Allotments 4 All
General => The Shed => Topic started by: caroline7758 on March 28, 2020, 17:12:58
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I haven't been on here much since moving to Northumberland- no allotment, a small garden and a busy life- well, until recently! But I was wondering how everyone is coping? Are allotments still open? I wouldn't have had much trouble staying 2m away fromeveryone on mine, but I did have to drive to it, so not sure if that would be allowed now.
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The allotments are open as Mr Gove confirmed they count as your once a day exercise. However it is unclear whether one can drive to them or not. Each police authority seems to have interpreted the rules slightly differently - mainly because they weren't given much guidance in the first place. I am sure they will eventually agree a common policy.
The head of the National Allotment Society has written to Mr Gove asking for clarification of the driving issue and we are awaiting his response.
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Well if you drive yourself there, you are not in contact with anybody, therefore in isolation. Cannot see how that is a problem. Just don't give anybody from outside your family a lift. :wave:
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Hi Caroline, I'm still working as a midwife, so life is certainly challenging at the moment! Our hospital has confirmed cases of Covid 19 and things are changing daily, but babies are still being born of course so we carry on, mostly with good cheer in difficult circumstances.
I have been terribly neglectful of my lottie to date, but the recent improved weather has meant I've caught up with our garden at home, and the propagator is full at last! Now the clocks have gone forward I'm looking forward to the lighter evenings, and I have had a seed cull of my stored seeds and organised this year's lottie planting plan, just need to get down there next week when I have a few days off in a row!
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Well if you drive yourself there, you are not in contact with anybody, therefore in isolation. Cannot see how that is a problem. Just don't give anybody from outside your family a lift. :wave:
Same if you drive to the usually deserted beach where we usually walk our dog, but they are cracking down on this. Just grateful we've got lots of countryside around us, even if it means the same walk most days.
Stay safe, everyone.
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We have been on lockdown for 2 weeks now and have to carry a signed paper saying who we are and why we're out if we do go out and include the time we left. That means OH goes out once a day to walk the dogs in the nearby lanes. No question of driving anywhere scenic for walkies, including local beeches. I go out once week to the weekly shop and the only shortage so far has been OH's favourite Belgian beers. Others were still available so he's OK.
No visitors and no outings to our usual golf, dance classes, patchwork groups and mosaic so lts getting done in the house and garden - decorating, sorting, cleaning, tidying - veg plot is being steadily weeded and planted or prepared for plants; polytunnel cleared ready for tomatoes and chilies; garden shed sorted and cleaned and organised; wood has been chipped; raspberries transplanted to a new bed in the veggie plot - the previous owners had them bang in the middle of the grass where I'm planning a new shrubbery and tree bed for wildlife.
There's blossom on the fruit trees and even some asparagus coming thru this year but not enough to harvest yet. Compost heaps are looking good. The main problem i snot being able to get out for plug plants, seed compost which will run out soon, the builders' rusty mesh I was planning to use to build my fruit cage this spring and the plywood I need to insulate a former donkey shed which will become a hen house.
Stay safe everyone and, if necessary, grow herbs and veggies in pots and window boxes.
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We have been on lockdown for 2 weeks now and have to carry a signed paper saying who we are
Worse than the war years!
Looks like I will have to dig out my Identity Card (which I kept for posterity) if such a rule come to the UK
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It's not a problem Tee Gee but does help the police sort the idiots from the ones obeying the STAY AT HOME rules. There are now curfew in many towns as people are still treating it like a holiday rather than a crisis and it's the younger people who seem to think they are invincible and haven't realised that they risk passing t on to their own vulnerable friends and rellies.
I have never understood resistance to carrying ID cards and the info on the modern chipped ones now also includes health info allergies, diabetic, heart etc in case of accident. If you're a law abiding citizen what's the problem? It doesn't mean you're living in a police state.
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The resistance to identity cards is very ingrained here, despite the fact that we all now carry "cards" that carry far more personal data than the wartime identity cards... I have a few from departed relatives... not being old enough to be in the war!
My personal gripe is the shopping "rules" OH works in the NHS but is at work when the Supermarkets have their "special" openings. I can't do it for her... equally I found a local supermarket selling growbags... but only two at a time... so i had to go back several times, instead of just one trip. I have my tomato seedlings to pot on... but a very limited amount of compost... turned one of my bins at the weekend to stretch it.
