I know it ain't exactly freezing but it darn well feels like it is. Still, I shouldn't complain the Monday and Tuesday GoodGym runs around the nation were pretty wet affairs so despite the cold it was with a spring in our step that ten of the Waltham Forest massive set out tonight for a return to George Mason Lodge (GML), an outstanding care home run by exceptional people.

After our 3.5k run, thoughts of the cold weather were quickly forgotten as hearts rates were raised and our blood cells started to earn their keep delivering much-needed 37-degree C oxygen to our muscles at a rapid rate. We wasted no time in arming ourselves with all manner of garden tools forks, trowels, rakes and some kind of rake/leaf grabbing type thing.

We were back at GML to finish off some bulb planing in readiness the spring bloom that, although it feels a long way off, will be here before you can say Jack Frost - unless of course Jack Frost comes in all guns blazing and kills off any subterranean seeds before they have a chance to flourish. Anyhoo, being such splendid folk, the GGWF crew went above and beyond and decided to rake up and bag up enough leaves to fill up one of those leaf sucking up trucks that go around sucking up all the leaves at this time of year.

After a good 40 minutes of hard graft, and with our extremities slowly numbing and bin bags running low, we decided it was time to call it a night. We downed tools and headed back to 3M (a.k.a. Mirth, Marvel and Maud) for some stretching and a winter warmer for some but not me on this occasion. I hope it was good, did they have mulled cider, Clara?

Seriously, you guys got a s---t load done tonight guys and as I said when the sun comes up tomorrow morning on GML, it will be a delight for the residents to see a beautiful green lawn and a cleared and prepped flower bed. Not to mention what they will see in the spring when dozens of daffs brighten up the garden. Pat yourselves on the back and enjoy and warming hot choc or something similar.

Next week is yet another return but this time to Church Road to complete out planter building project. Sign-up 'ere

Oh and here is some other stuff you might be interested in: GoodGym Christmas Bash

Not to be confused with The GGWF Christmas Bash

Quite a few of the WF crew are also doing this It does look like fun

That's it for now you beautiful peeps.

☮️