This was the last of the tasks in the busy first four days of January. It was great to meet Dan and Jaime who had recently moved to York and had previously been involved in Goodgym in London. Dan and David started by replacing the nets on the basketball hoops before joining everyone else to cut back the ivy on the top if the wall. We also cleared and tidied some of the beds around it. By the end we had cleared a lot of the ivy back from the top of the wall to prevent it damaging the wall.

Sun's out guns out, and all that. No traditional gun-show type folk with arms like WMD's, but we had plenty of firepower to assist the good folk at The Up Garden. Four of us discussed "your favourite sport's book or film?" I kicked off with The Best There Never Was, a book that unravels a complex story about politics, history and the human condition. The Challenger is a new highly recommended tennis film, by Rebecca...and Brad, must be good. We also had the superb Michael Jordan series, plus the Barkley Marathon documentary, which was recently completed for the first time by a woman, the force that is Jasmin Paris.

A hot jog to the task, we covered the eurovision song contest, Trump hush-money and Get Out leaving their Bow residence. Kieran is keen for a social send off, make note. National telly regulars and RHS winners greeted us, as we returned back to the vibrant gardens for the first time in light this year, looking magnificent, I'm sure you agree. With Dan, Kev, Shaz and Matt working on the herb garden clearance, the rest of us went and cleared the second zone. Armed with forks and a hotly sought after rotator, we cleared a small zone ready for a sand pit.

Was a good gentle workout in the evening sun, everyone completed their tasks, to Catherine and Suze's approval. I've just had a message re The Pride event their hosting, they're keen for help, will list that when we have details. Nice one for the salty goods Dan, nice to mix up the post session snacks, as long as no one brings a soup or something next time. We all wish you the trip of a lifetime, you'll be missed, be well.

Next week, we help the folk at Emanuel Church, sign up here

Good for the soul type session yesterday in Hackney. Hils, a holiday box-fresh Paul and I rolled over to our destination, discussing how age provides extra allowances for being grumpy in our society - and is that right? Might need another delve into this, was good food for thought. The GoodGym hatrick of two Princes and a tonne-reaching Dan met us at the playground.

Ange has a new Forest School coming on site, she tasked us with creating their new education zone. Clearing out the litter to provide a clean area, trimming back the growth to create a bigger 'school area' and laying loads of fresh bark down to provide a healthy and soft soil for play and bug inspection.

I know we've been back at Hackney Adventure Playground three times now, but I do love it there, and I enjoy being back. Quality to get a drink in pots-sesh, and salute Dan on his century of tasks. A physical force of nature - a man you want on the arduous, heavy tasks. He also brings an abundance of cheer and warmth along, it's almost rubbed off on some of us - but a veritable pleasure doing good with him.

Next week, we commence May at Abbey Gardens, and I'm really hoping it's at least t-shirt weather for the run there, summer has got to be close now. Sign up here

Have a good week peeps, get your miles in for Hackney - remember: more is more.

Till next week,

B

Finally we got some evening light back, as Rebecca noted, whilst realising she'd never seen us under the harsh reality of daylight. We spoke about our most watched film; Flash Gordon, A Bridge Too Far, Lion King, Die Hard (2?), Lord of The Rings and Home Alone but to mention a few.

Somewhat of a smellier Greenway trip than normal, as works were being carried out, we arrived at Abbey Gardens before our leader, Xuan. In the meantime we opened a lock, found a key, opened another lock, and then took out some tools for our task, Crystal Maze style. Hils and Matt launched into some heavy duty compost turning work, Brad and I worked on some easy weeding and conversation, whilst the others cleared a few beds of weeds. A surprise cameo from Rosa, was a nice treat to see her at a session. We also ate some rather strong and punchy cress, which is where the random title comes from, if you had wondered.

Next week we hit up Cody Dock again, but following on from news of a finger being bitten off, by an old GoodGym runner nonetheless, please apply caution when flyering. It was an absolute freak accident, but no harm being extra cautious.

Sign up here

ps. Huge congrats to Matt, he's expecting a little person in August! pps. Good luck Rebecca on your HM, enjoy the challenge.

Till next week

B

Beaut of an evening on The River Lea, with Rebecca rolling in minutes after handing in her end of year coursework, plus The Princes back from sunning in Malta. We discussed "what you're looking forward to this spring?" Getting sozzled under the sun in mallorca, the return of light, running in a vest and adventures through europe.

We met Basia, and after a good random chat with her we headed to drop off some flyers, with Dan joining us just before we left. We touched on topics such as: geographical isolation caused evolution, restaurant fusion, paper rounds and inflation and the difference between a house cat and a ferret.

Next week we hit up Abbey Gardens, sign up here to come and celebrate the incoming light with a social post session.

Till then,

B