Four sturdy Goodgymmers gathered for an evening session at the Phoenix. We had braced ourselves for poor weather and, with one brave soul asking for a walk rather than run, arrived in less-than-appropriate gear. Sadly, our walker pulled out due to work, but on the plus side, the weather turned out to be rain-free. Still, we democratically agreed to power-walk with optional jeffing .

And it turned out we could do a lot more talking while walking, and still get fit. Rachel had a lingering request to share revenge narratives, but in honour of Victoria horror stories of attending a gym, we instead decided to talk about favourite exercise experiences - 'good gyms'. We chattered away for the 2.7km through East Finchley's back streets to the Mutton Brook, then Lyttleton Playing Fields and finally to Northway Gardens, where we met Brian.

As ever, Brian was in good form, regaling us with his stories of managing the gardens, as well as of the amazing work volunteers had done to transform the rose beds over a decade ago. He talked about the history of the gardens and how things have changed in recent years.

Then to the night's tasks - a large fallen branch needed moving, and it took four (mainly because we wanted to be useful). We made short work of it, so Brian led us to task two. The Council had trimmed willows and put the fronds in the bushes by the path, so together we moved them all further along the hedge to a gap, where they were out of sight.

Then, with the job done, Brian led us back to the road, pausing briefly to show us a beautiful cotinus coggygria - a smoke tree, visibly red even in the dark. We parted at his car, and made our merry way back, chatting away and finally getting to those revenge narratives Rachel was keen to share. And there was even time at the Phoenix Cinema for a quick drink and popcorn before heading home.