Monday's group run for GoodGym Richmond included a visit to the Petersham and Ham Sea Scouts, one of our favourite organisations in the local area. We gathered outside the Tap Tavern and did some stretches before heading off on a direct run of about 2.5km over to the scouts' HQ on the banks of the river. It was properly dark along the towpath and even with headtorches it was difficult to dodge the puddles on the path, as our wet shoes testified on arrival.

We met with scout leader Russell and were briefed on the task at hand, which was to clear twig and branch debris from the grounds to allow for plant growth and collect firewood for the scouts' bonfires. We were kitted out with brand new red gardening gloves, wheelbarrows and mini floodlights and got to work. Jack and Kerry took on the clearing of the main lawn by the impressive new scout hut, while the rest of the group headed down the driveway towards the river.

What's brown and sticky? A stick.

The river had only recently been at high tide so the ground was soaked through on one side of the driveway, but we charged in fearlessly and were soon gathering bundles of sticks and filling the two barrows so fast they couldn't make drop offs at the wood store quickly enough. Then Russell pointed out that the other side of the drive needed clearing too and the river had not come up on that side so we switched across and the going was a lot easier.

We had arrived to a very sticky situation indeed, but it was satisfying to see it becoming progressively less sticky as the sticks were tidied up. As we began to wrap up we were joined by T and Chi who made a bonus appearance at the end of a cycling training session. Cue super smiley group photo and then a gentle jog back to Richmond, sticky situation resolved.