One giant leap

[Peter]

How t'other 'alf live.

We have four horse troughs for 25 original, now subdivided plots.

[nick the grief]

We'll we've got all your water up ere

[HeyWayne]

I was going to try and be all clever and post the googleEarth image here, but I've no idea how...

Anyway, thanks for all the advice and encouragement, I feel a lot more confident going forward.

A few things I already know about the site:

Manure if freely available from the farmer up the road (free). The dude I spoke to - site rep if you like, said he's not sure if it's pig or cow (is there a difference?).

There is storage, and they recently had it broken into and the only thing of any worth (a strimmer) was stolen. They're trying to get it replaced via the insurance.

I think there's water, but I'll check tomorrow. A shop!? How posh are you? It's only a small village with a garden centre (Poplars) about a 2 minute drive away.

The cost of the plot is £10 for a full plot or £6 for half (for the whole year!!), but he said that as I'm starting late, and because the plots available are all overgrown and unkempt I can have it for free for the first year. Which I do feel guilty about to be honest.

He said they do have a problem with rabbits, and some people fence their plots in with chicken wire. He is trying to get the whole allotment fenced in, but one chap is causing problems (I'll be mindful not to pick the plot next to him taking your advice!).

One thing that did make me chuckle was the first question the chap asked me "Are you retired?" to which I replied, "not for about 30 years time" and he responded "ahh, a young'un!"

One thing I should have asked..

Are there minimum tools one would need? I have the usual, fork, spade, tiller, gloves (I've even got a dibber from when we planted our bulbs a couple of months back!), but wondered if there are some "can't go without" items?

Thanks again. I'll post some piccies of my virgin plot once chosen tomorrow.

[HeyWayne]

Hi Haywayne - Haven't I seen you on a constable painting

Thanks for getting it!

For years I've responded when people shout "hey, Wayne!" with "yes, one of Constables finest!"

Nobody ever gets it!

[Snadger]

Cow or horse muck is best! Pig muck is slurry!

[nick the grief]

......... said he's not sure if it's pig or cow (is there a difference?)........

Yes Cows are big animals (mainly black and white but can be other colours) with a sort of pink infalted rubber glove between their back legs and Pigs are .... well , ask pigletwillie

......... Are there minimum tools one would need? I have the usual, fork, spade, tiller, gloves (I've even got a dibber from when we planted our bulbs a couple of months back!), but wondered if there are some "can't go without" items?)........

I've got a a spade, fork, trowel, then a posh Wolf multi headed thing with a cultivator, Hoe (2 different sorts) & Rake two watering cansm Knives notebook and pencil and finaly a spade scraper made from Oak by No1 son in woodwork a few years ago. But the most important thing you'll need is a means of making Tea and a mug!!!

Thanks for getting it!

For years I've responded when people shout "hey, Wayne!" with "yes, one of Constables finest!"

Nobody ever gets it!

Ahh man after my own thingy, I can see you'll fit in well.

[NEWTO THE PLOT]

I fully agree with nick !! the cup of tea is a must i always take the flask with me

[madderbat]

Greetings HeyWayne
Hope you enjoy your lottie and don't get put off by the madness here.

My first thought when I read your intial post is the they asked if you were retired because oldies get the rent cheaper!! Then I read how much you were being charged - lucky thing. Our rent is only £36 pa, but £10!!! and free for the first year?? Wow you've hit lucky.

Dont get thrown and panick; take it a bit at a time and enjoy yourself. Contrary to popular opinion, that is what you are there for!!

Just watch out for the moaners/borrowers and advice givers on the plot. Some old hands like to phase the youngsters. Fortunately the grapes on this vine can be trusted to give useful advice.
Look forward to seeing the pictures.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi HW! welcome to the Vine! Can't add much to whats already been said. Looking forward to hearing how you get on. DDL

[HeyWayne]

Well went yesterday to have a look around, and I guess everything looks a bit bleak this time of year, but hey hoe (get it!?)

Anyway, the one thing that struck me was the lack of buildings - apparently you aren't really allowed sheds - most people leave their tools lying about. Strange.

Anyway, there are a few plots where people haven't used them for years and one free one, and another that will be available in October (but might be earlier). The free one is too much for me to take on. It's all overgrown with a huge bramble at one end, and it's the first plot you come to (next to the "car park"). The other plot which is likely to be available soon is in the middle, the water tap is at the end of the plot, there is a small tree at one end and it looks far more manageble (I had an operation a few years back to correct 3 slipped discs - so I gotta take it "easy").

Might see if I can buy the guy out! Wanna get crackin' now!

[madderbat]

Hey ho Wayne,
You can always look on the brambles as a crop - make wonderful blackberry wine, and not difficult to cultivate (as long as you don't go for digging the roots up - that's a bugger).
Hope you can get started this year, but it's a shame you can't have a shed- sheds is what makes lotties a home - ask Piglet Willie!!

[HeyWayne]

Hold the front page!

Just spoke to the Parish Clerk, and it appears there may have been a little confusion. The guy gave up his plot in October of last year, and it is now free!

Paperwork is on it's way to me over the next couple of days and I can get crackin soon after!

Woohoo.

[carlseawolf]

may i add one more thing , if yopu have a partener make sure you allocated time for them in your busy life otherwise you will hear the all to common saying ALLOTMENT WIDOW every time you walk out the door.
an allotment is fun and must be enjoyed as it's a long term hobby , and all though it's hard work and may have many problems pulling your own fresh veg for dinner will make forget it all.
welcome to the forum

[nick the grief]

may i add one more thing , if yopu have a partener make sure you allocated time for them in your busy life otherwise you will hear the all to common saying ALLOTMENT WIDOW every time you walk out the door.
an allotment is fun and must be enjoyed as it's a long term hobby , and all though it's hard work and may have many problems pulling your own fresh veg for dinner will make forget it all.
welcome to the forum

You've got it wrong Carl, Mrs Grief says to me " why don't you *%$* off down the allotment and keep out of my way!!!"

and being a good husband I always do as I'm told

[madderbat]

You've got it wrong Carl, Mrs Grief says to me " why don't you *%$* off down the allotment and keep out of my way!!!"

and being a good husband I always do as I'm told

So do I!!
And so does Bubblewrap!!