The rain stopped just in time for us this evening as we met up to play our part in Bristol Waste's "Autumn Blitz" on litter.

Our assigned area tonight was pretty much on our doorstep, so we offered the option of a couple of runs before we got started. Most people signed up for a longer 5k version around the harbourside so Charlie and Alice led two different pace groups - thanks both of you! The remainder joined me on a shorter run 2.5k option around Spike Island with some bonus walking lunges and squats to keep us busy until the other two groups returned.

The runs completed, we again split into groups - this time so we could cover the areas we had been assigned for litter picking. Richard led his team around King Street and Queen Square, while Charlie and Jack took on Victoria Street. Emma took a third group up Prince Street towards Anchor Road. So much street name royalty in one place!

Employing their "Street Master" litter pickers (other brands may be available ... but probably not with such a cool name) with considerable skill the teams quickly bagged up large quantities of rubbish to be left at the allocated pick up points for Bristol Waste.

All that remained was to wish Jack congratulations on completing his 50th good deed tonight - and celebrate with the fine selection of cakes and party rings he had brought with him. Well done Jack!

Thirty Seven delightul Islingtonians were raring to get out there and be good, do good and look good last night. Let's give our first timers, Katy, Ranj, Selina and Colleen a massive cheer.

So, THREE tasks means three mini reports. Here we go:

WHITTINGTON WANDERERS

John and Steve led a crew of 10 people up to Whittington Community Centre for a spot of weeding. A place we journey to every couple of weeks. I don't know what they put in the soil in Whittington, but the weeds seem to grow with ferocity, so there's always plenty to do. That said, there was a bit of uncertainty over what was a weed and what wasn't. A debate ensued, which is just as well because we had forgotten all about Simon's debate......oops!) Weeds? Some said anything green, some anything not pretty. The superficiality of modern life won through, and we yanked out all the ugly weeds and left the pretty ones in place to brighten up the place. Job done, we jogged back a bit early just to make sure nobody stole our seats in the pub.

GORGEOUS GRENVILLE

It's been a while since we've been to Grenville and a few of us had forgotten that's it's quite uphill to get there. But having not been there since the winter, it was lovely to see it in the sun! We had three tasks to tackle at the garden. The most popular was varnishing the raised flower beds, but with only six brushes to use the task was taken by the quickest to grab a brush! We also had a classic task for GoodGym...shovelling and moving soil. The guys eagerly grabbed some forks and shovels and got it all cleaned up, sieved and into bags, ready to be used in the garden. The third was to rebuild a bug den (no we didn't know what it was either) that had fallen down. After a bit of creativity and a balancing act the bug den was rebuilt as a 5 star hotel to house all creatures great and small, see photo. After a quick team photo we started a much nicer downhill run back!

BARNSBURY BEAUTIES

A lovely outing to Barnsbury Community Centre for 12 of us. We had two jobs: Del, Will and Mel planted an olive tree, which looked simple, but wasn't so straightforward when they realised they had to dig into what was practically concrete. The rest of us set about painting a couple of wooden seats (constructed from pallets) with preserver. the job was done in next to no time and Colleen even made sure the grass was free of spills with some paper towel positioning. Following a bit of core while Kike and Dina cleaned the brushes (hurry up!) on the journey back we played our favourite game of secret surges, which included a cheeky road crossing surprise from Dina and Caroline trying to get us all run over. We then did various skipping and sprinting bits and bobs before passing one of the groups already on their way to the pub! Arrgh!

OTHER BITS

Biscuits were chocolate oaty things from Tesco. They were pretty good.

The big debate question was about the true start of the week. Sunday or Monday? Strava forces you to start on a Monday, Garmin defaults to Sunday (but gives you the option of changing to Sat, Sun or Mon). Some university timetables start on Sundays. Traditionally the working week starts on a Monday. Sunday is part of the weekend* surely? Well, we put it to the vote and poor old Sunday only got a couple with the vast majority loving Mondays. Del said Wednesday. Naughty. Of course, Monday must be the correct answer since your week doesn't truly start until you've GOODGYMMED

Post-tasks it was down the Famous Cock for a pint, a platter or a smoothie. Thanks to Kike for organising this. Word on the street is this will become a monthly event!

Loads of good done all over the borough this evening. See you next week (that's the start of the week, which is Monday). It's Bank Holiday, but we still have two tasks on the go. A choice of Barnsbury Square Gardens or Thornhill Square. Oooh.

Love, hugs and kisses xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx,
Simon