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I am sure that I saw somewhere yesterday where Mr. Gove had said we could drive to our allotment but now cannot find it. My allotment is about 2-3 miles away and I would like to prepare the ground for potatoes but I could not walk that far and back as I have a bit of osteoarthritis in my right knee. I did contact the police to ask them and they did not know. I believe the National Allotment Society are trying to fine out but nothing on their website yet.
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I am sure that I saw somewhere yesterday where Mr. Gove had said we could drive to our allotment but now cannot find it. My allotment is about 2-3 miles away and I would like to prepare the ground for potatoes but I could not walk that far and back as I have a bit of osteoarthritis in my right knee. I did contact the police to ask them and they did not know. I believe the National Allotment Society are trying to fine out but nothing on their website yet.
I think that you will be fine. See this from the Guardian.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/24/uk-lockdown-gove-tries-to-clarify-confusion-over-rules
I have also found a reference upon the Surrey Police Facebook site
www.facebook.com/pg/SurreyPolice/posts/?ref=page_internal
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Mike Hingston I'm 61 years old and have copd emphysema ( very mild ). Can I drive to my allotment and work it. It gets me actively exercising and I'm growing food stuff that will still be in short demand in the summer months.
I would like Surrey police to reply as I don't want to be fined. Thankyou
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Surrey Police
Author
Surrey Police Hi Mike, Sorry it's taken a day to get back to you. Cabinet Minister Michael Gove thought it was "perfectly sensible for people to go to an allotment" so please feel free to enjoy some time on your allotment. Of course, rules on social distancing apply as with all other activities outside the house. Please try not to drive there if that's possible."
www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/mar/24/uk-lockdown-gove-tries-to-clarify-confusion-over-rules
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I don't understand, why do they suggest folks don't drive if they are allowed to go to the lotties?
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To avoid the risk of accidents which would then use up emergency resources from police, ambulance and maybe fire services and then treatment in a hospital where staff don't need stupid, avoidable distractions.
Car journeys should therefore be kept to a minimum and undertaken with care.
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Of course that makes perfect sense, thank you XX Jeannine
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"The Guardian has learned that the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) and College of Policing are rushing through guidance reminding officers that despite politicians’ warnings they cannot bar people from going for a run or a drive."
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/30/uk-police-guidelines-coronavirus-lockdown-enforcement-powers-following-criticism-lord-sumption
This quote (also mentioned by Ancellsfarmer above) is from the Guardian and it indicates that sensible driving is not forbidden. And that there has been a measure of overzealous police behaviour. Driving to the peak district for exercise which could be done at home is not exactly in the spirit of lockdown, but a necessary drive to the allotment for exercise or for looking after lifestock, when the allotment holder cannot easily walk or cycle there, is fine. Providing the social distancing rules are being kept to. :wave:
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I suppose its the sudden shock of meeting the general public, after years of not doing so, that has caused the ridiculous reports of over zealous buffoonery but personally I think it is excessive to restrict movement "in case it causes an accident".
Notwithstanding that, it is of course necessary to perform and record your 'risk assessment' of each and every movement and task that you consider.Obviously you will need to not use any instrument that could be harmful or injurous, no substance that might be dangerous or toxic, nor venture upon any ground that might be uneven or of unknown content.Biological hazards, such as stored rainwater and non sterilised compost will need to be avoided or special handling equipment used.
Do not purchase any 'non-essential' items, such as hot cross buns, confectionery, especially Easter Eggs that may be associated with Christian festivals , for fear of causing offence to non -believers.
Beware the irksome Jobsworth!
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OH's prescient wisdom knows no bounds... when I wanted an allotment in 1990 she said I couldn't have one unless it was directly behind the new house (She was expecting our second so we were looking to move out of our two bedroom terrace) as she would never see me. Now we have five plots on a site behind our house... no driving necessary...
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London is now very odd.
Most people are just being sensible and staying at home and those that are out and about are driving very carefully - bar the odd one or two. Roads are very quiet and there was only one person on the plot yesterday.
I will go to the plot if I need to and at the mo there isn't that much to do.
