Mission report draft

A trim little mission for Mrs O

Daniel and I cycled over to Finchley for a quick Community Mission to help Mrs O, whose reduced mobility has made it much harder for her to keep on top of her front garden.

Once we arrived, we trimmed back a few small trees and tidied the ground area, clearing away debris to reduce trip hazards and make the garden feel more manageable again.

It was a short and simple task, but it made an immediate difference — and Mrs O seemed very pleased with the result.

Afterwards, Daniel and I stopped for lunch together, turning it into a lovely social bit of exercise with purpose: a cycle ride, a helpful task, and a good catch-up. Exactly the GoodGym formula.

Shepherds Hill Gardens, Sunset, Samosas and a Ghost Story Deferred

Last night GoodGym Barnet headed back to Shepherds Hill Gardens, where we try to help Pat and the local friends group every six weeks or so. Their regular volunteers have become a little less active over time, so our extra hands really do make a difference.

We met at the Phoenix Cinema, where the pre-run chat somehow turned to ghosts. Most of us were firm non-believers, with a few cautious “you never knows…” George promised an excellent ghost story, but sadly we never quite got to hear it one for the next social.

We then ran the 2–3km to Shepherds Hill Gardens. The tube strike made the roads busier than usual, but we were rewarded with lighter skies and a beautiful sunset.

Pat had three jobs ready for us: litter picking and sweeping the top area, cutting back ivy from the path, and adding compost around a newly planted fern area.

After a good burst of work, Pat treated us to hot tea, excellent chocolate biscuits and vegan samosas a heroic hosting effort.

George also spotted and heard a goldcrest, one of Britain’s smallest birds and a lovely London wildlife bonus.

We ran back to the Phoenix a few minutes late, but with the gardens tidier, the path clearer, the ferns happier and one ghost story still mysteriously waiting to be told.