Week 2: Toads Revisited

Week 2 started out promising. It was a glorious winter day, the sun was shining, the skies were blue and our flasks were filled with hot tea. We had organised plenty of initial jobs to content ourselves with over the coming day and set out to conquer... well... the allotment. Tom was to be the Compost King, Alan was, after some change of previously planned job, going to deal with the existing soft fruit beds, and I was to start creating the first of three 16ft x 8ft beds.

Having arrived at the allotment we were instantly approached by our neighbour. 'Barbour Girl' was incredibly nice. We quickly established that she and her partner (female) had recently acquired the adjacent plot and were approaching being almost entirely organic. This contact proved rather useful as an hour later I asked where the advertised chemical toilets were, and the reply came back "There aren't any. But I have a shed and a bucket you can use. It'll be great for my compost".

Then we were hit from the other side by our Area Allotment Rep. AAP was also delightful. Eager to make us feel welcome, to know our visiting patterns and to pass on any wanted/unwanted advice. After almost an hour of talking about everything from broken fingers to the 'current trouble with asbestos', we parted on great terms of understanding. She would be nosey in a helpful way, and I would have someone to get the local gossip from. Originating from Yorkshire breeds a certain curtain twitching in my nature.

In not much time at all Alan's raspberry beds looked to be in great condition, impressing both me and Tom with his productivity. Tom's composting looked marvellous, boasting a tremendous mound of sweet smelling organic muck filled to the brim with worms, insects and a myriad of toads (at least 3 in every shovel full) which had us very excited.

Then the sun disappeared after Barbour Girl's infamous words of "you brought the sun with you" and the heavens opened. We quickly became cold and wet. "Pub" was the rally cry. We downed tools and fled to the saving grace of the adjoining establishment. I imagine strategically placed since the allotment opened in 1896 to save those without sheds in such same circumstances. After an hour, 2 glasses of wine, 3 tomato juices, a diet coke, two packets of crisps and the refusal of roast beef later, we headed back to clear our things and head home.

We had a good start but were thwarted by the rain. Or were we? In hindsight I cant help but wonder if, with all the excessive planning, some higher power was telling us to slow down and enjoy the pottering nature of the allotment.... if so I guess I agree... though not as much rain next time please even if the toads want it so.

'Mr. Middleton says: "There's nothing to be gained by rushing out with a spade and turning everything upside down in a few hours"'




Dean