Now last week I didn’t manage to get to the allotment at all, which for me is unheard of. Last week was very busy with one thing and another and it poured down with rain on 2 of those days. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say that yesterday it took Emily and I at least an hour to get all the glass out from all the little nooks and crannies inside the car. With what happened I wasn’t even able to even take the kids out to any National Trust places. However, the weekend was lovely. On Sunday we had a family BBQ with both sides of the family over. There were 11 of us all together which was great fun. The weather was fine with a bit of sun, so we ate outside in the garden and under the gazebo. There was a little blip first thing in the morning when the BBQ that we’ve had for about 8 years decided that as Mark was cleaning it out, it would create a massive hole in the bottom. Mark and George rushed to Homebase to get another one. It’s the end of the season so there were only very small round ones about (which are not good for us), and one large drum one without any instructions. Well there was no contest, it had to be the instructionless one, (is “instructionless” even a word?). We found the instructions online and Mark and the kids managed to put it together in less than an hour!! I was very impressed. Dinner was then a little late, but we had crisps and a starter so it didn’t really matter. It also meant that more wine had to be drunk (such a shame). A great time was had by all, well I think it was. They all seem to have invited themselves to ours for Christmas dinner, but then it’s easier for us to do it than anyone else. There could be 15 on that day, so I’d better start planning now!!

Mark and the kids putting together the new BBQ with lightning speed.

Today was back to normal and after lunch Emily and I dropped George off at the Leisure Centre so he could have a swim. He’s got a months free membership, perfect for the summer holidays. Once that was done, Emily and I went up to the allotment to see what needed to be harvested. Quite a lot as it turns out. We dug up the first of the Carrots, picked the first of the Tomatoes, pulled up the first of the Beetroot, picked a load more French Beans, picked more Kale, cut another Cabbage and harvested another couple of Squashes. The Pumpkins are coming on a treat, and I seem to have loads of Butternut Squash, but neither of these are no way near ready yet. I think Emily enjoyed herself, well she told me she did. Now I’ve got to sort them all out and either freeze them or store them in a cool place to eat soon.

And so the mass harvest begins. Emily was very impressed with my 3 legged Carrots.