This morning Aimee, Darren and Ellen ran a round trip just shy of 5 miles to help Mr A with some gardening. Thankfully the recent weather report was incorrect, and it was a mild morning for a run.

The 3 Goodgym folks met in Canton to run together to the mission destination - not Hooky Street. They were met at the door by Mr A who welcomed them through his home to show them the garden. He was relaxing watching an episode of the comedy classic “Only Fools and Horses”. Darren educated his two friends from across the pond on the importance of OFAH in British popular culture!

They made a start on the garden whilst chatting away and Mr A popped to check on them regularly to offer drinks and advice. He is a lovely jubbly gentleman, it turned out that Dave……I mean Darren and he even supported the same football team – Mange Tout!?.

Then there was a visitor, Marleeeeeen?? No it was Mr A’s daughter who had arranged the mission. She popped to say hello and check on her dad at the same time.

Ellen swept the leaves on the patio - with Triggers broom! ;o) Aimee raked the garden to clear the leaves and weeds, whilst Darren fetched the green bin and cut back the nettles and holly bush. They all worked together to collect up everything and filled the green bin. All 3 managed to get stung at some point!

Ellen and Aimee had been to see a stage production of Lord of the Flies the night before (Darren was not invited, but he was not upset about it, the tears in his eyes were down to the stinging nettles). It really had a impact on them as they insisted that whoever wanted to speak must blow the conch first! See pic! They said it represented democracy, structure, and civility throughout the mission. The 3 runners then cleared the grass and weeds from the patio before putting everything away and setting off to the Nags Head for a Campari and Lucozade.

We hope to go back and help Mr A in the future, but hopefully not to clean any chandeliers! ;o)

Disclaimer - if you are not aware of Only Fools and Horses or Lord of the Flies, this will just seem like nonsense to you.

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