Latest guidance from NSALG is
We think that now is the time to consider working your plot in isolation i.e. not with household members and if you can stay away for a few weeks to do so.
It is if course only advice!
What I am amazed by is the willingness of people to give time, energy and resources to others.
We have a couple of amazing local groups that have sprung up - one to support NHS workers at our local hospital https://www.facebook.com/HelpLewishamHospital/ (https://www.facebook.com/HelpLewishamHospital/)and one really local one to support vulnerable people on our street - not only that but there are dozens of groups locally, all self organising to help the local communities. It's fantastic..
I think we are the lucky ones - we have an outdoor space to escape to when millions of people are isolated in flats and blocks.
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The observer over the weekend had an article about shortage of agricultural workers and pickers due to ****** and the virus. I think growing your own food may be very useful thing to have done.
I feel for the people who live in flats and apartments, I can't imagine it in the best of times let alone now.
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Re the corona virus
It becomes a bit blurred at the edges when on has to keep up with 4 countries rules. Me and some famly here in Canada, my son in Holland, my mothers family in the UK and my US friends just over the border.There seems to be so much mis information too so it is hard to get a handle on it.
Maybe this isn't the right place so forgive me, but can someone fill me in as to what it is like over there.My niece came over from the UK for a few weeks last year and was planning to come back this year but it would seem not much chance of that. We get very little info about the UK virus here that I feel a bit in the dark and don't like it.
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Apart from a few idiots the distancing seems to be working, unfortunately it came too late and quite a few are passing away now. They keep saying we are so many weeks behind Italy, but I expect it was their form of greeting that spread it so badly, the same with Cosmopolitan London which also has a big spike. Instead of a nod and hello it's a big hug or touching cheeks. The midlands which have a lot of retired miners are also getting hit hard. Non industrialised areas are getting away lightly at the moment that is why we don't want people driving to the countryside for their walks. Even if they are distancing they are still touching things. Hospitals are not so well equipped out in the sticks and cannot handle a spike. We also keep hearing about it is not as many deaths as seasonal flu, which is stupid as this has come on top of seasonal flu. I treat everybody as if they have it, I spray everything I have to touch and my hands are washed countless times a day. Every action is though out. I hope we will get through it, but nothing is a certainty.
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Re the corona virus
It becomes a bit blurred at the edges when on has to keep up with 4 countries rules. Me and some famly here in Canada, my son in Holland, my mothers family in the UK and my US friends just over the border.There seems to be so much mis information too so it is hard to get a handle on it.
Maybe this isn't the right place so forgive me, but can someone fill me in as to what it is like over there.My niece came over from the UK for a few weeks last year and was planning to come back this year but it would seem not much chance of that. We get very little info about the UK virus here that I feel a bit in the dark and don't like it.
This is the definitative:
www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
There is SPECULATION in many forms of social media, to be taken on face value.
It is true that only 141000 of the 69,000,000 population have been tested, with an 18% positive rate.
Nobody knows how many more might be positive as only hospital patients and staff are tested.
Stay well
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BBC news website?
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Instead of a nod and hello it's a big hug or touching cheeks.
I'll have you know that we are not all huggers and face kissers here. A good firm handshake and maybe, if really pushed, a slap on the back has always sufficed for me! :tongue3: :tongue3:
In reality of course we are all squashed together on a daily basis. Even after the distancing rules were announced people were still packing the tubes out.
This was from last week. I have never so thankful for my bike...
(https://i.imgur.com/ORKoXpQ.jpg)
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There's an independent UK fact checking site - fullfact.org - which may be helpful and interesting.
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Yes our tube train was busy as well
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Thank you all for the help, it looks pretty bad, the tube pictures stunned me though.I is really bad in the US ehich starts just 20 minutes drive from me but so far in Canada we have had a lot less than them. I haven;t been out for 5 weeks,My daughetr or SIL have gone out occasionally. If you remember we have two houses on the same property so although we live together we are actually apart. They give me a veru wide berth. I fall into at risk group nd they aren;t taking chances. But sometimes we can sout in the sun with the chaors about 20 feet apart. I am getting groceries delivered, actually I have done so for about two years now, bit it is like playing roulette. Getting a tome slot is difficult but I have worked out when the two shops add more to them. It is sort of like the banks, they trip over at midnight so I stay up and grab one as it trips. I have always beena shopper that keeps a spare of everything big like the 24 pack of toilet tissue, etc, one pack i use and another 23 pack waiting so I am OK on that. Folks laugh at my "Sleeping with the Enemy pantry, everthing lined up like soldiers and I keep each row topped up, same with meat. I have an inventort book by the freezer and replace ane rotate as I use, so I am well stocked, I just need the few things that are perishable etc.
