The days are gradually getting longer and we were super lucky with a nice mild Wednesday evening for tonight's task. After a quick warm up and exchange of our favourite things about spring (cue lighter nights & pretty flowers) outside Woolwich station, 1 2 goodgymers made their way uphill, walking, running and cycling, to Dee's Childcare, one of our regular task locations, where adventures awaited us in the huge outdoor space.

Past tasks have involved everything from hanging Christmas decorations to constructing mini-roundabouts, slides and stages. Today's task started with the perfect puzzle being sprung on us: deconstruction of a damaged trampoline & install of a replacement. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the pieces simply did not fit together well enough, so plan b involved making the area safer with boards & barriers to block the pit. (watch this space for future tasks once new parts arrive!) There was also time for some wedding (oh no sorry, let's blame autocorrect: weeding... but one ring at a time here...) and sweeping amongst the borders made up of recycled plastic bottles.

A swift downhill run and a ten minute interval training challenge completed our session. A very warm welcome to Vicky on your first task- lovely to have you with us! Thanks all & see you soon 😊

Next week we've got some outside jobs at St Richards. This weekend Bexley have their 9th birthday celebration and task, gardenjng at the hospice on Saturday and on sunday we have westcombe woodlands. And all the usual parkruns of course!

Six GoodGymers braved a gusty morning to tackle a grotty and forgotten spot at the end of Bugsby's Way. This overgrown patch of grass had been neglected for some time - plenty of half-buried dog-poo bags, crushed drink cans, dirty bottles, vapes and multiple crisps and sweet packets. Maybe the football was an omen for Charlton's chances this season?

Thanks to everyone who turned out - 8 bags collected and there's more down there for another time!

This very fine Saturday* 11 of us arrived at Mycenae House, some after already volunteering or running at one of the Parkruns, or swimming or just successfully rolling out of bed, hey we don't judge and it's all an achievement on a very fine Saturday.*

We joined the Friends of Mycenae Gardens who were busy getting on with planting over 400 tree whips by the dead hedge which we've spent many a day building up. We got to work, digging, planting and stamping (and playing hide and seek) and soon they were all in place and it was time for cake.

AND Today was a very special day because it was Johhny's 50th and a bit birthday...Aka his 60th 🤫. Which is particularly exciting because he will shortly get free travel, eye tests and all sorts of discounts now that he's gracefully moved into the 'Seniors' category. But it's only a number - there's nothing senior about Johnny other than the wisdom and life experience he carries with him, not to mention his many good deeds! So very fitting that after the task we enjoyed coffee and cake together to celebrate our lovely friend.

A great morning with an amazing group of humans - thank you all!

Tomorrow we have litter picking in Charlton

Wednesday we have a run to Dee's Nursery to help out in the garden.

And next Saturday it's Gardening at the Hospice in Bexley.

Until next time!

Rachel

*(not fine, not sunny, just grey, grey forever grey but let's pretend we experienced some finer weather just for a moment, please 🙄)