Two groups of good gymers headed over to Luxmore Gardens - a walking group led by Marta and a running group led by Sarah. Once there, we first had a lesson in watering plants when the soil is very dry (answer is: very slowly!). Once Joseph had managed to open the manhole cover so that we could access the water, we proceeded with watering lots of the plants which hadn’t been watered for a few weeks, including some newly mulched roses. After doing some pruning and some more mulching, our job was done. Just in time for a quick group photo by the newly watered cherry trees and we headed back to Glass Mill. Next week we are back at Seniors, see you all then!

I can’t say school’s out for Summer, because I’ve got a thesis to write this August. And Ms G has her own 3-week retreat sabbatical in Turkey coming up. She’s beeb researching ahead so she can be travel savvy and add to her programme. I’ve looked ahead to reduce the demands in my schedule, so I can get my head into writing. Funny she mentioned writing her thesis in Tunisia. Why didn’t I think of that?! Colour me inspired. Although I believe Ms G studied literature, language development or anthropology. Which might lend itself better to a Tunisian backdrop. My thesis requires frequent access to the stats lab at Westminster and a steady internet connection. Times have changed. I didn’t ask but I’m sure computer processors were a bit limited when Ms G did her PhD. Knowing she’ll be on her mystery retreat following her wellness/self improvement programme throughout August has given me some motivation however. I’ll think of her when I allow myself some day dreaming/procrastination time.

I know the act I do is simple - just carrying the shopping up the stairs. And I know I’m fortunate to have youth and fitness in my corner to be able to do that (the shopping does puff me out mind!). But my weekly visits to Ms G do a huge amount for me. It’s an anchor in an otherwise a routine existence; daily work schedules passing by without note. She’ll either ask about my running or how I’m finding my new bike to ride. Or whether my partner is brining me ice cream from his ice cream factory. And I’ll see her progress on embroidery projects which are always ambitiously planned and carefully pulled off. Good luck to us on our “Summer break”.

Paul was on set up today which involved putting cones and arrows around a former ground of Charlton Athletic. It looked a bit chaotic in places (as fellow GG'r, Vic, noted) to cover some of the trip hazards from broken drainage channels. There was also some help with litter picking.

A follow from yesterday's session, this time around Grove Park. Around 20' checked, typically in a worse state than I saw yesterday, only one looking really healthy with a lot struggling in the heat.

It was a much bigger than normal shop for the lovely Ms Y - she knows I’m away next week and also that I’ll be a couple of days later the following week. (If you can sign up to shop for her next week both of us would really appreciate it.)

It was all regular items but in bigger quantities including two types of Fairy - cakes and washing up liquid.

Deptford Market is perfect for slices of the largest watermelons or gigantic whole ones. Alas, on the lovely Mr J’s list was a small one and the smallest on the market were bigger than rugby balls.

I’d given up looking but there is ASDA were some small ones. Mr J was delighted.

The rest was pretty standard apart from jelly which he described to me, but I was unaware of it coming in granules rather than glutinous blocks.