We started off as usual at the Phoenix, led by George and shadowed by our semi-back-marker, quantum-state Richard, before heading out for a leaflet drop. We tripped up garden paths (well, that of Rachel's secret soul mate) and out again, until we exhausted our leaflet supply, before turning our steps towards the allotments.

After briefly considering a game of cat and mice with the slightly late Subham, we entertained ourselves by skipping down the high street, and with Rachel’s question for the evening about coping well (or not) with a last-minute change. She told the story of a very last-minute change during a search and rescue exercise, where she managed to confuse the team slightly by forgetting who she was supposed to be as the missing person (having been upgraded from witness to witless lost person, at the last minute).

George then told us about watching for stag beetles with Daniella. Having waited a little longer than sensible they were just about to head home having not seen a single beetle when they saw a man, who had just arrived, catch a stag beetle out of the air. This stag beetle expert gave them a memorable evening helping him with his nightly survey. Result - more stag beetles than they could ever have wanted to see.

Then last-minute Subham was challenged over last-minute coffee choices. Apparently, the American isn’t a fan of an Americano. We let him espresso himself on the subject.

Then it was on to the allotments, where mattocks were wielded, plants were pulled up, bind weed was unbound, and great progress was made. There was a moment of peril when Beattie appeared to be held hostage by the horseradishes, which threatened to pull her down a very particular type of rabbit hole. Thankfully, she escaped before becoming fully radishilised. At the end of the session, we were rewarded with a last-minute offer of magic (non-coffee) beans (what could go wrong?).

Sheela helpfully released us into the wilds of East Finchley after the session was complete.

After leaflets, stag beetles, coffee confessions, mattocks, magic beans and one suspiciously powerful horseradish, we decided we had earned the right to head heroically home.

The weather may have been miserable, but everyone was certainly in high spirits! Including the Tesco deliverymen who had turned up (much to the surprise of Claire, the manager at the North Finchley Community Grocer) earlier than expected! And so, as soon as we arrived for our mission, we had the quickest of introductions and then it was straight on to helping bring the cage trolleys (which were filled with fresh fruit and veg as well as bread and cartons of oat milk) up the winding slope to the entrance.

Once all of the produce was inside, and the empty crates had been returned to the Tesco deliverymen, the volunteers quickly divvied out the goods for storage and sale and brought them to their respective locations. Once done, we dismantled the cage trolleys, ready to be stored.

Subham headed into the store to help out with restocking the shelves, while Jack headed down into the basement with Kenny, (who enthusiastically regaled him with story of when he wore a kilt in Thailand for his wedding!), to store the extra produce in the various store rooms and fridges!

As we said our thanks and goodbyes, the store was bustling with customers, which on a grey, rainy Monday, was wonderful to see!