With the threat of Storm Bert heading our way, 7 GoodGymers wrapped up warm to head out this morning for some parkrun volunteering. As an incentive Leanne brought along some delicious cake for us, even though she wasn't joining us for the task. What a superstar! Rich wasn't allowed to be left unattended with it though, in case it all mysteriously disappeared before we'd finished our parkrun duties. We reconvened after a fantastic 580 runners had made their way round a very muddy course. Robert selected some cake before heading off for the day, Sallyann was off to visit her mum and the rest of us headed for our customary Wetherspoons breakfast to reward ourselves for our "hard" work. Eden was very excited to be having her second breakfast of the day, particularly as it was followed by cake. Andy realised he had too many layers on once we were indoors and was close to expiring so decided to take his home with him.

Ben brought along his donations for the reverse advent calendar collection for the foodbank. Anyone else who is contributing to the collection will need to get their donations to me this week please. If you are coming along to our task on Wednesday, I'm happy to take them then. We will be doing a leaflet drop followed by some leaving drinks for Joe who is off to the only English city to be excommunicated by the Pope. Make of that what you will!

After a string of poor excuses, only the bravest of goodgymers met last night (having a baby? pssh).

Traffic was awful so there was a lot of discussion over the best way through town right now, and the answer is clearly on foot.

Fay, Andy and Richard drove in but survived the ordeal. The excellent 'reverse advent calendar' foodbank collection is underway. Joe appeared when summoned by Andy.

A cold run to the church hall and we got to work, it's like we've never cleared any leaves at all every time we visit but it keeps us out of trouble. Everything was filling up with piles of leaves still waiting to be lifted so a brisk walk for a bin secondment allowed us to get more picked up for collection day.

We will be back for more leaves in a few weeks!

It was a dark and stormy night.. well, it wasn't stormy but it was dark- and it is halloween so just imagine.

Erin got there nice and early to skulk in the shadows. I was attacked by a giant spider on the way to meet the gang. David had been under Frankensteins blade (explains all the extra body weight). Rich was terrifying as usual. Kate was riding a DIY-high and eager to crack on.

We trotted down the highstreet avoiding any slippery leaves. At the hall we found another spider (Sallyann), a pumpkin (Laurie) and.. the devil? (sorry Fay). They had made an excellent start and we blitzed through the brown bins in no time. Goodgym will be back soon to re-leaf the hall of the remainder of foliage as it drops over the next few weeks.

See you next week for some pub based prep.