How sandy?

This morning was spent pond digging. About 20cm into the top soil we (well Nigel) hit pure sand. I always knew that our soil was really sandy, but didn't realise to what extent. The road that the alloments run off is, I think, the course of an old river, and we do have underground springs apparently on the allotment site.

After digging out the hole and putting the liner in place we excitedly went to fill the pond only to find that the water supply had been switched off for the winter! Oh well, we'll have to watch it fill up bit bit with rainwater.

It actually feels much more like November today, so I have got a soup of sweet potato, leek, butternut squash, carrot, parsnip, ginger, garlic and chilli on the go - a real winter warmer!

I got up early this morning and went down to the allotment with my leaf rake and onion hoe. I raked up most of the fallen leaves and put them into a great jute 'leaf moulder' sack. It was really huge which surprised me and probably had as much room in it as the conventional chicken wire one that I have in the garden.
Not so nice was the quantity of cat pooh that I found underneath the leaves! I also found my thick gardening gloves, partially decomposed, as well. Unfortunate, as I needed them as I was pulling up nettles from round the edges of the beds. I'm now typing this with tingly hands.
came home with my harvest of curly kale and broccoli to listen to the Archers and make a big brunch.
The rain hasn't hit here yet, so we'll hopefully get out for a walk this afternoon.

We did go

Heritage seeds

I went to the allotment in the wind and rain this morning to take up the pumpkin plants and dig over that bed.
I harvested some lovely kale and the first of the purple sprouting broccoli.
The only other allotmenteer there today has given me some seeds from the heritage seed library to grow and then to pass on.
He also gave me some perennial strawberries which are very late fruiting and tolerate shade, so I put these in at the top of the bed that I had just dug.
It's now one of those lovely autumn days with squally wind and rain - just right for a walk by the sea this afternoon - I wonder if Nigel can be persuaded?
However I have also just lit the woodburner so it could also be just right for sitting knitting and reading!

Pumpkin night

Callie reminded me last night that a few years ago we didn't have any pumpkins so I carved a turnip instead.

City life

I am not a city girl, but I recognise that at times the city can be a thing of great beauty.
Watching darkness fall from the outside of the members area of Tate Modern whilst enjoying a glass of good wine was one of those magical moments.

An allotment of colour, image and type

On Friday I went with Nigel and some of his students to the Design Museum to see the Mariscal exhibition. It was truly inspirational.

Granny to be

My beautiful daughter is due to be having her own beautiful daughter in March next year.
Does it make me feel old? - Yes; does this make me feel scared? - Yes, does this make me feel proud that she can take life in her stride and make adult decisions when faced with circumstances that she has not planned? - Emphatically Yes
I love my daughter unconditionally and she, along with Nigel, is the magic sparkle in my life.
She will be a great and wise mother, I hope that I can do them both justice in my role as Granny.

Worms for tea

Well not really (udon noodles)...It does remind me though of digging the allotment. The soil is really healthy. Every fork load brings up at least three or four worms.
We took Callie and Mum and Dad T down to the allotment yesterday. We noticed that some of the purple sprouting is ready to start harvesting yum!

new bed and boys ready for bed