After a break from the ExCeL last weekend, it was good to return to find the centre a bit busier now that vaccinations have opened up to the over 40 age group.

Also interesting for this shift was the opportunity to share the centre with people involved in counting the votes for the recent local and London Mayor elections, identifiable by their party rosettes or security issued wrist bands. The ExCeL is massive, so there is no problem with the space available – the vote counting and observing happening in a completely different part of the building, with the Barts NHS volunteers still out in force to try to keep everyone socially distanced, sticking to the one way system and reminding folks to use face masks.

Graham was first stationed at the car park entrance, whilst Rosa was given the ‘top of stairs’ post and a slightly ominous heads up that this particular position was proving challenging today... Meanwhile I was sent to the main entrance, where I found myself supported by no less than three security guards and two police officers. Over the course of the shift, it transpired that ability of the various people involved with the count to follow the one way system correlated with their party political views on the reality or otherwise of the Covid-19 pandemic. A number of the volunteers were able to establish that Piers Corbyn and his entire entourage are exempt from wearing face masks, what are the chances!

Anyway, we saw a nice cat on the way home, look forward to another shift next week.

This week’s late afternoon shift at the ExCeL fortunately lacked the drama of last week, with only the debatable matter of whether 2pm is at 2pm, or later than that if there’s an interesting football match on. Either way, Graham was able to catch up with me and Rosa as we headed down the Greenway towards Royal Docks. When we arrived it was so busy that we were immediately sent to get a cup of tea, so we did that before switching positions with folks who’d been on the early afternoon shift. Once again, management of the concourse area was entrusted to us, followed by a stint guiding people up from the car park entrance until the end of our shift.

A quiet one, but that didn’t hinder anyone’s efforts in ushering the vaccinees through the process with as much enthusiasm or sensitivity as required. Back next week for more...

Rosa, Hilary and Graham went to help out at the ExCeL vaccination centre.. all seemed to be going smoothly, but then Paolo (volunteer team leader) came over to Graham, he carefully and officiously said "there's been some drama".

Graham's ears pricked up, he loves the drama, Paulo continued "looks like someone's REDACTED one of the REDACTED, and no ones sure if it's been REDACTED.... or whether something more.... sinister... is going on"

Paulo went round and told all the volunteers, and when we came together we said "can't believe that someone would REDACTED one of the REDACTED on purpose... must be a mistake". But they were still investigating the REDACTED REDACTED when we left... eek..

....So that was quite dramatic....

The other exciting things were that Rosa got her second vaccine! woop woop. And there were some jammy dodgers getting passed around the volunteers... which was nice.

Other than that just some good vibes from the people getting the vaccine. Well done all!

Rosa, Graham and I were back at the ExCeL mass vaccination centre for a Saturday evening volunteering shift. Our walk down the Greenway to the docks saw us pass a slightly macabre looking Easter tribute, and cream eggs aplenty were waiting for us, very kindly brought in by one of the other Barts NHS volunteers. New things this week included an updated set of instructions for the lateral flow tests, which meant being more conservative with the buffer solution, but a more thorough sweep of each nostril. Our negative test results confirmed, we were sent to our posts - Graham to the car park entrance, Rosa covering a broad area along the concourse and down to the check-in desks, and I got to be pod picker, which evolved into more of a pod pointing role as all but one of the pods (that contain the vaccination rooms) closed. Although vaccinees thin out towards the end of the day, so do volunteers (many travel a long way to get to the centre) and we were made to feel very appreciated for arriving when we did. We were, of course, only too happy to help and look forward to going back next weekend.

Our extended run to the Hospital went to plan yesterday, surprisingly just the nine runners, but we made it work, we always make it work.

RWQ was the reverse of last week's question, a bit more morbid, but there you go - "what makes you feel old?" Frozen shoulders from rucksacks, cherishing early nights, general 'adulting', on a night out but counting down the moments till your home, generally being aware what year it is... and finally being in the pub talking with comfort and conviction about bureaucratic processes .

Fast-forward 2.6 miles of Greenway and we arrived, Mbemba met us warmly and directed us towards to our jobs. Very straightforward - two benches to sand and paint. One orange and one blue. Offering a touch more life and colour to the dementia patient gardens. Charlotte did some weeding as an alternative to sanding and expose the path boundaries once more. I think we'll need to go back for a second coat, but a great start nonetheless.

We left in good time, just past 8pm, and returned down The Greenway. About halfway in we witnessed an unsuccessful theft of an electric scooter, a few young lads tried to wrestle it off the owner but with no joy. We saw some police a bit later and they said "it's good to stay in groups on here at night". An unfortunate reminder, but one to bear in mind and especially in the evenings.

Looking forward to seeing many of you on Saturday morning for HM Parkrun and Starter Session. The idea of this session is also to bring in new runners, so ask your mates, your mums your neighbours. Maybe see if we can convert a parkrunner or two. So don't be afraid to invite along any new folk - with an amble over from the parkrun it's walk-friendly session.

See you guys 8.30/8.45 on Sat Morn

B

An eclectic squadra congregated at the curvaceous Aquatics Center yesterday, with a long run to Newham Hospital on the cards.

Couple of lovely new faces joined us, Jess and Andy, their first GoodGym runs and they dive bombed into the deep end, our longest run by some way.

We had a quick recap of Bruges and shenanigans, a large collective went out there last weekend - partying, PB's and low carbon travel - the holy trinity? There were some gritty efforts, with huge improvements on previous HM times. Exceptional progress guys. Hats off to Shaz and Kev too, no PB, but minimal training recently after family loss, cathartic blast a timely medicine.

RWQ this week "What's your favourite Podcast?" Infinite Monkey Cage for the scientifically minded, Desert island Discs an oldie but a goody, Serial and S-Town representing the American export, Athletico Mince a niche comedy production, 80,000 hours to help with moral choices of your productive hours left on earth, an Al Murray History Podcast, More or Less for numerical closure, Guardian Footy with the man James Richardson, Moral Maze for a savage topical debate and From Our Own Corespondent providing in depth current affairs. And as always...plus a few I couldn't remember. I quite like how obvious it is whose podcast is whose.

The radiant lightly perspiring group arrived at the hospital in decent time, in spite of their trainer accidentally sabotaging their efforts and directing people the wrong way, just another one of life's tests, you passed. Resident doctor/hero, Ruthy Ruth, traded in some scrubs for her GoodGym tshirt and met us in the reception. We took instructions from Mbemba, who proceeded to lead by example and get stuck in. Weeding and pruning the Dementia Garden. You guys managed to fill 6 large bin bags in half an hour, not bad at all, considering the light, or lack of. Yoe may not immediately realise the impact it makes, but we've had glowing responses from patients and staff alike. Nice one guys.

A breakaway group led off first, with another group ripping out a few more weeds then promptly following suite. The half marathoners were feeling the cumulative fatigue, but no one got left behind. The recovery will get you back to your striding selves, increasing muscular regeneration via extra blood flow.

Next week is social week, we also say our goodbyes to the excellent duo that is Dan and Ruth. So food and drinks post task. Speaking of which, I have nothing booked in at the moment, but that will be all sorted by the weekend. Fret not, not fret.

Have a good weekend folks, Sunday looks like prime long run weather, Saturday only for the hardcore (that's not reverse psychology... or is it?)

Till next week

B