Getting There!

Although I have not been posting very frequently recently, we have still been going to the allotment. I have made a start on the path, we decided that the slabs would go further if I put bricks in between them, (I think it also looks nicer). Pete has been on holiday for 2 weeks and has been up to the plot everyday weather permitting, to keep up with the digging. We dismantled my sisters greenhouse last weekend and took it up to the allotment. Unfortunately just as we got there the rain came down - as my grandma used to say "in stair rods". We got soaked unloading it and decided enough was enough. Yesterday, as it was such a beautiful day we decided to go and put the greenhouse up. My dad offered to help, and between him, me and Pete we managed to get the frame built before lunch. I had dug up some small fruit trees (apple, plum and cherry) from home and Mum planted these along with some raspberry canes, she even got dad to dig a couple of holes for her! (dad is great with fences and greenhouses but he is not much of a gardener). After lunch Pete and I returned to the allotment to glaze the greenhouse, we managed to get it all done in a couple of hours (well 3 actually) - what a sense of satisfaction. We have been again today and put up the shelves, this was nearly as time consuming as the greenhouse frame itself but at least now we have somewhere to start our seed off whilst we dig some more weeds out of the plot.

High winds and hedgecutters

Spring is most definately in the air, I know we can't expect it to stay like this but I intend to enjoy the sun whilst I can. This in mind we decided on a visit to the plot yesterday. Full of digging enthusiasm we arrived to absolute carniage at the allottment. The fence and gate had been hammered by the high winds and was at a 45 degree angle out into the lane. We managed to push it upright and get the padlock off to open the gate, then wished we hadn't. The greenhouse was laying on its side in a mangled pile of aluminum and broken glass. Now initially I thought this was the wind too, but after clearing the wreckage to the top of the plot we realised the hedges had been cut on the lane. It looks like the machine that had been used didn't just cut the top and lane side of the hedge but also halfway down the inside of the hedge. I suspect the machinery operator hadn't noticed our greenhouse frame and ploughed his hedgecutter into it.
Although this was a bit annoying it actually was a blessing in disguise, I was undecided if we should keep the greenhouse anyway as my sister had said we could have hers (which is in much better condition). So with our minds made up for us I can now use the remaining glass and framework to make coldframes.
Needless to say we didn't do any digging, I spent a good hour putting the fence back up and making everything secure again. Then we carried the pallets up to the far end out of the way and made 2 open fronted compost bins.
Decided that the next job is to dig the rest of the way across to the other hedge and lay a path with the slabs. That way I may at least be able to think about planting some seeds ready for the summer. Ah well I can at least dream!