My list has been coming along nicely - slowly, but nicely. So all was going to plan when three weeks ago I had a very strange illness that ravaged my body over four days, mainly shivering accompanied by fever, very sensitive skin, no appetite, severe headache, aching aching joints, stomach pain, runny nose (just one day), chesty cough (the next day) and then just general feeling sorry for myself-ness. Never mind, I recovered, went back to work and reminded myself how I take my health for granted.
Strangely the stomach pain continued, but I had been ill so thought nothing of it and I had the weekend to look forward to. I'd made a deal with my OH that he would have a go at the greenhouse base that had defeated me the week before.
On Thursday the pain intensified and moved from the centre of my stomach to my right side. I just couldn't get comfortable when sitting or standing, and spent much of the day wondering whether I was suffering from indigestion, or maybe had the beginning of an ulcer. Finally hometime came - I could barely drive and sobbed in pain the whole way home - a bath, that's what I needed. Sprinkled in my Gucci bath dust (surely that would make me feel better) and tried to relax. No good, still couldn't get comfortable. Sleep - that's what I needed. Went to bed, but the pain was even worse in bed, tried to sleep, but the sobbing kept me awake. Finally got up and moved to the sofa. Frightened that OH would call an ambulance, I texted him to say I was feeling better ... and promptly threw up. Duly texted again 'I've thrown up' ...he set off for my house - a 45 minute drive at the best of times and it had been snowing for a while. It felt like it took him a lifetime to arrive, but finally he was there - he took one look and asked 'A&E ?' .. my breathy response 'yes'. Threw up again.
Arrived at A&E and seen by a young doctor (intern maybe as the nurses seemed to be training him) who quickly decided I had appendicitis. Now even in my rolling pain and breathlessness I recognised that word would mean an operation - desperate to avoid this and leave the hospital I suggested maybe I had trapped wind - the intern had an incredulous look on his face, but we managed to agree that 'maybe it was and we'd do some tests'. Hmmm, risk of operation fading, I had a series of tests and x-rays and was hooked up to a drip and drugged up.
Spent an uncomfortable night in the surgical assessment ward - seemed that every hour they were taking blood, checking blood pressure, hooking up another IV. The anaesthetist came to see me to explain that I'd be given a drug and then feel some pressure on my neck - I smiled at him through my drug haze and had no idea what he was talking about. I soon found out an hour later, when my surgeon arrived. Oh the horror - a real surgeon and he's talking to me about MY operation. I don't think I've ever been more frightened. Still desperate to avoid the op, and shaking with fear waiting on my bed outside the operating theatre doors I mentioned that I was feeling much better to my surgeon, who paled a couple of shades (apparently just before your appendix bursts you feel much better !) I had an uneventful laparoscopic appendectomy and spent four days in hospital recovering. Apparently the appendix was very nasty and very inflamed, but at least it hadn't burst.
So, I'm now on sick leave, recovering and my greenhouse base will have to wait I'm afraid ... I've not even managed to sow any seeds, its very frustrating and hugely inconvenient.
Monday, 26 February 2007
Tuesday, 9 January 2007
What to do on a rainy day ...
Finally Wilkinsons have started to get their gardening stock.
I had a walk up today, in the rain, and got onion sets (Red Carmen and Sturton), shallots (Red Sun) and potatoes (Rocket, Pink Fir Apple and Charlotte). Just need to decide on a main crop and I'm all set.
I had a walk up today, in the rain, and got onion sets (Red Carmen and Sturton), shallots (Red Sun) and potatoes (Rocket, Pink Fir Apple and Charlotte). Just need to decide on a main crop and I'm all set.
Not quite the full monty
Gawd it can rain in England. I managed to do a few of my jobs in between showers:
- Take Tin Bath to plot (still needs drainage holes)
- Take Bay Tree to plot (still needs repotting)
- Clear area next to compost heap for manure
- Move manure to newly created area (sifting out bindweed as I go)
- Knock pallets apart to make proper compost bin
- Christen incinerator (stuff is just too darn wet to burn .. patience, patience .. )
- Check for daffodils
The compost area looks great - now. Had to empty out the compost, and then dig out the bindweed and some wierd weed with enormous tap roots (has a really large round leaf and lilac-ish flowers, currently in flower). It took ages. I've used a really heavy door for the rear of the area - that should keep out Ken's weeds and brambles and then used pallets for the dividers. Unfortunately a couple were just too rubbish to use, so Nick next door has promised to get me some more.
and then, I mean just how great is life at the allotment, I spent hours sifting the manure by hand to get rid of more bindweed. I never in my life thought that I would inspect a load of old poo so closely. By the time we were rained off the area had turned into a quagmire. The manure area looks as if it needs to be doubled in size looking at the pile that I've still got to shift. Once it dries up a bit I'll have another go.
