Submerged

 

I could not believe the fields next to the allotment had disappeared! We are next to the river Stour and it does flood but I have never seen it anywhere near the allotment itself. It should have been unsurprising in many ways, given the weather but Saturday was actually a nice day.

The night before had taken an unexpected turn with a meeting up at Remedy Oak brewery, one intended to agree the band playing a gig there in return for some sponsorship for the festival. It would be no surprise to include a couple of drinks in the visit but it turned into a little more than that. Bridie and her friends and Joseph walked up with me and then we met up with Glen and his friends. They had already been drinking all afternoon, so it became a case of being invited to the pub next and before I knew it, Jack Daniels and a live band became the order of the day. I did drag myself away before it got too much and I was very pleased the following morning to benefit from some rare good sense.

I have dug over three more beds and mowed the grass. I also got the broad beans and garlic weeded, much needed in the case of the garlic. All looking good and a productive few hours.

Seedlings

The conservatory provides an excellent place to start off the plants for the allotments, although some of them will remain here such as the cucumber. It starts off quite cold in the morning due to the weather we are having but the slightest warmth from the sun quickly heats the room up and gives the seedlings a real boost.

The broad beans and peas could be planted out anytime now and there are leeks coming up nicely next to them. I want them a bit more robust before they go anywhere. There are several herbs, tomatoes, beetroot and carrot coming up and we will see how much of a head start they give as we move into April when more direct sowing can take place.

Rain, endless rain

I often moan about the weather in this blog and I am afraid today is going to be more of the same. In fact yesterday I managed to dodge the showers whilst out for a 12 mile ride which took in a visit to the cemetery as the birthday of Natasha and Robin come closer.  I spent most of my time at Moors Valley which was virtually empty with the poor weather keeping people away.

Alison and I went to the cinema, this time to watch Dune Part 2 and we enjoyed the spectacle. The plot isn't too convincing and maybe the middle section sagged a little, but the overall impression was of an epic adventure which was best seen on the screen. Some great performances too.

With Joy having her hair done in Verwood this morning, I took the opportunity to go for a run around Verwood, this after getting pretty wet already with the walk with Juno at 7am. It wasn't long before the rain hammered down and I was completely and utterly soaked through. I managed 5km but it wasn't nice and I was finding myself cursing the awful weather again. It just seems endless and I am fed up, more than fed up with it. I would move south in a flash to warmer, drier climes if I could. There was hail too. It is just so miserable and I am hacked off with it going on and on and on and on...

W allotment March 26th

Another grabbed few minutes at the allotment again, this time with a view to picking up the seed tin which I'd left yesterday but also in order to plant a whole two early potatoes. I'd seen someone planting single spuds in a container with the intention of using them in about 10 weeks time, so I thought I'd give it a go. There are more to plant in the usual beds but should be a nice experiment.

I also planted a few more herbs in the shed but spent most time preparing one of the beds before putting in the remaining shaloots and onion sets, having planted the others at the WM allotment.

That apart, more rain later in the day but still time for 3.5 mile run, 6 miles of walking and cooking up a chilli, hummus and a bean salad.

It's been a busy day outdoors with a wet dog walk early on, followed by two longer ones later in the day, as well as a 4.5 mile run. It's been nice getting out and enjoying the birds, the increasing numbers of flowers and a bit of occasional sunshine.

Having to collect Maria from school, I got off early so as to give me a little time at the allotment in Wimborne where I did some more sowing in pots and containers, inside and out. It's great having another space for planting out and the prospect of more herbs and small veg.

I also cut the grass and got another bed weeded, so that's most of them done, just needing a bit of turning over and raking into a fine tilth once the real warmth hits. 

Jospeh was here after school and got his maths homework done before heading home with Bridie who has secured a new post in Ferndown to start in May. Brilliant news.

 

WM allotment March 24th

It was touch and go whether I went to the allotment after a busy morning but I am very glad I made it, especially with the weather being so lovely, at last! There are a few leeks left in from last year but they are pretty small and won't come to much. However, the garlic and broad beans from the autumn look healthy and I weeded them too, so hopefully they will continue to make good progress.

There are a few pots in the conservatory that have been doing well for a several weeks and it was about time to give them a chance in the wild. I have put some netting over the top of them, as much to keep the wind off a little as anything, and we have subsequently had a fair bit of rain to help them bed in. 

