A mixed bag today, starting our Xmas tasks on Bonfire night. Our usual set up slightly changed as we went for a run first then headed to the office for Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru, who had wonderfully allowed us to use their space for this task. The task, was helping Christmas for CAMHS with their paper-chain project.

Christmas for CAMHS said -

Our paper chains are a team effort - they will be started by members of the public (like you!), and then the young people will connect them together when they arrive in the CAMHS units. Each paper chain will have a cheesy cracker joke written on the inside (we need you to do that bit too!) to add an extra bit of fun during assembly.

Paper chains, as well as being an awesome decorations that are suitable for most CAMHS units, symbolise connectedness. For young people in CAMHS units it’s really important to feel connected to the outside world and to not feel forgotten. Making these special paper chains, which will be a team effort between the community and the young people on CAMHS wards, is a real opportunity to provide a tangible reminder of that we are all still connected despite everything.

We went on a simple out and back for 40 minutes, we had runners, joggers and walkers all ready to get out and active. It's a great way to invigorate yourself during the darker evenings, and when it's followed by a great crafty session - well there's nothing better! We ended our run outside the office that was helping us this week with a space, Michael had already dropped off a few things earlier ready for the craftiness. Autism Spectrum Connections Cymru is there to promote and protect the physical and mental health of persons who have autism spectrum conditions through the provision of assistance , support, education and practical advice and to advance the education of the general public in all areas relating to autism. The promotion of social inclusion among persons who have ASC. Thanks to Neda for arranging this for us after a brief conversation on last weeks task. you are a STAR.

3, 2, 1 - let's get crafty

The tasks at hand, * cutting the wrapping paper to the correct width using scissors * use the paper guillotine and trimmers these pieces into strips * write a joke on each strip, decorate with a drawing or two * have fun!

Everyone was in great spirits tonight, laughing and joking whilst catching up with one another. Our resident DJ Darren started the tunes - with an instant NO from Michael at that Christmas song - far too early. Instead, we agreed on firework / bonfire related tunes.

We were finished by 8pm, tidied up and went to continue the social, join us next week as we start our cards for care homes task - you can write the cards or get crafty and make some if you want too - all materials will be provided again.

"To spend a few hours doing all of that work, for a total stranger.. it's wonderful, thank you!"

These were the rewarding words of the remarkable Mr J as he bid me farewell following an afternoon of toil, sweat and smiles.

Earlier that afternoon, upon my arrival, Mr. J presented me with a challenge: to subdue the rampant ivy and weeds that had overtaken the rear of his garden. The vines had intertwined with the wall and fence, growing into a dense, heavy mass that sat and spilled over the aging fence.

The mission brief from Goodgym HQ was clear: assess feasibility first and foremost. Indeed, the task was daunting with vines towering over me, but a solid stone wall offered a reliable platform from which to tackle them. Moreover, Mr. J had provided all the essential tools needed for the job.

I quickly established a plan to begin by clearing a vertical strip that would allow me to stand atop the wall unimpeded. From there, I would be able to target the top of the offending branches - an effective strategy I'd learned in missions past.

Just as I finished phase one, I turned around to see Mr J wielding a boomerang lined with metallic teeth. He diffused my astonishment by explaining it was an old branch cutting saw.

As we paused to chat, my astonishment soon returned. He painted a picture of how this once pretty, well maintained garden had blossomed before recent challenges of reduced mobility meant he'd had to forfeit his usual DIY and gardening duties. The sharp, witty man before me casually revealed he was in his mid-nineties!

I continued with the task at hand. Now able to stand up straight on the stone wall, I attacked the overarching branches with loppers. As I worked my way along the top of the fence, I encountered a particularly stubborn branch, but it was no match for the boomerang saw.

Mr. J came by with a couple of mini Coca Cola cans, and we picked up our conversation where we left off. He was curious about Goodgym's mission, and I enthusiastically shared our vision of getting fit through volunteering. As was his way, Mr. J casually mentioned his own commitment to volunteering, a passion spanning over three decades. Despite cutting back, he still dedicates time weekly. Incredible. He regaled some fantastic stories, one of which revolved about the classic tune "Convoy" by C.W. McCall.

It was time for me to keep on truckin'! I tackled the ivy and brambles on the neighboring side fence, then scraped the wall and fence slats clean. I shoveled all the trimmings into the tarpaulin green waste bags. To finish, I swept the patio floor clear with the broom, then gathered the different tools and placed them by the back door for Mr. J to store away.

I called Mr J from the house and we both went down the garden to view the completed job. Taking it in, he seemed visibly moved; "I haven't seen it like this for four years". He was profuse with his thanks and asked me to pass on his good wishes to all at Goodgym.

High on the Goodgym elixir of endorphines and oxytosin, I walked the couple of miles back to the city centre while humming the song playing in my head.

'Cause we got a Goodgym convoy Runnin' through the night Yeah, we got a Goodgym convoy Ain't it a beautiful sight?

Come on and join our Goodgym Ain't nothin' gonna get in our way We gonna run this Goodgym convoy Across the UK!

Our second week of litter picking, and it has to be said that Cardiff is looking good..... And not just because of goodgym.

Da iawn

Tonight four of us met to hit the City Centre and a popular cycle / walk route. We started with a nice catch up outside our meet point, and some great stories from the weekend. Then headed out for a walk along the route surveying the area, then time to turn around....

turn around bright eyes

And the litter pick began, an unknown competition was being held and judged by our designated bag holder..... We found the usual litter along the way (most in a car park), as well as bags of biscuits

Let's get ready to crumble

Was there a winner, of course, it's Cardiff. Always a winner when goodgym get out to do some good.

Michael and Flo were back at Cardiff Junior parkrun today. Flo was the Run Director, and Michael had been assigned the role of time keeper. After the parkrun, Flo and Michael helped sort the tokens back into order, over a cup of tea (for Flo).

A copy of the run report is below:

We were very lucky with the weather today. It only began raining as I was walking to my friend's house (all 50 minutes of the journey). 🌧☂️

Congratulations to Pippa and Sally on their half marathon wristbands, to Darcey and Emrys on their marathon wristbands, and Osian on their ultra marathon wristband. 🥳👏🥳👏🥳👏

A quick fact sheet on the wristbands. A junior is eligible to collect their half marathon wristband after 11 runs, their marathon after 21, and their ultra after 50. Then the next milestones are 100 runs and 250 runs.😮For each one, the junior will collect the wristband on the run after (so 12th junior parkrun for half marathon wristband, 22nd junior parkrun for marathon etc).

Congratulations also to the 20 juniors who got a new PB (personal best) time today, and to the 7 juniors who visited for the first time. 🤩🤩🤩

Cardiff junior parkrun event #413 was made possible today by the 30 volunteers. Thank you all so much. 👍❤️👍❤️

Ian is the run director next week, please let him know if you can volunteer during the week.

Due to injury our Activator was unable to run tonight, so we moved our meet up back to Sport Wales for a litter pick.

It really is a perfect start for a tidy up, there's a taxi drop off point, a coach stop and then all of the sport in the park. And with a little more walking, you get to a busy pathway.

There was plenty to pick, from getting in a bush or two to some fallen bollards (these did not fit in a bag so had to stay where they were).

After a good hour and a bit, we all returned to our meeting point for a photo and to put away our three heaving bags of rubbish.

On a crisp Sunday monring, goodgymers got together for another Junior Parkrun - a wonderful brisk task.

We cheered and clapped, encouragement at every 100m, a brilliant way to start the day and end the weekend.

Today we saw 194 young participants and there were 36 volunteers.