After the morning dog walk before 6.30am, I was out running at the start of a busy day which first took me to Verwood. I ran past a building site which seems to suggest George Bailey strove in vain to stop Mr Potter. All around Verwood are references to Potter, just as in It's A Wonderful Life, but I believe that is more likely to reference the history of the town as a small community of potters working on clay which is found plentifully in the locality. I managed 4 miles and then got on with filling the bird feeders, mowing the front and back lawns and weeding the vegetable plot for Joy.

Once those tasks were completed, i got to installing CCTV for the property and it went without hitch meaning we can see what's going on in terms of the garden and drive, adding to the security of the home.

I picked my bike up and cycled back to take Juno out again, this time to the bluebell woods, as you can see in the photo. There was still time to get to the Wimborne allotment before collecting Maria from school and I focused on strimming the remainder of the plot before adding compost to the trench for the runner beans and constructing the bamboo sticks for the plants to climb in a month or so.

Another allotment update

You can't have too many allotment updates. Perhaps. Alison and I were down in Verwood to drop the car off for a service before returning home for me to get on the bike for a ride to West Moors and the newer allotment, essentially the 7 raised beds. What a beautiful morning it was for the trip which I was able to do virtually all off road, certainly avoiding the worst of the roads after Verwood.  

I had to pop into the town to pay an allotment fee and ended up taking several phone calls, including the happy news that we need two tyres for the car and that the thermostat reservoir was dry due to a leaking seal and required replacing. Despite that I was able to refocus on the jobs in hand after a while and enjoyed weeding the beds before planting climbing french beans, the last of the potatoes, more peas, beetroot and spinach, as well as more carrots.

Already making progress are the early potatoes, spinach, carrot, peas and onions, as well as the shallots. I'll be back again soon to plant up further but we are also benefitting from having leeks already from the previous owner and the well established raspberries and blackcurrants. The blackcurrants in particular look to be laden with small flowers boding well for later in the year.

I stopped at Joy's on the way back and left the bike in her garage to collect tomorrow so I could just get the car after its service. I've got CCTV to set up at Joy's tomorrow and can do the bird feeders before doing her lawns on Thursday. I'll be back at Wimborne allotment tomorrow too but I don't think there'll be any photos this time!

Allotment update

 

The potatoes are up and they join the broad beans, garlic, onions and leeks as the most advanced crops. I strimmed most of the grass but have some still to do as the battery ran out due to not having been at the allotment for a few weeks and the grass having a chance to grow more vigorously. I also got the strawberries weeded and they are flowering nicely, so  a good crop in prospect. 

Planting today was of a bed shared between two rows of peas and two rows of parsnips. There was also time to get in a short row of beetroot and a short row of perpetual spinach. The plan is to pop in again this week to finish cutting the grass and to plant more seeds. There is a lot to do all of a sudden and a big part will be making sure the plot is watered regularly.

Monday morning in the bluebell woods

Juno and I were out early for our walk this morning, as we get back into the term time routine with the sun rising earlier than a fortnight ago when we last had to be up at 6am. The bluebells are at their peak right now and there are plenty of people coming to the local woods from afar to enjoy the swathes of flowers. 

Maria was up successfully and ready for her 7.15 bus which is quite something after the very busy holiday she has enjoyed. Once the children had both got on the bus, I got on my bike and took a ride to the allotment and back, 17 miles today, with a break for a short walk into Wimborne for a coffee in the sunshine.

Easter

It has been a while since last posting here but we have been very busy with the two week long Easter break where Maria was engaged in her dance show for the first week and then we have Lily stay with us over the second week, along with visits from quite a few others.

One highlight was Alison's birthday which was great fun and we had lots of family round, as well as some additional guests. It was a great excuse to get the wood burner lit and to spend a few hours in the conservatory with plenty of food and drink to enjoy. 

We are now looking forward to the new term, plenty of time at the allotments, planning for the summer trips and miles of dog walks.

Snow

It was not the best day for a dog walk in the evening whilst wearing shorts. We managed 2 miles with the wind blowing keenly in unwelcome blasts.

End of March and winter bites back

 I managed a ride on the bike around Woodlands yesterday despite the cold. Plenty of dog walking too.