We had rival teams of GoodGymmers in Bristol this evening with the runners heading up to Bramble Farm and the walkers across to Redcliffe. Who would get more soaked was the main question but we didn't care because it was daylight! Jo was taking no chances in her three coats

As the runners, including safari-experienced Freya, helped out around the farm, including very deep mud for the pigs in their pen, the walkers were finding pens of their own on the litter pick by the bus stops - very entertainingly an Avon and Somerset Police pen followed by a Crimestoppers one, and a discarded badge which ironically was for "Be an everyday hero, #choosetoreuse".

Far more excitingly, FOUR discarded penguin wrappers were found, each at a different location and each with a different penguin joke. I say joke, thats quite generous. It did lead to Frances only being able to communicate through penguin "jokes" for a while.

Most unexpected finds included a curtain rail and dumbell, the later proving a very good workout for Arron and his Streetmaster Pro pickers, whilst Caroline's pickers had lost an Important Red Bit that holds the trigger in place and was most impressed that a little bit of stick could substitute. Richard G proved very good at ensuring we still had all seven walkers and herding us all back together - sheepdog-in-training for One Area Activator and Her Dog at the Shindig later this year.

Jason rounded off the task with a pose akin to Roddy the Roadman, which no-one except Melanie had ever heard about.

It was GoodGym Eats at The Stable and top runner (with a new haircut) Richard B was mighty happy when all seven walkers joined him at the big table he'd been occupying all on his own.

See you all again next week?

We are lucky that we have a lot of opportunities on our doorstep that delightfully include runners having a fun 4.5 km run around the flat and ever-changing harbourside. Especially so when the rain is, again, causing bits of Bristol to disappear under puddles masquerading as lakes.

The walkers made short shrift of the journey to Redcliffe Hill, carrying the lights, litter pickers, bags and hand tools, ready for action and even remembering to take a "before" photo.

Gloves were donned, lights positioned, cameras at the ready and ACTION as the top layer of litter was cleared, the surface dead bindweed attached to live roots was bundled and the revealed second layer of rubbish cleared. And the rain had stopped!

The runners arrived with a sprint finish and squelchy trainers to attack the area from the far side which was less mess so they soon reappeared through the shrubbery.

Big plants hanging over the pavement were cut back and five bags were soon full, just as it started raining and everyone headed back to Workout for the speed dating (unintentionally) and on to the Brewhouse for a nice pot of tea that they may or may not serve after 5.

There's a new vicar in town and Laura had heard very good things about GoodGym and couldn't quite believe it was real! We'd warmed up with a game of pointing at Ed's Christmas leggings before the runners headed off on a longer route than the walkers, who beat them to the Parish Office.

With expert planning and the help of a big map, we worked put roughly which tower block was which, and which we could have easy access (don’t tell the running group theres a fob) and which we'd be relying on our negotiation skills - we're not leafleting, we're spreading Christmas cheer.

We love the fitness challenge of getting up all the stairs (less Santa Claus-trophobic than the lifts) and then building yo speed as we work our way down the buildings. Or some of is do, whilst others "manage" the task indoors with a cup of tea. I did leaflet a couple of blocks on my way home, though!

Soon wed completed lots of the routes, only kept put of two where we couldn't persuade someone to let us in even though we used the "whats your favourite number" technique.

I'm sure we'll be back next year, or before if we can help with any of the community outreach to Redcliffe and especially the refugees here.

Happy Christmas!

Time was of the essence for the delivery of lots of Christmas cards/service info for St May Redcliffe, the biggest parish church in England (I think). We'd offered to take on our usual Redcliffe haunts of the tower blocks so had 400-ish cards to deliver before our Christmassy social back at Workout.

Managing the logistics of the operation was particularly important and was taken on by Melanie who also made sure we were definitely getting pizzas later on!

The three teams all reported their progress at 7, tower blocks completed, extras started and an optional harbour loop run. The Christmassy photo challenge collection was soon being sent to the WhatsApp group, so GGers who weren't able to make it were able to see the fun, too.

A great way to round off 2022, here’s to lots more good deeds and good fun in 2023.