Lettuce, spinach, coriander, parsley and rocket have all gone in and I have planted some shallots and onion sets too. In fact, this allotment is very easy to maintain with all bar one of the beds ready for use. The one that isn't is given over to strawberries and needs a thorough weeding which ought not to take too long. I'm just not certain it will be that productive though. The plants from last year were not great at all, so I may end up ripping them all out yet. 

The other main job will be sorting out the pathways which also need weeding and maybe a bit of wood chip added to suppress further growth. Otherwise, just get on with the planting out and tending the beds.

Wimborne is a very different proposition and that will take my attention for the rest of the week.

Spring time on a chilly Sunday morning.

I took Juno and Pixie out into the bluebell woods this morning and think I saw the first actual flower at one point but they will be out for sure soon. We didn't go that far, as I was planning to take Juno out for a longer walk on her own mid morning but I did get the bike out when I got home and pedalled out 10 miles around Woodlands, exceeding the weekly target. I was already ahead of the running total and have completed the walking target too, the third week in a row I have done so which shows me feeling healthier for a while.

Juno and I headed out again for three miles down to Dewlands Common and back via the fishing lake and I took a few photos of the primroses and other bankside flowers, along with the still swollen river which flows besides Crane Valley golf course.

Ragwormers update

Matt has passed on the mixes of three of the tracks recorded a few weeks ago and the band went down to the studio again to work on parts they felt could be improved on, be it a missing chord or misplaced vocal. We took to The White Hart first and I was reminded of the times we used to drink there when playing five a side in Wimborne.

I took Rag for a little stroll and then headed for Hangover Hill to spend a couple of hours enjoying the process of changing the recording and mixing it to the band's satisfaction. It is all quite an education. 

March springs forward

I managed to get to another film yesterday, this time One Love, the feature about Bob Marley, and I found it engaging, especially as so much of it touched on the conflict in Jamaica leading to his shooting which I had read about, and because of the connection with punk. There was even a performance of Whote Riot by The Clash featured in the film. Loved the music and I found Redemption Song incredibly moving. I was quite emotional listening to it.

On the way back I stopped at the allotment and did some more preparation for the sowing season. The photos show the tools up and the potting bench with some pots and seeds.

Today, Alison and I dropped Joy off at Denewood and went for a walk. I popped over  the road to the WM allotment for half an hour whilst Joy settled and that gave me time to rake over three of the raised beds which have had manure on over the winter. It is ready for the seedlings in the conservatory to be planted out.

From there we headed to Hinton Martell and did a 2.5 mile walk to Chalbury and back. It was pretty sticky in places after all the rain but it was a lovely walk with Juno, up to the church and back round on the road. The views were spectacular, including all the way over the Kingston Lacy, some 5 or 6 miles distant. 

It was a real treat to see so many spring flowers and plenty of bird song too. About time!

I did an 8 mile bike ride in the afternoon and am showing signs of speeding up again. Starting to hit some better fitness levels again.

Weekend update

I thought it might be worth capturing an image of the sun incase we never see it again!

Saturday morning was bright and a little chilly, just right for a dog walk around the golf course. I was quickly out again, this time on the road bike headed for the Wimborne allotment and it was decidedly chilly. However, just over halfway, I had to turn round as I'd forgotten the shed key and would be left unable to do anything worthwhile whilst there.

I decided to drive the motorhome instead and took a plank of wood from the shed to cut into shelves at the allotment shed, along with some compost and the seed box. It was lovely once there, the shelves going up easily and having time to plant a few broad bens, peas and spinach to germinate in the warmth of the shed. 

It was also possible to clear another of the beds, so it is all starting to come together, ready for the spring proper.

By Saturday afternoon I was off into Bournemouth to collect Maria who was with a friend having had a sleepover the night before. Alison and I were absolutely knackered and were in bed by 9!

Today has been wet again, and I had to have all the wet gear on for the dog walk, three miles trespassing on the golf course. I'm preparing Sunday dinner which we'll have once Maria is back from dance at 1.30. Glen is over, along with Joseph, Joe, Kate, Amelia and Evie. Having to do lots and lots of potatoes!

 

Three red kites

I am sure no one else would  be excited by this, especially when looking at the underwhelming photos, but we had three red kites fly over the house yesterday. There was a time when they were no longer present in England but they have been reintroduced successfully. They were birds we'd see by the major roads near Newbury for example and more recently, they have been around locally. I've not seen them from the house though, particularly as a group of three.

The reason I was out there was a bit of hedge cutting and I got the lawn done too. All looking neat and tidy and plenty of spring flowers appearing. The main exercise was a 10 mile bike ride to Moors Valley and back which was fine. 

