As with most other GoodGym areas this week, it would seem the elements were against us! Epic thunder and lightening, flash flooding and traffic gridlock across Swindon were all colliding and conspiring to keep us away. We have been in conversation with GoodGym central about trialling a double points bounty when the weather reaches tempest levels – what do you think?! However, our skin is waterproof and we have legs, so off we popped to Age UK Wiltshire for a return visit to their new(ish) home at Toothill Community Centre.

This week the runners had the absolute delight of being sandwiched between Run Leader Richard the Rector and Backmarker Stuart. Lucky runners! And this week’s paparazzi duties fell to Helen.

Last time we visited, “Team Frosting” and “Team Scrambled Egg” helped to transform windows and walls inside the centre. This time we were tackling the outside space, clearing weeds and brambles. Lots of girly squeals could be heard – those brambles hurt a lot – and we hope we didn’t alarm any local residents with the noise! We trimmed, cut, swept and scooped until there was no more trimming, cutting, sweeping, scooping left to do. Except for the high up hard to reach bits, whereupon Safety First Simon absolutely did not breach any safety regulations. Nope. None at all. Nothing to see here

Richard the Rector then declared it was time to head inside. Hurrah! The centre has been beautifully decorated and in the new café area was the very apt message that “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. We didn’t do much dancing – except when we were attacked by the brambles - but we did have a lovely chatty time achieving our “Goodness Goals” as Age UK Wiltshire put it! With the task done we were treated to tea and cupcakes.

Chatter this week included travels of next week to Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Everest Base Camp and Transylvania! Will everyone remember to pack their GoodGym t-shirts? Will we see some GoodGym on tour holiday snaps?

Does “Strava Palaver” still happen when you’re overseas? Stay tuned to find out!

It was soon time for the runners to head off back into the darkness while a few of us stayed for more chat, and were soon kindly asked to leave as it was time to lock up! Age UK Wiltshire have made such a lovely cosy space for the locals we don’t know why anyone would want to leave! Thanks for having us.

Next up we will be running approximately 4km in total to Margaret Matthews Court in Rodbourne to help with a gardening task. This promises to be a very special task – we absolutely loved our last visit here and getting to meet the delightful residents who are sure to distract us from the job in hand! Margaret Matthews Court provides sheltered accommodation for older people and they need some more help tidying up their garden area. So don't delay - sign up here today!