Training is getting serious now.

Posted on June 1, 2014 by clairesallotment

As the weeks go on the more my walk gets longer and longer. Having done a quarter of my total distance last week, I feel like I’m getting somewhere. So today I had to walk for at least two and a half hours without stopping. I actually did 2 hours and 43 minutes. Now that I have more time to walk about I can venture out to more interesting places. So today I went walking round the village next door. I walked all over the place, going round roads that I either used to live down, or school friends lived down, and looking at the very nice houses as I went. The weather was sunny and fairly warm. So far it’s never rained on any of my walks, but I’m sure that’ll change soon. I’ve had to change the App I’ve been using to see how far I’m walking, as it’s turning out to be not as precise and accurate as I wanted it to be. Today it missed out a whole section of my walk, and according to it I walked less than I did last week, which can’t be right as I walked for 30 minutes more. I reckon I managed to clock up about 8 miles, but it said that I only did 6.40 miles. Also I do exactly the same walk ringing on a sunday morning, and that’s always quite a lot different. So I’ll try out this new App and see how it fairs it’s called “RunKeeper”. I took with me a banana to give me energy and 2 bottles of water. Soon I’ll have to take lunch. Mark had baked beans on toast ready for when I got back home, which I ate very quickly. I think soon I’ll be able to walk from ringing to Polesden Lacey. I can meet Mark and the kids there and we can have lunch and a look round before we come home (I’ll get Mark to drive, I’m not walking home just yet).

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Last day of Half Term.

Posted on May 30, 2014 by clairesallotment

Today was the last day of the summer half term, so I decided that as the weather was going to be dry (not sunny) that I’d take the kids out for the day. Now we’ve been to lots of National Trust places that are close to us, so we need to venture further a field now. So The Vyne near Basingstoke looked interesting, so we went to have a look. It’s another beautiful place with a house and some wonderful grounds. So after we’d parked we put on our wellies, which George was complaining that he didn’t really need to wear, but I insisted, and off we went on our little travels. It took us about an hour and a half to get from home to Vyne, so lunch was the first thing to do, which was great for me as it made my ruck sack much lighter. Then off we went following the map to explore. Very soon George realised that wearing his wellies was essential as we went on a walk round the wetland area. Yes you’ve guessed it right. So it wasn’t long before the kids found some water to stand in.

It wasn't long before the kids found some rather stagnant water.

It wasn’t long before the kids found some rather stagnant water.

We found a fallen tree with its root ball showing, which was huge. If the kids had stood on top of each other they’d have been able to have reached the top!! We walked through a very creepy wooded area and then came across a building. It reminded us of something that you’d find in a horror movie and if you opened the door you’d find all sorts of horrors inside. So we quickly left.

Cabin in the woods!!

Cabin in the woods!!

As we walked back to the house, we came across a field warning us that there was a bull in there. So we decided that may be it would be a good idea if we didn’t venture in. Especially as Emily was wearing red wellies! George found some trees to climb and they both found sticks to use as light sabres, so they were both happy. Emily filmed George and I pretending to be Bear Grylls (George) and David Attenborough (me). She’s going to edit together a little film, so when it’s done then I’ll send you a link. We then stopped in a little play area to have a cake, and the kids decided that they’d play with all the little toys made for toddlers. Watching George riding the little plastic tractor was rather amusing.

They never get too old!!

They never get too old!!

They then played for a bit longer and then we went to have a look in the house. It was ok, but we couldn’t play our game of which bedroom we’d like, but George found some clothes to dress up in, but could only find 1 ear?

My little Legolas, personally I prefer Aragorn.

My little Legolas, personally I prefer Aragorn.

Then it was time to come home. Both the kids fell asleep in the car, not me though I was driving. So we attacked the M3 and the M25 yet again. But we made it home in time for dinner. Well that was a fun half term, we rested, played and ventured out. Phew!! Back to the allotment for a rest next week I think.

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Great Carrots Batman!! Is Superman running off with that lot?

Posted on May 29, 2014 by clairesallotment

I love this picture from Retronaut!! Now I won’t be wearing my Cat woman suit down the allotment, just incase you were wondering (Michelle Pfeiffer, not Halle Berry)

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Thursday 29th May 2014 – A day spent in the garden.

Posted on May 29, 2014 by clairesallotment

Finally we have a bit of sun, which makes everyone so much happier. Yes I know we need rain, but when it never lets up, it can get very depressing. So as the day was overcast but dry, I went in the garden and did some tidying up. Some of the plants had become a little unruly because of all the rain they’ve had lately. So armed with my shears, secateurs, gloves, trowel and a bucket (to put all the garden waste in) I set to work. It took me most of the morning to get the back garden done, and when I’d finished it was time for lunch. Then after lunch it was the front garden, which took 2 hours. Then with a little time to spare I was then in the greenhouse potting up another lot of Chop Suey Greens. And finally sorting out the next lot of plants that need to go in the allotment and put them on the garden table. Next week when the kids go back I’ll be busy on the allotment. I’ve got loads to do.

