Half Term maybe meant that we were small in numbers but when a committed few CONE together to do GOOD, well.... they become mighty!

We lit up the Thames path this night with our head torches as we took the long route to Canbury Gardens.

Before we headed off we made sure we warmed up our cold limbs by chasing each other around a small circle in a car park - GG runners do the craziest things! Then there was the group photo to be taken care of , tonight we opted for a cone hats (from fore mentioned car park) and struck a pose.... Hmmm I wonder whose idea that was??

Our run out was just over 5km, the LONGER section of the run alongside the peaceful Thames with only our head torches and the occasional fairy-lights guiding our path.

We arrived at Canbury Community Garden to meet the lovely task owner Marilyn. The current project here is to transform the neglected former gardeners’ yard on the edge of Canbury Gardens into a productive community garden. So tonight GoodGym Kingston rolled their sleeves up to do their bit for this great space.

We were tasked with filling up the pond, turning over the COMPOST and cutting down tree branches. Unfortunately we were not greeted by the residents of the garden....the CHICKENS (there was none OUT), but it was great to learn that they have settled into their new home quite well over the last 4 months.

A few runners reminisced about spending their younger years in and around the gardens so it was great to be able to help grow a new space for a new generation.

When our time was up we took an easy kilometre back to Guildhall, slight rewarm of running muscles and then to stretch, not just limbs but brain power too as we nail our punability form.

Welcome back to Toby who we haven't seen in a few months due to injury (easy rest day for you today)

Great work all and don't forget we also discussed the GoodGym Shindig on 19th to 21st July, look out for more news on that and also the mission process is changing so keep an eye out on the website to see whats different and ask any questions if your not sure.

See you next week

After a pre-chicken-run plog, we met Marilyn and her fellow community gardeners (and mini helpers) at the Canbury Community Gardens. So much work has gone on since we were last here for a group run, including the arrival of three chickens and lots of veg having grown.

So what's the pecking order of tasks?

During the gardening sessions, the gates are shut and the chickens released to have free range of the gardens. But this comes with a risk as these peck-happy creatures get a little too peck-happy and peck away at all of the plants that have been growing, particular those in the recycled tyre planters.

The chicken run! Today we went to help out at Canbury Community Garden and finally got to meet the chickens 🐓 pic.twitter.com/ySI69SmISz

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) January 19, 2019

Let's tyre them out

So we were tasked with creating double-decker tyre planters that would be more peck-proof. We grabbed unused tyres, filled them with the "less good" compost and then some of the better quality stuff, then carefully transferred over the existing planter and plants on top of the platform.

This is mulch better than expected

Samia didn't need mulch help with filling up buckets with the inferior compost, whilst Kate (wheel)barrowed a shovel to transfer the top notch stuff. Africa recruited some minuature helpers to assist with watering in the transplanted plants.

After double-deckering several tyres and supporting with chicken behavioural management, we were all tyred out (we had no spare tyres left!), put the tools away and headed off. Looking forward to some regular community missions here.