Almost a year of allotmenting.

Not actually a year but 9 months to date. It's been a real time for learning.
I took a plot on that had been heavily planted with potatoes for several years. Not only that but it was in the shade of adjoining trees. Not an ideal plot, but a plot nonetheless and for the princely sum of £14 for the year.

With an idea to plant and grow the vegetables that are both tasty to eat and also work out expensive in the shop I had a short list of the following:
Broad beans
Peas
Romanesco Cauliflower
Cavolo Nero
Purple Sprouting Broccolli
Artichokes
Courgettes
Squash
Strawberries

I had friends help me dismantle, carry and then erect a shed

I put a basket on my bike to make the trips to and from the allotment and carry my goods

And I did grow some good lettuce

In truth I made the mistake this year of not looking after the soil enough. Although I dug in manure and phosphates I don't think the ground had been replenished enough from growing so many years of spuds. Some of the crops flourished; my broad beans were fantastic and the courgettes cropped well.
The Cavolo Nero has done well, and I had some intermittent peas, otherwise I made another mistake of not thinning the brassicas hard enough. This meant they all strived for the same light and consequently I ended up with tall plants that weren't particularly fruitful. The artichokes really suffered with the shade but are looking to be getting stronger as the year has gone on. I'm hopeful that next year they will come into their own and crop well.

So what to grow and do next year? Well I have a love of chilli peppers and am outgrowing my greenhouse at home. I'd like to put a polytunnel up down there, as well as try for better results with tomatoes and peas. There will have to be some serious digging done over the next few months but I think it's possible.

Canada part 1, Toronto.

So, we begin. Our flight landed in Toronto International airport and we took the TTC system into the Financial District of Toronto where we were staying at 1 King West. A reasonable suite, but most interesting was the history below us. As a converted bank, the accommodation still has certain parts of the bank building in place. Including the vault.

Which was being used for functions. We had a walk around inside it and the workmanship and feel of the parts was outstanding. From memory 7' 6" diameter entry and 4' 6" thick door. Really beautiful engineering.
After a wander around to a couple of bars and a faceful of ribs and wings the bed was a welcome return.
Monday dawned and today the heatwave was really getting into it's stride. So we walked around Toronto. A few snaps from the Kensington Market area where I found a friendly bike shop with some interesting bikes

and the handlebars from the previous post. Thanks by the way to the girlfriend who then carried the handlebars around for the rest of the trip...
There was also a nice use of a car as a planter, with some flavourful decoration.

More wandering around as the heat built up and we passed the memorial to the fallen of the RCAF, beautifully finished in polished stone.

The time difference was playing up with my stomach and I succumbed to a burger and fries in the afternoon. This meant I was quite full still when we went for a Moroccan that evening. Still the skyscape was well lit up on the walk back, amidst burps.

Next up, Niagara...

Growing

Sunday was RHS show Cardiff, and then some gardening. It pleases me when all the seedlings are coming to the time of being able to be transplanted.

Ash from the BBQ is my first wave of anti-slug measures...

Nom and Om

Thanks to Ian for providing me with a lovely tin of wasabi and nori flavour peanuts. Shame I don't have any beer in the fridge here at work...