As I watched Run Director Rue lead our 62(!) intrepid junior runners in the infamous Hackney Haka at 0855 this morning, I did wonder if he'd deliberately timed its welcome return to coincide with the start of the Rugby Premiership season, having put it out to pasture (as it were) over the warmer summer months that we've just lived through, where such vigorous warming up wasn't in much demand...

Not that it was too chilly under the big tree this morning, well clearly not judging by the amazing turnout, including lots of absolute first timers to junior parkrun (10), whom we hope to see regularly over the coming months. Ably assisted by Sarah at her usual tree, Hilary at her now familiar spot at Gate One, and Nick doing finish tokens and barcode scanning, Run Director Rue was able to get the crowd away on the dot of 9, and soon the field was spread around the fields, with our usual speedies having a close battle at the front, followed by the more relaxed (and smiling) runners and walkers taking things at a slightly more leisurely pace, although we did still have 15 PBs, so clearly they hadn't skimped on breakfast.

Before long the first finishers were coming down the funnel, and a steady stream followed after that, and so concluded another successful morning at the bright and sunny Fields.

More of the same next Sunday if you can join us - we'll certainly be needing more Hi Viz volunteers as quite a few of our GoodGym regulars are busy with other activities.

It's fair to say that most Friday's Mr T's communal lift can contain some pretty peaky fragrances...usually, but not always, of the weed induced variety, and you get to inhale quite a bit of this on the ride up to his floor. Clearly someone had decided they'd had enough of these particular scents, and had used (and then kindly left) a can of Old Spice in the lift to give it a "freshen up"...eau de changing room sprang to mind.

When I got back to Mrs S's with her shopping this morning, she asked me if I'd passed anyone on the staircase coming up. I wasn't sure if this was an observation or memory test (or both), but could only reply that I hadn't...Mrs S then explained that a nurse had visited only moments earlier to take an armful of blood from her (well a small vial's worth...) and all had gone painlessly...rather like her shopping for this morning (thankfully) - even the sardines were back.

Our friendly host Fleur was pleased to see us at the garden this evening, having earlier messaged to say she had her hands full and might not be able to make it - but all worked out fine, and Graham and Nick, who'd had a very pleasant chatting speed run and catch up from Freaks and Geeks, met up with Kyra at the garden bench just as Fleur arrived with both keys for the lock up and clear instructions for this evening's episode of GGN gardener's world.

We were guided to behind the bike shed (...) where there was a long patch that needed weeding and tidying, and then further along the same border to do much of the same on the other side of the path. Issued with gloves, forks, and eventually the trusty wheelbarrow, we were soon down at weed level removing much unwanted grass, weed looking plants, the occasional bulb (since replanted), and many many snails, as well as catching up on our respective weekends, and discussing with the other Wild Green volunteers what else we get up to on our Tuesday evening sessions.

As we discovered last week, it gets dark round these parts earlier and earlier these days, so it wasn't long before we'd got as far as we could see and do without accidentally removing someone's lovingly cared for seedlings, and one final tip into the nearly overflowing compost bins and we called it an evening. As always the friendly volunteer team were grateful for our help, and with now clear beds, they'll be able to turn their minds to planting bulbs ready for spring.

...without wings.

Lots of up and down a stepladder this afternoon to help Mr M with removing some roller blinds from his living room and bedroom. Fortunately once I'd climbed the ladder to take a closer look at how the blind units were attached to the ceiling (via a series of push clips that required quite a bit of thumb action to release), then they all descended under a reasonable amount of control as I moved along each frame, and I was then able to unscrew the brackets leaving the ceiling clear for Mr M to repaint the rooms.

He asked me to take a look at one of the doors into his washing machine room that was stubbornly locked at the top for some reason - after a close inspection and applying a good amount of force, I was unable to get the lock to release and was reluctant to force it much further, so Mr M will need to follow up with his landlord on that part.