Signal failures, holidays, and work commitments meant that we were a small group - but as always, a mighty one!

We have been helping support a new partnership between Hounslow FoodBox and the Chiswick allotments which aims to provide local families coping with the cost of living crisis with fresh, organic, locally grown fruit and vegetables.

Our main job so far has been the digging over and preparing the ground for planting, which, much to our delight started this week! The first herbs and tomatoes have gone in. Now just to protect them from the marauding slugs!

We grabbed gloves and forks and got straight to work. The person who owned the site before had favoured a 'no dig' approach to the plot, which meant that as we delved deeper into the soil we were treated to some rather unsavoury smells from previous manure. However, we were reassured to find the manure had come straight from the King's barracks - I'm not sure it smelled any sweeter, but it was royal poo we were shoveling!

We covered a lot of ground, and Kourosh treated us to a secret stash of blackberries. Next time we go they will be truly ripe and a fine reward for our efforts!

We ran and cycled back to base, where we challenged ourselves to a four minute plank - that's one more minute than we have done before. It was tough going, with lots of different versions of the king of core exercises, but we persevered. Well done Jon and Michelle, amazing endurance.

There is a nice musical themed community mission coming up on Saturday, and then next Wednesday we're back to Chiswick House. Hope to see you there!