Happy Christmas to you all xx xx

Posted on December 24, 2013 by clairesallotment

Well it’s that time of year again… “Time for presents and exchanging kisses, time for singing Christmas songs”… from Shakin’ Stevens “Merry Christmas everyone”. When I was younger, I had a bit of a crush on him. Anyway, I’ve grown up since then, but I still love the song. This is just a quick note to wish you ALL a very Happy Christmas, and a very Happy New Year. At the moment 2014 looks very busy, and we’ve not even finished 2013 yet. I’ve got the mulled wine warming, the wine and beers cooling, all the mince pies are baked, sausage rolls are cooked and in the fridge, all the vegetables are ready to go, and various other bits done. Just got to stuff the turkey, and weigh her to find out how long she needs to cook for. Hope you like my Christmas cake, Mark helped decorate it with me. Not your traditional cake I have to admit, but then when do I tend to stick to the normal stuff. I’m a bit of a rebel at heart. Have a great time, see you soon xx xx

Mark helped decorate this years cake. He did a very good job!

Mark helped decorate this years cake. He did a very good job!

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Build a bug home – part three – Claire’s Allotment

Posted on December 21, 2013 by clairesallotment
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Build a bug home – part two – Claire’s allotment

Posted on December 21, 2013 by clairesallotment
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Build a bug home – part one – Claire’s Allotment

Posted on December 21, 2013 by clairesallotment

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Oh no, I’ve completely lost my voice!

Posted on December 14, 2013 by clairesallotment

Well that’s never happened before! And a rather weird sensation I have to admit. It all started on Wednesday morning when my voice was a little, shall we say “croaky” I was working with some kids all day and it got worse and worse, by the afternoon there was hardly any oomph in it at all, but I soldiered on. By the time I got home early evening time it was tricky to understand me, and I couldn’t raise the volume of my voice at all, otherwise it wouldn’t work. Thursday and Friday it had gone completely and even if I tried to speak quietly it came out like a honking goose sound. I tried to answer the phone when my sister called and she thought she’d dealt the wrong number (maybe a sex line or something of that sort)? I’d just like to add that I’ve never called one of those numbers, so I’m only guessing. Now we’re on Saturday and it’s slowly coming back, but I still can’t raise my voice in anyway as it still goes all weird. I’ve had a bit of a cold, but very minor, a mild sore throat, but a very bad cough that makes me sound like a smoker first thing in the morning. I’ve not been to the doctor yet (don’t judge me, I’ve not had time), but if I still can’t speak much on Monday I’ll make an appointment. I was going to make a new allotment video on Thursday, but that couldn’t happen as I’d either have to have subtitles on the bottom of the screen, or a little person in the corner doing sign language moves. As soon as I get my voice back I’ll make that video.

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Christmas the Star Trek way!!

Posted on December 8, 2013 by clairesallotment

The crew of the Star Ship Enterprise celebrate Christmas by singing a very special song….It did make me chuckle.

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Girls can Paintball too you know!!

Posted on December 2, 2013 by clairesallotment

On 1st December, our daughter Emily was 14, so as her birthday treat we took her and her friend Paintballing at Delta Force. If you’ve never been, it’s really great fun. Just because I’m a mum, I wasn’t going to miss out, after all why should I? But as people arrived to form other teams, I was a little horrified by how few females were going to play. There must have been about 100 people playing in total, if not more, of which about 8 were teenage girls (of which Emily and her friend were 2 of them), and 2 were grown women (I was one of them). So that’s 10 females playing, and all the rest were MEN!! There were some women my age, but they just stayed at Base camp and didn’t play.
Now just incase you were wondering, women are allowed, and can play with a paintballing gun. We’re very good at it. I must have shot about 6 people, and only got shot myself twice. Out of 12 games I think that was very good. As females we may be a little more careful, but we think about what we’re going to do and are very methodical. Unlike most of the GROWN MEN who don’t think, and just run straight at the other team, and then get all cross when they get shot. Us women hide, and sneak up on the opposing team from behind, and shoot them when they least expect it, hehehe! We were the brown team, and thrashed the green team 38 to 70, or something like that. The kids (Emily, Theresa and George) as well as Mark and myself had loads of fun, but the tops of my thighs are a little stiff today. As Mark and I were walking back to base camp with out helmets on, one of the “Marshalls” with us went past us saying “Excuse me lads”. I then replied “I’m a girl!!” We arrived at the Paintballing session at 9am, and finished at 4pm. We then came back to our house for a special dinner, and cupcakes for pudding. Mark then took Emily’s friend home for 9pm. I think an early night is in store this evening.