I often wonder how long it wo=ill last, I think a very long time..how about you guyd?
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Yes our tube train was busy as well
Good job we blocked your tunnel, Huh?
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My daughter has got me making face masks now.. there seems to be a big difference between yeah and nay for wearing them but it is gradually leaning to the yeahs as the days pass, so I am starting.
Snug fitting by the nose and shaped, not like the pleated ones..
I think that it will stop folks with it passing it on maybe, but not so convinced it wil, prevent folks from getting it.
My daughter goes out very rarely but I guess it gives me something else to do.
XX Jeannine
By the way, I apologise for many of my posts with horrendous spelling mistakes, I really can spell but have difficulty typing if my pain level is high.
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Been in lockdown since 20th March, was prepapred as we had been due to go to Japan and the school had said we needed to self isolate for 14 days when we come back. But we had prepared for 14 days and not the expected 3-6 months were now looking at.
I dont mind being locked down i am managing to get deliveries although my chicken for sundays dinner was not delivered. But were alive and healthy.
My big issue is that we were due to get a new kitchen which will mean the old one being removed and about 10 days of rewiring. I am worried that i will be left withough anything :( i know small problem compared to dying....
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we were due to get a new kitchen which will mean the old one being removed and about 10 days of rewiring. I am worried that i will be left withough anything
Dare I say it you are actually quite lucky relative to a friend of ours.
The kitchen fitters made a start prior to the 'lockdown' and by the time of the 'lockdown' they had stripped out everything apart from the 'kitchen sink'and that is all she has had since the lockdown.
At least she can wash up after a microwave dinner! :BangHead: :coffee2:
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Thats our concern due the amound of electical rewiring that will be needed.
Builder has promised to leave us with something but your right we have to plan for it. I am buying a single inducting ring from amazon which will go to my parents when they have there kitchen done next year. And will precook some meals i can either cook in microwave or on the single ring.
Busy few days for us though so not really noticed the lockdown mostly spending the day in the garden and sorting pond following heron attack and its subsequent drowning in pond and the damage it caused while dying.
Very behind on tomatoes, peppers and chillis but slowing getting there.
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Greetings all,yes I have not joined the ""pushing up the daisies brigade "" just yet...boring Diabetic related issues have kept me low profile for what seems an age but in recent weeks ive actually been catching up in the garden....yes that's right no more Plot...just the same back garden we have been used to these last 6 yrs in Dorset......
still its good to see the same Old faces holding up the forum and sounds like everybody is busy busy doing what veggie folk do....plant and enjoy growing lots of stuff.
I trust this short message finds everybody in good health considering our current circumstances...but enough of that thankfully my love of the kitchen has seen me still enjoying cooking for Jude and myself.
anyway hope all are well and that you all have a successful growing season....albeit we cant seem to find anybody open to enable us to buy seedlings/plants locally....never mind im growing nearly all from seed so the challenge has been fun
and by Christ its good to get back out in the garden.
regards and stay safe all.xxx
Gazza
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Welcome back Gazza! Lovely to see you posting again - can we look forward to seeing some of your delicious recipes any time soon?
It's a tough time for all of us, so glad to hear you are able to keep busy. I, for one, feel very lucky that I have my small garden that helps to keep me occupied in small doses (restricted mobility). I feel for all those living in high rise apartments and in the middle of towns.
Stay safe!
Tricia :wave:
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Great to hear from you, Gazza! You've been missed. Glad hyoid are both still active and relatively well. Keep that way. Have you done any fishing recently? You could keep isolated in your boat!
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Good to see you back Gazza. You should check out ACE's posts. He's ahd health issues too and has managed to reverse Type 2 diabetes and lower his blood pressure to a healthier level too.
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Welcome back.
Good to see you're 'back in the fold' and not (just) fishing.
