after an injury has healed. Regular movement, stretching, and targeted exercises help prevent permanent restriction. Yoga, with its emphasis on dynamic stretching and mindful awareness, can be particularly effective in maintaining healthy fascia. In summary, while fascia initially protects injured areas, neglecting its care can lead to long-term restrictions. By incorporating practices like yoga and myofascial release, we can promote fascial health, prevent chronic issues, and maintain mobility as we age. 🧘‍♂️🌟

Earth Day was celebrated in Bristol through a visit to Brunswick Cemetery to support their Friends group's Monday morning action.

No orchestra today and on/off light rain meant great weather for transplanting from the wrong place to (hopefully) the right place, sycamore and bramble popping galore and paths revealed to (almost) their former glory - all in all a lot of earth was moved and two dumpy sacks filled, to be collected by the Council.

Also, almost an argument about cake as it's the week of Marianne's 50th good deed AND Jordan's birthday week so big celebrations at the Group Run tomorrow!