Emily, Theresa and George, all kitted up for Paintballing.

Emily, Theresa and George, all kitted up for Paintballing.

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Victoriana Nursery Gardens November Discounts!!

Posted on November 27, 2013 by clairesallotment

They’ve got some amazing discounts off at Victoriana Nursery Gardens in November:
20% off Fruit Trees & Soft Fruits – 10% off Everything Else!

Now is the perfect time for planting Tree Fruits and Soft Fruits – even more so this season considering the awful weather we have had in October and early November. And so as a ‘seasonal something extra’ you can claim 20% off Fruit Trees and Soft Fruits until the 1st December – by example that brings a single apple tree down to just £14.40. To claim this discount use the offer code NOV13 between now and the 1st December when shopping for Fruit Trees and Soft Fruits.

But if it’s not Fruit Trees or Soft Fruits you’re currently after you’ll be pleased to know that NOV13 will also give you 10% off everything else we sell! Just remember though that the code is only valid until the 1st December!

Credit Crunching Gift Ideas

There’s no getting away from the fact that things are still pretty tough for lots of us.

Giving a gift is, by far, one of the easiest ‘cheer ups’ there is (as is receiving!). But with money tight it can often be difficult to find a gift that is just a little bit different. And so we have put together some really special seed packs that will bring a smile to any recipient’s face – whether they be a novice gardener or a seasoned pro. With packs for children – to budding chefs – to ‘herbal tea nuts’ there really is something for everyone, and definitely something for the person who thought they had everything! The full range of gift packs can be found and purchased from Credit Crunch Gifts

Not only are each of our seed gift packs unique, they are also discounted – making them perfect for those on a tight budget! Starting at under £6.00, even the most expensive of them is under £15.00. And if you order before 1st December NOV13 will give you a further 10% off!

For those who really want to take the hassle out of buying and giving presents, we can deliver direct to the recipient (and even add a gift card with the customer’s personal message for a small extra charge).

So that’s it for now – lets hope the weather holds out so we can all get on at this busy time of year. And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Victoriana_NG for daily updates on what we’re up to at Victoriana!

Kindest Regards

All At Victoriana

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Lottie and Dottie Sow Carrots.

Posted on November 11, 2013 by clairesallotment

“What is this?” I hear you ask. Well it’s a little something that I wrote, and it’s being published on 3rd April next year. I’m very excited about it, and the pictures have been drawn so beautifully by Marijke. You can pre order it now if you like. Please click HERE for all the information you need. Hopefully if this book sells well, then I’ll end up having a little series of them, which will be great.

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Oh the price of houses these days….

Posted on November 8, 2013 by clairesallotment

It’s amazing to see the difference in house prices across the UK. It seems the further north you go, the more you get for your money. And what AND lounge, and at least 4 bedrooms, with a bigger garden to fit in my vegetable patch, fruit patch and little orchard. With enough room for some chickens and 3 pigs. But in the south east that’ll cost you a fortune! Unfortunately loving further north is a bit of a distance for the kids to travel to school. Click here to see what you can get. Personally I like the 2.8 acres in Bolton, or the 18th century house WITH LAKE!! Still I can dream.

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