Admit to stalking you on other places WSF
Tight garden lines.
A2D
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Has anyone heard anything of JonnyCo recently? I miss his pictures of a quick picking of more than I grow in a week even if it made me envious!
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He last posted on December 28th. Hope he's okay.
Tricia :wave:
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Has anyone heard anything of JonnyCo recently? I miss his pictures of a quick picking of more than I grow in a week even if it made me envious!
I seem to recall him mentioning that other plot holders on his allotment site were ribbing/teasing him about his comments on A4A, so he decided to refrain from submitting articles to A4A
Whether that is still the case I do not know perhaps if you PM'd him Paul you might get the correct reason!
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Very happy too that old friends Gazza, Peanuts, Jayb and Jeannine are with us again. :icon_cheers:
I have also been wondering what happened at the sunshine coast, where everything seems to grow enviably well, although I am sure it is really mostly down to talent and dedication. His Christmas greetings were the last message on here. Hope all is well. Also that Davholla is fit again after his illness.
You might get strange requests Gazza on how to turn store cupboard pilchards, cabbage and some sprouted garlic that was missed last year on the plot, into a gourmet lockdown dish. :tongue3:
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Got potatoes? make some garlic mash then add to the pilchards/sardines to make these fish cakes and serve with shredded cabbage sautéed wit some caraway seeds
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/feelgood-fish-cakes
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Fishcakes is a wonderful idea Obelixx, yes still plenty of potatoes in store. :wave:
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Nice to see you back Gazza. I was only thinking about you the other day and wondered where you were. Not sure if you knew we all got moved from Wimborne - I am now down at Fleetsbridge. Hope all is well.
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Thank you for saying hello.....its good to be back among what I considered friends,and yes of course I did some fishing but the river end of season coincided with the dreaded lurgy arriving but sea angling I was just getting back into a bit of beach fishing in jan feb as after my shoulder op I could not cast for months but was beginning to get into it again then....I had my orders......stayhome,....so that's it.....as the photos I shared have all gone due to them wanting fees I guess no food sharing will be done.....I have been sharing recipes now and again here and there on FB but I am unable to use the media I used before to load pics on here......never mind.
and yes good to see some old names from the past resurfacing......and that's fantastic news if ACE has turned his type 2 around.
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Thank you for saying hello.....its good to be back among what I considered friends,and yes of course I did some fishing but the river end of season coincided with the dreaded lurgy arriving but sea angling I was just getting back into a bit of beach fishing in jan feb as after my shoulder op I could not cast for months but was beginning to get into it again then....I had my orders......stayhome,....so that's it.....as the photos I shared have all gone due to them wanting fees I guess no food sharing will be done.....I have been sharing recipes now and again here and there on FB but I am unable to use the media I used before to load pics on here......never mind.
and yes good to see some old names from the past resurfacing......and that's fantastic news if ACE has turned his type 2 around.
Hello Merv,oh right...yes my ears were burning mate......oh ok...Fleetsbridge....errrrrr and that is where I cant think and just asked Jude and got the same ...I dunno back from her.....anyway good to hear your well.
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Thank you for saying hello.....its good to be back among what I considered friends,and yes of course I did some fishing but the river end of season coincided with the dreaded lurgy arriving but sea angling I was just getting back into a bit of beach fishing in jan feb as after my shoulder op I could not cast for months but was beginning to get into it again then....I had my orders......stayhome,....so that's it.....as the photos I shared have all gone due to them wanting fees I guess no food sharing will be done.....I have been sharing recipes now and again here and there on FB but I am unable to use the media I used before to load pics on here......never mind.
and yes good to see some old names from the past resurfacing......and that's fantastic news if ACE has turned his type 2 around.
Hello Merv,oh right...yes my ears were burning mate......oh ok...Fleetsbridge....errrrrr and that is where I cant think and just asked Jude and got the same ...I dunno back from her.....anyway good to hear your well.
The entrance to the site is right opposite the Fleetsbridge pub going from the roundabout down Wimborne Road towards Poole and stretches down to the Army Cadet hut just past the few shops on the right.
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gazza it doesn't cost anything to post photos on here.
(Says she getting ready to drool!)
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Lockdown in France has been extended to May 11. Week 5 starts tomorrow. OH is going to get a really good garden workout taming this plot to become a productive fruit and veg garden with pretty bits too.
