Hot stuff

Much as I'd have liked to let the wasps last until Winter when they'd all die anyway, they were looking just a little too active for my liking yesterday afternoon. Hardly surprising you might say, given that I'd been piling earth on their entrances for several days. But with me going on holiday and my daughter looking after the chickens, no doubt accompanied by a grandchild, I couldn't risk anything happening.
So yesterday evening a funeral pyre was constructed, with me dashing back and forth like a madman trying to avoid getting stung. The fore was lit atl dusk when the wasps settle down for the night. Left the plot with a big fire burning, confident that was the end of the problem.
Not at all... this morning there were even more wasps buzzing around the nest, with an entrance to the nest through the ashes. I suspect because they were all dormant in the nest they escaped any harm. Of course I don't know how deep the nest is in the ground.
So all this morning there's been a fire burning, hopefully with more effect since they should be active. Still burning when I left at 12:25, with about a foot of hot ash under the fire. If they survive and get through that I'll have to get a smoke bomb, which is apparently the conventional way of clearing a nest.
So nearly a win at squash today... 0-2 down, when I applied my usual psychological technique of telling my son I've got him just where I want him. Pulled back to 2-2, only to lose the fifth game. So score for early October start is:
Half year: 1-0 to David (5-1 in matches)
Current half year: 2-1 to David
Current month: 2-1 to me (8-7 to me in matches)
Off to sunny (I hope) Hunstanton for a few days tomorrow, so no more posts until the end of the week.

Wasp palace

Well, another pile of dirt didn't put the wasps off... they were still going about their business this afternoon. Not only that, but they now appear to have several entrances, so I decided the dirt option isn't going to work. If I pile any more on they'll have the most substantial wasps' nest on Hill Rise Allotments. You can't quite see the angry residents buzzing around in this picture, looking for someone to sting. Didn't really fancy getting close in to give you a better idea!
So it's a choice... leave 'til Winter kills them all off and the queen relocates in Spring, or push the weeds etc piled nearby onto the nest and set fire to it. Jury's out at the moment.
Other than on the wasp front I had an idyllic afternoon. Warm sunshine. Nice cycle up on the Pashley, who's gears are now working fine after I had a fiddle with the cable. Got the remaining potatoes out and most of the onion sets in. Cycled home in the dusk (at 7:00pm now!) to pasta and a glass of wine. Daughter Becky popped in later with loads of smiles (as ever) and our Avon delivery.
Had a good clear out of the garage in the morning, with two car loads taken to the dump. Much of what went were the toys the grandchildren had played with over the last few years when they've come to visit. Sad, but they don't use them now. We could have made a packet at a car boot sale, but timing never right when we have a clear out. Almost got to my corner of the garage, where I keep the quarry tiles from my father in law which I just know will come in handy one day. Managed to fight off any encroachment into my hoard by Linda.
Early afternoon we'd walked around Somersham, including the allotments there. They're huge, but without any water supply so much is used as orchards. There's continuing signs that more of the plots are being actively used, but still many are not.

Under attack

Beginning to think that putting an upturned plant pot on top of the wasps' nest wasn't the brightest idea I've ever had. Every time I revisit the plot the little devils have pushed a way out and I've piled more earth around the pot. By now I'd imagine they're pretty cosy!
On Monday evening I'd obviously annoyed them a bit more than normal. Should have been warned when I saw one of the chickens go from calmly idling down the path past the nest to a frenzied rush and feather fluff to get a couple of angry wasps off her back. Five minutes later I was stung on the shoulder, one must have crawled down my collar.
So if tonight's super pile of dirt doesn't do the job I've got a choice, either
  • Push the pile of garden waste nearby onto the nest and set fire to it, or
  • Leave them alone... apparently in Winter they all die off other than the queen, who relocates in Spring anyway
Not sure which way it'll go.

The Pashley is back home again at last. Called Halfords on Monday to chase progress... hurrah, they were expecting the part in that day. Since I'm in Huntingdon midday any chance it'll be ready to pick up and save me a trip.... oh, don't know about that! Anyway, Halfords did manage it by noon. Will be cycling up to allotment tomorrow afternoon, and to tennis with Barry tomorrow evening.
Got a couple of figs off the tree, ripe this time. Very nice! Didn't manage the camp fire over the weekend with the grandchildren since Sammy not well. He was better by this evening at Connor's sixth birthday party, when the four of them whizzed round Beth's house.
Managed to increase my supply of poo on Sunday to supplement the compost pile by wheelbarrowing more from the dwindling cow manure delivered by the groundsmen earlier in the year. Could kick myself now... I was intending to put more straight on to some raised beds ready for winter, but I must have started a chain reaction on Sunday since it's all gone now. I'll have to do the trip up to the local stables & cart steaming horse manure back and forth.
I lost to Barry at tennis last week by the narrowest margin, 8-10 on the tie breaker. Again daughter Becky had let me down. She loaded him up with a roast dinner but failed to push the apple crumble and custard on him as well before the match. Riding high on the squash front though, after an early loss of September to son David. We've started October early as a result and I'm two up! So score is as below for the year.
First half year: 1 - 0 to David (6-1 in months)
Month score in second half year: 2-1 to David
Match score in current month: 2-0 to meeeeeeeeeeeee! (6-4 in games)

