Sunday

 Good morning.  Yet another dull and chilly start to the day but at least it's not raining.  Can't complain (even if I do - frequently).  Tomorrow looks to be warmer and we might even get some sunshine on Tuesday.  That would be good!

I got down to the allotment yesterday and, as I thought, the weeds are fighting back.   So I gave everything a good hoe over and then raked the loose weeds up.  Then I got out of the car one of our prized 'spoiling ourselves' garden tools - a battery powered rotavator or tiller.  It's not a huge thing, being cordless, but it feels substantial enough for me and I wouldn't like to get in the way of those blades.

Anyway, I pushed and pulled it all over the dug parts of the plot and it did a great job of breaking up clods and sort of mashing the manure into the soil.  It took a while what with the actual tilling and the raking flat again but didn't cause any back problems and I'm very glad I did it.
It all looks a lot more 'ready' now.

I might give it all another going over in a few weeks, I'll see.

As you can see, I didn't get around to clearing under the trees at all.  I think that is today's main task and it will probably spread into tomorrow as well.

I planted a double row of broad beans, not that you can tell in this photo but if you look carefully, the rows are marked with sticks.  I intend leaving a gap and then planting another double row in around three weeks' time, than a gap and another double row a few weeks after that.  In between each double row I can place plastic stepping 'stones' for easier (less muddy) access.

Our earliest rhubarb.  I suppose we could have 'forced' it but didn't.  Rhubarb crumble next week, I hope.

The other crowns are sending out leafage too but nothing dramatic - yet.

It was lovely getting back to the allotment again.  The place was pretty deserted and it was so peaceful, apart from when I got going with the tiller!!  Even then, the bird song sounded louder to me.

I had a nice, easy afternoon working on the hexagon blanket.  After giving it a long, hard look over, I have taken off all the crochet joining and have started again, using ladder stitch to sew the pieces together.  I think it looks better and has the advantage of using up many of the loose ends.

It still looks - er - rustic(!) but better than the lines of crochet which were simply not working.

There's still a way to go but now I am happy with what I'm doing, I will push on through.

The other blanket, the squared one, earned its keep yesterday.  When I got back from the allotment, I was chilled to the bone.  Not even my owly fleece did the trick.  So I snuggled into my recliner, owl fleece over me first and then the blanket over the top and that worked beautifully. 

Today I aim to be at the allotment by half nine for an hour or so of clearing weeds, etc, before coming home before Beth and Alex arrive for dinner.  I've made the bean crumble and prepped all the veg so it's a quick cooking job with nothing too complicated or time consuming.  The afternoon will be spend in chat with my bubble family, something I'm looking forward to very much and, in the evening, there's Pottery Throw Down to look forward to.

I think it's going to be a very nice day.  Hoping yours is too, despite the weather and the chilliness.

Take care, stay well and be safe.  xx