Another delightful August evening, gusty winds and incessant albeit light rain. I rode over with some moody Gipsy Kings beats playing, transplanting myself into an iberian fruit farmer's shoes for a moment, then regained focus over the canal cobbles, avoiding a swerve in the drink.

Just me at the Aquatics Centre on arrival, followed by Graham, then Rosa...and then Ruth. Out of nowhere, no heads up, she just appeared, one of GoodGym Newham's long lost children, returning to her home (away from home). It was a great start. Kev dropped by moments later, then we were off.

We sacked off the high knees, because it felt forced on this occasion, they'll be back next week, fret not. RWQ was "what new Olympic event would you add in?" Paintball on a 5-aside pitch was Kev's idea, nowhere to hide, sounds like a bruising event, perhaps a decent spectator sport though. Jousting, but without horses, was my revised choice. Graham explained they do it on piggy back in village fares, I'd like to see some of that. Dance-offs was Rosa's choice, a very good one I might add, I can see that making the cut.

Hils and Justin joined us at Abbey Gardens, where we met Barbara, the new Community Gardener. She asked us to move a load of logs and branches to the other side of the garden, some brazen chaps are coming in there and making regular fires. It's next to a train station, overlooked by houses, with literally no cover, from any angle whatsoever, what kind of carefree pyromaniac is this?

We did a solid hour, snapped some logs using tools ranging from foot, arm and saw. Barbara was hugely appreciative and impressed, we'll look to lock back in a session in the coming weeks. The evening was concluded in the pub, featuring chips, friendly bar-staff and suspect beverage choices.

Till next week

B