@GoodGymGreenwich met @CleanUpCharlton to show the streets of SE7 a little love. One hour, three bags, a suitcase, a tripod and something-highly-suspect in a small packet later we'd tackled some patches along the Woolwich Road and discovered Covid-era detrius under the shrubbery at the back of Lidl (plenty more to do there) - three bags duly left for Royal Greenwich Council.

Another highlight was being thanked by lovely 'Lviss' - a nature-loving, eco-conscious local, fellow litter-picker, poet and Insta-influencer! Cat and Fliss now posted and tagged for posterity on @LvissDavid. Do give him a follow! #lovewhereyoulive

Dearest gentle reader...

The end of one Season appears to be upon us, so let us take these opportunities to promenade along our beautiful river...

(Sadly I'm not a period drama writer so that's as far as that goes....) However - a warmish late summer evening meant just that for 8 GoodGymers, as we made our way from the Royal Naval College for a run along the Thames to Christ Church in Greenwich, where we had plenty of autumnal tasks to keep us busy. Lots of chopping, pruning, and sawing of branches ensued, (we saw some great teamwork reaching those high branches with litter pickers and long stemmed shears...!) making for better drainage & natural light entering the building. Other team members re-planted shrubs which needed saving from their broken planters, ready for the new season. Dusk crept up on us too quickly, and it was time to move on for a pint at the Yacht. Happy birthday to Jenny and special welcome to Jackie on your first session- it was lovely to have you with us.

Have a great week all 🙂

Next week we're at Charlton Manor Primary school. Until next time!

Today we joined the Friends of Lesnes Abbey Woods for a spot of conservation work.

Pushing a wheelbarrow of tools to the heath area at the top of the woods was a workout in itself.

Once there, we set about pulling up bracken and digging out brambles to give the purple heather a chance to thrive.

There was plenty of chatting while we worked and afterwards at the cafe where we rounded off the morning with coffee and ice creams.

Join us next month when we're back for more!

We witnessed a beautiful late summer sunset yesterday, and I had the joy of enjoying it alongside 15 wonderful folk :)

Ingestre Road Estate was where our group in red descended. Nestled a few minutes from Tufnell Park, this community housing is set amidst mature trees, lively flower beds, and a great-huge-magnificient (and hidden) woodland. We've helped out here a few times this year, and it was special to come back as we look towards Autumn.

Several of us (Alex T, Chalomi, Ivo, Jack, Jackie, Jenny, John, Marta, Sarah H, Steve, and I) started our evening with meandering run up and through the evening hubbub of Kentish Town - whilst several others (Darren, Emily, Jacob, and Sarah A) had made their own ways on foot and pedals.

Met by the wonderful Pete (who used to head up GoodGym Camden), we swiftly split into teams, each tackling a much-needed task.

We had Team Cut-the-Crap-Out-Of-The-Over-Grown-Area (consisting of Ivo, Jenny, Sarah A, and Sarah H), who absolutely transformed a patch of overgrown weeds and brambles across 30 strenuous minutes!

We had Team Tap>Water>Walk>Trees>Water>Repeat (consisting of Alex T, Darren, Emily, and Steve), who gave a newly planted woodland orchard of apple trees the water they deserve :)

We had Team Turn-Bog-Into-Pond (consisting of Jacob, John, and Marta), who shifted bucket after bucket of fresh sand to a natural water-draining pond, gifting it robustness ahead of the wetter months to come!

We had Team Bramble-2-Wheelbarrow-Ramble (consisting of Chalomi and Jack), who cut back oodles of overhanging bramble and who then traversed ramps, gates, and keen photographers as they carefully transported their towering barrow of cut thorns!

And we had our very own litter-picking maestro, Jackie, who bagged a huge pile of litter from both the estate and woodland :)

To top off our evening, a few of us headed to The Vine for a social natter, where we were also met by the wonderful GoodGym Greenwich AA, Rachel :)

Thank you to Pete for organising such a brilliant suit of tasks - and thank you, all, for your energy, work, and time - I appreciate it!

See you soon!