While moving the compost heap, I came across a little mouse / vole nest - it has been beautifully made out of my best red string ! The nest was empty - but maybe the owners are responsible for my disappearing beans. This is what remains.
Also managed to sow some sweetpeas
- Take Tin Bath to plot (still needs drainage holes)
- Take Bay Tree to plot (still needs repotting)
- Clear area next to compost heap for manure
- Move manure to newly created area (sifting out bindweed as I go)
- Knock pallets apart to make proper compost bin
- Christen incinerator (stuff is just too darn wet to burn .. patience, patience .. )
- Check for daffodils
The compost area looks great - now. Had to empty out the compost, and then dig out the bindweed and some wierd weed with enormous tap roots (has a really large round leaf and lilac-ish flowers, currently in flower). It took ages. I've used a really heavy door for the rear of the area - that should keep out Ken's weeds and brambles and then used pallets for the dividers. Unfortunately a couple were just too rubbish to use, so Nick next door has promised to get me some more.
and then, I mean just how great is life at the allotment, I spent hours sifting the manure by hand to get rid of more bindweed. I never in my life thought that I would inspect a load of old poo so closely. By the time we were rained off the area had turned into a quagmire. The manure area looks as if it needs to be doubled in size looking at the pile that I've still got to shift. Once it dries up a bit I'll have another go.
While moving the compost heap, I came across a little mouse / vole nest - it has been beautifully made out of my best red string ! The nest was empty - but maybe the owners are responsible for my disappearing beans. This is what remains.
Also managed to sow some sweetpeas
Thursday, 4 January 2007
a list !
well I had a little think and this is my weekend list:
- Take Tin Bath to plot, make drainage holes
- Take Bay Tree to plot, repot
- Clear area next to compost heap for manure
- Move manure to newly created area (sifting out bindweed as I go)
- Knock pallets apart to make proper compost bin
- Christen incinerator
- Repot blueberry
- Check for daffodils
- Dig greenhouse area
- Lay base for greenhouse
- Secure greenhouse to new base. Glaze (on a non-windy day)
- Move bath (for carrots)
- Get sand to put in bath
- Position water butts outside greenhouse
- Make wood chip path in front of hedge
- Move strawberries to bed next to greenhouse
- Move rhubarb (if I can find it !)
- Dig rest of plot that has not been touched yet
- Make cold frame
- Clean potting shed
hopefully I'll be home in time for tea !
- Take Tin Bath to plot, make drainage holes
- Take Bay Tree to plot, repot
- Clear area next to compost heap for manure
- Move manure to newly created area (sifting out bindweed as I go)
- Knock pallets apart to make proper compost bin
- Christen incinerator
- Repot blueberry
- Check for daffodils
- Dig greenhouse area
- Lay base for greenhouse
- Secure greenhouse to new base. Glaze (on a non-windy day)
- Move bath (for carrots)
- Get sand to put in bath
- Position water butts outside greenhouse
- Make wood chip path in front of hedge
- Move strawberries to bed next to greenhouse
- Move rhubarb (if I can find it !)
- Dig rest of plot that has not been touched yet
- Make cold frame
- Clean potting shed
hopefully I'll be home in time for tea !
Monday, 1 January 2007
Another nice, bright shiny year
Got some excellent Christmas gifts for my lottie: incinerator (with a chimney !!), blueberry bush, bay tree, fleece cloche, plastic cloche, backpack and vango flask.
The incinerator is now nicely installed - just need some dry days so I can get rid of the ridiculously large heap of non-compostable stuff (mainly the hedge and bindweed). Had a lovely cup of tea from my new flask - my very first at the lottie, so very satisfying. In fact it was so good, I had one at the top of the plot and then one at the bottom.
The blueberry is self fertile (Sunshine - what a great name), so I only need the one. Have taken it up to the plot and intend to repot it next weekend - hopefully we'll be eating blueberry pancakes & muffins later in the year ! yum.
Had a bit of a tidy round, but I wish it would stop raining so I can make some real progress. Started to move the manure pile, so that I can lay the greenhouse base, but it's riddled with bindweed, so I'm having to sift it very carefully (I must have been very naughty in a previous life to deserve so much bindweed). Think I'll put it next to the compost heap ... hmmm, compost heap. It's not doing much composting. Perhaps it needs to be a bit warmer (it's not got a front), will need to look around for some more pallets - everytime we see some we've either got a car full of stuff already or we're on our way somewhere.
