Friday 11 July 2008

short but sadly sweet

I think I've been in denial about my separation from the allotment. I've spent the last 2 weeks planning for our 3 week trip to Cornwall which we embark on today and I've not been coming to the allotment. On the way here I began to feel unsettled and by the time I was walking up the path and into the allotment which greeted me with a plethora of colour - crimson poppies, violet blue borage, delicate pink comfrey and vibrant veridian pot marigold - I felt overwhelmed with sadness at the thought of leaving it all finally at the end of the summer and frustration that I hadn't remembered my camera.

Anyway, I did what I came here to do and planted my curcubits - marrows, pumpkins, courgettes and squash - that hadn't perished thank goodness. I also planted out sweetcorn, aubergine and peppers all of which probably won't come to much but have a better chance in the ground outside than pot-bound and dry in the potting shed.

Then I harvested broad beans and mange-tout peas that are at their peak of fruitfulness and was thoroughly soaked by rain.

I'm now in my shed making a cup of coffee I don't really have time for and remembering that the reason I haven't been is because I knew I'd stay too long and forgo my tax form and other vital tasks in favour of activities like weeding the autumn raspberries that I won't be around to harvest anyway.

The rain has stopped, birds are singing, trees are dripping and the sound of traffic reminds me that I should be driving to my parents to deliver plants and produce prior to our departure later today.