As Old Spike filled up with GoodGymer's, it signaled it was time to head out from the warmth and into the cold. There was just time for a reminder about the Christmas Party before we set off (11th December - 20:15 - Voodoo Rays)!

On arrival, the task was clear, we needed to clean all the toys to make sure they're clean for when they children play with them! Armed with the tools (soapy/dettol water and some clothes) the team set about cleaning every toy in sight. Even the sofas didn't escape a thorough clean, which is good because they needed a wipe down too!

A team of 4 went to sort the craft supplies, throwing out dried up pens, sharpening pencils and making sure everything was in a more organised order.

With not long to go and a lot of plastic balls still to clean and all the toys to get back into the cupboard, everyone stepped in to get the last bits done!

After a quick photoshoot and goodbye to task owner Valentina, it was time to head back to Old Spike which had the promise of Athletic Brewing beers.

Well done to everyone for tackling the 6km run with enthusiasm and also thanks to Daryl for leading us a much nicer route than I had planned!

For this week’s group run we mixed things up by taking a new route to our monthly session at Thorlands. From Old Spike Cafe, we set off towards Camberwell Grove via Warwick Gardens. We then went through an alley to Love Walk and on to Thorlands from there.

Back in the Community Garden this week. We were picking up from where Lambeth left off the previous night and what we started last month. This involved laying down cardboard overlapped (to make it harder for the foxes to rip up). Before we got to work spreading mulch on top of the cardboard. Big kudos to Nelly who did a great job picking up the litter that had accumulated in the area.

Simon sends thanks for our work! We’ll see Simon again next month when we'll be moving logs to create seating areas in the Community Garden.

Ahoy! It’s Mari(gold) Time to launch ALL the nautical, horticul(ture) puns. Some might even say, I’ve gone overboard, or even written a run report that’s a bit ship.

Three GGers tested their sea legs by heading to Florence Road to help fill the new planter - a small rowing boat which has been donated by the Ahoy! Centre in Greenwich and is now docked at Florence Green.

Buoyed along by eager discussions about how nice it will be to enjoy the space when everything is growing next year, Vic, Isaac, and Jacqueline got to work planting young plants and bulbs.

Naomi (a local resident) used her imagination to create a trellis for the centre of the boat. Planning had been given for a boat but not a mast so the trellis was absolutely definitely not a mast at all in any way.

Isaac continued the watery theme by giving the new plants a good water.

It was oarsome to see the final part of Subo’s vision for Florence Green coming to life.

There may be a few more sessions for weeding to keep the space ship-shape but the majority of the work is now done and we look forward to seeing it blooming in Spring, when the garden will be officially launched!

That’s it, that’s more puns than I have ever thought of in my entire Goodgym career. I’m all at sea!

This evening pre-Halloween we made our way to Herne Hill, where part of the group would be meeting the runners.

After dividing ourselves up into 3 teams we went down a number of streets flyering. We gave out the entire stack of GROAD flyers and for bonus points we did our GG flyers! 🙌

Nelly judged the many decorated houses and gave us her verdict! She was impressed (pic included).

We then wrapped up and headed back to the Old Spike for a stretch.