Vegging out!

WOW - once again - long time no post

I should work out how to set up a default template so all of my posts start like that.  To be honest have been mulling over  stopping blogging.  As much as I love having my secret little thing, a little place to blast or rant or just share, ponder and bore on about my passion for growing.... life does have a habit of getting in the way.  Work this year has been manic.  I am here now (supervising a desk install!)  I also would like to pursue other interests - would love to try dress making (other garments need not apply).  Also been having a bit of a flare with the Arthritis.  If any of you say "but you're too young for arthritis", you can line up for a slap round the chops.  Inflammatory forms of arthritis are more common in those aged between 25-40.  Anyhoo its not a pity party here but I have been exhaustipated.  When I do get to the allotment (once a week tops with the current crappy weather) I dig for a bit, sit for a bit, do a bit more, sit, dig , sit.  I'm sure the neighbours think I'm A - Batty, B - Lazy  C - BOTH!

Enough already of the excuses.  I have my tato's in (only 2-3 weeks ago so no applause please!) first earlies cant remember which off the top of my head.  Garlic, shallots and onions which I planted last year are doing really well!  I have some broad beans (currently in the car) in tray ready to go out this afternoon.  Again late but my super star allotment neighbour (I shall call him Mardy-bum) has small ones coming through and I though I could catch those up if I started them at home and I have indeed caught up size wise - just need to sink 'em!  The mother and I have prepped the runner bean station, the salad bed is all ready to go and I have dug a bit off the pea/other bean spot.

I have had a face off with the brother also about the allotment and stated that if he does not pull his finger out this year and help that I will not take on the allotment again for him next year.  His response "okay then don't"....  Slightly shocked that no row was ensuing but so be it - a line has been  drawn.  He has asked for a large bed to himself on the allotment and Mum says he has started on this section.  I didn't go last week (rain) so have yet to see the fruits of his labour (I'm not expecting too much).  He did mow the grass once though....

In other news..... errr work.... still here, still busy, still on a bloomin contract although again expecting good news this time round (yes been there heard that!)  ever the optimist.

Saw the Star Wars film last night - EPIC.  In fact if you looked up epic in the dictionary it would say watch the Star Wars film.  Not even a trekkie :o)

Anyway - I shall see if  can take some snaps today so I can piccy up the blog!

Chat soon - probably!  XXX

Ive started!

YAY - finally had a free day to get to the allotment!  I went yesterday (Easter Monday) and spent the afternoon.  It was still cold but when the sun shone it was FAB.  I strimmed, pulled and laid carpet on a couple of bits that were unruly last year.  I know strictly speaking I shouldn't but I need all of the time saving help I can get.  I put some at the top between me and the neighbour and some either side of the Goosegogs.  The top bit really caused a problem last year as the weeds really strayed into the potato patch.  (This years onion and garlic). I just can't be doing with spending nearly all of my allotment time strimming and cutting grass by hand.  The bits without carpet I am hoping to give a really good dig over to get rid of most of the rest of it.  HURRAH. 

I weeded and pruned the Gooseberries too.... Evil bastard plants.  I look like I have been mauled by a troupe of marauding tigers.  YOWCH.  Long sleeves this week for me then.  I will be able to get there again on Saturday and here we go again - just one visit and I've got the bug again!  Must look up what I should be sowing and get on with it!

I also potted up the perennial plant collection that I sent for..  and dropped all over the floor.  Now I've no idea which is what... OOOPS!  Theya re for the garden though.  Apart from that I've got tomatoes, and chillis on the go.

Back in the saddle - It was lovely to be outside yesterday but a radox bath for me tonight I think!  I got cramp in my bum this morning and I think I've pulled it!  LOL  :O)

Ciao for now X

Easter Blues

Its still snowing and crap!  Yes I know its Easter this weekend - this time last year we were all sun burnt - this year we have frost bite.  I've still done nothing on the allotment I've only just sowed some tomatoes and chilli's at home!  Although I seem to be doing my best to get that wrong - Keep forgetting to take the lid off the propagator and they're going all leggy...

So no news really - The Major Big Boss of all of the Universe at work is visiting from Japan next Friday so everyone is in a tail spin redecorating, re-branding cleaning and worrying about shit such as what the disabled loo (ahem the VIP bathroom) smells and looks like.  Yes I have bought matching hand towels and a cabinet to put it in!

Anyway got to go, having some desks put together  GAAAAAAAHHHHH

Ciao for now X

Hey there! Snow time blues

Dear All

******** snow stopped play *********

the end - that WAS January.....

Not sown a seed or turned a sod.  I have been lazy.  I have not even rifled through the seed packets. Most unlike me.  I have normally started Chilli's and maybe even tomato's by now.... Hmmmmm ennui strikes.

Perhaps if it snows again this weekend, I will get the house done early and spend an hour or so in the potting-shed-alike... I dooo have a few seeds (chilli's) that could be doing with getting on.  The Rainbow chilli's in particular were brill and super hot this year.  If I use one tonight I shall be sure to save a coupla the seeds!

