“Water we doing tonight?” you asked. We were told that we would be hauling water from the Thames to water the community gardens nearby because it has been such a dry month. The rainy weekend wasn’t quite enough with the hot weather dew to continue now. It must be a sign of the Thames I think!

After a little clucking around on the straw outside the Guildhall and some quick warm ups, we ran out towards Fairfield park only losing part of our group momentarily as we got a little distracted by Ally’s fancy new running shoes! A few running drills kept us going at Fairfield and a little confusing test of our sense of direction and compass points! Once we got our bearings, we were off in the right direction again as we moved on towards our task location. Down at the rivHERBank we went as Mark lettuce down the right path towards the Canbury Community Gardens.

When we arrived we were met by our lovely task organiser, Marilyn. She explained how the community gardens works and the various projects that they have on the grow. We were given a quick tour of all that’s been growing on there. Apparently, runner beans are the most successful kinds. We couldn’t agree more! A few different jobs were set out for us including the filling of a large water butt, the jerry-can style water canisters, various buckets and watering cans. One of us asked about the best way to fill our buckets from the Thames but we were told it deepens if we wanted to go for a swim or not at the same time! With ropes and string attached to buckets we tossed them into the Thames and pulled out a pailful to pour into our canisters. Gosia created a funnel to prevent spillage and the wheelbarrows helped to get the job done quickly. Once we’d almost filled the large water butt it began to lean and we had to work together to make sure the butt was firm and stable because after all, no one likes a wobbly butt! Nik and Nicky came to the rescue to ensure a salad foundation for the butt. With the full water canisters left at the ready by the beds and planters, we set to work watering the tyre planters. We could never tyre of watering!

We were also tasked with the set up and prep of a chicken coop and we were clucking with excitement at the thought since we never chicken out of a challenge. There were so many good deeds to be done, they couldn’t keep us cooped up! We were given wheel barrows, shovels and rakes to spread the bark mulch in the coop. You could not herb our enthusiasm while there was so mulch to do and so little thyme! *It’s *bean a fun task tonight! Thanks everyone!

Digging a hole....but it's worth it! #kingston #goodgym #gg100k #tuesdays #running #doinggood #volunteering pic.twitter.com/e6fgqj3Mx5

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 31, 2018

Like the rain, we were here today, gone tomato!

In other news, Samia has completed her great 50th good deed run with GoodGym! Congratulations!

Welcome to new runners, Jak, and Nik on your first run and tt was great to have you back Jo and Annabell. Good to see you on your second run with us Dave *and *Rob and welcome to the touring Gosia and congratulations on your recent 100th run too!

Also Goodgym has done its 100,000th good deed and would like us all to tweet about our favourite group run. Use the hashtag #GG100k and post a run report link to your favourite task and run!

100,000 good deeds DONE! inlcuding a chicken run - we didn't stay couped up for long! 😉🐔#gg100k #running #volunteering #fitness #doinggood #kingston @RBKingston #canburygardens @goodgym pic.twitter.com/kfNUf349Tt

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 31, 2018

Oh my GOODness i am still buzzing from tonight's run, tasks and visitors!

15 of us met at Guildhall where we welcomed newcomer Rob on tonight's run and Claire on her second run

When does a Run Trainer look very lonely? When the rest of us are just laughing at him while he thinks we are right behind. Ha Ha Ha! Good one Nicky O. However, he got us back by making us do some pretty crazy moves, see video below.

This time, we weren't following the leader...ha ha ha! #volunteering #Kingston #running #greattime #doinggood pic.twitter.com/wCxPuhqOMP

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 17, 2018

After the fun it was time for the run, off we went around Kingston only to pause for a "must have" photo opportunity on London Road with the famous red post boxes!

Ok enough messing around! Just a few more meters to Eco-op where half of the group would stay to do good. Eco-op is a worthy cause providing daytime activities for adults with learning disabilities in Kingston and the surrounding Boroughs, helping to ease social isolation and provide life skills. Our challenge for this evening was to clean the central courtyard of weeds and rubbish as well as remove the chalk from the walls and open up the main entrance which had been overgrown by bushes. The 8 runners quickly split up into pairs and set to work on every square inch of the project. We removed railings that had been taking up space, washed down all the brickwork and cleared away all the rubbish to make it safer for the clients who visit. We were a wonderful whirlwind of activity and before we knew it the courtyard was sparkling, bushes were tamed and the task was complete!

The rest of the group ran on a bit further to Eden Walk to the new British Heart Foundation store. Which will be the largest BHF store in the country and we are predicting the largest charity shop! This was the old Primark and BHS site so it is BIG! and it needs to be , they have an amazing array of stuff that has kindly been donated, some of it brand spanking new! So its big, really big and therefore we got our steps in and kept Strava on!

At the shop we were free to "merchandise" , setting out the products so they would look appealing to the customer. Our tactics included matching cushions with corresponding colours on sofas, arranging display pieces ( which included mini London Road phone boxes) and placing two deer door stops in a welsh dresser ....beautiful! The store will be opening on 31st July.

We just made it back in time to be greeted by Paddington the puppy! A lovely way to end a great night.

Looking forward to next week already. Can Paddington come again?

GG Kingston was full of girl power tonight, as 10 female runners (and Mark) gathered at the Guildhall.

We welcomed Claire and Jenni on their first Kingston run and Ally who returned for a second instalment. Sarah Sarahgalantly offered to be backmarker and did a great job ensuring no one was left behind.

We stayed true to the cause and didn't let the temptation of the World Cup Semi Finals keep us at home, or in the pub (although a few did nip there afterwards).

After a confusing warm-up (see video for evidence) we headed out to Kingston Cemetery where our task was to rid the area of brambles and nettles. Before arriving we took a detour to the park where Mark set us the challenge of doing one lap before a quick game to test our reflexes and a chance to sing "Heads, shoulders, knees and..You get the idea.

"You gotta (g)love the enthusiasm".

GoodGym finding their feet!#kingston #running #volunteering #tuesday #worldcup pic.twitter.com/xIht6w1Jnf

— GoodGym Kingston-upon-Thames (@GoodGymKingston) July 10, 2018

Once at the cemetery we had kindly been left brand new tools. We donned our fetching cover ups, thankful for the cooler air and prepared ourselves to tackle some nasty nettles. Our enthusiasm reined once more as we started singing another children's favourite song to express our happiness and even moved into a Christmas number once we realised we had to remove the holly but leave the ivy. Seeing the incredible pile of brambles and nettles was incredibly satisfying but we hope to return to do more soon.

We ran back, some the right way and some....Mark's way! But all met at the end for a cool down and a chance to watch France head into the final of the World Cup

Au revior, see you next week