Hello everyone,
well after a very short three Weeks of waiting I was offered my first allotment ;D ;D ;D
It hasn't been worked for three years and boy do I know it.
Starting with sorting the sheds and fences, as you can see the shed is falling apart.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/cossieal/DSC00177.jpg)
As for the plot size its big for a beginner, I was offered twice as much as I have taken :o
looking at the picture below I was offered both the red and pink bordered areas but ended up just taking the pink area.
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/cossieal/allotment.jpg)
Blimey, you've got your work cut out ;D
Don't worry the bug will soon catch you and you'll be wishing you took the other bit!
Good luck
Well done geting your lottie :) Now go and tell'em that you want the other bit as well, it's amazing what 12 months of carboard and thick mulch will do.
hiys, a137, welcome to the site ;D
was it a pigeon shed ?
don't do too much at once, happy clearing ;D
you will be sorry you never took the other half once you get started ,,,fantastic ;D
welcome to the site, only three weeks waiting aren't you lucky.
if you have the resources to get some heavy duty black plastic, you could always take the other plot and cover it completely, then you could just work on one side for now and get it ready for next planting season and as you get the last of your spring/ early summer planting done on the worked side at least five month would have passed and the covered section should be ready to be worked and would be much easier to work as well.
good luck with any decision you make and don't forget work little and often and take pictures to remind you of your progress.
welcome to A4A, Al37 - you'll always regret not taking on the other plot. But good luck, don't try to do it all at once :) :) :) :) :) :)
Well you have been lucky.
Nice size plot.
Take the others' advice, grab the other lottie NOW.
You can always so no later, but you try getting another plot when you want more land.
Next year allotments are going to be even more in demand.
Keep us posted with lots of pics...we love 'em ;D
Good Luck
Lauren :)
Yes take the other half. You could always change your in a year or so, but it might not be on offer then.
Thankyou all for your kind words :)
Been there all day today pulling that shed down, its about half done. I couldnt get much done because of the other loty holders stopping for a chat, they are a real freindly bunch. I did ask about the shed and as far as they know it was never a pigeon shed. I have already been offered as much horse muck as I want and the loan of many tools ranging from stihl saws to rotavators.
As for the other plot I kinda guessed you would all advise me to take it ::)
To be honest I was very tempted from the begining but I was told if I took half there was somebody that may be interested in the other half. So I didn't want to be greedy and was happy to give someone else a chance. However, If they turn it down I will take it and make an orchard or something.
I will keep you all posted as to my progress, but I am in no rush as I believe in doing it properly the first time so it will be little and often and steady away
well here's a bit of progress glad to get that old shed down ;D
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/cossieal/DSC00181rs.jpg)
Take plenty of pics as you progress. They make a good diary and show your efforts as the months go by....Oh! And don't forget to post 'em here!
Good luck. Ken.
Nice one Al, keep the pics coming!
An orchard sounds good :D
Well been up the lottie for a couple of ours today, done a bit more on the shed. Couldn't stay as long as I would have liked because my good lady had to go to work.
But one thing that did happen today was the restoration of my faith in man (and lady) kind.
When I got to the lotty hanging on the door was a carrier bag full of fixings to hold the metal roofing sheets on my shed. and the guy with the lotty next door stopped for a chat and enquired how many chooks I would be getting in the spring. I told him half a dozen or so to start with, he said well that coop there will be a nice size for you then. (and pointed at a very nice well looked after coop on his lotty). let me know when your ready for it and we can take the fence down and put it where you want it. And to top it all off as I was on my way home the guy on the other side showed me a pile of timber and said this is where the key is hidden if I'm not here help yourself.
Got to admit I can't remember ever being involved with a bunch of people who are so kind and willing to help.
Sounds like you have a lovely bunch of peeps up there. Makes it so much more pleasurable and as you say restores your faith. Enjoy your hard work. ;D
Spoke to the guy today who organizes the lotties and I have taken the other half. ;D ;D ;D
The shed is real coming along well (will upload some pics later) next on the list is the conservatory on the end of the shed ;)
Well done getting the other half, I'm sure you won't regret it. Keep the pictures coming. :) :) :) :)
Thought you might! Allotments are like freezers and bank balances - they can't be too big!!
well this is it so far, the open end will eventually have a wall with the stove in it and a door leading to the greenhouse :D
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/cossieal/newshed.jpg)
Don't forget to catch the rain off the roof...and put a good floor down!
Looking good for cold winter work.
Thanks Ken,
Yep going to put guttering up and pave the floor, unless I come across enough nice old floor boards.
Ive not been too cold with plenty of clothes on and a good fire going, that old shed is taking some burning. (only the rotten stuff I couldn't reuse) ;)
Oh glad you took the other lottie, you would have been mad not to. Side by side lotties, it doesn't get much better :D.
I had the chance of half of the one next to me (above me). I'm sharing it with another lady who has half of the one below me too (Now she's on both sides of me ;D. I'm so glad I decided to take it as the waiting list is now 3 years instead of a few months :o. Plus people can now only have a quarter plot as a starter.
Yes,I had a second plot,side by side,now there is a waiting list.
Half derelict to waiting list over the last year.
Yes I am pleased as well, the only thing is before I had a layout in mind for the hen coop run and freerange area the same for the ducks an area for the fruit cages and raised beds etc etc.
Now with all that space I am bewildered oh decisions decisions ;D ;D
I have wasted half an A4 pad just trying to plan a layout ::) ::)
dont try and rush it, thats what i had trouble getting my head round, as long as you pay the rent its yours forever.
i had loads of plans but most of them changed due to time of the year other project changing etc.
im glad you took on the second plot if your stumped with what to do with it fill it with potato's
Still wanting to do an orchard on most of the second plot Just want to make sure I get structural things in the right place first time.
As I said earlier I am not going to rush anything Still on with the shed then comes the large greenhouse on the end of it then I will be sorting the fences then its hen and duck houses and runs
and hopefully amongst all that I will get to grow something ;D
Quote from: Al37 on January 13, 2009, 22:10:34
and hopefully amongst all that I will get to grow something ;D
yeah that might be a good idea lol
Still plodding along, the shed is coming on nicely :)
My Mrs asked when I was taking my bed up there ;D
(http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/cossieal/shedfire.jpg)
wow that looks amazing nice and cosy with that fire keep up the good work. You could try and blag a sofa bed off freecycle lol ::)
lucy x
Funny you should say that mummybunny, My sister in law is moving house and has asked if I know anyone who wants a sofa bed. It will sit nice in front of that fire ;D
Bit of a change of plan with the construction work, I have been instructed that when the sheds finished I should do the hen house, pen and fence a free range area. This came from Mrs AL who thought I was mad when I mentioned getting a Lotty and hens etc ???
I think the bug that has definitely got me may just be rubbing on to her a bit.
My shed actually did have a makeshift bed in it when I first got the plot. Apparently my predecessor used to sleep there when he had a row with his wife. It was damp and smelly, and went on the first bonfire I had.