Plot 7 fence

We had confirmation today that plot 7 is now officially ours, so this afternoon I finished the Rabbit proofing by fencing the front of 7 which was totally open.

The first two images are from outside the plot looking each way up and down the communal path.

 The second pair of images are from inside the plot looking out towards the path.

Rabbits

One of the biggest pests on the allotment are Rabbits, I arrived yesterday to find that one had dug its way into the greenhouse, also it had dug up a Blackcurrant bush and eaten some of its roots.
The final stages of proofing the boundary fence hadn't quite been completed so this has now become a priority.
This includes the missing fence at the end of plot seven, so although it is not yet signed and paid for, I began erecting the fence today.

As a further precaution I gave the new Plum tree a bit of extra protection, just in case!

The rear fence of plot 7 has a new wire fence which is buried in the ground.

The trees and ramshackle shack have also been removed.

A view of plot 6 from 7

Seven weeks

Seven weeks ago we took on plot 6 before I had got into the habit of writing this blog, heres a few shots of it before we had started work.

Plot 7 and rubbish clearing

Another productive afternoon down on the allotment, after speaking to the Haslemere town clerk in charge of plot allocation, I was led to believe that plot 7 is very likely to be allocated to us on Wednesday next. With this in mind we took the decision to take a chance and tidy the plot in preparation for the next stage after our return from a weeks holiday break in our motorhome.

Plot 7 had quite a lot of rubbish, some of which could be burnt, there were also a couple of bushes that needed removing.

 This end of 7 needs to be fenced and Rabbit proofed, this will be done after the removal of the pile of non burnable rubbish.

Progress on 6 continues with the construction of another raised bed (4).

Onions,beds and pallet wood

More graft down at the allotment today, started with a bit more tree pruning, several large Ash branches had to be removed, they were overhanging the plot and would have shaded the area near the greenhouse.

The next job was to finish raised bed number three, a very light overnight drizzle made things a bit sticky. There was a fair bit of ground elder (a creeping weed) in this section so it was slow going to remove all the roots.

During the afternoon the sun appeared, warming the ground enough for me to plant some Onion sets, 50 Red and 50 white. A cover of plastic netting helps to keep the birds from pulling them back out before they can take root.

I moved an old galvanise tank into position ready to take some water next time it rains, the occupants of bed one are a couple of Blackcurrant bushes saved from another part of the plot, and two new Gooseberry bushes, one red and one green.

The newest resident is a Victoria plum tree.

Some of the de-constructed pallet wood drying in the greenhouse ready to be treated with a preservative before being made into a variety of other lotty items.

More raised beds and pallets

Yesterday turned into a bit of a marathon, first with a visit  to a local woodyard to pick up timber for more raised beds, following that, I called in to a building site in the middle of town to ask if I could have some  pallets. The only draw back was that they are large,  heavy and had to be carried a quarter of a mile through the town to the allotment. Fortunately I had my trusty Grandson with me to make things a bit easier.

 

Raised beds and digging

Yesterday, after scratching around for a while, I finally found enough bits to finish the first the raised beds, I even had some sheets of toughened glass to use as a windbreak.

A few slabs laid along one edge help to keep me from sinking in the wet clay, after a couple of days of wet weather everything is saturated at the moment.

Perfect weather today enabled me to start digging raised bed number 2, the soil here is very nice, deep and friable.

A Butchers dog has got nothing on me! LOL

After  several months of very strict calorie controlled dieting, it became apparent to me, that not only had I lost fat but also a LOT of muscle as well, in an effort to get fitter and redress the balance, I have started working out at the local Gym.
After twelve weeks,  I am now beginning to see some muscle definition returning, I can certainly lift  more weights than when I first started, also my whole body shape is starting to change.
Unfortunately I didn't take a before photo(not a pretty sight!), but believe me there is a definite difference now.

A way to go yet but, its fun!

Current measurements.
Theres been an increase of about 2" on all measurements except waist and hips since I started
Waist 34"
Hip 37"
Chest 42"
Thigh 22"
Biceps 14"

Path and raised bed

Collected another batch of paving slabs from free-cycle yesterday, and put them down today, they now run the full length of the plot and although they are not dead straight, they do give a nice clean but rustic route down to the greenhouse and shed.

The next big job is to prepare some raised beds for planting, I made a start on the one near the greenhouse, but am short of boards and stakes for making more.

Hungry birds and soggy days

We recently filled the bird feeders on our Lotty plot. On our visit today to deliver some compost, it was obvious that the food was very welcome, judging by how much they had eaten !
While we checked the greenhouse and shed, the birds were queuing up, high in the Yew tree, waiting for us to leave them in peace.

 Sharon waiting for me to stop fiddling around.

The Sweet peas sitting snuggly in a glass frame within the greenhouse, sort of double glazing !

An old galvanised tank left behind by a former tenant is destined to become a water store for the greenhouse, for a short while it was the resident Robins dinner table.

Gate construction

Today was mainly set aside for making and erecting a gate for the plot, essential for keeping out the furry pests !

Lotty progress

After several failed attempts, I finally managed to cut some glass to fit the angled pieces that were missing from the greenhouse when I got it.
Old glass is notoriously fickle to cut due to minute scratches in the surface that cause it to crack and break in the wrong place.
Anyway....persistence paid off and the GH is now secure from the variances in the wind and rain.
The inside border is dug over ready for the first crop.

Glazing and paving

The main tasks down the Lotty for the last couple of days has been to get the Greenhouse ready for use and to lay the paving slabs.
The glass needed  washing, so my trusty partner got to work while I laid the slabs .

The progress so far, greenhouse glazed. Slabs laid.
We need another dozen slabs to complete the path down to the gate.
The soil on the far side of the greenhouse has been dug, as has the soil inside the greenhouse.
The staging has also been installed, but it was too dark by the time I'd finished to get a photo.

Pottering on the plot

Yesterday was a day for enjoying the atmosphere, lots of pottering and planning the next moves.
A lovely sunny afternoon made for a very pleasant few hours, enhanced of course by coffee and biscuits in the peace and quiet, interrupted only by the local church clock chiming and the cheery song of our resident Robin.

Some of the slabs collected from free cycle made for a dry doorstep in front of our crooked shed, quirky but fully functional

After heavy rain the low spots throughout the plot collect water, and make blocking holes at the bottom of the fence line rather a soggy event.

One of the nest boxes placed high in the Yew tree near our shed.

Checking greenhouse measurements