Sunday 3 April 2016

Plot and garden







We spent a good day in the sun at the allotment last week. I got the middle boy to take his Trangia and he made us lunch of savoury rice and veggie sausages. The boys played in the trees and by the stream and made the food and ate and did things with sticks and knives and I managed to get loads done in the time we were there. 

Lots of weeding, with lots more still to do of course, and broad beans and radishes sown, Okay, that doesn't sound like much now I've written it down, but it did at the time. The littlest boy fell in the stream. Apparently the biggest boy waved his stick (wand) at him in grand Harry Potter fashion and shouted "Relashio" (they are all about the Harry Potter spells at the moment). The littlest boy said, "What does that do?", then fell forward onto his knees in the stream and backwards completely into the water. You could hear the others laughing from half a mile away. A bit later on the middle boy fell in the stream as well. Not to be outdone, you know. 

It was such a gorgeous day there were loads of other plotholders there. I'd forgotten what a good community spirit there is. Vandalism has started up again after a winter break unfortunately. Everyone is duly outraged. 

I spotted a couple of brimstone butterflies, the primrose yellow ones. Such a fantastic name. They hibernate as adults and start flying in April.

I tackled the garden today. Mulched the raised beds with compost and manure. Topped up some of the pots. Swept and tidied. Inside I planted  more seeds. Dark red lupins, white foxgloves, ammi, lime green nicotiana, cucumbers, squashes, courgettes and achocha. Spring is here.

31 comments:

  1. In my alternative universe, I have an allotment like you, where I take the offspring for a day of fun with knifes and sticks. Unfortunately, I am not there often, being stuck in this universe and all. I am glad you had a lovely time. I planted some seeds today, cosmos, zinnia and rudbeckia. Wishing you a great week. x

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  2. Oh I envy you being out today. It's been a horrible day down here, cold and mizzly. I did get lots of potting up done in the greenhouse though, dodging the leaks in the roof.

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  3. You did get lots done while the boys adventured! I have some Sweet Pea seeds soaking in water in a dish inside, planning to plant them by the trellis out front tomorrow. Happy Spring! xx

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  4. I dream of an allotment, a river near by, change in seasons and owning a yarn store, not in that order of course. I love that the boys are all about Harry Potter spells, I am always all about Harry Potter.
    Your day sounds lovely and you got loads done.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  5. What fun you all had! I think it's great that your son did chef duty and they all had so much fun playing boy stuff and falling in the water. Did you bring dry clothes? I fell in the ocean one time and was miserable the rest of the day being all wet and I didn't get to go into the aquarium while everyone else did. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  6. I had to google a Trangia to find out what one was - what a great idea and perfect for a day at the allotment. Lovely food, a good bit of weeding and Harry Potter spells - sounds like a perfect spring day to me. Maybe your boys should practise Dumbledore's drying spell?! Have a great week. xx

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  7. Sounds like the boys had a great day and you certainly achieved a lot despite what you think now that you have written it down. Lunch outdoors cooked in the open sounds delicious. Take care.

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  8. I love a day like that, working outdoors in the fresh air. Brimstones are the original butter-coloured fly that gives the group its name. You're going to have some lovely plants this summer. I hope everyone has dried out :-) xx

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  9. Reading your blog I feel as if I also have a garden!!! Do enjoy your allotment and garden on behalf of everybody who does not have their own!!

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  10. It sounds idyllic, CJ. The perfect combination of happy, occupied children (outdoors having fun no less!) and being outside getting stuff sorted. Lovely. Sounds like you've got some fabulous plants on the way. We've had some lovely weather here and got lots done outside but it's drizzling today, so I might have to do some housework... Your boys sound like a lot of fun - it's the best feeling when they all laugh together, isn't it? Sam x

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  11. boys..........! what a pain about the vandalism. we have the same problem at our community allotment plot, some one broke our gate, stole the shed, and filled the place with broken beer bottles......... hateful.

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  12. Wow you have been busy! I planted onion sets the other day but think I had better get a move on with sowing some seeds. Sounds like your boys had a great time - I'm impressed by the lunch x

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  13. How satisfying you managed to get lots done whilst the boys played out too. I always think that eating outdoors makes you feel more alive. And I like the idea of hibernating until April then flying out. I want to be a butterfly! What a shame about the vandals, it's sad to think of people getting a kick out of being destructive. I hope you have a good week, CJ. xx

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  14. It sounds like you had a couple of good days and got lots done. Sadly we often find that there's vandalism during the school holidays. It's always good to see butterflies.
    Flighty xx

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  15. We have never seen brimstones in our part of the country.

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  16. Your time at the allotment sounds like my idea of a perfect day. I love that your boys were doing Harry Potter spells, and that in typical boy fashion it ended up with them falling in the stream. It must be so discouraging to have vandals undoing all your hard work at the allotment. Hopefully someone catches them in the act and that puts a stop to it.

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  17. Hope you enjoy your plot time and that the horrid people soon lose interest and go away! xx

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  18. I was hoping for some photos of the cooking on the trangia - why does food cooked outside always taste so much better than indoor cooked food? Sounds like an idyllic day, playing outside, for the boys (and you too as you got so much done), even the quick dunk in the river!
    Caz xx

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  19. Yes Spring is definately here, I'm loving the lighter nights and the plants are too! :) xxx

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  20. You're so ready for the growing season now, CJ. I love that you tend the allotment and garden together. The boys are learning a lot and it sounds like they're having a good time of it too. :)

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  21. Gosh you have your hands full with three boys. I've not spotted a butterfly yet here but have seen several plump bumble bees xx

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  22. Hey CJ,
    Boys and their sticks. We went through a Harry Potter period some years ago. Samuel was always cursing me with one spell or another. Olly fell in the stream on the horsey walk last week. It was ever so funny. Until he got rather cold rather quickly. Good for you on the allotment front. Weeding takes up so much time, I find. I too have been planting lots of flowers seeds, but I do like the sound of red lupins. I may have to investigate.
    Leanne xx

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  23. Wow! Sounds like you have been very industrious. And your boys seem to be enjoying themselves too.

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  24. Great plot-time, eh! What incredible photos of a beautiful day, it's great to see someone else who really recognises the beauty of moss and lichen! Our plots really, sadly, have no community feeling and it breaks my heart that we are usually the only ones in our field. You're so lucky :) Yellow butterflies sound lovely, though I have to confess they all scare me!

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  25. Looks like everything is starting to sprout!

    I truly don't get the vandalism thing. Sad! :::sigh:::

    http://pointylittlesticks.blogspot.com

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  26. That sounds a perfect way to spend the holidays, with everyone happily doing their own thing and having fun outside too! I looked at my achocha seeds over the weekend. I will have to follow your example and plant them! Sarah x

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  27. I wish I loved gardening, it always looks so calming. I just need to read about it instead I suppose :)

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  28. sometimes one single job takes all day in the garden, so I know what you mean CJ when you say "it doesn't sound like much". what it DOES sounds like is that much fun was had by all in the fresh air. lovely to see the work begin out in the allotment!

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  29. Your garden looks like the beginning of life :) It's full of life energy.

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  30. Ha, it's a good day out when one or two go down in a stream. Love that you had a cook out. Favorite photo #3. magical.

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  31. I love reading about your gardening and allotment adventures, you are very inspiring. You've made me want to plant things, but I haven't a clue what or when, so I'll just enjoy watching what you do. xx

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