It's more a prophylactic really ..

16 GoodGymers made their way 9.0km to help their local community in Lambeth.

: Tuesday, 28th of October 2014
: Led by Yianny
he / him

This week's report comes courtesy of the lovely Alison, it's a beaut... and the photos are from John at the Portico. John would love to thank everyone for the help and also to Open Works who provided the plants we, errr planted.

See you all next week for more fun and games

"Turns out that Tulse Hill isn't just a pretty name, but actually does feature an upwards incline - a fact I found myself bellowing/berating all too soon on setting off from Papa's Park.

This was my first run with GoodGym in far too long - and I had chosen quite the outing for my return to red t-shirted fold. Our destination was the Portico Gallery in West Norwood, but at 7pm there was still 2.5 miles, mostly uphill, between us and Terence the infamous Terrapin.

However Rebecca did a sterling job of distracting and enthusing "what goes up must come down" those of us that MIGHT have been towards the back and before too long we'd made it to John and Terence at the Portico Gallery.

My aforementioned bellowing was thankfully quietened as we sidled past the yoga class being taught by John's son. Coming out in to the yard we were greeted by old carpet, some plants and a number of trestle tables. The first needed cutting up and laying over flower beds, under which we were to plant the second. The 100 odd table leg hinges however each needed a judicious squirt of WD40 after weeks out in the rain. John informed us though that this was "more a prophylactic really" - officially now my favourite word for "preventative". We set to it and before too long plants were nestled and, um, tables trestled.

The hills (sorry - did I mention the hills?) worked in our favour on the way back and we veritably flew home - trying not to scatter Brixton commuters in our wake as we entered the home stretch past the tube station. Many of the group then went off to the pub, whilst I took myself home for a much needed bath. Aching limbs and hill mutterings aside it was an excellent run - here's to the next instalment of John's Dictionary Corner".