God there are so many jobs to be done - I keep wandering around aimlessly. Maybe I need a list, yes with a list there will be a plan and a plan means that things will get done ... doesn't it ?
Broadbeans are looking good, those that haven't been ravaged by the local wildlife that is. They are looking quite sturdy.
Been thinking about next years potatoes, even though this years are still coming out of my ears. The pentland javelin started to sprout in the cellar head a long time ago and now look like extras in some weird alien film - the two blue trays have fused together. Going to put it off a bit longer, but will have to do something with them soon, or they may actually develop plans to take over the world, mmmwhhhhhawwww ... well OH's house at least. Not made a decision yet, but am thinking about anya, charlotte, international kidney, pink fur apple and cara.
Still on the look out for shallots and saw some today in B&Q of all places - £1.98 for 10 ... and still I didn't buy them. One purchase I'll definitely be making is at Nettos on Monday 8th when their seeds at .19p a packet arrive (being as I'm so short of seeds 'n all).
Ken, my next door but one lottie neighbour, and I have complained about the state of the allotment in between us. The owner has only been seen twice in just over a year and a few months ago their greenhouse collapsed into the public lane. Ken has left telephone messages with the council and I've sent an e-mail, so hopefully we'll get a response. I'm half toying with the idea of taking it over myself. I think if I had a family to feed and more time (!) then I'd seriously consider it, but OH and I have been overwhelmed with the produce from this season, and the lottie is not even fully functioning yet ... still, its a thought though isn't it ... now where did I put that list
Happy New Year to you all
The incinerator is now nicely installed - just need some dry days so I can get rid of the ridiculously large heap of non-compostable stuff (mainly the hedge and bindweed). Had a lovely cup of tea from my new flask - my very first at the lottie, so very satisfying. In fact it was so good, I had one at the top of the plot and then one at the bottom.
The blueberry is self fertile (Sunshine - what a great name), so I only need the one. Have taken it up to the plot and intend to repot it next weekend - hopefully we'll be eating blueberry pancakes & muffins later in the year ! yum.
Had a bit of a tidy round, but I wish it would stop raining so I can make some real progress. Started to move the manure pile, so that I can lay the greenhouse base, but it's riddled with bindweed, so I'm having to sift it very carefully (I must have been very naughty in a previous life to deserve so much bindweed). Think I'll put it next to the compost heap ... hmmm, compost heap. It's not doing much composting. Perhaps it needs to be a bit warmer (it's not got a front), will need to look around for some more pallets - everytime we see some we've either got a car full of stuff already or we're on our way somewhere.
God there are so many jobs to be done - I keep wandering around aimlessly. Maybe I need a list, yes with a list there will be a plan and a plan means that things will get done ... doesn't it ?
Broadbeans are looking good, those that haven't been ravaged by the local wildlife that is. They are looking quite sturdy.
Been thinking about next years potatoes, even though this years are still coming out of my ears. The pentland javelin started to sprout in the cellar head a long time ago and now look like extras in some weird alien film - the two blue trays have fused together. Going to put it off a bit longer, but will have to do something with them soon, or they may actually develop plans to take over the world, mmmwhhhhhawwww ... well OH's house at least. Not made a decision yet, but am thinking about anya, charlotte, international kidney, pink fur apple and cara.
Still on the look out for shallots and saw some today in B&Q of all places - £1.98 for 10 ... and still I didn't buy them. One purchase I'll definitely be making is at Nettos on Monday 8th when their seeds at .19p a packet arrive (being as I'm so short of seeds 'n all).
Ken, my next door but one lottie neighbour, and I have complained about the state of the allotment in between us. The owner has only been seen twice in just over a year and a few months ago their greenhouse collapsed into the public lane. Ken has left telephone messages with the council and I've sent an e-mail, so hopefully we'll get a response. I'm half toying with the idea of taking it over myself. I think if I had a family to feed and more time (!) then I'd seriously consider it, but OH and I have been overwhelmed with the produce from this season, and the lottie is not even fully functioning yet ... still, its a thought though isn't it ... now where did I put that list
Happy New Year to you all
Sunday, 24 December 2006
I finished work on 12th December with the aim of spending loads of time up at the lottie, but in all that time I've managed one hour! Why's that you ask ? well, firstly there were presents to be bought, then they needed wrapping, delivery men to wait in for, then there was the visiting of family and friends - finally I get to the lottie yesterday.
