ALLOTMENT BANTER TAKE 2

[organicandy]

Hi all,    tried to get down the lotty again today in between rains to do some weeding,

             3 mins drive to allotment

             30 mins to get past gardens 1 and 2 (stopped for a chat)
 
              45 mins to get past gardens 5 and 6 (stopped for a chat)

              30 mins to get past lotty secretary (stopped for a chat)

              5 mins to water toms

              10 mins to cut 5 cabbage for the afore mentioned

              3 mins to drive home again cos rain stopped play

              what a wonderfull hobby we have

[organicandy]

[jordsbabe]

PMSL and on that note i don't think i will have time for an allotment!  ;D

[manicscousers]

true, sometimes we spend more time drinking tea and chatting than doing any work  ;D
but that's part of the relaxation  ;D

[tartonterro]

having a chat isnt a bad thing
had a chat with one of the guys on the plot last night about his new fence (i need to put one in cause of rabbits)
and i ended up coming away with some early tatties and a summer cabbage - will return the favour once my lates and winter cabbages are ready
lol
:)

[jordsbabe]

It sounds like a really nice community life, like something that was in all neighbourhoods 50 years ago, everyone offering advice, helping eachother out, swapping, I bet it must be great! Until i decide about having an allotment I am happy on hear with my virtual allotment community - thanks guys and gals!

[kt.]

Mine is first off the main road.  So I don't get to speak to anybody,  plus it is fully enclosed.  Though the lottie shop is open 10-12 Sat & Sun.... get less done then.

[saddad]

Mine is over the back fence, which cuts the travelling time! But not always the chat time...  :-[

[Crystalmoon]

I wish I was able to drive then I could take a plot on the large town allotment site & get to join in with the allotmenteering community in the way you describe...I am very grateful for my allotment which is only 2 minutes walk from my house but it is very lonely down there as only a tiny site with 11 plots & it is very rare to see anyone else when working down there.     

[KathrynH]

We too have a very friendly site and a lot more chatting/drinking tea than work gets done. Sometimes that can be frustrating, especially when you really need to get on but really, that's the best thing about it and is the heart of the community. Tomorrow, a few of us are deserting the Sunday morning ritual to go to the Hampton Court Flower Show together. Fingers crossed for the weather!

[jordsbabe]

That is really nice! That's what i mean about a community. My sister has an allotment in Shropshire and there is a lovely man called Tom who realises my sister has her hands full with two little un's. So he pop's things in her bed for her, or he will call at her house and say something needs harvesting does he want him to help, and he has got to be 80 odd!

[KathrynH]

Sounds just like my lovely allottment neighbour Lenny who is 74 and spends most of his time on the site, and doesn't it just show with his fantastic produce and weed free plot! As I am not able to get there very often during the week (this full time job I have can be such a nuisance!) he keeps an eye on things for me and waters during dry spells. Lovely to know places like this still exist and long may it continue.

[Suzanne]

I lived in the village for 7 years before I got my first lottie - I spoke to more people in the first month after that than I had for the entire 7 years previous. i got my second lottie last year in a neighbouring village and now have extended my village acquaintances three fold!

[glosterwomble]

I smiled at this Organicandy, it really is what allotment life is all about. Our garden at home is quite private which is nice but sometimes it's nice to chat to other gardeners. That was one of the reasons for getting the allotment. Last night I popped up to the plot to harvest some spuds and salad for tea and came back about 1.5 hours later and it is only 5 mins in the car!

[organicandy]

 Hi Glosterwombel, I'm glad you smiled when you read my thread,  i have so much to be gratefull for in having my allotment, i had to take 3 years off from gardening because of a illness i have, now I'm back down the garden my health has returned and i count everyday down there has a blessing,
         Truly my garden has done more for me in 4 months than 3 years of therapy has achieved,  anyone who suffers with nervous problems or depression should get themselves a allotment,(its good for the sole) sometimes i just sit there and listen to the wildlife and the birds, its amazingly therapeutic, god bless you all and keep up the good work, regards ANDY

[Jeannine]

I simply can't think of a nicer thing to do.

Well done to you Andy..

Physical health has kept us off out lotties this year but I might just go and sit with my chair on the black plastic after reading you post.

XX Jeannine

[organicandy]

Hi Jeannine, thankyou for replying to my posting,and i really hope you do go and sit on your black plastic, and I'm also sorry to read that your health hasn't been too good, hope you feel better real soon and enjoy your garden again, god bless, regards Andy

[Bill Door]

like many others i work Monday to Friday and am lucky to have Saturday Sunday off.

I enjoy my Saturday morning (7 to 9 most saturdays) as I am usually the only one there and the birds usually sing very well.  I probably don't get much vege (only half plot)an i am probably not at the allotment as much as I should  but Boy i do look forward to early Saturday morning. and i truely miss it on Monday morning.

Bill

P.S. any vege/fruit taken home is a bonus

[grawrc]

That's so true. There's more to it than the produce although the produce is great. It's a whole way of life that is so different from the rat race that most of us endure. It's wholesome and healing. It rocks!!!!! 8) 8) ;D ;D

[Tin Shed]

What is life without an allotment or a garden?  ;D
When life gets too much - go and watch the leeks growing!!!!!!!

[Plot69]

I know the feeling well. It took me three hours to pick a few peas and Broad Beans today.

Frank the Italian wandered over for a chat. Lovely chap, can't understand a bloody word he says. Neck ache after 30 minutes of nodding and smiling.

Gordon, the onion champion who had my third plot but had to give it up came by. Can understand him and learnt a great deal about onions. Shame he had to give up after 55 years.

Liz the allotment manager brought two newbies to show them how my plots are set out. Spent 45 minutes answering questions like "Where does all the water come from when I need to water?" Answer... "Tap just there look!"

Now, where was I? Oh yeah, just packing up ready to go and collect the kids from school.

Didn't get a lot of work done but I loved it. I always come home feeling as if I "belong" if that makes sense.