While we were all enjoying the summer, it looks like autumn slowly crept up and hit us over the head with a bag of dry brown leaves. According to Google, autumn doesn't start until the end of the month, but if you ask me, it has already arrived. Mind you I'm not complaining, I quite like this season and it still means there is plenty to do out of doors with cutting back stuff, picking up leaves and all that to keep the hardworking GoodGymers of Waltham Forest busy.

And hardworking they are because we had a great turnout last night for our long run to St John's of Leytonstone. We also had our youngest ever volunteer, A-level student Shiala who come along with her dad, Sajid. What a great team the two of them made superb running and getting stuck into the task. Great work.

Of course, it was great work from all concerned with everyone arriving on time and pounding out the 2.5 miles run at a decent pace. Of course, the thought of our monthly social at the end of our exertions probably proved an excellent incentive to get things done.

There to greet us on-site was the ever cheerful and helpful Maureen who equipped us with the tools for the job. St John's is a stunning church set in a beautiful garden. This Saturday evening they host the London Gala Orchestra who will be playing a recital of Peter and the Wolf. Our job was to spruce up the churchyard ahead of this event. The team did an outstanding job of this, ridding the long pathway of weeds and cutting back the overgrowing branches.

After beavering away at this task, it was time to get back on the road for another 2.5 miles (5 in total!). Needless to say, after all that work, we were ravenous when we walked into the Turkish restaurant, Gokuzu for our post-run meal. Massive thanks go to Nerys for organising this; it was a great choice. The staff looked after us with plenty of on the house bread and delicious salad arriving almost as soon as we sat down. The food was terrific and plentiful too.

Great work all. Next week we are off to the marshes to do a bit of a plog, sign-up here

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