I have been down to Verwood for a bit of shopping and a trip to the library today, cleaned the bike afterwards too, as wel as have a 3.6 mile run through Remedy Oak. There's actually been a bit of sunshine.

Last night I took Maria to dance for 4.45 which saw her at another session preparing for the Easter show, a long one too, not finishing until 10.00. That gave me the opportunity to go on to Cineworld and to watch Wicked Little Letters, which was pretty good, not quite what I'd hoped for given the cast, and then to see most of Origin. I enjoyed that and found the ideas interesting.

Another wet start to the day meant a shorter dog walk than usual this morning but I was soon out again, this time on a rain soaked run through Remedy Oak. I did a little over 3.5 miles after yesterday's 4 mile run which puts me on track for the new weekly target figure of 14 miles a week, adjusted up by a couple of miles, along with the aim of 18 miles walking, up from 25 a week. By the end of today, I have over 10 miles done thanks to more dog walking but also a walk down to the allotment from Maria's school and back, including a detour into town to buy some vegetables.

I put up the new tool store rack which tidies up the spades and rakes etc, as well as the mower. That creates a little more space too which will allow me to potter with the seeds and so on. Almost all set up inside now but just a couple of shelves to go up yet, this time for the pots to be put out for the seedlings to grow inside before being transplanted outside.

It was a two trip journey to Wimborne today, Maria having woken up late and needing a lift in this morning and then collecting in order to make it to dance with time for some food. She is very busy getting ready for the easter show, as well as preparing for GCSEs which get going with Drama and Dance next week. 

In between times I have made a big lasagne which has aubergine and courgette in it, as well as the usual tomate sauce. That is going with some chips, garlic bread and a few frozen onion rings which I got in case Maria liked them. She did not. I have also done a salad and a kind of tapenade which is chopped capers, olives, garlic, tomato and olive oil. It tastes good, as least to me.

Busy weekend

I am feeling very pleased with myself after making the most of some dry weather at last, especially with the motorhome looking spick and span with all the fixtures and furnishings cleaned up, and with the allotment starting to come together, particularly with the addition of the shed.

Having to pick Maria up from dance, I took the opportunity to pop along this morning and put the new potting table together, along with some folding chairs, a camping cooker and gas cylinder which will be nice for a little bit of food in the summer, hopefully with the children helping out.

I have also been out on the bike over the weekend and have managed to meet all the targets again this week for walking, running and cycling. Definitely feeling well again and starting to notice more and more signs of spring, not least of which is the bird song. As well as the usual, there were treecreeper and goldcrest singing in the woods yesterday. 

Allotment day

I had time for a run before heading off to the allotment again, this time to complete the shed and to start getting across the jobs that required doing after a long winter break. It meant I could then pop up to the school to collect Maria and very pleasant it turned out to be.

The felt for the roof was my first task and that was straightforward, alongside putting up the trim to hold the edges in place, as well as providing a neater finish. There was also the corner and overlap battening to do and it ended up looking pretty smart. It was certainly nice sitting inside to eat some lunch and have a coffee out of the wind.

I had charged the batteries for strimmer and mower and got a good start on sorting out the grass. I also got the old tool store dismantled and piled up with the other rubbish collected over the past four years, so that will require a trip to the dump to dispose of soon. That leaves me with digging, sorting out the beds ready for planting, although two are pretty much in use with broad beans and garlic well established.

We have also been sorting things out in the playroom where there is now a sofa which allows us to have a cuddle with the cat and dog, who are not permitted in the front room due to Joseph's asthma. 

New shed

Finally got the shed up at the allotment in Wimborne, much later than planned due to illness, then the half term week in Devon and then due to the endless rain and sodden conditions which seemed to drag on and on. Even yesterday it was touch and go as we have Joseph home from school due to illness, the motorhome didn't start due to the cold and lack of use recently, itself the result of having a garden shed stacked on board. It was piled on top of the bench seat which is where the battery charger is stored which meant I struggled to get it sorted, and finally, the batteries for the screwdriver and drill quickly ran out.

That was on top of having to unload the shed from the van by myself as Alison was stuck with Joseph and Joy at home. 

By the time I returned with recharged batteries, the base was down on the paving slabs and that was it. However, I managed to lean things against the sides sufficiently steadily to allow me to nail down and screw in the various panels and it became a lot easier. 

The bits and pieces need finishing, as well as the felt on the roof, but it essentially done and the plan is to get there to finish off today, cut the grass and strim it, store the tools etc inside the shed and then make a start over the next weeks with the digging of the beds which are in need of a reasonable amount of attention.