This includes netting the strawberries, preparing the big raised bed and planting out rows of spinach and pak choi, lots of general clearing work, and perhaps most importantly, a start on the major task of re-fencing the plot now it is split into four. Fencing is slow work but very satisfying. I have four roles of chicken wire and it takes about 45 minutes to do each. The end result is that I have done about half the first bit. I am perhaps four hours away from the end of this, though I still need to make three gates.
A survey of the far end of the allotment also reveals that the fence there is very poor and will need some work doing.
Steve and partner (can't remember her name), plus Tim and Julie do some bee work in their funny outfits, with their little smoke generators. Steve feared he had lost his queen (which would have resulted in the bees leaving the hive). But things resolve themselves o.k and the prospect of honey appearing at some point remains.
It is actually quite a hot and sunny day, with the result that I have a little colour - mainly the back of my neck and forearms. I am also quite dehydrated by the late afternoon - 7 hours into my session - and drink nearly two litres of coke, water, beer and wine this evening.
Another highlight of the day - a red kite that circles the allotment mid-afternoon. We have seen one on our road recently, perhaps this one.
Today's planting out - lots of spinach and pak choi in the big raised bed
Tim, Julie and Steve adding extra layers to one of their beehives
Steve looking for his Queen Bee - it may have left, in which case the bees would swarm and leave too. It was duly found.
Red Kite circling the allotment - presumably one that has moved our way from Goring on the M40 where there is a huge group. Thirty years ago they were virtually extinct
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