What a day for Polish Heritage Day! As we approached Castle Hill Community centre the sun was starting to emerge, flags swaying in the breeze and it was a hive of activity. First up for Natalie: making the hamper followed by lots of balloon inflating and distributing. Natasha got the coffee and tea station set up and there was time to soak up the atmosphere and have a quick bite of delicious apple cake.

Congratulations to The Polish Community Hub for putting on such a vibrant day.

It was with a certain trepidation that Magda said that there was quite a lot to do getting the allotment back on track after Winter. But and Natalie like a challenge.

Sleeves rolled up, a monster spade, trowel and hoe and these two Good Gymers were ready to go.

The task was to de-weed the overgrown beds and turn the soil to get it fresh and ready for planting.

In an hour and half, two thirds of the beds were looking ready for seeds or plants with some particularly satisfying and hefty removals.

Look forward to going back and seeing it in its glory once shoots start to emerge.

Tonight we gardened under the cloak of darkness and the stars as wow, the light levels have dropped!

Despite arriving at Polish Community Hub's allotment earlier and coming with head torches, this task did involve 'feeling' our way through and relying on our spider sense! Tash rocked the headtorch btw.. new style statement?!

Great to see Natashaand Clara and we got stuck in weeding and getting some of the ground ready for an incoming shed which we are looking forward to help build come Spring time.

Madga, our task owner, was kind enough to let us snaffle a few apples from the tree (apple crumble, anyone?! ) and the last of the courgettes.

Fab effort everyone!

Summer has returned! And the sunlight made the allotment look even more alive with plot after plot looking resplendent and vibrant with flowers, fruit and vegetables.

Helping the Polish Community Hub's allotment lay it's foundations was a strong team of four ready to get their hands in the soil. Natasha, Clara, Christina and myself tasked with weeding, clearing the back of the allotment in anticipation of a brand, new shed (very exciting! ) and ensuring there was enough mulch to go around.

Working quickly we managed to crack on and help with getting the allotment ready for action - with Magda's guidance and as her an inspiration, the general feeling seems to be.... "when are going to sign up for a Good Gym allotment " . . .

Thanks for the photos Clara and Tash... xx

What a difference two days make! From running in torrential rain on Saturday to a balmy Summer evening today...

Natasha and myself made our way to the community allotment tonight to help the Polish Community Hub make progress on their plot.

We may have gotten slightly distracted swooning over all the heaving plots filled to the brim with Summer vegetables, verdant trees and blooming wild flowers but we got down to work building boxes to help separate the plot and provide stability.

Employing a give-it-a-go attitude, the first one was a learning curve but undeterred - and fuelled by apple cake (yum!) - we endeavoured to get a second one built before we left.

A swift run home and we totalled about 4.5 miles.

We look forward to helping out again soon- thanks to the wonderful Magda for having us and showing us the ropes.

(Pun: credit where credit is due, Tash..)