Yes, any excuse to reference my favourite early-noughties book on punctuation and grammar. On Wednesday night, 10 green-fingered Goodgymers made their debut appearance at the Village Church, Greenwich. We began by sharing who inspires us the most with answers ranging from wise family members to Super Mario, followed by a quick warmup game. The name of which escapes me so I’ll call it The Ball Grab. A mix of head shoulders knees and toes and that thing rugby players do on the edge of rocks, great fun. Very competitive. Fiercely competitive for some.

A short run from the old Naval College up through Greenwich passed “Britain's best fish and chips” (future social? – Ed), which made us all incredibly hungry, until that is, I started sharing my recipe for stinger nettle lasagna. Honestly, the most horrendous thing I’ve ever eaten but apparently stinging nettles are much more nutritious than spinach. If only Popeye had made it popular. Side note – anyone know why Popeye’s companion was called Olive Oyl? Genuinely baffling. Wikipedia entry for Olive Oyl – incredibly detailed – says they are daughter of Castor and Crude oil. Again, why?

Picking nettles was only one of the things on the menu lots of general gardening.

We were welcomed by Rodrigo who split us into three locations round the back there was a root and branch enquiry into the state of the garden which led to lots of dedicated labour to make it a far tidier proposition. Round the side, Goodgymers discovered the toothbrush-style driveway weeder which was put to incredibly good effect by Jen & co. No one was leading them up the garden path.

Special mention to Andy, who spent most of his hands and knees weeding the front of the building. He certainly wasn’t beating around the bush. Hopefully we get a chance to return and help them plant some things in the space we have created or at least see what has been planted.

When someone twigged we need a bin-bags, it could’ve easily left us in the weeds, but bin-bags arrived and excellent bin bags they were too. I think someone should invent a simple and non-electric way of getting leaves into bin bags. Ideas on a postcard.

Bright lights at the front of the building meant lots of interesting shadow puppets as the photos will show.. we had dogs, dinosaurs and the legendary Esquilax. What’s an Esquilax I hear you say? https://youtu.be/r-t7UvIw7YM

Back at base, rumours swirled (like leaves on a windy day) of a new Woolwich Parkrun going up the human made hill near the river. Lovely idea, but deserters from Charlton will be court-martialled, you have been warned.

Stretching on the steps of the old Naval College we talked about branching out to possible new locations. It’s been decided the Thai Tiger in Greenwich in a few weeks’ time, lots of things to mark – hopefully see you there!