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 →
Shed Upgrade
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 →
When the shed became the office
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 →
Busy as a Bee
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 →
A hint of spring
Aside from the cold weather, the sun has appeared the last few days, allowing the plot to start to drain. I spent a good deal of time on site today chatting with some of our new plot holders, Tracy and Andy. Everyone was in the clubhouse as I arrived and I even managed a cuddle... Continue Reading →
A week of rain
This week we have been experiencing a deluge. Most of the plots have had puddles, lakes or oceans on them. As usual, our plot was pretty much entirely flooded although Keith's was definitely worse! The water did drain off but it took a few days and just as it was getting dry, we had the... Continue Reading →
Experiments with Chickens
This morning I ambled down to the allotment and joined everyone at the clubhouse before feeding the chickens. Geoff, Cliff, Phil, Dave the Plod and Coco were all there chatting away happily in the sunshine. As I arrived I heard an odd sound. If I had had a good night's sleep, I would have confidently... Continue Reading →
Excavating the plot
Late this morning I walked down to the allotment ready for a full day's work. The weather has been so fickle lately that it either has been too hot or too wet to do anything productive. The mix of sunshine and rain has meant the proliferation of bind weed on an industrial scale. Everyone has... 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 →
Return of the sunshine
Early this morning, I walked down to the allotment determined to get lots done before it got any hotter. The temperature over the next week is supposed to rocket up into the high 20's/low 30's.As I arrived, I opened up the greenhouse, fed three hungry chicks and a grumpy Emily before making a start on... Continue Reading →
A day of two halves
Yesterday, I walked down to the allotment in the sunshine. Thankfully the rain had stopped and I wandered down to the main coop to find all the chickens sunbathing. I fed them and went back to the top of the plot to open up the greenhouse. Emily and her chicks were hungry and made good... 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 →
Relaxing in the sunshine
Today I had a slow amble to the allotment, enjoying the sunshine on the short walk. Upon arrival, I bumped into Geoff and spent a happy hour nattering in the clubhouse. When I left, I pottered to the greenhouse to say good morning to Emily and her chicks. They are growing massively and their cheeps... 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 →
And then there were 3…
This morning I dashed down to the allotment expecting to see Emily with a trail of chicks enjoying the sunshine. When I arrived, she was still in her box and showed no signs of moving off her eggs. I managed to catch a glimpse of one of the chicks before leaving her to it. I... Continue Reading →
New arrivals!
This morning I dashed down to the allotment, desperate for news on Emily's eggs. When I arrived and lofted the lid of the broody box, I spotted a change! Next to Emily, half out from underneath her was an eggshell. Tentatively, I removed it, expecting a sharp peck for my trouble. I bent down and... Continue Reading →
Many hands make light work
Today I was joined down the allotment by my friend Katie. She has just taken a plot on over in Sandbach and was interested in seeing ours. We walked across and spent a happy half hour walking around the site and looking at everything. We stopped off to feed the chickens and checked on Emily.... Continue Reading →
A bit soggy underfoot
At lunchtime today I ambled down to the allotment for a few hours to escape the enormous pile of paperwork I had been staring at all morning. I arrived on site to find Geoff and Rachael enjoying the end of their tea break at the clubhouse. I had a quick chat with them before we... Continue Reading →
Trying out the new hoe
This morning, after seeing my parents off, I walked down to the allotment armed with my new hoe. In the heat of the last few days the weds have grown out of nowhere and I am determined to keep on top of them this season. When I arrived, I opened up the shed and checked... Continue Reading →
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