Over the past couple of weeks Nils has been investigating allotment architecture and construction techniques. We have been encouraged by the 'make do' attitude and the recycling of all sorts of materials. Nils has always been a skiphunter and hoarder and now all the years of collecting are being put to good use. On Saturday - early (and given the weather, not very bright!) we filled the car with old bits of wood of all shapes and sizes, more chicken wire and the leaves we collected in our garden last weekend, scarves, gloves, hats and flasks of tea, and set off for the allotment. Needless to say we forgot the keys so had to return for them, but we did get there eventually.

I set to continuing with the digging and spreading - and noticed that many of the neighbouring allotments had been attended to during the week - possibly indicating that they are maintained by retired people. We have never seen anyone at the weekends when we can get there. The people next door have laid a type of sheeting over one bed which they had previously manured - I don't know why, but maybe I'll ask someone who looks knowledgeable. I can only guess that it is to warm the ground for some early spring planting, but it does seem a bit early.


While we were there we met with a friend who had taken our scythe off to sharpen it. It could cut butter now - and its lethal. I'm sure we will have fewer fingers between us should we decide to use it. Fortunately, our plot doesn't seem to need this kind of tool, but our friend's does. The rake has also been mended as you can see in the following picture. It should last a while, and it has improved the task of muck spreading.

Nils used some of the boards he brought from his cache at home to create an enclosure for the stable manure. He used the new technique he had been admiring of hammering in a metal post and using it to hold up the boards - no nails, no screws, no metposts and it seems to work beautifully. Below is the top of one such post.

The other main task this weekend included handing in our seed order. All we need now is Spring so we can get busy planting. Nils couldn't get to the allotment on Sunday so I persuaded my daughter to come along - which she did and helped me move some manure. Unfortunately, she was accosted by someone at the manure heap telling her she was 'doing it wrong' ! I can't help feeling that might be the last time she offers to help. I did manage to appease her with a flask of hot chocolate and peace returned to our small corner of London.