Clairesallotment's Blog

What a lovely morning it was, the sun was shining, and it was very pleasant. I had to get my sunglasses out and came over all unnecessary. I got loads done this morning. I did more to my paths, the wood chip and weed suppressant seem to be working well. I weeded another bed and planted several more purple brussel plants in tyres. I also potted on (I think) some pumpkins, well that or squashes I’ll see when they produce fruit. It’s slowly taking shape and I’m winning very slowly with the weeds. That’ll soon change as it’s raining now. Oh, and I also picked 2 more pea pods and ate them, and my first french bean! Happy days.

The dry weather didn’t last long on the allotment this morning. I think I got about 50 minutes and then the rain came, and came and came. It got to a certain point and I realised that staying outside wasn’t a good idea, so took refuge in the car. I played a couple of games of Sudoku on my phone and by that time the rain had eased to I resumed my weeding. However, this did not last more than 5 minutes as the rain came again. At which point there was only myself, and other chap and 2 council men cutting the grass at the allotment. I decided enough was enough, and got in the car and came home. The skys are now blue, but it looks like rain is imminent again. Even though I was only up the allotment for just over and hour I managed to finish weeding another bed, start another one, side shoot my tomatoes and tie them in, plant a sunflower and do some filming. Not a total waste of time, but I wish I could have been there longer. Now it’s time for a cup of tea and as I don’t have any biscuits I think there’s a poppadum left.

As I’m writing this there is a rumble of thunder! It’s alright as I’m safely inside now. Not something that I want to happen when I’m down the allotment. I had a great morning at the allotment today. I picked a load more mangetout and we’ve just had some for dinner, very crisp they were too. I also thought that I’d check and see how my peas were getting along. I gently squeezed one pod and it felt firm, so I picked it and there were 5 beautifully round, bright green peas inside. I had to eat them, and they tasted so good! I’ll keep an eye on them and pick as and when they’re ready. I also managed to weed more and in the process disturbed a black ants nest. I never thought they bit, but they do. I’ve got several bites up my right arm. They’re not as bad as red ants, but still not nice. At least the showers stayed away this morning which was good. I also planted out my cabbage and some of my purple brussels. Hopefully tomorrow will be ok to go down again, but only time will tell.

Legs are still a bit stiff, but getting better. Even though it was drizzling this morning I went to the allotment. I managed to pick all my gooseberries, but my forearms are now all scratched and beware of the thorns they really hurt when you catch hold of one by accident. I think I’ve got a small one lodged by the side of my nail, I’ll have to have a dig for it in a bit. I also planted more runner beans, weeded more and did more of the path. Not long before I left it started to rain quite hard, and when I got home my allotment jacket was soaked through. A warm cup of tea and some lunch soon sorted me out.

Well the tops of my legs are a little stiff today, but after they’d warmed up I managed to get down the allotment. I was able to harvest all my Broad Beans. It’s the best harvest I’ve ever had with them, I’m not sure why. I also re potted the remaining dwarf french beans in tyres and untangled some runner beans and planted those. I then picked some mangetout that I cooked for dinner and was able to lay some more of the path. So all in all a great afternoon. Now I need to have a hot bath to soothe my aches.

I decided that going to the allotment today wasn’t a good idea as I had my 10K Race for life walk to to, so instead I stayed at home and vacuumed and washed all the floors. However, I still had more than enough energy for my walk this evening.

It was very emotional, and there were loads of ladies there. The kids and I met Mark up at Clapham Common, where I joined a massive queue for the toilet, then it was time to plug my ipod in and march off. As we came up to just before the 5K junction, those of us who were doing the 10K turned right and followed a different path. When this happened it became quite lonely. There weren’t many of us attempting the 10K, so my ipod was good company. Every time you came up to the next KM they let you know with big boards. It was great to see the number go past and then finally there was the elusive “500m to go”. I got so excited that I decided to have a little run. It didn’t last long only about 100m or so as my legs were starting to get very stiff. I then returned to my walking pace until I can to the metal barriers to show you that you only had about 100 m to go. I then ran the rest of the way. I wanted to do the 10K in 1 hour 30 to 1 hour 45, but I managed to do it in an amazing 1 hour 24minutes. That’s 1 KM every 8 minutes. I’m really chuffed with that and amazed and so far I’ve managed to raise £192. So thank you very much everyone for all your kind words and sponsorship. Here’s looking for the next challenge.

Yet again the weather was overcast and rainy, so no going up the allotment again today. However, I managed to get some climbing french beans planted in a pot in the garden. Firstly I had to drill some drainage holes in the bottom of the pot, so I went and got the “manly tool” from the loft (yes I know how to use a drill). After the holes were drilled I filled it with soil/compost and found 3 long stick and attached them to the fence. I then had the delicate operation of untangling the beans. They’ve grown very well in the greenhouse, and decided to make out with various plants including the tomatoes and chillies. I managed to separate them, and planted them in the pot. Hopefully they’ll grow well and I’ll have some lovely beans growing soon, that is if the cloud go and the sun can shine again! We live in hope.

I spent most of the morning sitting on by bottom either weeding, side shooting my tomatoes and trying them to stakes. I ended up with a damp rear. Not very attractive I must admit. However, I managed to get a lot done. I also planted a few more of my wind swept french beans. It wasn’t as hot today, and is very windy (no I haven;t been eating jerusalem artichokes). Then came a surprise when I was watering. The water wasn’t coming out right. I wasn’t sure what was up until I saw a snails head poke out of the end of the watering spout. I carefully shook and he popped out on the grass, so I carried on. Have a great weekend.

I’m so excited I picked my first produce today….A few mangetout! I know what we’ll be having for dinner tonight. I’m growing purple ones and yellow ones. I did eat a couple of them raw as they looked so tasty, and they were. It’s very hot today, but tomorrow will bring an end to our mini heatwave. Still it’s dry. I managed to do more of the following: strim, weed and water. I’m planting out my french beans, I know it’s a bit late, and I don’t know how they’ll do as I put them on the garden table and the wind bashed them about. They’re looking a bit pathetic at the moment and the leaves are singed by the wind. I’ve sown them in tyres I don’t have much hope for them, but we’ll see.