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Very cheap recipe using just a 1/4 can of corn beef if you have potatoes and onions.Not corned beef hash but an oven variatiion of Scottish stovies, I call it Yorkshire stovies.
Cube potatoes into a casserole dish, abdout 4 alrge ones, but it is flexible.
Add chopped onions, I use 1/3rd onions to potaoes on this one..at least.
1/4 of the can of corn beef.Don;t use too much.
Add salt, taking into consideration there is some in the beef , add pepper to taste, I use a lot in this one.
Add a little water, not much, the fluid will come out of the veggies, so don't overdo it, you can add more later.
Pop into a slowish oven, again flexible.
You are aiming for a lumpy mash, stir it a few times gently, some of the spuds will break down and some not so much. If it seems wet leave the lid off , if dry add a wee bit of water.
You don't want it wet and you don't want too dry,
The secret is in the amount of onions which sweeten it and the pepper which fires it,,good combo.
In the war my mother would get a cherished can of corn beef,First day she would do corn beef sandwiches with home made veggie soup, second day she woud make corn beef fritters with chips, and the third day she made this dish.It fed four of us for 3 days.
I tend to do something with it these days like baked chicken, but I love it just as it is.
back to the post,,how is everyone.. me and mine are just fine..I have had some funny substitutions on my delivered grocery order, I asked for a chicken and got a 23 pound turkey so I fed me and mine that live on the two houses on our property. and passed plates over the fence to the 2 batchelors from next door. I had a cheese sandwich,,I hate turkey!! My daughters fave dessert is bread and butter pudding with custard which I also did and the guys over the fence loved it.
The funniest sub, I have had with my groceries..I asked for panty liners and got incontinence underwear. LOL Maybe if push came to shove they may make good all over face masks if things got too bad!!
Stay safe everyone.. XX Jeannine
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Ahhhh! stovies loved them during the war
Regarding the wet or dryness of them I used to like both types, what I found was the water to potatoes ratio was key to what you ended up with....lots of potatoes= lumpy stovies....a few potatoes ( that were sliced rather than cubed) ended up as el- dente fritters. Booooootiful
Then soup there was an art to that to when it come to consistency e.g broth,soup,or consommé. The broth was first day soup,the soup was second day broth watered down and consommé was third day soup watered down yet again.
But in all three you got the marinated flavours particularly on 2nd & 3rd day versions.
I also remember if corned beef was not available my mother would tell me to call into the butchers on my way home from school to see had any ham bones!
I always said that the only good thing that got out of these types of meals was the steam the contents were all eaten. Is it any wonder that that the Bisto manufactures used a vapour trail in their ads?
Ah! Those were the days!
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doing well but rather over doing it in garden have. it stopped since friday and have filled willie bin, two brown sacks and two black sacks of garden waste and recycling. Maybe another two days of graft needed but my back was screaming at me last night so i am having a pj day!!
That said i might nip out and sow more peas and carrots :)
Make chicken soup last night and pulled some carrots one was a deformed monster but the core was woody and it went into the recycling pile, a few had been eaten so nematodes for slugs going into bed for this year.
Two lots of raspberry canes have been delivered and are soaking in a bucket and will be planted tomorrow:)
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For the past week up the plot while sat under the damson tree ,with the gentlest of breezes being covered in blossom like being in a snow globe , what a privilege it is to have an allotment.
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Hey Tee Gee, so glad to hear someone else apprciates gourmet cooking..do you eat tripe too, cooked in white sauce with onions and potatoes, and faggotts,,I still do those. Oh and I jyst not forget my mothers best souo, we called it Yorkshire broth as it was simialr to Scotch broth but made woth pork hock, they were cooked till the neat fell from the bone, the pork skin was very gelatinous and I loved it,of course onions carrotts etc and dry souo mix, with dried peas, lentils and barley, plus extra barley. I still make it but I do add cream. { have made this one for the homrless dinner I cook for, I remove the skin andnput i through the blender then put ut back. They loved it.
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Jeaninne that sounds wonderful! I love pork hock-the most flavoursome part of the beast! .
