It wasn't the sunny start to the day that was forecast but eventually the sun came out to warm us up. Once we were kitted out with life jackets and briefed about the dangers of being on the water, we were welcomed aboard the CRT workboat. We were soon straight into pulling bits of rubbish out of the water. After navigation through Lime Kiln lock, we floated along to our first trophy item- a shopping trolley complete with child seats! The trolley proved handy later on when moving 17 bags of rubbish to the collection point. Using nets, rakes and pickers we pulled out of the water a variety of rubbish from footballs to coconuts,plastic bags, duvet cover and bottles. It was hard work dealing with the detritus so a tea break was offered and of course we all agreed it was a great idea. Nick offered around flapjacks, the CRT biscuit tin was also raided.
Refreshed, we moved onto Swann island where we found the litter just kept on coming. Nick & Ian were defeated by the mattress that poked out of the water (in fairness to them, it's well and truly stuck in the mud - a jcb digger would be needed to pull it out). No sooner had we got stuck in, then it was time to reboard the boat for a sail back to the mooring. 17 bags of rubbish and 1 shopping trolley now out of the water. Great work everyone and well done Glen on your first task.

8 Super Goodgymmers helped sort, label, tag and hang at Age UK Superstore today, a fairly new charity shop in Leicester that we have supported since their opening.

Today we had not 1 but 2 new members, great to meet you both and I’m pleased you enjoyed today’s task. Very quickly everyone worked through the bags filling the rails in no time. Dave and Mel sorted a huge pile of books, amazing how more hands make for a lighter load.

Dawn had been busy knitting bobble hats for the Innocent smoothie bottles, they were so creative the watermelon themed hat was a fave, they were all amazing.

Good luck to those of you running Kibworth League race this Sunday and Weldone to Dave running to today’s task, Dawn walking and Mel reaching 105 days of 5km every day! Amazing!

Weldone everyone, Age UK praised your efforts as always appreciated.

A Lovely summers evening on the riverbank at Goodgym BATH for a sweet 16 who weedy enjoyed themselves at on a 5k run involving some hill climbing with bags of mulch and weeds for The Canal and River trust.

A few announcements to kick off this evening:

Well done Pascale and Alison who ran the Salisbury 54321 on Sunday 42 & 33 k

New Taskforce - Lucy, Emma and Alison .. WHOOP!!

Welcome to Holly and Ben

Nicola and Dora were chatting away in spanish (i think so anyway) something about Mexico i think and the possibility of a night out on the plus side..keep you posted team!!

As promised a nice flat run along the canal or at least until we arrived at our destination when 7 merry men were required to head up that hill and carry bags of mulch back down to the riverbank.

The remaining members were already hard at work chopping back ash and weeding an overgrown area, Ben was in fact working so hard he broke his garden trowel...Ooops!! lot's of banter and laughter along the way.

30 minutes later

Time to spread the bags of mulch over the cleared area before filling the now empty bags with cuttings and weeds before a group effort to carry everything back up the hill where its transport was waiting to carry it off to the compost heap in the sky.

A touch of fitness stuff and looping thrown into the mix for good measure and because they enjoy it so much, although you would never guess it from their little faces...HA!!

A suitably short run back down the hill and along the river back to the leisure centre for a nice stretch and chat, perfect end to a beautiful day.

Smashing job achieved yet again team,

fabulous...fabulous...fabulous!!

GOOD LUCK to everyone racing the TWO TUNNELS this weekend especially Rhiannon on her first 10k ...GO GIRL!!

GOOD LUCK to everyone racing the train from Goodgym this weekend, can't wait to read all about that one.

Until next time, keep running and stay safe