We were thrilled to be returning to the Samye Foundation, and even during yet another heat wave, nothing could stop us from getting back to one of our original charities that we have been helping since the very start of goodgym Cardiff.

Our very first run to Samye was back on Tuesday 26th September 2017 and the transformation that we have seen is amazing. This was our return after a break, and the garden project looked fantastic, the pond we helped to dig was now in full working order and sounding tranquil.

Our task tonight were ready as usual, set up on the flipchart at the front of the building. (I love a flipchart!)

Runners were the first to arrive, and quickly sat down under cover to rehydrate after the hot run. Walkers were next to arrive, and Michael quickly pointed them towards the water and squash - hydration was very important today, before any tasks started.

Our list of task for the evening were as follows;

• Move the 2 seater sofa from level 2 in building 252 to the front room in building 250.
• Cable tie the dogrose to the front railings.
• Cable tie the fruit trees in the back garden.
• Bring the spiky plants from the back garden to the front.
• Cut out and compost the red orach.
• Re-pot baby plants from 250 porch into new pots.
• Move the metal table from outside the cafe window to under the gazeebo .
• Display the plants for plant sale on the tables under the gazeebo.

There was a good list of tasks, and 8 willing volunteers to crack on with them. We split into 3 groups, moved to our relevant areas, and got started - wasting no time, eager to get as much completed as possible.

Aimee and Emma went into the back garden and tied up the fruit trees, then removed the red orach and cut it down for composting.

Jonathan, Dylan and Jessica took to the task of moving the sofa, the spiky plants and the re-potting some baby plants.

PIVOT, PIVOT

Emma and Flo moved the metal table, plants and tied the dogrose at the front of the building.

All groups gave an outstanding effort tonight, especially with the temperatures that we had to endure. We got so much done, and Lorraine from Samye Foundation was so happy with our effort. We finished up for the evening, and then sat under the gazeebo for some delicious parsnip soup. Then we all walked back, far too hot for anymore running.

The gazeebo was looking lovely now surrounded by all of the plants, they are opening this is every Wednesday for plant sales in case your interested.

See you all next week - sign up here

Learning Time

Atriplex hortensis var. rubra Red orach, also known as red mountain spinach is a species of plant in the amaranth family used as a leaf vegetable that was common before spinach; it is still grown as a warm-weather alternative to spinach.

On a busy week in Cardiff three goodgymers got together to help out at Samye. They have some rather special visitors next week and so it's time for some sprucing up to be done.

But before we go on, we have to say a WELCOME to our newest member Anna, lovely having you along with us today and hope to see you back again soon on another task.

Our task tonight was to look around in awe at the transformation in the back yard to the wonderful new biodiverse garden that it is - with.......the great new pond that we helped to dig on our last visit. Now to some actual volunteering, and back to the front. Our task tonight, to varnish the benches all over to help give them a fresh new look and protect them over winter. We had a good old chat about life and the World as we made the seating look ready for the event next week, and just like that we were done.

Join us next week as we make our first of two trips to help at StarGarAllot community allotments here

Another lovely day in Cardiff as 10 volunteers got together to Get Active and Do Good.

Tonight, we had 7 runners from our start location, 1 cyclist and 2 walkers. It was a lovely evening to be out and about helping, and we had a celebration too.

Jonathan hit a milestone as we celebrated 50 good deeds.

Big Congratulations

As always, we arrived at Samye to smiles and a table of water, just what you want after a lovely run. We had a quick chat whilst rehydrating and catching our breath. Then it was time to get busy and help, there was a list of tasks and a group of willing volunteers - the perfect combination.

They had been very busy indeed since our last visit to Samye and were part way through a build of what will be a lovely pond. They had broken through the brick, rubble and dug down, piling it all around the sides. Still tome to do in the middle, which we could also help with if there was time, but for now the most important thing was to help, tidy up and move those heavy bags. After all, many hands make light work.

Our tasks for the evening.