Italian peasant bread

Some time since I made this bread. Don't know why since it's really delicious and easy to make if you've got a bread maker. You'll find the recipe here, although I recommend you use not so much salt & keep a close eye on it when baking... it only takes just over 10 mins in our wonky oven. I'm going to do some more with chopped onion on the top.
Although Connor's sixth birthday isn't until Wednesday he got his new bike today. Popped across for him to show me it. He whizzed around the local park on it, kamikaze-like. Paige came along on her bike, decked out with new tassels and basket to keep her happy.
Didn't manage to have the camp fire in the evening. Sammy not very well and Izzy has got an ear infection that's kept Becky and Barry up all night.
Walked from Fenstanton around the lakes with Linda late morning in lovely warm sunshine. Saw a grey heron, several cormorants and a fox.

Campfire at the ready

Looks like we're going to have the annual camp fire tomorrow evening. When I say 'annual', I mean the second instance. Last year for the first time Chris, Barry & I took my two grandsons Connor & Sammy up to the allotment as it was getting dark. Lit a fire, then went off around the woods with torches. Returned to cook sausages & marshmallows over the embers. They thought it was fantastic!
Last year's camp fire site is now inside the chicken run so I set it up again at the top of the new plot, complete with log seats. Gathered dry wood & stored in the shed, though the weather forecast continues to predict sunshine.
Found a wasps' nest while I was gathering wood. Put a big plastic plant pot over it to see if that will get rid of it. Finished the visit by tying up my onions & hanging them in the shed. Then it was off home to lamb shank and minted potatoes. Perfect!
Bike-wise things are not perfect. The Pashley is still with Halfords. Apparently they ordered the gear shift from the makers but it was the wrong type and they have to order from Pashley themselves. They've done this, but Pashley have to order from the makers (do you feel a bit dizzy as well now?). Still waiting for the parts to arrive. Fast approaching three weeks they've had the bike now. Makes me feel a whole lot better when they tell me it'll take them seconds to fit the part once it arrives!
The whole extended family have now been supplied with samples of my blackberry jam. It's really fruity, but blackberries must have a pretty high seed content since the jam is also quite crunchy. I'm going to attempt blackberry and apple jelly jam next when I can get hold of come Brambley apples. There's no seed problem with this since you strain all the fruit out.

Do I care a fig?

Certainly do when it's the first ever fresh fig from my own tree. When cleaning out the chicken coop on Monday I spotted one of the dozens of figs on the small tree growing nearby looked nice and large. It was also nice and soft, must be ready to eat thought I.
It was nice, but not yet fully ripe. Looks like you're supposed to wait until the fig looks on the point of bursting with a tell-tale honey like drop of moisture on the surface. Just have to be a bit more patient, but there are loads more to follow. Here's the fig on that day's clutch of eggs.
Managed to get 100 onion sets planted on the new plot where the potatoes had been previously. Only another 50 to plant.
Getting loads of small sweet tomatoes at present, but I've planted most of them too close . The result is some aren't going to ripen in time, others are starting to wilt because there's not enough fresh air circulating between them. Now I've got all this space I must take my cue from the Italians on the site and plant them with more space next year.
I've gone and done it... bought a wipe board and put a list of things to do on it! Not at all sure whether it's a good idea now. Every time I come into the shed it's there, staring at me accusingly. Tempted to turn it round so it's facing the wall. Feels just too much like another job list. Will see how it goes, but might demote it to an ideas board. That sounds much more positive.