We have found that as time goes on more small shops are realising that delivery is the way forward to literally save their bacon so we can get most basic stuff through. However my cousin who is disabled and lives in a very small town in Yorkshire has more problems getting stuff.
Also the garden centres are realising that to keep their business going they need to set up delivery systems. We have an excellent one in North Worcestershire that has already delivered me compost and fertiliser etc. Soon they will be selling bedding plants.
Our allotment has also set up a safe system for supplying goods from the shop although it's beginning to run out of stock.
Everyone on the allotment is very sensible about the procedures set up to keep us safe but I have had rubbish dumped at the back of the plot which I suspect comes from one of the house backing on to us. It's probably garden waste as the recycling sites are shut but I'm not going to open it to find out!!
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Hi George, no, don't open it, it is probably full of baby disposable diapers(nappies) or do you cam then diapers now. I got out of my car a few weeks ago and skidded on one left in the carpark, it was no fun. Odd here as we just don't get litter in the streets.
The only problem with grocery delivery is that the site is throughout BC so there is one long list, however some of the stores don't sell everything so it can get funny sometimes if I forget to hit the no substitution tab. Last week I got a 24lb turket instead of a chicken and I hate turkey.
We have some shortages as I think most places do, toilet tissue of course, and a lot of convenience food but as I don't buy that I seem to be doing OK. Flour and yeast is short but again I am well stocked. I laugh a little because the folks who live on convenience foods are trying to make their bread now. Oh well, that is good.
I don't want to sound negative but I think this is going to go on for a long time so we have to get used to the long haul.A bit like going to war, we already have rationing.I will have to blow the dust off my wartime recipe books if it keeps up, but not yet, my meat freezer is full, I couldn't find space for an OXO cube in there. of course we can't get Oxo cubes here LOL. I have about 2 cubit foot in the freezer above my fridge and that is filled too, it usually has frozen peas, a box i keep fish in and the Hagen Das icecream but it is stuffed too now, so I ain't gonna go hungry.
I have a friend whose husband is a cop, his partner has the virus and his 5 year old died from it just a few days ago. How do you come back from something like that.
They reckon it started with one person in a Chinese market. Maybe I am not very bright but the way I see it of all this can come from 1 person it would seem to me that if 1 person is left..we could begin all over again.
You are lucky your garden centre is delivering. I bought some bags of manure etc several weeks ago and asked if they could deliver, they did but charged me $25..I wonder if they would today. Many seed suppliers are selling out so it is good to have a stash. I have been trying to get on Real Seeds site for 3 weeks but they open for just an hour a day.
I was so mad last week. I had peas, a few varieties from the Uk that I can't get here and quite old seed, so I tested them and got good germination, I soaked the rest for a while and sowed them. I watched and watched and nothing, so sneaked a peep and could not see anything, I left it a few days longer and looked again..nothing at all. I ended up raking all the soil and no sign of even 1 seed, so I think our resident rat Roland has been firkling.. I did find some more so I will have to take them to plants this time. Drat that rat!!
Stay safe everyone and give special time to those you love... XX Jeannine
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gazza it doesn't cost anything to post photos on here.
(Says she getting ready to drool!)
It seems the photo media I used has finished and trying to load using my pictures are too big as this sites load capacity is way to small...plus my PC is on the verge of shutting as this lap top is years old....so going to get a new one soon and maybe try again.
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I apologise for going off topic here
Don't forget to vote in the photo competition if you haven't yet done so
Just 2 days left so time to make up your mind which three to vote for
https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,82733.0.html (https://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,82733.0.html)
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It seems the photo media I used has finished and trying to load using my pictures are too big as this sites load capacity is way to small...plus my PC is on the verge of shutting as this lap top is years old....so going to get a new one soon and maybe try again.
I sue Imgur.com for hosting images - free to use - no limits... been around for quite a while..
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Yes Jeannine I think we are in for a long haul. Until they get a reliable vaccine its likely to come back again and again.
I have been able to order seeds online although many products are out of stock. Lots of other online products are out of stock too including, surprisingly, gym equipment! Since all the gyms are shut people are ordering stuff to keep healthy at home.
Over here more wholesalers are realising that to keep afloat they have to start switching to retail sales so that has opened up some alternatives. However this seems to be more in the major cities and towns and people in rural areas and small towns and villages have less options. I have a cousin who lives in a small seaside town in Yorkshire that is struggling to get deliveries.
