Adventures in the life of an English allotment
Shortly after lunch, I dragged my somewhat hungover husband down to the allotment to make a start on the jungle. As he fed the chickens, I walked around the plot, trying to work out a plan. I decided that if we could clear some of the main beds then other jobs such as clearing the... Continue Reading →
After work this evening, I ambled down to the allotment enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. There wasn't anyone else on site as I arrived and I pottered across to check on Maude and Mavis. Mavis seems to have joined Maude in deciding to shed her feathers all over the run. If they weren't standing... Continue Reading →
After a busy day out with the family yesterday, I headed down to the allotment to make a start on the seemingly endless battle against the weeds. My first job was to finish pruning the willow screen and arch, a job I started last week. I dread cutting the top of the willow. It's a... Continue Reading →
Over the past few weeks, the Omlet in the garden has become a battleground. Three of the silkies have been conducting a battle royale to hog the nest. The majority of the past four weeks, I have daily been turfing off Stratus from the nest. She has absolutely no idea how to be a broody... Continue Reading →
Tonight we waited until the scorching heat had abated somewhat before heading down to the allotment. Yet again, the temperature is above 30 degrees and it is sweltering. There is no breeze and the hot air hangs over Crewe, blanketing in the heat. It's days like today that I wistfully daydream about my home town... Continue Reading →
Despite my best efforts and with support from the incredible American lady, Winnie passed away this evening. She was getting weaker and spending more time asleep. I found a nasty looking lump on her belly earlier today and that seemed rather ominous. But it wouldn't explain all her other symptoms. She was such a happy... Continue Reading →
Today was a very exciting day. Late this afternoon, Nikki and Dylan appeared at the front door with a pet carrier containing three beautiful silkies! Birmingham Silkies has sadly had to sell many of her birds due to a house move. I have been following her online for several years and the silkies she breeds... Continue Reading →
Just as I was about to put Winnie back in her overnight carrier, my husband shouted from the back of the house. Clutching Winnie to my chest, I dashed out to see what was the matter. I found my husband on the patio with big smile on his face. "Look in the Omlet!" he said... Continue Reading →
After a morning of house clearing, I headed down to the allotment to clean out the Nest House. It's a job that always takes ages and it's one of my least favourite jobs. Upon arrival, I spotted Liz, Sarah and their mum so I went to say hello. Daisy was with them and gave me... Continue Reading →
It's been a while since my last post due to trying to get Winnie back on the road to recovery. Sadly, she has been steadily deteriorating over the past week and I have been in regular contact with a lovely American lady who has extensive knowledge about chickens. She has recommended a range of different... Continue Reading →
Some days at the allotment start out ordinary and end up being extraordinary! I walked down to the allotment this morning with a list of jobs to do. My first job was to sort out the willow. Somehow despite the heatwave, it has grown massively in the last week. Grabbing my trusty secateurs, I made... Continue Reading →
Having got the chickens through the nightmare heatwave, I was just beginning to relax when Winnie took a turn for the worse. Thankfully, the Crossbeak and Special Needs group were able to help by telling me what medicine to order and how to help Winnie while we waited for it to arrive. With Harker's Coxoid... Continue Reading →
Level 4 Heatwave has finally arrived after days of fire warnings from the government, the Met Office and the British pessimism which declares every type of weather dreadful. If it's raining, where is the sunshine? If it's cold, where's the heat? For the next two days, every conversation about the weather will adhere to the... Continue Reading →
When I got home this evening, I went to check on Winnie and Coco. I have been hand feeding Winnie to try and make sure she is getting enough food. Happily, Winnie began to attack the food with gusto. As I held her, I could hear Coco clucking in the background. I thought nothing of... Continue Reading →
On Friday evening, I took Gordon home from the allotment. Naively, I hoped he wouldn't be too loud and that we would be able to keep him in the garden. In the kitchen, I set up a puppy crate with a home made perch for him to sleep on and used a blackout curtain to... Continue Reading →
After filling the kitchen with a small puppy crate and vast amounts of blackout fabric yesterday, I headed out this evening to collect Gordon. As I arrived on site, I ran into Geoff and we had a chat. I caught him up with some news before heading off to the New Coop. Upon seeing me,... Continue Reading →
I had a lovely message this evening from Cat at Duster's Ark. She had been out to complete a home check for Tommy's new home. The new home passed with flying colours! He will be living in a massive field with proper fox-proof fencing and a lovely large house to roost in. Although he doesn't... Continue Reading →
Yesterday, I walked into the New Coop and couldn't find Winnie. I looked everywhere. Worried that meant nothing but bad news, I lifted the top of the next box up, expecting to find a body. To my surprise, the next box was empty. No bird to be seen. Or was there? Crushed between the nest... Continue Reading →
Today was a difficult day. Due to a complaint by a local resident, we have been told we have to remove all of the cockerels from the site. As upsetting as this is, it is made worse by the fact that the complainant made no effort to speak to us directly. Instead they went online,... Continue Reading →
After a really busy week at work without a moment to stop, I finally made it down to the allotment for more than a quick visit. The weeds were beginning to dominate several of the beds and I have an ongoing battle with the weeds that insist on growing over the paths. With the feathery... Continue Reading →
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