MOBILE GARDEN MANICURE

7 runners, 1 new location, 1 pair of gloves, countless bags of soil, 1 random ringing phone

This week we branched up north in the park to a site nestled opposite the old athletes village. Our long route to Wanstead Flats has taken us past this site on numerous occasions, but only recently has the high hoarding been replaced with inviting fencing around the corner plot known as Mobile Garden City.

Once we arrived Ruth greeted us and took us around the site whilst explaining the main jobs for the evening along with the general mission of MGC. A community-led garden for the locals to thrive in and learn for the next year and a half after which, it will be relocated to other (currently unknown) parts of the park.

The task was to fill as many of the planters with soil as possible. We walked over to the soil bags stacked at shoulder height and plucked at the scarce tools and the uncertain wheelbarrow and we were off. Ros cleverly nabbed the only pair of gloves when know one was looking so during the course of the task the rest of us acquired new soil manicures - free of charge.

10mins to go...we raced to rip open all remaining bags and distribute the soil before heading off in search of water. Insert Timber Lodge self pump water stations; Nish stepped up and pumped out enough water to refresh our hands, ready for the impending DRILLS...A series of plyometrics up the hill followed by jogging back down.

As we congregated at the bottom of the hill a distant old school phone ring could be herd, baring in mind we were pretty much the only ones in that part of the park and we knew it wasn't our phones, it started to feel a little bit like the matrix fused with a thriller movie.

Neo...I mean Nish stepped up again and dashed up the hill to answer the call. He was greeted by a Brazillain speaker. WHAT'S GOING ON????

Long story short it was part of an art installation dotted unassumingly around the more serene parts of park.

Phone call answered, drills and gardening complete we made our way back. Unfortunately Stratford's new urban beach closed early, so our post session beach volleyball game was postponed.

Great work as always guys, follow up visit in 2 weeks time, make sure your there.

Kirsty