Just a perfect day

Weather warm and sunny, Radio3 playing gently in the background, earth nice and loose. It certainly was allotment heaven this morning.
After completing the usual Sunday morning maintenance jobs of cleaning out the chickens and filling up the compost bin I got down to the start of weeding the asparagus bed. I've been told by Mark, one of my allotment colleagues, that the feathery bits of the asparagus need to be cut down at the end of this month.
The one year old roots I planted in Spring have certainly come on, particularly since I excluded the chickens from the raised bed part of my plot and therefore stopped them grubbing up everything in sight. Unfortunately I seem to be always behind in general weeding and thought it would be helpful if I could at least see the asparagus before I attempted to prune. Here's the result (click to enlarge)... still some way to go but the bit I've done looks tidy.
Earlier I'd also been huffing and puffing up and down the grass paths with my push along mower. Let the grass get too long so much more difficult to cut, particularly when wet. Think I'll add that to my Sunday maintenance jobs.
I've realised I've got quite a few things on the to do list. Been looking for a cheap wipeboard to jot down outstanding tasks... will look for one at the St Ives market tomorrow.
In afternoon wandered around Holt Island with Linda. Another sign that Summer is over, since it was the last opening day this year. The weather's been so poor this year that there have been few dragon flies and butterflies whenever we've visited. Today they came out in force. Saw several butterflies... Comma, Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral. Sat in our favourite seat overlooking the watermeadow with the sun nice and warm ... lovely! Afterwards walked to The Quay and bought a chocolate icecream from Mario, another of my allotment colleagues.
Took the oldest grandchildren for the usual Sunday afternoon game of football. Here they are (Connor almost 6, Sammy 51/2 and Paige 31/2) trying to look serious while I repeat the rules of engagement for our two minute walk to the park. When we got there Connor realised he hadn't got his proper football boots on and threw a wobbly. Followed up later in the evening with a tearful phonecall saying he now wanted to play football and could I come and put him to bed. Little sausage!
Ended a perfect day by cooking berrichonne potatoes for tea.
Took Sammy to the allotment this afternoon. Here he is with his favourite submissive chicken.
Izzy Chicken is the only one who'll let him catch her and will then sit in resignation until he lets her go. Even then she's a bit of a handful for him.
The routine is that Sammy picks her up and takes her to spots on the allotment she doesn't want to go to She then goes back to where things are more interesting and Sammy repeats the cycle.
Earlier we'd gone blackcurrant picking near Burleigh Hill Farm. The sun was shining at last and it got quite warm.
I came away with a large haul of juicy blackcurrants, the aim being to attempt some jam making again. The last lot got boiled for far too long and had to be chipped out of the jar.
Sammy decided to mix his blackcurrants with rose hips and a few sloe berries. He's going to make a drink from that, which apparently his dad is going to love to drink.
Got the wellies dirty at last digging up the spuds... well, half of them. Here's the result, a bucket of Pink Fir Apple potatoes laid out on the bench to dry (covered with newspaper after this photo). All my onions have dried now & are ready to be tied and hung.
So there's the continuity, because the reason I'm digging the potatoes up now is to plant out onion sets for next year. Some of my neighbours had HUGE onions, their secret being to plant now and give the sets a head start before winter sets in.
And it was definitely onion day today because the onions seeds I planted have turned into seedlings and are popping their heads up!
Three sparrowhawks were wheeling through the sky yesterday. They seemed to be playing with each other, one flying up from below to the other and then breaking away. My chickens were OK until the acrobatics got too close, when they'd rush for the safety of the run, no doubt to dash under the coop if need be. How do they know to differentiate between birds of prey and all the other birds about? I've never taught them and I don't think they've yet been attacked by one. I can't be just size because there's often a green woodpecker about as well as woodpigeons.
Son John did his first laundrette wash this morning. As the resident laundrette expert (based on family caravan holidays more than ten years ago when I was only too happy to escape to do the mid week wash so I could have a fly cigarette) I was called in to hold his hand. In he came with his washing basket filled with smalls and socks, only a half load for the tiniest of their washing machines.
Went off all OK. I left him there as the thirty minute washing cycle started, with 'mature' lady attendant fussing in the background. She was actually very helpful but I could easily see the two of them coming to blows.
Low point was when he realised they didn't provide washing powder, went off to buy a supply only to return with the wrong sort. Another trip later he was in business. Thinking about it, he might still be there for all I know!
For the second time in a few days Paigey chicken was there to greet me as I arrived at the allotment. Not sure where she's launching herself from since I've got chicken wire on all the high points within the chicken run following Izzy chicken's escape a few days after they were bought.

There was evidence that she'd had the run of the raised beds for some time. In particular she'd been scrubbing earth up around the bed I'd recently planted with onion seeds as well as others. There's no sign of any life yet in that bed so hopefully she's not disturbed anything.

She got the same treatment as Izzy chicken... I trimmed her primary feathers on one side... you can just see them squared off in this image (click to enlarge). Doesn't hurt her... a few minutes later she was on the outlook for food as usual. Will just make her fly around in circles a bit more.

