9 Goodgymers met at Leisureworld for a wet wet wet run to help Colchester in Bloom continue their quest to make Colchester beautiful!

We were missing a few of our merry crowd, due to hustings in the Mercury, and the trains from London deciding for the 2nd night in a row that they didn't particularly want to get to Colchester (I'm sure the rain had nothing to do with it).

We made our way up through the park to Pam's house to pick up the equipment for weeding and planting at St John's Green. Pam made a really important point that people who live in beautiful places are happier. Fact. And this is why what we do for Colchester in Bloom is so important.

Whilst it was a small patch of earth, we had several tasks, and started to get on with them as the rain got heavier and heavier. These tasks included: - rescuing snails - weeding - pulling up ivy - digging a gully (to stop water washing the dirt away - designing the plan for planting - planting the flowers - returning the dirt to the ground that had been dug away in creating the gully - returning unused plants and tools and compost to Pam's

We got it all done in 30 minutes and were pleased with our work. Given last week's task at the allotment and how our work wasn't quite as effective as the work the Ghurka's had done the day before, we discussed how we might be starting a flower planting competition as we were planting very close to where they live - perhaps next week we will see some new flowers near Leisure World. If we do, brilliant, if it can help our town to be more beautiful.

After we were thoroughly soaked, we made our way to the Luna Rossa Restaurant on Church street - the new pizzeria, and it was fantastic. They were so welcoming offering Ian, David and I tea towels to dry off as we didn't have spare dry clothes.

We ate, we drank, we discussed, and it was good(gym)!