Early risers aided by Gail and Sam having set up and checked the course, the morning sun then warmed the multitude of runners and volunteers arriving for parkrun number 401. A supercharged and eye-catching splash of red Goodgym t-shirts formed as we assembled for marshall, scanning, parkwalk and timekeeping duties along with some dual role GG volunteer-and-run superstars. A happy team and a healthy contribution to a successful parkrun.

On this week's group run we welcomed Pam to the team after recruiting her at last weeks session. After the intro and warm-up we headed out to Holy Trinity Church, for our second go at a good spring clean.

We polished the pews, took Henry Hoover up the aisle and dusted off the organ pipes and the cobwebs up on the rafters.

With everything shiny and smelling of polish we did a workout in the aisle, walking lunges, star jumps, squats and press ups got the blood pumping in preparation for the return journey back into town.

Sometimes it feels like a visit to Mr D is a haven in an otherwise stormy sea of work and today was one of those days. He opened the door to me with a feigned look of surprise, said I was too early and pretended to close the door, then reopened it and stood there grinning telling me I was a sight for sore eyes! I think that’s a compliment, I said. And of course it was. He was happy to see me and we were soon sat, relaxed and chatting. As I talked about a GoodGym cooking task he remembered a photo of his wife cooking for a Veterans event in the US and asked me to pass him up a box from under the table. There was a small stack of photos in the box and I felt very privileged as he showed me them and searched through his mind as he spoke of some cherished memories. By the end he was a little emotional and we both agreed a nice cup of tea was called for. Over the last few weeks I have become chief tea maker, but we get it ready together. Me sorting out the brew while Mr D selects another tasty treat or two. The hour and a half wizzed by and I was soon saying goodbye. I apologised as I won’t be seeing Mr D for a couple of weeks now as I’ll be away, but Mr D was happy as he said there would be lots for me to tell him about my hols and lots of photos to show him. He’s already looking forward to it.