The big supermarkets have generally lost it as regards deliveries. They have a list of vulnerable (but not necessarily just elderly) people they have to prioritise but it seems many have been missed off the list-probably because they have never ordered before and don't have an email address - since it seems to be based on the latter.
I have still got my mum's old cookery books from the war and the period of rationing after it. I've even got my old rationing card I had just after I was born. Don't think it's valid now !!
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Well good luck with your war time cooking LOL. I do in now nad gain through Lent and it quite challenging, but at the same time it can be liberating..
My grocery delivery has gone in the same pile as the newbies, despite the fact that I have been having mine delivered for 3 years I still have to grab a delivery slot when I can,However I have it figured out now, I know when they add the times and I just grab one. You just have to get used to waiting 2 weeks but as long as you are topping up rather than replacing empty shelves it works OK, If the twoo weeks goes by and I don't need anything, I grab another slot further down the month and cancel the current one. It is lthe grocery roulette
I have been sick for a couple of days, coughing but it is common for me. I get it often and my Dr and I have it figured.If I need it, I just phone him and he sends a prescription for antibiotics. Usually ny body can fight it off but if I go moe than 3 days I have to take them..This is the 3rd day, so fingers crossed I will start to get better tomorrow.
Anyway, good luck with your garden this year and if there is anything you need that is available here and not there let me know. This goes for all of you.
XX Jeannine
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On another tack are people in the UK finding they are being limited to 1-2 hours on their allotment per day? This comes from guidelines from the National Allotment Society which some councils have run with meaning the allotment societies are then obliged to follow. All but this rule seem very sensible but I can't understand the logic behind the 1-2 hour rule.
The government (or police) does not put a limit on the number of hours one can exercise a day provided one does it once and of course follows social distancing rules. One can walk or run for four minutes or 4 hours! At the allotment one is liable to make as many, probably fewer, social contacts than walking or running.
In fact some councils have said they do not put a limit on the time one can spend on the allotment. So how did the NAS come to this decision?
It's not a problem for me as nowadays 2 hours is more than enough but I would be interested to know other allotmenteers experience in other parts of the country.
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There's no limit here - frankly, you're more isolated on your plot than going for a walk!
The guidelines are that you exercise for an hour, but that's not law, so far as I know. So I think someone may be going too far, however it's a different picture in London and other cities with high infection rates and other parts where you're more likely to [insert your own comparison].
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Hi PaulH
apparently, as you say, there are no actual rules from the Government about the time limit for exercise. The one hour thing cams about when Michael Gove was pushed to give an idea on the limit on the Andrew Marr Show and trotted the one hour limit as an example off the top of his head.
I wonder if the NAS misunderstood the rules when they made the decision - there was little clarification from the government at the time. A lot of it seems to have been based on off the cuff comments by various ministers at various times.
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I expect the time limit was put in to make it look fair. An hours exercise for most would be really just a figure to put out so there would be room in some parks for everybody without it getting too crowded. I think the allotment 'exercise' original idea was ok, you can do it but not all day. There are even people on my street who resent that I can go and play at the allotment. I don't time it, I just come and go as I wish. The only restriction we have is no visitors unless it is family living in the same house. But as far as my wife knows it is no visitors at all.
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I expect the time limit was put in to make it look fair. An hours exercise for most would be really just a figure to put out so there would be room in some parks for everybody without it getting too crowded. I think the allotment 'exercise' original idea was ok, you can do it but not all day. There are even people on my street who resent that I can go and play at the allotment. I don't time it, I just come and go as I wish. The only restriction we have is no visitors unless it is family living in the same house. But as far as my wife knows it is no visitors at all.
Agree with this, as far as we have been told ,there is no risk in exposure to air. Apart from the travel aspect, a short session everyday would give the best results. it was said that the best gardens were those of the railway porters-half hour between trains. Its a case for 'risk assessment', and efficient utilisation of time. Today its 'too risky' due to the delightful rain, which will do more good than you or I.
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For the last couple of weeks, in the sunshine I have been out on the lottie from about 8am to 8pm with meal breaks... more of a health risk from sunburn than anything else... great tan for April... and yes I have been using sunscreen!