On an exceptionally warm September day, I spontaneously decided to go on a second date with Mr D's hedge after work. I had a pleasure to meet the hedge for the first time in June on a hot summer evening. Things got physical and I ended up giving the hedge a very neat trim.

Now, after three months, I felt I should leave my perfectionism at home and don't try to make the best impression. The days got shorter and I had no intention to fiddle with the hedge after sunset. I had one hour before the sun kissed the horizon, and I think I used it wisely. After the first half an hour, I could say that the hedge was trimmed. The next ten minutes I spent on polishing the details without going over the top. Before the sunset I swept the trimmings and dropped them into a communal bin, then I run towards... well, the setting sun, of course.

GoodGymers traveled on foot, on two wheels, and even accompanied by four legs to the historic Gunnersbury Park Estate last night. The centenary celebration of the creation of the estate is coming up, so we joined the group of residents to help with a tidy up ahead of the big birthday event.

One by one we arrived to be greeted by a welcoming committee spearheaded by Rosie the dog and fellow GoodGymer Stephen. After treats had been dispensed, we learned there were two separate tasks to be completed. The first was a big gardening job on the green, and the second a paving challenge at the entrance to the estate. So while master masons Chris, Remy and Kash began mixing cement and digging trenches, the rest of the group headed down to the green space.

Led by Tony, we divided up to tackle the extremely spiky trimmings cut down by the tree surgeon, chopping them up into manageable sizes. There was also litter picking to be done, sweeping, clearing and a general tidy up.

We worked until night fell, and headed back up to admire the job done by the paving team. Impressively, in just 45 minutes they had managed to mix cement, dig channels for the paving stones and relay them in prime position. Great work everybody. There was even time to leave the inaugural paw print in the wet cement (just don't tell Rosie).

Next week we will be back for our regular visit to Chiswick House when you will have a treat as Hounslow's newest (almost) qualified run leader will be leading the session....who is it to be? Come along to find out!

Helping out our local award winning race, the Ealing Half Marathon, has become one of our annual group sessions. The race is incredibly well organised and planned - we provide willing hands to put up advance warning signs on the route. There was some debate as to how far '200 metres apart' actually was - the next lamp post? The one after that? All very high tech.

We split into two teams, taking a side of the road each. There began a quiet sense of competition as we faced each other on opposite sides of the traffic. This was left unsaid, of course - it's better that way. An eyebrow movement can convey all it needs to, even through a couple of lanes of traffic bustle.

There's a fantastic atmosphere on race day at the Ealing half and we got asked lots of questions by curious residents as we made our way through the borough carrying step ladders and large yellow signs!.I think our high vis vests reassured people that we were legit (maybe!).

I saw the sign...and it opened up my eyes (apologies to those too young to get the reference!).