Brrrrr! It was colder than a polar bear's toenails tonight but even as the temperature dropped to the low single figures we managed to reach double figures with our participants this evening. I am sure digging weeds in a freezing graveyard was a huge draw and it was nothing to do with the promise of some delicious banana bread and a chance to wish bon voyage to the wonderful Jo Stevens before she embarks on an Indian odyssey for the next few months.

After a slightly late start as we plucked up courage from the warmth of our base to get out into the cold night air we soon warmed up with a 2k undulating run through Walthamstow Village and to the outskirts of Epping Forest where we armed ourselves with various tools and did some great work clearing bracken and so forth from the gravestones at St Peter's in the Forest Church.

With noses turning red and hands calcifying around garden tools, we returned out armour to the potting shed and hit the drill button with some sprints and returns. For some reason, my grapevining was the source of some mirth. I can't imagine why. Anyway, with our blood now flowing again we headed back to Mirth and tucked into Jo's delicious banana bread.

I am sure I speak for all GGWF runners when I say good luck Jo, you are heading on a fantastic physical and spiritual journey. We will all miss you but look forward to seeing you when you come back x

☮️