This is my first blog post in a while. For several reasons,
I have neglected my plot shamefully. In fact (and I want to hide with shame
when I say this) I didn’t go to the allotment in months. Deary deary me!
The main reason was that, when I left the job I hated, I was so happy that I wanted to
spend as much time as possible with my family. Now, my primary teaching course (which, admittedly, I love) takes
up most of my time. I also volunteer for a few things every week so again, I
want to spend my free time with my family.
But, as always, the new year brings a new life. I have found
that spark in me again – the little fire that warms me when I’m outside working
the land. So, with that in mind, I've told myself that I will keep the allotment up. I have been sensible and cut my plot in
half. Next year, if I’m still in Caithness, I’m hoping to plant a heritage
garden where I grow all varieties and plants that people 100+ years ago grew.
This year, I’m concentrating on making small vegetable beds
that I can manage with a busy university course.
The last couple of days I’ve been helping my sister finish
some of her nitty gritty research for her MSc dissertation. We finished that
yesterday which meant I could go to the allotment today. My tasks were:
·
dig 1 bed (1m x 2m)
·
make the compost bins out of the many pallets
that are lying around my plot.
I always learn something new when I’m gardening. I learned,
today, that I should have measured out
the bed before I started digging. Why? Take a look at the photo. All that
energy that went into digging the paths!
I gave myself little targets and, when I reached them, I
treated myself to a rest on my rather muddy, dilapidated, spider’s webs-y
garden chair. It was a beautiful day and I relished in looking around my plot
and listening to the birds next door.
I didn’t manage to get the compost bins finished. I only put
up one side of them. I’ve learned, though, that sometimes you must alter your
plans for the allotment to remain enjoyable. If I’d pushed myself too hard
today, I wouldn’t want to go back for a while, and the plot would get to the
stage it was last year.
Oh, and another thing I learned: Always always take a bottle
of water with you. I forgot today – and, as I was eyeing up the very old water in the milk bottles, I really regretted it!
