A spritely bunch of GoodGymmers gathered at the Print House, where we welcomed Paige back for her 2nd run and Nick for his first ever group run with GoodGym Newham. We were honoured to be his task of choice to celebrate his 500th good deed, particularly as Nick is not so often spotted running with GoodGym groups, having mostly worked his way to such a substantial number through various missions to help older isolated people. Shopping for example – he now knows the Waitrose at the Brunswick Centre like the back of his hand. Anyway, very well done Nick!

On to tonight’s Random Weekly Question: “If you won AU$20,000 worth of travel vouchers in a raffle, where would you go?” South East Asia seems pretty popular, with Paul expressing an interest in going to Thailand and just staying there for a year. Paige and Rosa were quite similarly inclined, but with a bit more travelling in the region and maybe over to Australasia. Graham wants to go to Japan and Nick would like to see more of South America. I’d love to do the Trans-Siberian Railway, but maybe not right now… Later on the run Eugene told me he’d like to go to Tanzania, and then work his way down to South Africa. All sound great – we just need to find a half marathon in one of those places and away we go!

Then we were off down the Greenway (sadly now with diversion in place ☹) to Plaistow Primary School where we were met by Deputy Head Rosie. Two main tasks to get on with (some compost turning will have to wait for another time) – to move a pile of mud from one place to another place, and to weed some of the beds that the children have been using to grow veg. Eugene, Rosa, Graham, Nick and Paul got on with the former – the mud pile was used for play by the children, but it had been there for a while and now they need some fresh mud to play in (or something like that). It was a lot, as the pictures show! Paige and I cleared out quite a few of the beds so that they’ll be ready for planting again and it was great to hear that the kids do actually like eating what they’ve grown. Rosie, of course, did a bit of both tasks and supervised.

We pottered back to the Print House for a celebratory OJ and lemonade, well done everyone! Hope to see you at next week’s task, where we'll be heading up to Hackney Marshes Adventure Playground, or if any of you fancy a parkrun on Saturday, I’ll be at Mile End.

Wednesday tonic in the shape of a sunny jog and swing in the playground with your mates. But first, we spoke about "your favourite tv game-shows?" Certainly tickled my memory, with some old faves; Wheel of Fortune and Get Your Own Back. One in Fifteen was a new one to me, bit more cerebral, and The Incredible Games, bit niche. This week's winner has got to be Takeshi's Castle. Absolutely rigged carnage.

At the playground it was a classic wood-chip shifting slot, to soften the area surrounding the zip-wire swing. Tens of wheel-barrows full of organic matter were scattered on the area, an unmissable aroma of evergreen scent wafting through the evening air. We did such a good job that we were allowed to have a go on the swing, with a newly padded safety zone below we were invincible. Although, Chris came close to piling into a wooden beam, a risk worth taking.

Next week I'm trying to line up Abbey Gardens, followed by Emanuel Church, plus the folks at Newham Hospital are desperate for a hand too. Will load up and share.

Have a glorious weekend sipping cold-drinks under the sun, our one weekend of summer is incoming, no complaints, eh?!

Till next week,

B

Hot one in East London yesterday, after a clammy train journey where I wondered - "is that smell me or you?", I arrived at Print House to catch up with Eugene. We jogged down together, discussing his new job, plus the merits and drawbacks of driving, amongst other things.

Bolstered by Rosie, Paul and The Princes at The Church, the ever affable, Sybil, led us to our jobs. Clipping back some Lime Trees, of the genus Tilia (obviously), loosening up some soil and planting the remaining bulbs. Mostly in the shade of the towering church above, making the yard a rather pleasant temperature. We wrapped with some watermelon, grapes and drinks, the perfect ointment to a hot evening's work.

Next week we head to Abbey Gardens, they're very keen to have us back to finish the ground levelling for the imminent arrival of their Green House. Sign up here to make a small yet noticeable difference in your hood.

ps. bum shots not me!

Till next week,

B