Allotments 4 All

This picture was taken this morning. The Aqua Dulce broad beans are trying to hold on.



My new years' resolution is to NOT have the greenhouse end up like this, after vandals paid a visit around x-mas last year.



So, this year (this morning that is) we took all the glass out and only broke the corners of two panes. Not bad since many of the edges were frozen together.

Oh Ina your lovely greenhouse what are you going to do with it. Use hard plastic sheets or get a plastic cover to put over?
B.Beans are hardy they need to be one thing it should kill all the bugs I hope

What I'm going to do with it, is put the windows back after the canals, that surround the allotment complex, don't freeze over anymore. The kids come over the ice and vandalize anything that takes their fancy. Because last year, glass was scattered all over the allotment, we decided to avoid that this year by taking the windows out, which we did this morning (see bottom picture). I hate glass splinters in the soil. Plastic windows are too expensive and they tend to get sucked out of the frame with strong winds.

I remember that, Ina - reminds me of when the gales, some 10 years ago, stove in the 12' wide end of ours by about 3', because I had never thought to pin it to the foundations - had to go out in the night, with one son, and drive in 6' x 3" stakes and anchor the 'house to them with rope.

In the morning, we winched the thing back into shaoe, inch by inch, and only chipped one pane. It's now held down with 10" bolts.

Moral? Think of the worst situation and guard against it NOW!! = Tim

Don't know what to say.You try your best and this is what happens.We're back to lack of discipline again aren't we.

Gosh Ina, I remember seeing the pictures of devastation last year...spect you still have to be very careful when you garden? Those glass shards are dreadful. So hope that they'll leave you alone this time round. All the very best - Lish

Moral? Think of the worst situation and guard against it NOW!! = Tim

I cut and pasted your wise words Tim and it reminds me of my life's motto: I don't want to have to say "If only I had......".

This year, if the vandals break down the door of the shed (they have before) and break the glass in there, at least the chards will be contained. Easier to clean up and no splinters through the whole lottie.

You may be wondering why we didn't take the glass home..... we don't have a car. When we decided not to have a car we also felt that we cannot then, ask others to use their car for us and we don't. We not only reduce pollution by one car (one drop on a hot metal sheet I know) but it also saves us a lot of money so it would be hypocritical to rely on other people's cars. We do get offers plenty but practically always say thanks but no thanks. I have to say that friends often feel I exaggerate, never mind.

I don't have a car either for that self same reason Ina so that makes two drops!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I'm a third drop!

All best - Gavin

Good oh its nice to see that in such a small sample of the population there are at least 3 of us who care about conserving the worlds resources

Amazing! I don't know anyone in my surroundings (family, friends, neighbours and colleagues) that doesn't have a car and now, on this board, already three! I do understand that it is harder to be without a car in England than it is in Holland due to the public transport situation. No problems here in that respect. -Ina

Nearest bustop is about 1.5 miles down a lane with no lights or pavement. Nearest shop is 5 miles. Nearest town ditto. Nearest pub 3 miles. Nearest railway station 5 miles. No car= no go anywhere even for food. No milkman, no paperboy. Mind we use the car as little as possible.

See what I mean? Some people really have no choice!

Could cycle I suppose, but doubt if my back would hold up. Cannot even use the exercise bike anymore.
Also forgot Lucie works 20 miles away and NO direct public transport at all. Cannot actually get to the railway station on one bus. But I agree with you and I wish there was some way of not using up the planets resources like this.

I grew up in a place with a 1 mile walk to the nearest bus-stop; frequency of service - 1 per week.  Yup, per week.  Miss that, and you'd a long wait!  So I don't begrudge you your car, Eric!

Town and city - ah, but that's different.  But I feel a rant rising - so I'll shut up!

There's more than three car-less on the board though.

All best - Gavin

- yes, I'll have a rant - in my late 20s, no car, 12 miles to work, cycled there and back for 2 long years - people have no idea how to exist on their own resources. And as the father of a leading environmentalist, I'll say that again!! = Tim

I guess that makes me drop 4!

Ah, the joys of public transport.

Ten x

Especially when it's cold and wet and someone thought that it would be good fun to put the shelter windows in.
What joy do they get out of doing that i dont know,

Please note: I have just returned home from a hard days work, building motor cars for you ungrateful lot.

Having read your comments I feel so upset, tomorrow I might chuck it all in and meet you down the lottie.

P.S. Don't you worry about my starving kids...with their poor empty stomachs.

Well Steve_C, the more of us use public transport, the more oil & petrol and other dead sea creature stuff is left in the ground, for you to dig up and use in your motor vehicles.

So we're doing you a favour really.

Ten x