Despite torrential rain forecast, ten hardy GoodGymers headed to Pagoda Arts, a fantastic organisation who provide opportunities for people to engage with Chinese cultural activities.

There was some drizzle as three GoodGymers met at Hope Street to run to the task, and we welcomed back GoodGymer Jo from GoodGym Exeter, who doesn’t let work trips stop her from joining tasks. We enjoyed the shelter of the trees outside the centre whilst the group gathered, and fortunately the heavy rain predicted held off, not that that would have stopped us! The non-runners kept themselves active too, with Pauline cycling and Lucian and others arriving by foot.

The task was to clear the outside area and we soon set to work. Litter was picked, brambles and thistles were removed, and the team did a fantastic job of scaling the very steep slope outside the centre and getting it looking spick and span. We were all very impressed with the “large leaf grabber” which Jake used to make short work of clearing the fallen leaves.

During our clearing Sian came across a small knife which had been discarded. Safety first, Ema was quick to remind the team of the process for sharps and arranged for it to be safely disposed of with the centre’s sharps kit. We were pleased to make the area much cleaner and safer for the centre’s community.

There was a clear difference made and the Pagoda were so delighted with the work done, they treated us to a round of Chinese tea, which Sallyann correctly identified as jasmine. We enjoyed our cuppa to the relaxing sound of the tai chi class which was going on in the main hall (and which Miriam was tempted to join!).

Pagoda Arts have already booked us in for the next Chinese New Year and there was talk of further sessions to help out in Autumn. It’s a lovely organisation and we’ll be pleased to be back there soon.

In the local running diary is the Tony Barnes Memorial 5 miler - organised by a local running group and set in one of our local parks -  its a very popular event. This year Bekah and Chris had signed up to take part. For Bekah this was her furthest she has run and for Chris it was a return to run events after a break of two years.

It had been very hot on our task on Monday and there was concern that it might be gruelling hot for the run - this wasn't a problem on the night as the temperature had plummeted and near winter had arrived again. I turned up beforehand to hang out and soak up the vibes of pre run- (always a chance for a chat to everyone as well). as well as offer my support.  The time before the run starts can be that strange mixture of excitement and nervousness and I planned to give a well meaning pep talk. However I got distracted by a.) being so excited at Bekah and Chris's imminent run and personal challenges and b.) seeing people to chat to. Before long the run started and the runners set off. Fortunately for everyone Miriam arrived and took to cheerleading like a true pro - it was such good fun to be cheering on with someone with equal enthusiasm. Then Miriam showed her trump card - her camera skills - we had situated ourselves somewhat by fluke that we would see Bekah and Chris 4 times in differing directions  - I managed to photograph the back of one of their heads despite lots of trying. Miriam caught them on each passing. Each time they passed they looked strong and gave us smiles and thumbs up - they both individually  paced themselves so well -  not running out of steam -  each finishing really strong and with a smile. We had NO doubt they would do well but I know they both exceeded their own expectations.

The thing about being there when people achieve their goals and succeed their goals is its a privilege  -  to witness the slight nervousness, the little doubt and then the euphoria - and that euphoria is infectious Miriam and I were grinning and jumping for them both.

At the finish line we were joined by Chris's friend Serena  who we soon found out is a Goodgym Sheffield member. So lovely to spend time with you - hope to see you again soon Serena.

Then what better way to end this evening but a picnic - we were all excited about Bekah's famous sausage rolls.. (she also had some vegan ones) as we stood around at the finish line  Chris uttered the magical words of 'where are the sausage rolls then?'  which was the cue to pick up our picnic bags find a spot by the beautiful Palm house and bring out our shared goodies for a feast... and what a feast.

We sat and ate and chatted and despite the weather which was overcast, windy and cold we managed to spend a considerable amount of time picnicking in the british 'summertime' . Whilst the sausage rolls were winning sausage rolls I have to say that for me Bekah and Chris were our winners. Well done to you both.

If you are inspired, enthused, in awe, motivated by all this talk of sausage rolls..... I mean running then why not meet us at the suitcases on a Monday evening.  We run to the task,  we welcome everyone. 

Dike, Sophie and Sallyann ran to the task, the rest of us met at the garden on the corner of Blundell street and Wapping. For a lot of Good Gymers the last time they had seen the garden was in the dark so it was lovely to see it in the beautiful early evening sun with so much in bloom.

Elaine was there to explain what was growing. Ema commented that the garden had the look of a hot climate garden and Elaine said that care had been taken to grow a variety of plants that could survive any climate. She said that the garden also had late bloomers so, when the rest of Liverpool has stopped flowering, the bees can come here for a late season party. There was towering globe artichoke, Fennel, Evening Primrose and lots of Salvia. There was an alpine sea holly that was such a vivid blue, if you’d painted it you’d be told that the colour was too vibrant. There was Jerusalem Sage that had pretty bulbed heads on stalks which apparently turns yellow in late summer. Elaine said that this shrub had spent some time spreading its roots before flowering. Elaine has to decide which plants are taking over the space but she said that now it is more about taking plants out that are getting too prolific rather than planting new ones.

And so, to the job in hand, which pesky plants are we culling this evening? Elaine explained to us that it was the grass that was taking over. She explained it was the flat leaf grass we wanted rid of and other varieties were ornamental and should stay. We set about rooting out this grass and some of us litter picked. The site is right next to a fast food restaurant so litter is a problem. While we were working a young lad went passed on his bike and shouted, ‘because of people like you, the world is a better place!’

This week, we were back on Mulgrave street to help Kahn from Mulgrave Street Action group keep the weeds at bay.

There was one particular bed that was in need of clearing, so we set to work. The main challenge, as always with gardening tasks, was deciding what constitutes a weed... But with clear guidance from Khan we were able to clear space for the plants to flourish and we ended up filling 6 bags full of weeds!

Special shout out goes to Afrah who joined us for the first time and Bekah who completed her 50th task today! Excellent work from both.

It is always a pleasure to work with Mulgrave street Action Group and it is fantastic to see how well the garden is doing! Well done for all your hard work folks - I'm sure next time we will be able to see the results of our efforts in full force!

This get together was an opportunity to celebrate our Amazing Area Activator Ema. Only the night before Ema had been succesful in winning the Merseyside Women Making a Difference award in recognition of her amazing work Ema is choir manager of Choir With No Name Liverpool as well as our Area Activator. Well done Ema I know everyone who knows Ema knows what a difference she does make but its fantastic she has had the recognition for this. Ema dutifully bought her award along for us to see. Its lovely unfortunately the photo i took of Ema holding it doesnt show it as its a beautiful glass award.... note to self leave photography to anyone else but me.

Well done to David Bekah Julie and Vikky on running the parkrun before breakfast in what started out as a bit of a drizzly grey day. Each and everyone finished with a smile and still looking fresh. I know this as I was handing out finishing tokens under the mentorship of Eileen who is a member of the core team at princes parkrun -team token... this week had an international flair as we tried to say well done in as many different languages as we knew (or were taught as the morning went on) Team scanners today included the family duo Roz and Jo both part of the furniture at parkrun as both have run so many all over the place as well as volunteering at both parkrun and junior parkrun.

The wonderful thing about our parkrun get togethers is that people can pop in and out of the morning it really is a smorgasbord of a social it was so good that both Liam and Ellie were able to take time out of their busy schedules to celebrate Ema's achievement and catch up with everyone and lastly but in no means least it was so wonderful to see Laura who we figured would be the last time we saw her for a little while as she will have her hands full and her time occupied very soon.... (her gorgeous baby was born the very next day 💕).

This truly was a winning breakfast.