Just when we thought we were out.... they pulled us back in! (Name the movie?) That's right we begin our report with a weather based update - it was cold, very cold, and we were due to be outside at Windmill Gardens but then it was pretty icy so tasks were prepared indoors. But then the weather changed and it was marginally warmer so we were back outside again! Still with me??

Anyway we had another two new runners with us this evening - Clare and Aristou (Sadaf's son) a warm welcome to GG Lambeth!! This meant we doubled the dulcet tones of Northern Irish accents, adding them to a smooth New Zealander, a Gibraltese falcon, a super Thai and new Francophone friends, our very own United Nations (plus the English regional accents of course!)

Marie Noelle and Paul agreed to meet us at Windmill Gardens and so did Liz after her open water swim & 10k earlier in the day (I'm exhausted just typing that) so 11 of us introduced ourselves, chose the nursery rhyme that best described us and set off up Brixton Hill. By the way who knew that Little Miss Muffett was doing keto all those years before it became an Insta thing?!!

Once we arrived to meet Jean and Annick our tasks were laid out 1) help sort the planting garden 2) rake and compost the fallen leaves. 4 Runners headed over with Annick to clear the planting garden and remove all the unfortunate plants that had been killed off by the extra cold recent weather - there were blocks of ice around the roots of some! The winter wheat (heritage wheat) looked to be doing well though so fingers crossed for the Beer and Bread Festival later in the year.

The rest of the group headed across the muddy grass to where enormous quantities of leaves were lying on the ground and stopping the grass from getting any exposure to light and air. To be honest we could have spent several evenings just on this part of the task as there were so many leaves to collect. With scrapers, rakes, wheelbarrows and black bags the team got to work and collected as much as possible in the time we had then deposited them over in the 1 tonne builders' sacks (full in no time) to be turned into mulch.

By time up the planting section was looking spick and span and the grassy area much lighter on fallen leaves and so it was time for a group photo before heading off back to base or off home for those lucky enough to live close by.

Thanks to everyone for a fun, chilly and muddy task, exactly what GGers are around for and Jean and Annick were grateful for our help - see you all next time!