Adventures in the life of an English allotment
Autumn is my favourite season. The changing of the leaves, the hint of frost in the air and the nights closing in, all mean it's acceptable to curl up with a hot drink and a warm blanket. Down the allotment however, I find autumn a rather depressing time. The myriad of green foliage slowly gives... Continue Reading →
Upon arrival on site today, Cliff told me that the beautiful Buff Orpington had died whilst we were away. It's a rather tragic end for such a stunning bird. She seemed to be recovering from her injury but she didn't seem to want to eat much or mix with the other girls. In the main... Continue Reading →
For a change of scenery, we went to visit my parents for a couple of days. Much to my excitement, I discovered that my parents had successfully managed to grow a small lemon plant from seed. Whether it will survive long term and bear fruit, it's hilarious to think of a new plant growing from... Continue Reading →
With the darker nights rolling in and the weather cooling, the weeds are finally beginning to slow down. It's also that time of year when some plots are given up as people struggle to juggle their work and family commitments. This year, we have had several changes of tenancy with new faces joining our community.... Continue Reading →
This afternoon, we ambled down to the allotment to sort out the chickens. Feeding the chickens in the garden is always fun as the silkies are becoming increasingly tame, running to the door to get to their food first. On the other side of the garden, Gordon and his gang of girls are always at... Continue Reading →
Early this morning I pottered down to the allotment to check on the chickens. It was a beautiful warm autumn day. Almost no clouds and the sun shining bright was enough to entice most of the plot holders down to the site. Opening up the shed, I greeted the Weed Destroyers and headed off to... Continue Reading →
Exhausted after another manic week, my husband and I pottered down to the allotment late this afternoon. As we arrived, we ran into Pam. I stopped to chat whilst my husband got to work feeding the chickens. All of our feathery charges are well and were distinctly unimpressed with the lateness of their daily treats.... Continue Reading →
In all the chaos of the past two weeks, I have, in rare the few quiet moments, found myself daydreaming about being at the allotment. It has brought home to me how big a part it plays in our lives. Strange though it is to think, there was a time when we didn't have an... Continue Reading →
Between the showers, we dashed down to feed the chickens at the allotment. Fortunately, we chose our moment well and remained dry the entire visit! The Buff Orpington has taken up residence on the perches and although still very timid, she does seem to be holding her own against the others. I was even able... Continue Reading →
We awoke to rain this morning. A steady drizzle which lasted all day and is forecast to continue tomorrow. Fortunately, I only needed to pop to the allotment briefly to check on the chickens. I quickly opened up the shed and shoved some kale into the Omlet coop for Roxy, Trixy and Foxy. They of... Continue Reading →
Over the past two days, the rain has returned spectacularly. Sheets of it for several hours at a time combined with the darker nights and mornings signals the official start of autumn. It's a season at the allotment tinged with a little sadness as all the greenery is removed and there are fewer people on... Continue Reading →
Upon waking in the night to the wind and pouring rain, I suddenly remembered the sunshade was still attached to the shed! Fortunately, I only put it fully up when it's sunny but I usually leave the widest part of the sail attached to the shed. Worried that the wind might rip off the sail... Continue Reading →
As things get more and more stressful at work, the escape outdoors becomes essential. After spending hours wrestling with a mountain of paperwork, I snuck out for an hour to the allotment. It's amazing what an hour surrounded by green space can do to your mood. I left feeding the chickens until later in the... Continue Reading →
Exhausted and rather grumpy, I walked down to the allotment after work today. There's so much going on at the moment that I just needed some time away. The fresh air, surrounded by plants and bird song is a wonderful balm to the soul. An hour pottering around the site makes the world seem a... Continue Reading →
Up and out early this morning after making a few phone calls. The sun was out again although the temperature was distinctly cooler than yesterday morning. On site I found Derek busy clearing Plot 8. It's in a dreadful mess after a couple of years of flooding and minimal cultivation. I joined him but didn't... Continue Reading →
After completing a few jobs in town, I arrived at the allotment just in time to put the stove on and begin lunch. With the weather so warm and sunny, especially for September, I made the most of it by bringing down sausages and rolls. I bought two packs thinking there would be lots of... Continue Reading →
This morning I ran down to the allotment armed with paperwork and a laptop for the first meeting of the new committee. I suspected it might be a long meeting as there hasn't been a committee meeting in a few years. There was a lot to discuss! Afterwards, I ambled back to the shed and... Continue Reading →
I ambled down to site this morning to discover the sunshine had tempted out lots of people. I say and chatted with Geoff, Cliff and Michael. Geoff has decided to give away two of his Rhode Island Reds as they have been bullying his other girls quite badly. He is completely unimpressed with collecting a... Continue Reading →
This morning before work, the AP's and I walked down to the allotment. After several days of overcast skies and rain, the sun had appeared. Our first priority was to check on Phil's Buff Orpington. There was condensation on the inside of the greenhouse so I opened up the front and back doors to get... Continue Reading →
Earlier, we sent my husband and dad off to get some chicken supplies while mum and I went down to feed the chickens. By the time we were halfway through, the chicken food delivery had arrived. Between all four of us, we collected eggs and threw out treats. My husband took it into his head... Continue Reading →
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