Grey skies yesterday compensated for by bright smiles, the kind of smiles you get from helping completely transform a small public space in just under an hour. To top it off we welcomed Tony, usually found in Waltham Forest and Dimple, who Paul expertly guided to our community embrace. Hope you both had a decent eve with us, was great to meet you both.

Chit chat was had first in the form of our Random Weekly Question, it wasn't that random as my brain has dried up, however it was insightful: "what was the highlight of your weekend?" Playing with your cat. Going to a music festival. Constructing a massive shed for one of our GoodGym partners. Having a drink with old uni pals. Attending a wedding in Hayes Marina. Looks like we had a bit of everything, Small joys to the bigger life events, and everything in between.

We made the jog over as one unit, then realised we didn't actually know where we going... I had one job. It was quickly rectified as we nipped around the corner to find the group. We established our roles and began weeding, digging, planting and watering. The large delivery of plants was the priority, get them in the ground and give them water. The ground was rock solid, but we dug hard and persevered. A lovely selection of succulents, long ornamental grasses, vegetables and more were planted in. Circa an hour later, we took another look at our efforts, enjoyed some kind words from the locals and jogged back in a few different directions.

Next week we head back to the amazing Up Garden, sign up here. This wonderful upcycled garden is where the team built a shed last week, they've got loads to do so any help much needed.

See you fine folk there,

Till then

B

The new task call to arms was responded to rather satisfyingly yesterday. After pegging it over from the station at speeds not seen by me since 2018, I exhaustedly regretted my efforts after only receiving two people, albeit Hils and Rosa, I could've walked! Rosa, apparently had been on holiday, but looked like she was back where she belonged, she said "I'm so glad to be back, cocktails on the beach are for indulgent whimps, I want to decant a large bag of soil in Stratford Village to forget about it". Hard to argue with that.

As everyone else arrived, we combined a warm up with our RWQ, someone shouted it out - I can't recall who - "what's your favourite Winter Olympic sport?" I eagerly began after glimpsing the the 1500m speed skating earlier that day, no-brainer. We also had figure skating, the ice dancing one. Ski Jump, the visually remarkable one, where they basically fly. Curling, the old man one. Oh and Ski Ballet, the trippy 80's one. I implore you to look at this video, great answer, Hils.

Snaking a few kilometers through Stratford brought us to the site. We met the brains behind the operation, Ellen and Anita, and saw our challenge, in the shape of two tonne bags of soil. Our mission was to spread it evenly over the bed, with our strong numbers this posed little problem, or time. Our reward, to stroke Callum's dangerously cute young puppy, and see the man himself. If that wasn't enough excitement, we detoured with voyeuristic and mischievous intentions, to see Graham play tennis and embarrass him, somehow. Our suspicions were confirmed, he does actually practise tennis on a Wednesday evening, with a backwards cap and Leyton Hewitt style locks protruding through.

Next week we hit the hospital, apparently there's lots to do, it's a longer run down the traffic free Greenway, sign up here

Till then,

B