Adventures in the life of an English allotment
This morning we walked down to the allotment ready to feed the chickens. Leia had laid an early egg and we let them out to enjoy the fresh air. As my husband sorted out the girls in the main coop, I checked on Dolly. She had more gunk stuck in her beak but was walking... Continue Reading →
At lunchtime we walked down to the allotment. It was boiling hot although there were clouds building, hopefully offering some relief from the sun. We let Rey and Leia outside and said hello to various people who were also down enjoying the fresh air. Whilst I watched Dolly drink and prepared her syringes, my husband... Continue Reading →
Weirdly, today doesn't feel like a Friday. As everything is closed, even my work for the Easter weekend, today feels like a Saturday or Sunday. Anyway, we ambled down to the allotment to feed the chickens as part of our daily walk. Dolly was still there although she didn't look very comfortable when I started... Continue Reading →
Today we walked down to the allotment to feed Dolly before I left for work. She wasn't happy about being caught but was fairly cooperative when I was feeding her. When I opened her beak, found a large sunflower seed and a piece of corn stuck in her beak. I managed to get them out.... Continue Reading →
This morning we ambled down to the allotment. The sunshine continues and it's so refreshing to get outside and be surrounded by green space especially during lockdown. We let Leia and Rey into their outside run and collected an egg. Leia seems to be laying earlier than Rey at the moment. We put their food... Continue Reading →
Today I walked down to the allotment in the sunshine! The British weather is notoriously fickle and after many days of overcast weather, we finally had a warm spring day. Until it started to pour with rain. On and off giving the perfect example of April showers! I checked Dolly first and she seemed reasonably... Continue Reading →
Today we walked down the allotment rather later than usual. When we arrived we let Leia and Rey into their outdoor run as the temperature in the greenhouse was a little higher than I liked. Without any hesitation, Rey jumped into the run with Leia following after. I clean out the greenhouse and collected two... Continue Reading →
We left her to settle down as we fed and watered the other girls.This morning we walked down to the allotment wondering whether we would see any improvement in Dolly. She was there and seemed a little more perky and was energetic enough to make my administrations difficult. I managed to get a bit more... Continue Reading →
This morning we were busy preparing for the arrival of the new chicks. Works can't have them anymore and my colleague who is taking three chicks isn't able to have them due to risks associated with COVID-19 for her family, meaning all 9 chicks will be here for a few weeks. Fortunately, work is lending... Continue Reading →
Despite the rain, we walked down to the allotment this morning wondering if Dolly was any better. It is notoriously difficult to know whether a chicken is going to pull through or not, sometimes you are convinced they will never make it (e.g. Leia and hypothermia) and others who seem to only have minor issues... Continue Reading →
This morning both of us walked down to the allotment. I was dreading it because I had no idea in what state we would find Dolly. Thankfully when we arrived, she was mixing with the other girls although clearly at the bottom of the pecking order. Whilst my husband sorted out their food, I popped... Continue Reading →
Today I dashed down the allotment to check on Dolly. She has a blocked crop on one side and I tried (and failed) to get a dose of cider vinegar down her. When I went in this morning, she didn't look much better. I managed to catch her and tried to get out some of... Continue Reading →
This morning I walked down to the allotment determined to finish off the painting of the shed. Unfortunately, the weather has become really quite cold and I guessed I probably wouldn't be able to feel my fingers after the first half hour. Actually, that was optimistic. After 15 minutes I couldn't feel my fingers and... Continue Reading →
Today, I walked down to the plot noticing the drop in temperature and increased wind chill. It was definitely not the glorious hint of summer we had all last week. Nevermind, as long as it remains dry, jobs can be done! After discussing the cream paint issue with Sarah, Geoff and a few others, I... Continue Reading →
After thinking about the paint on the door all night, and seeing it again this morning, I decided that I really didn't like the cream colour. Not one bit. It wasn't going to be one of those things where you grow to like it. The only solution was to go into town, braving the queues... Continue Reading →
This morning I walked down to the allotment for my daily escape from the house, armed with two tins of paint and a brush. The sunshine was beautiful and I was certain that the paint would dry quickly without too much trouble. When I arrived, I sorted out the chickens food and water, letting Leia... Continue Reading →
Another glorious day today and I made the most of it by taking my laptop, a drink and a snack down the allotment. I set up the chair as a table and sat in the doorway of the shed on a cushion. The only issue I had was the sun was completely in my eyes... Continue Reading →
We all received an email from the Allotment Federation yesterday detailing all the necessary changes to ensure that allotment sites can remain open. The list is long but boils down to wash hands regularly with soap, communal gathering places to close and stay on your own plot. Reasonable precautions but it's still rather sad that... Continue Reading →
Today was the first day of lockdown due to coronavirus in the UK. No one is to go out except for specific reasons such as medical appointments and once a day for exercise. Fortunately, allotments look to be one of those reasons why you could be outside due to the need to feed chickens. Taking... Continue Reading →
Today we had several important meetings at work to sort out how we will manage during the coronavirus shut down. After these were done, and whilst waiting to go home, I decided to walk up to the allotment. Unlike my allotment at home, this one has no risk of flooding. It comprises three huge raised... Continue Reading →
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