• Put all the rubble into sacks
• Move around to the side of the building
• Vacuum hall, stairs and office in building 252
• Sweep up around the pond
• Sand the wall around the new fire door

It was all go, Dylan went straight to his friend HENRY to clean up that building. Imy and Natasha got their sand on, shimmying and shaking around the door frame. The rest of us, well it was manic - spades moving rubble and soil into sacks, people carrying bricks, moving bags once full....a little more of the pond was also dug out. After 30 minutes of good old hard work, the pond was looking good, and we had certainly "Done GOOD".

We popped inside for a bit of a social and a little soup, before heading back to the city.

Join us next week - all are welcome --> Sign Up Here

Tonight was a special run in Cardiff, as we celebrated Darren on his very special

200th Task

This can mean only ONE thing, it's time for the CAPE

We had our usual mix of groups tonight, with some walkers and joggers and a couple running like the wind - that's the power of the cape! We were heading out to help at the Samye foundation again, and as usual they had prepared a list for us.

• Move a plinth from the hall to the shed
• Move containers from the office into the attic
• Change the posters in the display cabinets
• Vacuum building 252 with good ol' Henry
• Wash the ground floor outside windows and ledges
• Put out all rubbish and recycling.

Thankfully there was a good number of us tonight, as 13 volunteers got active and cleared the list of tasks in good time. Dylan and Henry became great friends as the floor and stairs were spotless. Darren and Andrew vanished into the attic along with the containers. Imy and Natasha got artistic with the poster displays - looking great. Emma, Aimee and Ellen moved the plinth in the blink of an eye. Lucy cleaned the mirror until you could see your face in it......wait, hold on a minute???? And then it was all hands to the windows, and ledges, Su, Martin, Llion and anyone else that was free joined to get rid of those smears...Ready for some filming I believe.

We even had time for an additional task as Darren donning his cape, mopped the hall until it was sparkling clean. We got together for some soup and soon to follow on the run - soup stitch. A great evening had by all, thanks you wonderful lot.

On a night where the air was biting at our ankles, an impressive 13 goodgymers braved the weather for the Cardiff January Challenge.

We were back to the Samye Foundation, our last visit was decorating for Xmas... except for Michael and Darren who managed to pop along for their Fayre. Tonight would be very different though, and would soon warm up the group.

We were in three groups tonight, the walkers led by Michael, the runners led by Darren and Adam and the third group, still running but a shorter distance.

We arrived and got straight to work, no standing still in these temperatures. The 3 Xmas trees had to go back into the loft, there were tables and chairs to rearrange, bags and bags of rubble, wheelbarrows of rubbish and an array of tile bits to pick up.

Out came the lights and gloves for safety, we split into groups and got busy, so busy in fact that we managed to finish off the tasks with enough time to get a bit of vacuuming done too.

Tools down, warm up.

We popped inside for a catch up and some snacks, more water (hydration is important even in the cold).

We are nicely on track for our target of 100 deeds in January, but a few more km needed, so don’t forget to get Strava going on your walks, runs or bike rides. NEXT week we will be splitting into ploggers and litter pickers to tackle the City Centre. Get signed up here. We are also heading for food afterwards but need to book so you will have to sign up to this too

Unlucky for some, but not SAMYE as 13 goodgymers got together on a chilly evening to volunteer their time and get active. Split into groups, walkers, runners and cyclists we made our way to help our friends one last time for 2023.

The cyclists meeting us at the task as they made their own way, Nathan leading the runners from our start location, with Michael taking the walkers for a jaunty stroll through the city.

But before we head our ways, we have just enough time to . . . .

Welcome Neda

We arrived at Samye and headed straight into the warmth, as usual our tasks were listed on the white board;

• Move the glass bookshelves from library to cafe.
• Get the bookshelves out of the loft and put together.
• Clear out under the stairs, putting everything into the magnolia room.
• Get Christmas trees out of the loft and set them all up.

TO WORK

we split into teams to tackle each of the tasks, as a team vanished up into the loft, and one under the stairs. Once the stairs had been cleared everyone split into 3 tree groups to tackle the most important tasks of all.

Finally, all trees were ready and in their positions. Whilst the goodgym crew sat down to some food Michael ran around getting photos of those trees.

Thanks to everyone for coming out tonight, and a BIG thank you to SAMYE for their continued support of goodgym and all of our members.

Join us next week for the very last goodgym group task of 2023.