Not had time to do much more this week, a combination of rain, working Tuesday and Wednesday, and a hospital visit Monday.

Not going to mention the squash score on Tuesday... another disaster & son David is 4-1 ahead this month, 12-6 ahead in games. I'm trying to console myself with the fact that I had my raquet restrung two matches ago & the different tension has meant I've not won a game since.

Grandson Connor was on a visit yesterday a 5pm. Managed to demolish half a block of cheese (it has to be Double Gloucester) and two mini chocolate swiss rolls before heading off with his dad and sister to get sausage and chips. No wonder he's tall for a five year old. Told us his best friend at school had set off the fire alarm resulting in fire engines arriving at the school. Sounds like Connor was far enough away from the action for once not to be in the frame.
Only managed fleeting visits to feed the chickens over the last few days because of the dreadful weather. Even this morning, all dressed up ready to have a couple of hours on the plots, the heavens opened so I had to console myself with catching up on yesterday's Daily Telegraph until it cleared.

I was glad I got to the allotment when I did. Knelt down beside the asparagus bed, Radio 3 gently playing, I was content to spend the hour I had (after tending to the chickens) merrily weeding. The weeded leek bed looks so good, I was looking forward to giving this bed the same treatment.

That's when Peter, my allotment next door neighbour, asked if I wanted any raspberry canes. Jumped at the chance! Only three of the Woolworth's specimens I'd planted earlier in the year had survived, mainly because I took a few weeks to plant them. By the tim I'd finished for the morning I had completed my two rows as shown. Mmmmmm... looking forward to a great crop next year!

Earlier in the week son John (the one who left home the previous week) popped in to shave his head while Linda and I were down town. Decided to have a shower while he was at it. It's taking a suspiciously long time for all his stuff to move out of his ex-bedroom.

Disaster this afternoon in my effort to become the Peter Pan of squash. Lost 0-3 to son David. So score now...
First half year - 1-0 to David
Last half year - 1-1 in months, Sep score 3-1 to David, Sep games 9-6 to David
At least I'm still tennis champion... probably only by virtue of Barry being unable to play due to wedding commitments!
Only fleeting visits to the allotment over the last few days, what with working Tuesday and Wednesday and a hospital visit on Wednesday. Although I've managed to do a bit of strimming here and there to tidy things up, the luxury of almost 90 minutes meant I could fit in taking some geranium cuttings from home & potting up to get them started before it starts getting cold and dark. Unfortunately it's turning that way all too quickly.
Also managed to hack back the growth threatening to engulf the rhubarb planted a few weeks ago. Cue much interest from the chickens. They've not been able to scratch around in my raised beds since the barrier was constructed, and although they've got the whole of the extra plot plus compost bins to find food they insisted on attacking around the rhubarb when first planted. Had to keep pushing them away until they got the message.
The Pashley bike is back in Halfords. Is it me, or am I just unlucky with bikes? This time it's back to have the gear selector fixed. Cycling up to the allotment on Monday evening I had difficulty changing gear, & then the top of the gear selector came loose. Stuck in fifth gear, the remaining trip was a combination of walking & red faced cycling.
Back in the garage I took it apart in advance of adjusting the gears (not too hard... it gives guidance in the manual). Appeared that I'd lost a spring. Started to reassemble, now in a miserable mood. As I stretched for a screwdriver the mechanism pinged upwards under pressure from the cable. Having executed a perfect arc through the air, I found the main part a few feet away on the garage floor. As for the two small washers originally on top of that... they had executed an even more impressive arc through the air and were somewhere in amongst all the toys and other stuff stored in the garage. Cue much cursing and moaning as well as fruitless searching. So having taken the bike in today I'm waiting for Halfords to realise they need to order the parts, order them, fit them and then tell me they've finished... I'll be lucky to have the bike back in less than a month.
Of course I have a spare bike don't I? Wrong... had a spare bike. Son John, in the process of moving out on Monday, asked if anyone in the extended family had a bike they don't use. I'm sure he knew I had one when he asked. End result is he carted it off to enable him to cycle to work and the gym and save money on petrol... the importance of which he's realising after doing his first shop. Oh, and of course the bike is now referred to as 'his'.
Huge success on the squash front on Tuesday. I won 3-0 despite a creaky back! As usual son David's version was he'd lost the game to me because he wasn't playing well (I never seem to actually win). That now makes the score:
First half year - 1-0 to David
Last half year - 1-1 in months, Sep score 2-1 to David, Sep games 6-6
Since I also currently hold the tennis title against Barry, sports-wise I'm definitely in the ascendancy, After the debacle over the Pashley I need to be on the up for something!

You might also like...

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...