Leaving my Lottie!

[plot51A]

I've had my lottie for 3 seasons now and just beginning to feel that I'm really getting it into shape. My overwintering onions, shallots and garlic are all showing nicely, broad beans tucked in, strawberry beds looking good, new raspberries and blackcurrants established, asparagus bed started, rhubarb established, paths done, several beds "lasagned".  - very satisfying. There's the produce to pick - sprouts, cabbages, kale, celeriac, leeks, parsnips,swedes, broccoli coming along.
Yesterday OH was offered a new job, so we will be on the move in March. The brilliant news is that we are going to Norwich, so will then be very close to one of my sons and 2 of my grandchildren - with another on the way due in May. I have lived in Norwich before and love the place, although i have been happy in Cardiff. But guess what I'm going to miss most! Hope the lottie waiting lists aren't too long in Norwich!

[plot51A]

[saddad]

Must be a wrench pulling away from that Lottie... both self and OH have had job changes since we took on our lotties but as we love the house and the Lottie is over the back fence we commute... 35 miles each in opposite directions. I know it would be impossible in your case so fingers crossed for a new lottie fairly quickly...
:)

[lorna]

Good luck for OH in new job. The person will be lucky who takes over your allotment.
I am sure you both will be happy when you are nearer your family :)
Best wishes, Lorna

[busy_lizzie]

Really good news about your OH's job Periwinkle, and so lovely you will be closer to your son and grandchildren, but I can understand how much you will miss your lottie, especially when you have put so much work into it. As Lorna says, someone is going to be very lucky to inherit such a wonderful allotment.  Hope you do manage to get another one in your new home town.  Lots of luck in your new life.  :) busy_lizzie   

[supersprout]

aww understand your mixed feelings periwinkle
at least you'll be able to enjoy your winter crops!
and you'll be able to take all the learnings from your plot with you, so hopefully the next one will be easier to bring round ::)
all the best for your move and your new home :)

[Mrs Ava]

Fantastic news for your other half, and don't look at it as being a sad time, loosing your lotty, think of it as a new adventure - all that planning and preperation to enjoy!  And all those fab fresh veggies to take with you to scoff.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Get yourself on a waiting list ASAP, even if it means a special trip to Norwich.

[shirlton]

my thoughts exactly. Don't waste any time. Your family could perhaps put in for a plot being as they already live there. Good luck in your new anyway. I'm sure you will be very happy

[Marymary]

Welcome back to our fine city.

Really sad to be leaving your lovely lottie but good news is lots of lotties in Norwich crying out for care & attention.  Depends which part of the city you are but lots of vacancies with no waiting or so I am told - you will need to check out nearer the time. 

[tricia]

Congratulations to OH and good luck in your soon to be new home.

Regarding your lottie - can't you take some of the plants with you? If you know the area you will be moving to it really would be worth a trip to take a look at the lottie situation and sign on for one right away. You could certainly take up a rhubarb crown or two and the fruit bushes - including raspberries - would stand a move I'm sure. Not sure about asparagus though and you will lose the garlic (unless you can transplant some into pots in the new year), the onions, shallots etc. By March you will have used up lots of the root veg. and the rest can be pulled and taken in the moving van  :). Your successor will still be very lucky to be taking on a lottie so well organised and prepared and having just a few things from the current lottie will, I'm sure, ease the heartache just a tad.

Be sure to take photos to take with you!! Then you can show your new lottie neighbours what the new lottie will soon look like ;) :P.

Tricia

[Meg]

Everything is 50% good and 50% bad in life and you don't have to look far too see how that works with you. I wish you all the best. Sometimes we just have to let go  and really appreciate what we have been able to do. And what a lovely future you will have. Again all the best and you never know what might be round the corner for you (lets hope it is an allotment!!!!!!)

[Columbus]

Hi Periwinkle, :)

Take a look here ----
http://www.norwich.gov.uk/webapps/atoz/service_page.asp?id=1195

I am at Woodlands (Site No. 16 on the map)

The city council have just let to new tenants as they do every October. If you are quick you might pick up a plot  that was let and not taken up. Its best to check out sites yourself and not to take their word as to the state of plots. Hassle them for what you want.

Best of luck, Col, pay a visit for a free tour.  :)

[plot51A]

I really appreciate all your replies, thank you so much. I think I'll probably wait till we actually get there before trying for a new plot, tempting though it is to act now - but there are so many other things to do!
May well take you up on your free tour offer Col - that would be great, many thanks.

[norfolklass]

Hi Periwinkle, I'm in Norwich too (site no.10, 70 odd plots). As Columbus said, new tenants get their plots in October, just got mine, but I've had a wander around the site and there are a few that look derelict and overgrown, including one that's about 5ft high with brambles that people are using as a rubbish dump. The nearest site to me (no. 9 on the map) looks completely neglected. I first contacted the council in March 2005, then again in March this year when I was told that there were waiting lists for all Norwich sites, so it's taken me a good 18 months to get a plot. But I found out yesterday that there's a new warden (a woman - lots of faces pulled and rolling of eyes...!) who was shown around and was seen measuring up so the neglected plots may become vacant again. The best of luck with the move and in finding a plot!

[Emagggie]

AND you may get 'help' from the junior members of the family. ;D ;D ;D
Sounds all good to me, keep looking onward and upward, Perriwnkle and good luck.Look forward to pics of your new project when you get it. ;)