A busy afternoon shift at Denver’s Metro Caring where there was an abundance of fresh healthy loaves of bread and lots of lovely cakes, which is always a good thing.

Not unexpectedly the cold weather had some impact on peoples plans, with several people dropping out for different reasons.

So it was just Elegia & myself getting ready to go out for a run, when the lovely Alex popped round to find out more about Goodgym.

After a chat about Goodgym Redbridge, the 3 of us set off on a run around Wanstead, chatting along the way. Streets looked pretty tidy, no Xmas trees loitering on pavements.

Thanks for coming out in the cold weather ladies!

P.S. a tiny litterpick on the way back to base, taking 2 NO2 canisters from the gutter on the A12 - looks like they have been bounced about a few times.

We never know how much work there will be with a supermarket delivery to Frenford Foodbank, sometimes barely enough for one person, often two much for just two.

We set it up for four people and hoped for the best. As luck would have it we got four sign ups for a relatively small delivery. Michael and Peter were first on scene with Linda and Ed delayed picking up extra rice supplies.

By the time the rice arrived the delivery was pretty much offloaded. Never ones to waste good help we set about other valuable jobs of relabeling shelves, stock taking and date checking. All in all time well spent 😁

Some of the usual suspects braved the chilly weather and made their way down to Valentines Park to assist run director Wendy in making sure parkrun went ahead safely.

• Ed was at his usual spot guarding the main car park entrance
• Kathryn kept track and timed all the finishers
• Peter assisted at the 2nd car park by forming a human bollard guarding a spot of ice right where the parkrunners would turn the corner.

P.S. hope you feel better soon James P.P.S that skyin looked pretty chilly as well Julia

Had a message from Frenford Foodbank to say new stock was coming in today. The stock needed to be put away, preferably during the day when the sports centre is not so busy. Ed and I quickly set up a session not really expecting anyone else to see it and sign up in time but luckily Louise did. With three of us working on it the delivery soon got done so we had time to tidy up some loose ends and give the nappy section a much needed reorganisation.

4 of us got together to support each other as well as supporting Barking Park Run. It was a beautiful, fresh morning. Not our usual parkrun, Barking was very welcoming -even with a tongue in cheek "get back to your own park runs"- yelled out during a little congestion at the start 😂. Julia and Linda ran while Ed and Sharon cheered everyone on. Dog sitting for a friend Sharon brought two little dogs with her -well it is Barking parkrun after all- and Julia brought hot tea and Colin cup cakes to warm and cheer us on with the rest of our Christmas day.