It was quite a spectacle at Mousehold Heath this evening as we were treated to a beautiful rainbow as we were about to take our group photo.

Jen and Bobby lead the run from The Forum with several others cycling too.

This was possibly our biggest turnout since post-covid, with 23 of us making an appearance.

It was the last bracken pulling session of the summer. Will met us with pitch forks (in a nice way) so we could pile up the pulled bracken... and there was a lot of it!

What a lovely evening with the sunset coming over as we finished up for the evening. A few people stopped at the pub on the way back to have a well deserved drink.

Tonight 20 Goodgymer's (and 1 dog) ran or cycled 6km to Mousehold Heath.

We continued the work being done to improve the biodiversity of the heathland, by pulling up bracken to allow the heather to flourish underneath.

Always a popular task, and our second visit this summer, we covered a different area on the eastern side of the heath. Within an hour there was a large wide area that had been cleared, with all the bracken piled up and moved with pitchforks.

On our way out of the heath, local warden Will showed us an area that had been worked on over 3 years, and is now covered in a beautifully vibrant purple heather.

A few GoodGym members did some litter picking in their own area.

This was my story.. While waiting to meet a friend in East Finchley, I decided to do some impromptu litter picking. With my dog Gus, I grabbed my litter picker from the car and explored the area. I found hidden pockets of rubbish near benches and bushes. As I walked, I discovered a community area with pollinating plants and a small waterproof cupboard filled with books. I even got a tip on a nearby badminton club for my daughter. Slowing down truly reveals more – I highly recommend litter picking along the way.

Paul Browning said. The 'bee roads' edge many of the fields of Blackheath are corridors which provide food, shelter and habitat for wildlife. Alas they also seem to be magnets for litter, much of the 2 black bags worth of litter collected came from alongside the A road that bisects the heath. Thanks for listing

A few GoodGym people came together to do some online yoga.

Details on how yoga improves vascular function, particularly through enhanced endothelial function, one of the key mechanisms by which yoga can help regulate blood pressure. The endothelium is the inner lining of blood vessels and plays a critical role in maintaining vascular health. Here’s a detailed look at the mechanisms involved:

Endothelial Function and Its Importance:

The endothelium regulates several important functions, including: - Vasodilation and Vasoconstriction: The ability of blood vessels to widen (vasodilate) or narrow (vasoconstrict) is crucial for maintaining blood pressure. - Blood Flow: Proper endothelial function ensures smooth and efficient blood flow, reducing strain on the heart. - Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: The endothelium helps control inflammation and oxidative stress within blood vessels, both of which can contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular disease.