On a rather grim Wednesday evening the Goodgym Haringey troops assembled at Broadwater Farm estate. As tonight's leader Sarah was the first to arrive - though possibly beaten by Mark and newcomer Jessie, who went to the other pin on the run listing.

Task owner Mike explained today's task - carting wheelbarrow loads of mulch up the hill, which got progressively boggier the higher we went. Apparently there is a hidden spring!

The team made short work of the task and had enough time left over to do a side mission to make the Lordship Rec parkrun start and finish less muddy.

On this slightly chilly September evening Mark was the first to arrive at Blue House Yard, welcoming newcomer James. They were soon joined by Paul, Veronika, and eventually Sarah. It was a short and social run from there to Wolves Lane, where Ed had already taken credit for being the first to arrive.

Wolves Lane is a particular favourite for Goodgym Haringey, as it was the scene of our very first group run. A lot has changed at the site since then, and recently three new buildings have gone up. We were greeted by task owner Alistair, who has worked there for 18 years so had even more stories to tell. We were soon set to work shifting mulch to a spot outside, and watering plants in the Black Rootz polytunnel and the cactus house.

Today's team was so efficient the task was completed in record time, so we had time to flick through Alistair's photo album of the site before ducking into the Palm House to visit the carp and terrapins.

10 Goodgymmers were suckered into lending a hand in Wood Green for a spot of tree maintenance, getting rid of epicormic growths on the plane trees along Lymington Avenue.

Finger-watch Galore

Big up for Maddie, our newbie at this task, who bravely announced she is a professional violinist just as we handed her sharp tools that could cut through fingers. Cue, of course, an evening of very stressful finger-watching. Maddie was a pro and took it all in good spirits. And no fingers were harmed in the making of this report. Phew. You can come again, Maddie.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

This is a task that we enjoy coming back to every year. As Summer goes on, the suckers on the plane trees in London get a bit out of hand, and we are always happy to lend a hand keeping them under control in this corner of North London. Did you know that London Plane Trees are technically known as plantain trees? No, me neither.

Anyway, while the bulk of our Goodgymmers got on with the task of giving the trees a nice haircut, Neil and Sheril were in charge of a thorough litter pick along the same route. Our litter pickers' conversation was wickedly murderous in their contents which spread through the group like wildfire. So suffice to say it was a lot of fun but probably libellous so unprintable. But it did set us right in the mood for the one bloody incident of the evening when good ol' Gramps failed to spot a very thick and dried up bramble and got a massive cut on his head. Luckily, Latoya jumped into action, got a bunch of splinters out of his noggin, and patched him up real good. Not before giving him a comprehensive telling off, mind. Eeeshka.

Just before 8pm, newbie Maddie made the mistake of saying she was still full of energy, so we all endured a few minutes of wall sits, followed by a session of Sally (iykyk). None of our Goodgymmers even put up a fight, proving that we are all indeed suckers for punishment.

All in all, a lovely evening was had, if i say so myself.

Boom