Mercato Metropolitano's Winter Camp came to an end today as the second day of the second slot was the final session. Given the circumstances, the third slot next Monday and Tuesday won't go ahead.

However, it was a great end to a short, but sweet Winter Camp! It started out with Carmen from LabTwnty4 bringing the Christmas spirit alive with asking the kids to create their own sustainable Christmas wrapping paper. They started off with a blanket canvas (on a white, black or brown paper). Using paint (red, white, black and green) and pre-made Christmas themed cuttings and prints, the kids started to design their Christmas wrapping paper. Some concentrated on one whilst others races to create 2-3.

The hour and a half flew by and before we knew it, we were munching on burgers and chips!

The afternoon saw Tasmin come back (as she was present on Sunday) for a theatre production of "Santa Claus is coming to town". At least, this time the kids were more engaged with the whole production. They saw the afternoon out with some jazz hands! 👐

That's what the kids thought of me. There's a first time for everything, but to be called a middle-aged by 7-9 year olds isn't what I hoped to hear at the age of nearly 31....

Gemma and I met inside Mercato Metropolitano and introduce ourselves to Beth, who was running the show today as the main lady hosting the baking class pulled out. Therefore, Beth made to make a quick batch of Nika's gingerbread people dough before all the kids came.

The kids slowly came into today unlike the weekend when they were all prompted. Today, at first, it looked like 2 were going to attend and then 10 showed up.

After giving all a piece of gingerbread dough, the kids flattened out the dough with their palms to maximize on the amount of cookies they could cut. Each one had their own shape and did plenty of them, but some did share the shapes.

The cookies baked in the oven for 10 minutes before a five minute cool down. Afterwards, the kids decorated the cookies to their hearts delight.

They had pizza for lunch, which some loved and others didn't (who doesn't like pizzas...), but eventually they all had a slice at least...even if some just ate the crust...

I arrived at Borough Food Cooperative a little bit late at 13:20, however, Gemma and a host of other volunteers from the Cooperative were sorting out the stock that was present. It wasn't long before Gemma left as she had done what she could.

Brian from the cooperative informed me that there was going to be a large delivery, but as the minutes and then hours passed by...nothing came. We had to leave at 15:00 on the dot and couldn't stay any longer due to the rules put in place. As the time wind down, we just talked about vegans, climate change and social care amongst other lighter topics such as French films and badly acted plays.

Literally, for the last 20 minutes we spent cleaning the trays and tables as a we wanted to do something instead of nothing. Yet, it is a reminder that we are dependent on a delivery driver turning up on time and we have no control over that...