The ever hard-working Gary at Park Grove had already dismantled the decking when we arrived so we were able to get stuck straight into the task of shifting it to the skip. Those planks are pretty heavy but we managed to make fairly short work of it and thought we might be in for an early finish. Gary had us covered on that one too though, and quickly unearthed an enormous pile of willow that also needed to go to the skip. The more we shifted, the more willow was unearthed. This kept us busy for a while until the skip could take no more - they don't mean it when they say "level fill only" do they? ;-)

After neatening up the skip to Vicky's satisfaction, we headed off to the next task.

It was medal Monday at GG as we celebrated lots of runners successfully making it round the York 10 Miler including Max who set a new personal best in his first 10 mile race. We kept the applause going for Max who was also celebrating his 300th Good Deed. Amazing effort. Give him a big cheer 🎉

We then warmed up and numbered off by listing our favourite buildings in honour of the birthday of the Guggenheim Museum. With suggestions including people's own homes, Durham Cathedral (but not York Minster?) and lots of love for Gaudi. It was then off to the task with Ed leading the way and Laura and Abigail back marking.

At the task we met Vicky who had already set the Govers and Martin off leafleting. They were joined by two other groups of 3 who were given very strict instructions to be back by 7.20 and take some photos (more on that later). The rest of the gang got to work painting the fence at a lovely shade of blue which happened to match Lyndsey's top perfectly. Who knew you a bright blue running top could act as camouflage!

As time ticked away, the painters realised they could get the whole task completed before the anticipated return of the leafletters so put in a big final effort to make sure no spots were missed before it was time to start the fitness session, little did they know (although they probably could have guessed) that the group of Max, Mitch and Nick would return almost 10mins later, sans photo.

But we didn't have time to wait for them as it was starting to get cold, so we started tonight's fitness session which was a ladder workout involving 30 seconds of an exercise followed by 30 seconds of rest, but adding in a new exercise on top every round. We started with step-ups on the tyres in the playground before adding in standing crunches, squats, tricep dips and of course finishing with burpees. Unfortunately we couldn't add in Abigail's new invention of the reverse star jump as there just wouldn't have been enough time to teach everyone how to do it. Maybe next week!

Then it was back to CVS but only after narrowly avoiding a wandering hedgehog on way out of Park Grove 🦔

Tonight we started our warm up by saying which drink we'd like to get rid of - suggestions included pernod, cider and whiskey! We then celebrated Cara's 200th good deed and welcomed Nick to his first run, before heading off to Park Grove for a final session of fence painting.

Once we arrived we made a prompt start on turning the rainbow fence blue. Within no time one side was done so a few nimble folk jumped the fence to do the other side (Then vicky found the keys to the gate in her pocket!)

The session then finished with a coconut shy relay race! Lots of people knocked one off to take home (whilst others just stole them!)

Once back at base and refuelled by Amy and Cara's biscuits, a bumper group headed to the pub to discuss the use if coconuts in more detail!

19 GG folk met to brush up on their painting skills at Park Grove School. we welcomed Claudia to her very first GoodGym and were also joined by Amy for her first group run.

After owning up to our favourite Karaoke songs - Boney M Lucy - really? and a quick leg swing warm up we headed off to meet the gaffa Vicky at the school

on arrival Mitch along with 3 other GGers went off to the Secret Garden to help out Tracey of Fairy Trail Fame. They were tasked with clearing a pile of compost, rubble and other fly tip to clear the area for a new garden to be installed.

They got straight to work digging, bagging and trying to find the strangest item (tied between computer mouse and tiny bathtub...).

Meanwhile back at the school the rest of the crew had moved some heavy podiums and were painting up the old rainbow fence while Jamie showed his sense of hue-more with a steady stream of paint themed puns. Laura was caught blue handed wearing the cape of good deeds while painting - congrats on reaching 400 awesome good deeds Laura!

we got a good chunk fence painted and then it was onto the sports field for a quick round of squats and burpees to AC/DC's Thunderstruck before we had a mini sports day.

Abigail's team won the well known quoit on the head relay race with some dubious use of the hair bun, Lyndsey exhibited an extremely unorthodox lunge technique in the quoit on the head lunge relay and Claire really came into her own with some very dainty backwards running in the famous quoit on the head backwards running race.

it was then just a short trot back to base before no-one went to the pub - the horror!

Tonight we named and numbered off saying what we do to relax and look after our mental health, following mental health awareness week last week. Goodgym featured along with drinking stout, wild swimming and doing magic tricks!

We then got into two groups. Mitch led a gang out to Bootham stray and had this to say...

We arrived at the allotments and were given a GG classic. There was an area of overgrown vegetation that needed clearing to make space for a new allotment. We were given an absolute glut of tools (yay!). We had 40 minutes. We then got stuck in.

After lots of digging, lopping, hoeing, wheelbarrowing and jaffa cake...ing we managed to get the vast majority done!

Vicky's group headed to Park Grove where newbie Sam met us - welcome Sam! We made a good job of finishing the last third of the fence and touched up where the rain hit the last session. We finished off with a play on the climbing wall, then headed back to base.

Thanks everyone!

The promise of painting enticed a good turnout for tonights run.

We started off by naming and numbering off and we marked 112 years to the day since the titanic sunk by saying our favourite ways of crossing water featuring paddleboards, pedalos and platypuses!

Ed then led the group over to Park Grove in somewhat blustery conditions .... perfect for painting surely.

We were met by Vicky and split into two groups. The first set about repainting the fence (and grass in some cases). David did a great job as quality control making sure there were no gaps and Barbara's drippy bits were spread out!

The second group were tasked with freeing a bench from tree which had grown through it and clearing away plants from the fence.

All was going to plan until we felt the wind pick up and clouds gather. We quickly packed up and then the rain came just in time for fitness.

We put on brave faces and did some circuits until we finally moved under cover to do some star jumps and penguin huddling until the clouds passed.

We were greeted with a rainbow and split into four teams for a tug or war tournament. The Area Activator team won in the final (I think a coordinated effort was key rather than strength!).

We then headed back to base for a stretch and to hear about the week ahead.

Well done for braving the weather. See you next time!