If I bothered to check the weather before signing for two missions on Saturday, the forecast would have rain and running conditions: very poor. But I didn't. I'm not a proper runner, so I wouldn't even know what poor conditions mean. And I'm sure that the proper GoodGym runners don't know that either!

My run to Mrs U's took me less than 30 minutes today. I'm not sure how many missions I did for her so far (I lost track pretty early!) but, apparently, enough to unlock an amazing prize! Today the cat resident came over to me for the first time and allowed me to pet him/her (we are not THAT close that I would know this detail).

Mrs U had warm New Year's wishes for me and, of course, the classic Lidl shopping list. If I wasn't properly drenched on my arrival at Mrs U's, I achieved that state on my way to West Ealing's Lidl. The shopping was pretty easy. When I left the store I still didn't have brazil nuts (we agreed to skip them if they are not in stock in Lidl), cooking salt, shredded mozzarella and Hovis bread. The last three items I got from the big Sainsbury's nearby.

On my way back, I didn't bother to take off my disposable facemask because it made my face feel dry and cosy underneath, while everything else on me felt soggy. What I didn't realise was that the mask was absolutely soaked from the outside! It was Mrs U who pointed that out to me. She kindly supplied me with a fresh facemask which I would wear on my upcoming endeavours later today as I forgot to take a spare one with me. She even offered to lend me a brolly! I appreciated the gesture but politely refused as I don't believe in umbrellas (I stopped using them a decade and a half ago).

Before I was off for my next adventure, Mrs U asked me for help with a small task that required some tech, namely, redeeming a gift and placing an online order on her phone. We sorted it out together - fingers crossed Mrs U will get her delivery soon!

Now, here is a little tip on how to have fun and save on electricity bills despite the winter season and rising prices: go outside and do a couple of GoodGym missions. Completing the real-world quests will leave you with no time or desire to switch on your console or PC to play an RPG. If you live on your own, there will be no reason to leave the electrical heating on. The satisfaction and cosiness you'll feel on your return home cannot be rivalled by a bland, comfy day on a sofa in front of a screen! Also, you will see real people. And maybe even real cats!