The gardening team at Kensington Park Road received 8 planters from the council, and wanted to move them from the front garden, to the back garden. Which would have been simple... If it wasn't for the fact that the planters were rather (very) large, made of solid wood and filled with soil! (So big that they were delivered by crane!)

If the team were to have any chance of moving them, the soil would need to be emptied out first. So I got to work, shoveling soil.

After an hour of shoveling and still no sign of the bottom, I was starting to think the team had inherited planters like Mary Poppins' bag. But I kept going, and like a pirate digging for a treasure chest, I let out a cheer when I felt that welcome thud as my spade hit the wooden base!

I had time to scoop up some leaves too, then bid farewell to the team and set off home. Talk about an upper body workout though! Whether I can lift my arms tomorrow, only time will tell...

Today we went to Salvation Army in Nunhead to help out. After a 2k run Polis met us at the shop. After a quick tour of the old bookstore (which has had a glamorous new makeover) , Polis then introduced the task... smashing chairs!!

Polis showed us a huge mountain of chairs, which we had to move downstairs before dismantling with our legs and hammers. We quickly got organised. David, Daryl , James and Benjamin made a chain to pass the chairs down, to Nathan, Folarin, Sander and Mansur who got really good at dismantling chairs. Finally the helpful bee Nelly was clearing up and taking parts outside. Great teamwork! 🙌

As an added bonus, we were very excited to meet Nunhead Elvis, who was also helping out from Salvation Army.

Today we were also celebrating James' 50th good deed. Well done James! 🎂

This evening pre-Halloween we made our way to Herne Hill, where part of the group would be meeting the runners.

After dividing ourselves up into 3 teams we went down a number of streets flyering. We gave out the entire stack of GROAD flyers and for bonus points we did our GG flyers! 🙌

Nelly judged the many decorated houses and gave us her verdict! She was impressed (pic included).

We then wrapped up and headed back to the Old Spike for a stretch.

John, having run over from Camden, met Laura at the estate. After locating the correct patch of ground and meeting the task owner, we set to work digging up the topsoil and re-locating it to the community compost. We were joined by some helpful local residents. GG is looking forward to returning to help sow the wild seeds and transform this patch of London!

We put everything in order, hung the clothes on hangers, received the things that arrived today, put them in boxes and bags

Three GoodGymers spent a cheerful hour helping a couple of regular volunteers with unloading deliveries ready for the next day’s opening period at the Borough Food Cooperative, which works to redistribute otherwise wasted produce. There was less donated stock than usual so after stacking shelves with parsnips, apples, bananas and other fresh goodies, Clare, Julianna and Linda had time to help sort packaging for recycling. The session was a first experience at this task for each of us – hopefully we will return!