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Tuesday 27th May 2014 – A busy day of culture.

Posted on May 27, 2014 by clairesallotment

The kids are on half term, so what better thing to do then to go out for the day. Yes I know it was persistently raining all day, but rather than stay inside all day I took them to 2, yes 2 National Trust places. They were both very close to each other, so it seemed silly not to visit both. Driving on the M25 wasn’t much fun, so I got off as soon as I could and took an alternative route, or a more scenic route as Emily put it. Now the first place we visited was Ightham Mote. A beautiful little place in Kent. Before we went a wandering we put on our wellingtons, just incase it was a bit muddy. Lucky we did as some places were not suitable for other delicate footwear. First though, we went in the house and had a look around. It was best that way as our wellies were clean (or cleanish anyway). George had a quiz to do, which was great fun. I had to duck going through lots of the doors as they were rather low. But we played the game of “Which bedroom would we like”.

Ightham Mote. Very oldie worldie.

Ightham Mote. Very oldie worldie.

 

We then had our picnic lunch and then we went exploring the lovely gardens. There were ponds, and mini waterfalls. Bridges (we had to play the “None shall pass” game) and bizarre looking trees. And a beautiful vegetable plot with some massive rhubarb. I was very jealous.

An impressive plot!

An impressive plot!

Then the kids found a little play area at the back and they both enjoyed playing in the stream that ran through it, and getting squiggly in the mud.

The kids as happy as pigs in ....

The kids as happy as pigs in ….

Then we left and went to visit a place called Knole. This was only 4.5 miles away, so it was a real shame not visit it.

Knole in Sevenoaks, Kent.

Knole in Sevenoaks, Kent.

By this time the rain was really coming down, so we spent all of our time inside the house. We didn’t mind, because there was loads to look at and loads of rooms to explore. We again played the game “Which bedroom do we want”. George wanted the King’s bedroom, 1 because it was the biggest, and 2 because it had loads of gold in it! It was the only room that was behind glass, as there was a huge amount of gold in there. Emily and I looked at all the painting, and tried to find a man we’d like, but they either looked too young (I must be getting old), too old (I’m still young), too smarmy or too wimpy! We didn’t fancy any of them. But we found some dresses that we’d like. Not practical for wearing on the allotment though. It was then time to leave and attack the M25 again. It’s not a motorway I enjoy driving on, I hate it even more  in the rain. If you’ve ever had the joy of driving on it, it’s nicknamed “The London Orbital Car Park”! But we got home safe and sound, and all a little exhausted. Especially George as I slept for most of the journey back.

He put the sticker on his mouth, not Emily or I. I'd like to make that very clear.

He put the sticker on his mouth, not Emily or I. I’d like to make that very clear.

 

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A Tomato Trilogy Part II Claire’s Allotment Part 233

Posted on May 26, 2014 by clairesallotment
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How to pot your cantaloupes – Claire’s Allotment Part 232

Posted on May 26, 2014 by clairesallotment
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How to pot up your Okra – Claire’s Allotment part 231

Posted on May 26, 2014 by clairesallotment
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Sunday 25th May 2014 – I’ve walked a quarter of a marathon!

Posted on May 26, 2014 by clairesallotment

Today for my Shine Walk training I needed to walk for at least 2 hours without stopping. It’s surprising how far you can walk in that time. I’m still sticking fairly close to home, but next week I will venture out into the next village. I don’t plan exactly where I’m going to walk, but just a rough idea, but that is subject to change is I come across a road that has lovely looking houses down. I’m not being nosey (well just a little bit), but it’s nice to have a look to see what people have done with their gardens and houses. I saw a lovely veranda on the front of someones house. I actually walked for 2 hours and 15 minutes and managed to clock up 6.61 miles. Now I’m rather excited about this because it means that I’ve done a quarter of my walk. So only 19.59 miles to go and I’m done!! At the pace I’m walking it means I should get the walk done in about 9 hours or so. I’ll keep you up dated on my progress, but I’m still on track to be ready by Saturday 27th September. A huge, massive THANK YOU to everyone who has sponsored me so far, and for those who would like to, here is the link to my Just Giving page. See you in the greenhouse soon.

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Thursday 22nd May 2014 – All my Tomatoes are potted up, yay!!

Posted on May 22, 2014 by clairesallotment

I had a bit of time before I needed to start dinner, so I went and hid in the greenhouse to pot on my “San Marzano” Tomatoes. There were quite a few of them, and because I’d left them a bit longer in the seed tray, they were a little larger than usual. Still that was not a problem, you just had to make the hole you make in the pot is a bit deeper. I potted up a load for me (all the best ones) in individual 3 inch pots, then put the next best ones by for my sister and the allotment plant sale at the weekend. So that’s all the Tomatoes done, what’s next? I’ll let you know soon.

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