We're becoming regular visitors to the Greenhill Allotments in Cowgate in Newcastle. It was my first visit this year and it was lovely to see the plot that we spent so long clearing last year now thriving.

Today's task was to clear weeds around some communal areas rather than a specific plot, in advance of task owner Sue having a skip delivered next week to remove a big pile of waste that has accumulated as the allotment users (and GoodGym volunteers) have gradually cleared the area.

After some very warm dry weather, I was relieved to see some good rainfall this week, and I had high hopes that the ground would be softened somewhat and make our task a little easier. It wasn't to be! The ground was as hard as ever, making it virtually impossible to get a spade or fork into it. I think Sue mentioned something about dolomite rock! The only really effective strategy was to get down low and use a spade sideways - I'm sure there's probably a technological horticultural term for this, but I'm just going with sideways digging! The hoes also proved very useful. Despite the elements working against us, the five of us cleared a substantial area around some raised beds, underneath the table and along the perimeter fence. We filled quite a few bags to add to the pile for the skip next week! In fact we were so committed we didn't even get round to eating the bananas that Sue had so thoughtfully left for us.

I think Sue was pleased with the progress we made - you can judge for yourself from the photos! There's definitely more work to be done and Sue is also keen for helpers to wheelbarrow the waste from the far end of the allotment down to the front where the skip can be left. Look out for more Greenhill tasks, or just get in touch if you fancy helping out independently.

Right, I'm off for a lie down!

Six GoodGymers set out from Stepney Bank Stables tonight armed with litter pickers and the last of the leaflets we had to deliver to promote this weekend's Ouseburn Festival.

Welcome back to Daniel for good deed number two. Aspiring TaskForce member Nour was completed good deed number seven. Everyone else has been doing good deeds for a very long time now!

We set off towards Byker, picking up litter along Lime Street and Byker Bank before heading off to the area around St Lawrence Park. We delivered the Ouseburn Festival leaflets to some terraced houses and the blocks of flats at Ouseburn Wharf. It turned that that area around the blocks of flats was very badly littered, so we filled up four bin liners in that small area. Some of the labels on the bottles and cans were so faded that the litter had probably been there for years. Thankfully much of it is there no longer!

If you've never attended the Ouseburn Festival, it takes place this coming Saturday and Sunday. We'll be back next Monday to pick up any litter left behind.