Our first Barnet social of 2025 brought seven of us together for two rounds of bowling at Leisure Way, plus two welcome hangers-on along for the cheer. Attendance came with one rule: you don't have to be good at bowling! So we're not sharing any scores.

Our Finchley crew, Lucinda, Kirsten, Paul and George were joined by Barneteers from further afield, Jacqui, Paul and Cherian. We also coaxed John and Jacqueline from Camden to join us up in the far fields of London. While the two Pauls watched from the sidelines the rest of us set to the lane with cries of, "Bumpers are for children!" and "What do you mean we're supposed to knock the pins down?"

By the end of the second round we had beer, cheer, burgers, nachos, prosecco and even a little boogie (courtesy of Jacqui) under our belts. We then decamped to the bar for a closing drink and natter. There's talk of going to Oak Hill Parkrun and the Phoenix Cinema to see a film at future socials - check the chat (and message Paul or George) for details. Hope to see you there!

The snow hadn't settled, but the air was knife chill. Wet leaves everywhere like they thought they were back in fashion. Still, four well-wrapped Goodgymmers rocked up to Stephens House and Gardens for a hard boiled night of raking leaves outside Inky's Stables Cafe.

The yard was covered, but we leafed no stone unturned. We swept, raked and bagged until the yard was safe as houses. Helen, our host, normally does this job by herself. She was grateful, that much was clear. And the café staff? They'd bawl their eyes out to see the yard swept so clean. We stacked four sacks out the back and high-tailed it to a classy joint on the High Road for something to chase the ice out of our lungs.

This was Kirsten's second time out with us and Ben's third. They brought the energy of a dozen Goodgymmers with them. Great to have them at our backs. Ben even wanted to run back, which means some of us clocked up a full 5km round trip. Not bad for a cold, wet, dark and cold November evening.

There'll be other nights and other runs, but this one took more than a few leaves out of the old Goodgym playbook.