Allotment, Travel, Lightening

For the last two nights we have had heavy rain with thunder and lightening, my son captured the lightening on camera.

This week I had hubby's help at the allotment,  we put160 litres of compost (peat free) on top of the manure on 1/4 of the plot, we are experimenting with the no dig method on this 1/4 (although I think the soil beneath is too compacted to be successful, other plot holders are adamant it works).  Then we planted up brussel sprout and spinach  that were 75% off at the local garden centre.  We won't be able to plant much from seed this yet as too late in the year.

My lovely neighbour recently gave me some plastic piping which can be shaped to make a veggie tunnel so I could use netting to protect my seedlings from butterflies and birds.

Potatoes are just breaking through and I added some garlic (grown on the windowsill at home to start them off).

The gladioli I inherited have moved next to the composter.

Yesterday hubby removed an enormous tree stump- it took us 2 hours and an axe for some of the roots! The tree had been beheaded by the previous tenant and was a trip hazard as in the middle of the path.  I dug over a section and planted a red onion set.  The ground is incredibly heavy clay, as you can see on the back of this spade, but I enjoy digging.

red onions planted

We are off to Malta at the end of the week.  This is what I am packing:

3 bikinis 2 cover ups 2 shorts one denim skirt, five tee shirts two cotton tops, hat, pashmina, two beach cover ups and a couple of linen shift dresses, gold sandals, trainers and flipflops.

We will mostly be taking ferries, walking and exploring. although our hotel has a pool and we might venture to some nice beaches on local transport.  We used trip advisor to get suggestions and advice from previous travellers who have been invaluable (detail right down to cost of tickets on the ferries and buses).

Youngest son will be taking care of things at home/Mollie and starts a new job while we are away (a local electrical firm, in their warehouse) and oldest son will be in Poland.  We will all have plenty to talk about on our return.

Thanks for visiting - back soon!