some last minute changes to attendance notwithstanding 5 happy goodgymmers set off on a run to South Woodford. Feeling adventurous the route was more guided by a sense of direction than a mapped route...... and we did roughly arrive on schedule!

Steph was already busy at the community garden project the local residents started up earlier in the year and smoothly assigned the different runners a specific weed to target for removal, having quickly figured that not everyone has such great knowledge of plants as she does, putting it nicely.

So we roamed around looking for specific little plants to remove, example in hand, or like Linda very creatively stuck in the shoe laces.

Having gotten through most of the targeted weeds and tidied up the pathways, the different stomachs were indicating it might be time to round things off. Steph had similar ideas so tools got packed away and off we went, with the thanks from Steph.

Aunty Linda ( gotta use nicknames to keep the two Linda's apart!) was talked into the scenic and slightly longer route back, through Roding Valley Park instead of the streets. There we discovered that James was putting a double portion of gym in Goodgym this evening, running with a backpack - kudos to him!

Arriving at the other end of the pathway there was still a little time for some history for Nicky & Linda, showing the red brick pillar which reportedly is the last remaining bit of the bridge that gave the borough its name - Redbridge.

Back at base, the call of dinner was too strong for more socialising so all went their separate ways.

P.S. Steph separately also expressed her gratitude to chief Julia, another session will be planned in for another day.

Since technical issues prevent us uploading the pictures taken, you'll have to take our word for it that we made an impressive stack of all sorts of differently shaped boxes, hence the title.

But I am getting ahead of myself....

This sunny Monday evening 8 Goodgymmers assembled at our little base in Wanstead, where we had the pleasure of welcoming Linda, returning to Goodgym after a hiatus and she brought along Nicky for his first ever Goodgym experience!

With some regular tasks a bit up in the air, chief Julia was about to improvise a session when an hour or two before the run something else popped up. So with just a location and contact details we set off in a walking group going direct and a running group taking a longer route.

A warm welcome was waiting when we arrived at the location (mental note: check details before writing - care home? assisted living?). After a little guided tour we popped into the central garden, where it was explained what the plans were - assist in building up a greenhouse!

The start of a base was present, sand and stacks of paving slabs would take care of that. Our task for the evening was to collect the collection of boxes that would make up the greenhouse from a nearby garage and get them to the garden, ready to be used. Tetris done, there was some cake & tea/coffee (sorry Nicky, this might not happen every GG session) before we went on our way again, though not before promising to be in touch to set up a few more sessions to help build the greenhouse to completion.

A walk/jog back to base and enough light for the cyclist to take the scenic routes home

P.S..... coming weekend is foodbank weekend again

Friday from 5pm: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/food-bank-at-frenford-on-a-friday-55593d30-a96e-423c-82a5-cf94500053b4

Saturday from 9AM: https://www.goodgym.org/v3/sessions/preparing-food-packages-for-distribution-at-mutual-aid-foodbank-a357b1d9-43a5-4729-9a5f-cf1aecae8d79