Hurray I think, dashing into the brick greenhouse and emerging gleefully clutching my spade and rushing to the bottom of the plot to commence digging - only to find that the ground is FROZEN SOLID ... words failed me as I moped around balefully kicking leaves back onto the beds.
My broadbeans took ages to finally germinate, but I was pleased to see that they had all emerged - however, on closer inspection several of the young shoots have been trimmed at ground level and have a suspicious round hole (2-3" deep) next to them. At first I thought maybe a fox had walked across the bed, but the holes are only where the plants have been and they are very uniform in shape - seems like my little vole family may be the culprits.
Not sure if there is anything I can do to protect them, so will just have to hope that they leave me some.
My bed of garlic is looking really healthy and strong - the leaves are around 2" high now.
The bed next to it has my Japanese onions, which were planted at the same time, but in comparison are very small and weedy looking.
I'm hoping that they've managed to put on enough growth to get through the winter. They've probably not been helped by the seemingly never ending deluge of rain (where was it in the summer when we needed it) that has probably waterlogged the bed by now.
An hour later with feet and hands freezing I had to admit defeat and rush back to the warmth of the house.
Popping back up today to lift some leeks and parsnips and cut some herbs.
Will need to remember to put a marker on the parsnips as I noticed yesterday that the foliage has all but disappeared now.
Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2007.
Hurray I think, dashing into the brick greenhouse and emerging gleefully clutching my spade and rushing to the bottom of the plot to commence digging - only to find that the ground is FROZEN SOLID ... words failed me as I moped around balefully kicking leaves back onto the beds.
My broadbeans took ages to finally germinate, but I was pleased to see that they had all emerged - however, on closer inspection several of the young shoots have been trimmed at ground level and have a suspicious round hole (2-3" deep) next to them. At first I thought maybe a fox had walked across the bed, but the holes are only where the plants have been and they are very uniform in shape - seems like my little vole family may be the culprits.
Not sure if there is anything I can do to protect them, so will just have to hope that they leave me some.My bed of garlic is looking really healthy and strong - the leaves are around 2" high now.
The bed next to it has my Japanese onions, which were planted at the same time, but in comparison are very small and weedy looking. 
I'm hoping that they've managed to put on enough growth to get through the winter. They've probably not been helped by the seemingly never ending deluge of rain (where was it in the summer when we needed it) that has probably waterlogged the bed by now.An hour later with feet and hands freezing I had to admit defeat and rush back to the warmth of the house.
Popping back up today to lift some leeks and parsnips and cut some herbs.
Will need to remember to put a marker on the parsnips as I noticed yesterday that the foliage has all but disappeared now.
Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2007.
Monday, 20 November 2006
New Greenhouse
The greenhouse frame is finally complete and was a lot easier to put back together than we thought it would be. Its weighted down by bricks whilst I try to decide on its permanent position. Once thats been decided and the ground has been levelled, it'll need glazing - suspect the air will be blue that weekend ! Whilst we were trying to fix the roof in place, the top crossbeam fell and hit me quite hard on the back of my neck - at first I thought the tears were just from shock, but actually it has been quite painful for the last few days - its easing now, but is still very tender to the touch.
One of the jobs for the weekend was to have a fire to get rid of the huge pile of weeds, hedge etc that seem to accumulate at this time of year. The wind has dried everything out and practically with one match it was away. Here is one of my favourite shots - the bindweed burning !!
I had a clearout of the brick greenhouse, which I've not really done anything with yet. Its heavily shaded by the hedge, so I'll have to take my ladders up one weekend and cut it down a bit. We found some suspicious looking sheets and sure enough the man at the tip confirmed that they are pieces of asbestos sheeting - when I contacted the Sheffield Council Allotment department to report it, they insisted it is up to tenants to remove the asbestos themselves.
When I took over the allotment I inherited a home-made potting table, which is really rickety. It satisfied my needs in spring, but was moved to the brick greenhouse during the summer to make way for the tomatoes. Having found a very sturdy table to replace it, its time was up and the fire beckoned. It was so old and rotten that it collapsed as we tried to move it - not a moment too soon.
We met some new lottie people on the same lane as us. They've only had their lottie for a month or so, but are making astounding progress. It's good to have some new people around, I had a good walk round recently and noticed that many of the allotments look abandoned and run down - although unbelievably there is supposed to be a waiting list ??
The apple tree has lost most of its leaves now, so I really need to think about moving it to somewhere more suitable - wonder what on earth possessed the last tenant to plant it next to the path.
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