I don't normally write these GoodGym reports in the first person, but tonight it was me, myself and I as GoodGym Newcastle had to finish the task of delivering the rest of Big Local Gateshead's leaflets ahead of their launch event on Friday. Unfortunately this meant there was no one else to take a selfie, as I am the worst in the world at taking them, as evidenced by the photograph in the report.

This was the third chapter of this task. Last Monday we targeted the streets in the immediate vicinity of the community centre. On Thursday we delivered to the area around the Dunston Staiths. Tonight it was a case of trying to deliver the rest of the leaflets as close as possible to the community centre. I zigzagged around Bensham Road, delivering the leaflets not much more than half a mile away from the event venue. There were quite a few leaflets for a solo mission, the last one falling onto a doormat at 8:58pm. I've never been out GoodGyming quite that late, but it was a satisfactory evening that ended with all of the leaflets delivered.

We wish Big Local Gateshead a successful event on Friday.

Our meeting spot today was on Autumn Drive - definitely appropriate for the mild autumnal weather. Having made a start on delivering leaflets to spread the word about Big Local Gateshead's newly launched community Centre, The Pitt Stop, on Monday, Richard and I returned to continue the job today. We noticed lots of autumn wreaths on doors and pumpkin displays on doorsteps, leading to a discussion about the over-commercialisation of life! What's the autumn equivalent of "Bah humbug"?

We had a very satisfying afternoon and we made a big dent in the pile of leaflets. We're confident that the job will be finished on Monday night - come along and join us!

Five GoodGymers headed out from One Strawberry Lane to the Teams area of Gateshead to deliver leaflets on behalf of Big Local Gateshead, to promote their Grand Opening on October 24th. After collecting the leaflets from the community centre, we set to work in the darkness.

We've delivered leaflets in this area before, for both Big Local Gateshead and Stomping Grounds NE. The layout of the streets is a little unusual, more so in the dark, but we made a reasonable dent in the pile of leaflets. We'll be back next Monday to finish the job, please come and join is if you can!

We had Aimee completing her 399th good deed tonight, so a nice round number milestone is imminent. Richard also completed 100 good deeds yesterday. On the other end of the scale, welcome once again to enthusiastic new GoodGymer Libby, completing a hattrick of good deeds. No imminent milestones for Louise or Scott, but it's always great to have two such seasoned leaflet deliverers joining us.

Chris from Big Local Gateshead had promised no rain for the leaflet delivering task, and although there was a little bit, the task was a success. Big Local Gateshead are hosting an event on Saturday, hence the urgency to deliver as many of their 1,500 leaflets as possible, which all had the date printed on.

Chris joined Louise and Richard in zigzagging around many streets, some of which has unusual layouts. There were plenty of large dogs to avoid and a whole lot more steps taken.

Tonight's task was a mega leaflet delivery for Big Local Gateshead, letting residents in the Teams area know about group cycling sessions led by experienced cycling guide Mark. Mark had already delivered a lot of leaflets so we walked away from the Tyne View Health Hub where the rides begin and covered millions* more homes in the Staithes area. It turned out to be a beautiful evening for a riverside walk!

The big news of the evening was the return of Anji for her first session as a regular member rather than as Area Activator, and her first since her recent accident. It was fantastic to have you back Anji!

We walked over 5k tonight - the perfect shake out for Michael who is running the Manchester marathon on Sunday. Good luck Michael!

It was also fascinating to learn that as well as teaching and guiding cycling, Mark does all kinds of dancing, including Angolan Kizomba, which was new to all of us!

Every day is a school day with GoodGym!

*Quite a lot!

Today was our second visit in a week to Big Local Gateshead’s Sandown Allotment. Adam returned after starting the task last week, Lucy joined in having been to previous sessions on the site and it was my first visit to this charming place. There was a definite spring-like feel in the air - Adam was even wearing shorts!

Adam got straight to work with a wheelbarrow, moving piles of stones around. Lucy and my first task was cutting back an overgrown very dry lavender bush to make sure the path at that corner was accessible. Even though the plant was so dry there was still a lovely lavender smell - maybe that’s why I feel so sleepy this afternoon!

While Adam continued with his wheelbarrow, Lucy and I moved on to clear a pile of dead plants and organic material. The three of us then spent some time sorting out hundreds of old plant pots into useable ones and others to be thrown into the newly arrived skip. With the Big Local staff, another group of volunteers and the three of us, the skip filled up quickly and the paths looked clearer.

Kudos to Lucy and Adam for staying for the rest of the afternoon, beyond our session’s listing - I hope you didn’t get too wet by the rain I got caught in during my afternoon jobs!

(Apologies for the lack of photos, technical difficulties!)