Shock, horror, another wet day in Newcastle! Rain can’t stop play and thankfully we were heading off to an indoor task this evening anyway. Up through Walker and into Byker the running group went led by Paul who was leading for the first time in a few months. I walked then we met Louise at the task.

We have been helping Recyke Y Bike since the very early days of GGNCL and every time is different, but tonight will be one of the memorable ones. We’d been drafted (pun intended, obvs) to help to organise donations of games and books that will be used in the Bike, Book Swap that’s taking place over the summer in and around Byker. This will give local families access to a brilliant toy, book and game exchange that comes to their doorstep for free. Louise did a double good deed tonight as she came to the session AND brought a big donation of games- many of which Elliot and Maddy wistfully looked at and wanted to play!

When the sorting was done, we completed a variety of other jobs that are small tasks that make a big difference including sweeping the workshop floors, moving bikes and helping to fold the big gazebo cover! The task owner Vanessa was really grateful that we’d done so many things to help. We are back at the end of August with a bike cleaning task which will be loads of fun.

Please please get involved this Wednesday with our leaflet drop for FoodCycle. Numbers are low and Lucy could really do with some extra hands on this one! NB: This will now start at the earlier time of 5pm.

We are back next Monday for a session with a twist- meet us for a walk and a drink for the summer social.

Paul and I volunteered at North Marine junior parkrun in South Shields today as I made up for missing the last takeover when I was ill.

Paul was on timekeeping duty this morning, successfully timing 61 brilliant little parkrunners, walkers, skippers and lots in between.

I did a volunteer role I have never done before, something rare for me after 11 years of parkrunning! I was on warm up lead duties, thankfully with a card to prompt me and a human prompt in the shape of junior parkrunner Eva.

I had a separate job afterwards of running around with my best friend's daughter who managed to knock over two minutes off her PB! Lots of smiles all round and a morning well spent.

A huge well done to Charlotte, Aimee, Lucy and Paul who volunteered south of our usual patch at North Marine Junior parkrun in South Shields. This had been my bright idea when previous plans were cancelled, and I ended up sick and unable to even attend!

Despite high winds in South Shields today the event went without a hitch as Paul and Charlotte timed, Lucy parkwalked and Aimee marshalled a muddy patch. We will be back at this lovely parkrun again in the future, but we are back in Newcastle tomorrow completing a Quayside litter pick if you fancy getting involved.

GoodGym Newcastle is five years old this week and what a brilliant way to celebrate with a huge Stepney Bank Stables task tonight.

It was great to welcome new GoodGymer Mina and he really got stuck in! It was great having you along Mina and we can't wait to get to know you.

A big group gathered to do three brush-related jobs for Stepney Bank Stables, but when we arrived at the top yard there was an extra job waiting for us as a delivery of hay was waiting to be shifted into the barn. Sleeves were quickly rolled up to get that job done first. Following that, we broke into three groups: painting in stable walls, sweeping and cobble clearing- something Tom got really stuck into and will undoubtedly leave him with a few aching muscles tomorrow!

This task really showed the difference we can make in a short space of time and task owner Sara was really grateful, so grateful in fact that she brought us a horse to star in our birthday group photo!

Session done and it was off to the pub for home made tiffin and asda made muffins with The Ship Inn's finest pints. I was given a lovely surprise of flowers and a fancy bottle of gin. Thank you! I will stay another five years for treats like these!

Our session next week is on as normal despite the Bank Holiday, so we hope to see you then.

Another lovely morning at Hodgkin Park with Urban Green Newcastle today with a truly satisfying task. The gates at the top park were in real need of some TLC and Krishti, Tanya and Paul came to the rescue to brush, clean and paint them back to their former glory.

Look at the brilliant before and after photos!

The fourth and final Guide Dogs NE leaflet task was on the cards tonight and what a lovely night it was!

Paul took care of the first pup related task of the evening- cuddling Stepney Bank Stables resident doggo Scout, while we waited for the others to arrive. A quick catch up about the weekend's community missions with Greening Wingrove and Urban Green Newcastle, a few mobility exercises and we were off. Paul led the runners while Angela and I met at the meeting point Monkchester Community Centre.

This was the last leaflet drop for our four legged friends and their humans at Guide Dogs NE, as we shared opportunities to foster a guide dog with families in the area. Despite my highly dubious maths in "sharing" the leaflets out, we were all done in record time, 100 leaflets dropped in just 20 minutes!

Woof woof!

An easier downhill run made it a pleasant journey back and we enjoyed a stretch, loving the fact that it was still light. A really reBARKable start to the week.

There are two chances to do good things this weekend: a big gardening session with Ouseburn Trust on Saturday and volunteering at Saltwell junior parkrun on Sunday. We hope you can make it along for a cracking Easter weekend happening.

It was a short and sweet task this evening as we dropped a further 100 leaflets to show support for our four legged friends at Guide Dogs NE. They’re on the hunt for some new foster pawrents to help look after all the good boys and girls they work with.

We were raring to go on what is the first GoodGym of Spring and it was a calm evening for the task. Paul led the runners while Aimee and I met at the task, just next to Recyke Y Bike in Byker. We made short work of the leaflet delivery- just 20 mins and the job was done. This area is a busy community with loads of houses and perfect for this type of task. Carrie mentioned what a great task leafleting would be for a beginner as it’s a laid back way of getting your steps in and makes a big difference.

So with that in mind there’s a few more leaflet tasks coming up- the third Guide Dogs leaflet drop being this coming Wednesday in Gosforth with Louise.

We finished off with a classic GoodGym workout- hill technique and sprints. Everyone worked so hard at this and it was so good to see everyone encouraging each other too.