Anyhoo - Hope that you are all finding your Mojo... If you find mine, smack its bum and send it home please :o)

Chat soon X

3000!

OH EM GEEEEE people!  Just logged on today and I can see the read count is 2999!  It cant all be me obsessively checking and re-reading surely!

 Congratulations if your my 3000th reader - I wish I could know who you were.  I have a loyal but steady regular crew of about 10 so you can all pat yourselves on the back!

I am just at the point where I am starting to think about getting the seed stash out and starting off some chilli's.  The good think about having this blog is its easy to look back and see when I did things last year and if they worked, rather relying on my memory!

I used to know a poem that started off:

My forgetterer is getting betterer, but my rememberer is broke, to you this might sound funny but to me this is no joke!

Me in a nutshell I'm afraid - if its not written down or I'm not reminded its gone.

Anyway in other exciting news - choir - we sang in Trafalgar Square in December in aid of the Children's Hear Foundation - It was bitterly cold but FAB  R C Trafalgar Square  you can't really see me in this as my face is hidden by a massive fluffy mic but my ponytail is putting on a stirling performance.

Yet more excitement - I seem to have stumbled across my dream job...  I wont say too much here just in case but its organic, friendly, small, a little bit hippy dippy, closer to home and they want to pay me more money.  I say they do but I haven't met them yet!  I have met the lady from the agency however and it sounds AMAAAAAAAY-ZING!  I'll keep you updated.  Interviews likely to be next Weds/Thursday!

Anyway must choose what chillis to start of - numex twilights are a must!

And thanks for your support and love and just for generally reading all the rubbish I come out with

BIG LOVE XXX

Chat soon X

Finaleeeeeeeee

Hey I ave finally got the garlic in the ground!  Whoooo hooooo!  Although having had a chesty cough and three days off work last week, it was looking dicey for this weekend too!  However like a good girl I got up, packed my lottie bag, guilt tripped Mr B into coming with me an off we set. 

I used the top bed for this as I have not had onions in it before and it will be nearly a whole section of the allotment planted up!  I have varieties messidrome, germidor, edenrose, chesnok red and elephant garlic.  I can't remember off the top of my head in which order though I did do a nifty little diagram!  Beside that I do have three rows of eschallot grise, apparently a prized ingredient (excellent marketing which I fell for!) and then only two of electric red onions.  This was all I could fit in as a) I haven't dug enough and b) the ground which was slightly uncovered at this edge and was frozen.  I reckon there are about as many again which I didn't get to plant so I will come back to these in the spring perhaps....

And as for broad beans.... sigh ... not done. I have a vague entertainment of starting them off at home in loo rolls and then when the ground is soft again in spring putting the little plantlets in the ground like that.  So the advantage of growing them early in to non frozen compost and hopefully and early harvest to combat the greenfly... I shall think on it.  I may have some free time on Tuesday. 

Having my pre Xmas haircut tonight (have had a bit of a hair disaster vis a vis colouring and over straightening and now some of the ends break!) and then Weds running club if I'm fit enough and Thursday Choir is singing in Marlow... Just have to learn my solo for "all over the world" by ELO.  Oh yes a solo and this time by clever choosing I don't have to share!  YAY!  Mine all MINE!

Anyway back to the allotment, I got the planting done and Mr B took down the beans and the poles and helped me re-spread the tarpaulin over a bit lower down the plot.  Looks much neater and ready for the long winter.  I doubt I will get anything else done until its chilli time next year.... apart from the broad beans that is.... eventually :o)

Hope you're all well and Chat again soon X

Ciao for now !!!

When will I see you again?

Hi there!

I must admit to a heinous crime... I have not been to the allotment for the past THREE weeks! shocker.  I think that apart from the depth of winter this is the longest that I haven't been since I got it!  I couldn't be bothered the first weekend, then had a family funeral to attend and was mega busy last weekend.  Sigh.  Must do better would be my report card.

The long awaited garlic, onion and shallot order arrived!  YAY I hear you say "she can stop twanging on about it now" ALAS the weather is sooooo bad (rained all night) that I fear I wont be able to get there this weekend either..... BAH - I also have to drop the car off for its MOT Saturday so that's out anyway.  We will see what happens on Sunday.  Maybe I can go and cut the beans down at least!

I think I will start the broad beans anyway at home.  I can then get them out when the weather is drier.  Yeah thats a plan stan.

Diet is going well.  Still on the Dukan and about 9 lbs down so all good.

Work is slightly frustrating still - they are still fannying about and no further contract has been offered.  Really hoping for a permanent one this time (as always).  I wouldn't say no to an extension but I would seriously start to look for something else.  My boss has promised me a definitive answer by the end of the month.  7 days it is then.... (watch this space I suspect it will be just like last time and only be offered something 2 days before the end!)

Anyway Christmas is coming.  Need pressie ideas for Mr B.  sigh.

Better get on Ciao for now and chat soon X

OOOOOOOoooh - Films - ARGO is the best film I've seen for AAAAAAAAAAGES!  Go SEE GO SEE :0)