Today was rather a bitty day. We ambled down to the allotment at lunchtime to feed the chickens. They were all happy to scoff their treats and then ignore us. My husband amused himself in picking up Tommy for a cuddle. Needless to say, he wasn't impressed. I showed my husband all my hard work... Continue Reading →
Mid-season Tidy
It was a long day yesterday and I barely had time to stop let alone complete the blog. So here it is, very late! I walked down early to make a start. The greenhouse and the shed needed cleaning and tidying, weeding and general sorting amongst other jobs. It was going to be a busy... Continue Reading →
A day of chickens
After waiting in for a special delivery most of the morning (which was damaged in transit and didn't arrive), I got down to the allotment quite late. When I got down, I was quite worried about Pop being in the greenhouse in the sudden, unexpected heat. Fortunately, Geoff had opened both greenhouse doors and brought... Continue Reading →
Feeding the bees
This afternoon I walked down to the allotment again to check on the chicks. Rey is almost completely fully integrated but the chicks are still keeping away from the others. When I arrived I couldn't see them as they were hiding under the nest box. I decided to weed a section of the plot. It's... Continue Reading →
The Great Escape
We arrived down on site mid-morning to be greeted with the news of a jail break. Millie had apparently managed to escape her isolation coop and had been wandering around the site! Fortunately, Liz and Sarah spotted her and with Cliff's help, caught her and put her back in the main coop. It's very lucky... Continue Reading →
A day of chickens and bees
This morning I strolled down to the allotment to see if the ground had dried out. It hadn't. I give up - the weather either bakes the soil to a crisp or it's 6 inches under water! I went to the greenhouse and watched the chicks. When I arrived they were roosting in the nest... Continue Reading →
A sick chick goes to the Vet
For the last few days, our Plymouth Rock chick has been struggling to stand and walk. At first, I thought it was because the other two chicks were picking on her. They were but her legs don't seem to be in the correct position and she seems to be in pain. On Tuesday morning, I... Continue Reading →
A plethora of Queens
Today I went down to the allotment ready for a full day of work. In the afternoon we were expecting Steve's bee mentor to arrive and I wanted to make sure that the plot was clear of weeds before they arrived. I joined Cliff and Michael at the clubhouse for a chat. It wasn't long... Continue Reading →
Settling down
Today I ambled down to the allotment in the sunshine to feed the chickens. I started off with the main coop. The girls were all busy enjoying the sunshine with Snap and Holly bagging the best spot. They jostled for position but eventually settled down to some serious relaxing.I topped up their food bowls -... Continue Reading →
Musical Chickens
This morning I dashed into town to pick up a carrier to prepare to pick up the new chickens. Armed with two large carriers, I walked down to the allotment and put them into the greenhouse. I spotted Geoff in the clubhouse and stopped by to say hello. Upon arrival at the clubhouse I discovered... Continue Reading →
Building a Bee Hotel
Despite the overcast weather, it was pleasantly warm as I walked down to the allotment this morning. I arrived laden with chicken supplies. My husband had dropped me off at the pet food supplier before he left for work so I could stock up on vitals including chick crumb, grit, porridge oats, sunflower seeds and... Continue Reading →
New coop improvements
This morning I escaped my mountain of paperwork and disappeared down the allotment for a couple of hours. Upon my arrival, I went around the site to check on the bees. The wild bumble bee hive wasn't active and there was minimal activity in the other three hives. The high wind and threat of rain... Continue Reading →
Bees 1 – Phil 0
This morning I arrived to find Phil and Steve had been busy sorting out the hives. They had removed the frames from the nuc box and placed them into the box. Unfortunately, Phil had forgotten to check the frames as he was transferring into the hive. They took exception to Phil moving the frames for... Continue Reading →
A slow Saturday
Late this morning, I dragged myself out to the allotment. It's been a manic week at work and I am absolutely wiped. I arrived and spent a happy hour nattering to Cliff, Phil and Geoff. It turns out that while I have been at work, the bees have spent a week away before Phil brought... Continue Reading →
Painting a Queen
This morning I walked down to the allotment in the glorious May sunshine. Everyone clearly had the same idea, and it was lovely to see everyone out and busy. First job was to open up the greenhouse to make sure Emily and her chicks had some fresh cool air. I topped up their food and... Continue Reading →
Chicks and deck chairs
This morning I arrived onto site late but just in time for the mid-morning tea bell. I ran into Cliff and Geoff by the greenhouse, trying to fix the door which spontaneously detached itself and launched onto the main path. Between Cliff, Geoff, Will and myself, we reattached it and put in new glass. All... Continue Reading →
5 year Allotment-versary!
This evening, I realised that we have had our plot for 5 years! The time has flown! So in the spirit of celebration, I have dug out photos from each year to share with you. Our first year saw us gain a shed, a large greenhouse and several chickens. We learnt how fast weeds grew... Continue Reading →
Life in the sunshine
This morning, armed with cleaning supplies, I lugged the stove back to the allotment. It had occurred to me that the strong chemicals needed to clean the stove wouldn't be a good mix with my idiot cats. I arrived on site, dumped the cleaning supplies and stove outside the greenhouse and went to join the... Continue Reading →
Rain, glorious rain!
I woke up this morning to a sound I knew vaguely. I pondered it a while, trying to think what it was. Then it struck me. Rain! It was finally raining! The rest of the country has had rain and spectacular thunderstorms in the last couple of days but there has been absolutely nothing here.... Continue Reading →
Back with a bang!
It's been a busy couple of weeks and now that technical issues are finally sorted, I can recommence normal updates!The last two weeks have seen huge growth down the allotment as we have (very unusually for Northern England) had two weeks of glorious sunshine! Our daughter's tree has been planted and looks perfect in the... Continue Reading →
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