...and as it turned out, a lot of heavy lifting and creative problem solving for Louis and I this evening.

Ms R's daughter was on hand to (try and) explain what needed moving where, but at first glance it seemed there wasn't enough space to get the double bed moved into the spare room which was the primary request, such that Ms R could then be released from hospital on her birthday.

Rather setting the pattern for the evening's entertainment, Ms R's daughter mentioned that she expected us to remove the single bed and mattress from this room...so we did that first after a bit of DIY to remove the headboard. She then mentioned that the armchair also needed removing and disposing of...so we got that parked in the hallway temporarily.

We then turned our attentions to moving the double bed from the main bedroom into the newly emptied spare room - which proved to be something of a challenge as well, because it was an Ottoman storage bed, temperamental in nature - once we removed the mattress it sprung open...We all sat on it, gathering our breath and trying to work out a plan - which is where the packing tape idea came along, and we wrapped as much tape as we could to keep the bed shut, turned it on its side and moved it as quickly as we could to the spare room before it sprung open once again.

This then left a sofa bed to be moved also into the spare room, and the return of an exercise bike, the moving of a chest of drawers, and two heavy bedside tables...and finally Ms R's daughter confirmed we'd done everything she needed. She gave us each a packet of biscuits by way of thanks.

We wished her well for her mother's return (and upcoming birthday), and went down the stairs with the remaining armchair and two cushions in our hands...and out into the welcome cool air of a Monday evening...

When Mr R opened the front door this afternoon, his first comment to me was "you're very punctual", to which I could only smile and reply "I try...".

The usual weekly pleasantries out of the way, it was a quick review of the list and the now familiar short walk to Tesco to fill the basket with primarily fresh fruit and vegetables. Upon my return, Mr R asked if I wouldn't mind going upstairs to the communal mailbox to check his post, which was easily done, and all was good for another week.

The recent rain had inconsiderately left large puddles and muddy areas all around the course this morning, so inevitably anyone wearing their shiny new(ish) trainers to the Fields was going to find they were going home in a slightly darker, more mottled, pair.

However the conditions didn't seem to keep the crowds away, and it was great to welcome 49 runners under the big tree this morning (including at least 4 first timers), along with 13 volunteers keen to don the Hi Viz, including GoodGym regulars Rue, Hilary, Louise, Sarah, Sooz and Nick who all performed their respective roles perfectly to ensure everything ran to plan (and received a number of high fives from our runners by way of reward).

The conditions underfoot also didn't seem to be a hindrance to performance, as we saw a super speedy winner, 5 PBs and 49 shiny happy faces cross the finish line - a great way to start the new month. More of the same next week under the big tree - join us if you can.