I grant you, allotment holders as a rule are not usually associated with going on tour and unfortunately there will be no TVs going through any windows or all night parties in this post (sorry about that).
As I was heading into the big smoke of London for a works conference today, I took advantage of the fact that this is actually my old stomping ground and decided to stay with my parents last night, as I did to not really want to have to to train it across to London first thing in the morning.
As I was down for the evening I had arranged to go with mum and dad to meet up with some friends (Nick and Claire - hi guys!), so last night making my way eastwards on the train I was looking forward to seeing some (not so) old faces.
One of the main reasons I was seeing Nick and Claire was to see their little boy - who was, as I expected; growing at a ridiculous rate and actually walking around now, if with a slight wobble. Seeing the little man was really lovely, but I got there quite late and soon enough he was given his marching orders and he went off to bed.
Nick had mentioned earlier in the evening, that when the little one went off to bed if I wanted we could pop over and see his plot. Now Nick had been one of the main reasons that I had put my name down for an allotment to start with, so to see his plot was something I really couldn't turn down. Also as an allotment newbie I was quite excited to see another plot off of my allotment, so off we went.
Now firstly let me explain, in the time that you have taken to read up to this point - that is how long it takes to walk from Nick's front door to the gates of his allotment (I am jealous).
One thing that hit me when I got through the gates of the allotment was the size. It was a lot smaller than our own site - but to be honest this was really the only big difference that I really noticed.
What I did notice were the similarities - the many well maintained plots in their neat formations, the familiar odd concoction of borrowed and acquired artefacts that 'allotmenteers' use to aid growth or store in the hope that one day they will use. The standard amazing plot with its perfect furrows and perfect lines of early crops and a couple of plots that had fallen into disrepair with their sad empty raised beds.
What I did notice were the similarities - the many well maintained plots in their neat formations, the familiar odd concoction of borrowed and acquired artefacts that 'allotmenteers' use to aid growth or store in the hope that one day they will use. The standard amazing plot with its perfect furrows and perfect lines of early crops and a couple of plots that had fallen into disrepair with their sad empty raised beds.
Nick's plot is a good size with a lovely shed at the end (with the obligatory potatoes chitting in the window). It has raised beds, some tyre beds (something that up to now I was completely unaware of) and an area towards the back with some early crops. On the right hand side of the plot is an area that Nick has covered as to kill off some of the Couch Grass that the allotment suffers with.
He has a whole number of things growing on the plot from Strawberries to Onions and like me talked about it all with great fondness. Overall its lovely plot in a brilliant location, that he has worked really hard on, I want to thank Nick on here for showing me around it.
Looking around his plot has given me lots of ideas about how to improve on my own and his knowledge, something I am always to soak up, was really helpful.
So as my first excursion on to a plot other than my own was a complete success, I really enjoyed walking around the site and picking up tips. So as I said, 'going on tour' didn't involve TVs going out of windows or any heavy drinking sessions - but it was fun and I can't wait to go and explore other allotments!
