A perfect morning at my first ever GoodGym session!

After a nice half an hour stroll up Bostall Hill, I took in the breathtaking gardens as I arrived a little early. Walking up to reception, nervous and full of excitement, Sarah and Johnny welcomed me into the GG community. I met the lovely head gardener, Jason - aka Van Gogh - credit to him for the pun in this title!

We made a start as the rest of the team showed up, with the mission to clear the pathway at the entrance and battle the thorns. A team of eight was the perfect number. Teamwork makes the dream work! Within an hour, we transformed the entrance.

Zita was a powerhouse, attacking the ivy in minutes, snipping and raking. She never stopped. Ceci was a pro with the shears and came up with great references for everyone: Sweet Caroline and Simon Says. She couldn't resist sharing a few dance moves at the end of the mission.

It was so lovely to start the weekend off with a rewarding workout, feeling that we are contributing to our local community. I discovered that Caroline went to the same secondary school as myself and met her husband at a pub in Bexley.

After a few photos, a few of us shared lunch, which was the perfect ending to the day! The hunter chicken was a great recommendation, although the lasagne looked just as tasty! Thanks to Robert for sharing his chocolate cake with us.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again next month.

The Goodgym Bexley donation-sorting team, Caroline, Simon and Zita, got together this fine Saturday morning in great spirit and ready to tackle the metal carts full of kindly donated items.

While giggling and sharing stories, our hands were busy opening one bag after another.

There were "No bad vibes" just "Little things", something floral and pretty.

We got to hold a few Elsa and Ana dolls, and joked that someone had 'Let Them Go' 😊

Lovely morning spent with gorgeous people at the Community Hospice shop.

Well, it was once more unto the breach, dear friends as we returned to attacking the wall of mostly black (but not all) bagged donations, stacked up in trolleys waiting at the Greenwich and Bexley Hospice warehouse. Waiting, indeed, for some ‘expert’ sorting by seasoned old hands and GoodGym-ers Caroline and me.

Once again, we tackled a huge assortment of new, nearly new, not bad, okay, just-about-usable or ‘I don’t think so’ type clothing. During the session, we did uncover a couple of mildly amusing T-shirts, plus a hat which I rather liked.

Supervisors James and Andrew were as friendly as ever, and we were all treated to some onion bhajis and samosas—cooked on a donated air fryer which was being tested. We’re prepared to make sacrifices. It works—yay!

Simon

Yet another three-hour session at the Community Hospice Shop, sorting through clothes and all manner of curiosities. This time it was just Caroline and me representing GoodGym, alongside our ever-cheerful supervisors, James and Andrew.

As usual, the time flew by. We kept ourselves amused with the weird and wonderful items that pass through our hands — it’s like rummaging through the backstage wardrobe of life. I was particularly delighted to discover a Spongebob Squarepants soft toy, which brought an immediate smile. Not long after, a Spongebob onesie appeared too!

I have a bit of a soft spot for Spongebob. On a long-haul flight back from some far-flung destination, I once watched an episode out of sheer curiosity. I was instantly hooked by the madcap, ridiculous, but genuinely hilarious world of Bikini Bottom, the underground city where he lives. Rather aptly named for this line of work.

Later, I couldn't resist trying on a rather fetching ‘Game Over’ hoodie-robe hybrid. It looked useful for lounging around and watching the Women's Euros. Fingers crossed that it’s not game over for England after today’s match (Wednesday the 9th) against the Netherlands...

Meanwhile, Caroline was busy modelling some of our more eccentric finds. First up: what she described, optimistically I thought, as a "loungesuit". Next came what I’d call a shepherd’s jacket, which wouldn’t look out of place in a 1970s TV drama or on a hillside with a flock of sheep. Good heavens, 1970 is 55 years ago!

Just another day in the magical mystery tour that is the sorting room!

We were back at the Community Hospice warehouse this morning from 10am to 1pm for another stint of clothes sorting.

Andrew was the staff member on duty today—always friendly and efficient. He welcomed us and spent some time showing the new Goodgym volunteer, Maria, the ropes as it were. Caroline and I are feeling like the veterans now on our fifth clothing sorting expedition.

Soon we were back into the usual rhythm: sifting through bag after bag of donated clothes. As always, it was indeed a mixed bag—literally and figuratively. Some people clearly go the extra mile, delivering beautifully laundered and even ironed clothes folded to perfection. Others, not so much.

One bag in particular stood out: a pile of jeans absolutely splattered in white paint. I found myself wondering who on earth imagines these are still usable. Into the rag bag they went.

I found another item that to me wasn't immediately obvious what it was. Then I realised it was what you might call a 'sports balaclava'. Something you might wear running in cold weather conditions or perhaps use for more nefarious purposes!

As usual, the time passed quickly and I believe we all felt it was a satisfying mission with a good work done. Congratulations on your first ever GoodGym task, Maria 🥳.

Simon