New Happenings.

Well, how are you all. Been down to plot and also got Brian the chainsaw working Sunday Morning. Just Brian and I I thought, but oh no. We had a really good turnout with members of committee and Chris from 2B helping and sorting out trees. The Thomas'es at Dugdale crescent were extremely helpful and also the young lady next door, Pauline. It all went down well and I have some pics from Christine to show. John Davies and myself have laid down 3 slabs on the walkway to our plot this morning, Monday, and we shall be doing more on perhaps Wednesday or Thursday this week.

I have had me feet podiotrated or whatever you say, and that was good. Walking on air now for a bit. The ET shakes is not doing too well, one day off and then two or three with the shaking Stevens. Ha Ha! Oh well cant be bad for the age etc. Looking forward to Xmas and seeing some grandchildren and great Grandchildren. Keeps me young. Have purchased new camera and also will get a memory card for it shortly so Photo's should be better. Have to take when I am not in the shakes. I have had some information to put in the next letter for end of December, so things looking up a little.

Gave Hazel a surprise yesterday, she has some extra bottles and piping now so the harvesting of grape wine should be well on the way.

The pool is coming on nicely and Chris off 2A has put me some poolside plants ready for planting out. Must do it in the next day or two. Will put my heater on tonight as I feel we may have a cold one.

Sweet pea plants going on strong now and will have one for each person turning up for the talk in January.

I will try and get the Pics on now so stand by and wait for it.

Can not understand why my Pics go to top. Its got to be me. Thick Head. Any help appreciated. The Lady in the last picture made the difference, because the tree came out. She is strong. Wow.
See you all at the plot, and take care cus we care. XX Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

New things for all

Hi there everyone,
well wouldn't you know it. Young Hazel back off holidays and rarin to go as is normal with hazel, she came down to see us all. Brian, Christine & myself that is on Sunday morning. After explaining that my grapes were green ones she reluctantly caved in and has decided to pick em and bottle em so to speak.

Brian and I had a good mornings work on the work party at the top of the site, and then he came down to help me with the hedge trimming. Whilst he was there he moved the rest of my rocks, no Pauline, not Barmouth ones but ones for the pool, Ha Ha.
He is a great help and asset to us on the bottom end of the plot. Cheers BRI.
Had a nasty fall whilst on the working party, right on to an iron bar. The Photo might help you to see the damage. I am not sure if its just pride or the soreness off it, but it blooming well hurt I can tell you. No looking at the body please. I do not want young ladies passing out.

Well I tried the Hooligan Pumpkin with my grandchildren Lucy and Olivia on Saturday, and their verdict. Super Grandad. Delicious and scrumptious said Lucy. Nodding her head Olivia had too much in her mouth but she smiled and nodded A.O.K.
Wow. It was really good. I had to microwave it for 5+ minutes but I put in Bacon chopped up and a Triangular cheese spread piece in with the butter before cooking. I must say the nutty flavour was just enough for me, but it was just like eating mashed spuds.

Been down on the plot and sown more seeds of Sweet Pea. Air Warden and Mrs Bernard Jones. Will be pleased to see these next year. Have started a paper news letter for the plotters and also digging out a trench for the sweet peas bed. I will be putting that nice Horse manure in the bottom and then some soil and compost mixed over that.

Took off the Plastic cover I used early Autumn and will dig over that area ready for me tatties next year. Getting ready to sow some broad beans. They might get themselves well established with this weather we are experiencing at the moment.
I shall be on the plot today Tuesday for some more work and also some picture taking.
Must get some good ones of our Allotment and also some of the best and worst plots to date. Maybe there are not any worst ones. Lets hope so. Indian Summer in October nearly November, Wow! its not on or is it?.

Well for the moment, thats about it. Will keep you posted on the things that are happening. See ya soon, keep well and take care cus we care. xx

This Blinkin Flu

Hi all. picked up the Flu after my talk on Tuesday evening. Well is it not a thoroughley alarming thing. It really knocks one down. I have not eaten till today from Thursday and still feel queasy etc. Very weak and listless. But I thought it might help to get on the net and do sometning to blow away the feeling. Some luck.I think it might be with me for a little while. As a season ticket holder you can see how dissapointed I was to miss the Chelsea Game with the best club in great Britain.
Still I managed to see some from the armchair.
Had a visit from the Butterfly Bula Rice and she has made a start to getting her plot done. Have not been over since wednesday last week so not sure if all those sweet peas I had sown were coming up.
I shall have to ask Roger to check on them for me or Christine if she reads this blog. I will be down on the plot shortly I hope as I am dying to see the results from the coldframe base by Robert. A friend I know who lives very close to the entrance to the plot. He has the white van on the garden next to the fence to the entrance on the left.

Well as I am not 100% at the mo I will get on and try and get better, so that I can get down to it again.

Some time to get on

Hi all, it has been a long time since I wrote up my blog, but all in all I have had a bit of a traumatic time. They have found I have ET, that is a disease in the brain that gives you the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but it effects both side of the body. In Parkinson's it only affects one primarily. I have shakes in the head, the hands arms and legs as well as feeling tremor's in the body. It is call ESSENTIAL TREMOR'S and many folk have it but do not realise it is there. I found mine over a year ago when I was using the mouse for the PC. I would get the thumb shaking and I could not control the ball at the side. Its a bit of a nuisance but at long last I have now found out about it and been diagnosed with it, and capsules are the help not a cure.

Well enough on all that business, down to the bottom af the plot.
Its looking a bit of a Steptoe's yard at the minute but with steady ongoing processes we should get it ready and up and running better in 2010. The Pond is in and full, no fish yet but one plant kindly donated by the young Julie. I am looking out for a Solar panelled pump system to keep the water churning and aerated. I will get fish when things are running. Any donation of Plants gratefully accepted.

Did have a bit of a holiday recently down to Lowestoft and really enjoyed it. Hope I can remember to add pics now. I will try. You are not allowed to laugh but a chuckle will be OK as they say it makes you health.???

As I Said no Laughing. Well I always make myself known to the young Ladies at all holiday resorts I attend. It keeps me young.

The plot has still got Cabbages, Spring Cabbage, Cauliflower, Courgettes, Turnips, Swedes, and a few other bits and pieces to help us through the winter. I shall take some pics on my new mobile and show you on the next blog.

I am getting the Hot Bed and frame ready. The footings for the base are being started tomorrow, Tuesday, and hopefully in 2 weeks it will all be ready for using.

I have cleaned out my greenhouse and still waiting for young Hazel to come and get the grapes so we can all get some Grape wine. Wow, we might make an evening of Tasting all the different wines she has made up, or maybe not.

Roger on Plot 3b has been and done it as I predicted, he came third in the Pumpkin competition with a good 48 pounder. Well done Roger. I have to push him into these competitions and he has now seen the fruition of a placing.

New hearing aids added and I can hear what you are saying about me now, so be careful Ha HA.

I think that should do for now, but one more Piccy of me working hard in the Bungalow.??? Tongue in cheek here.

Latest News

Hi all,
well what do you know, that little lady on Plot 2B is really doing well. For all the effort and devotion to her plot she is the number one newcomer half plot winner.
I can tell you now Chris.

A reasonable turnout plus at Reggies talk and only one from the top section. That Lady Sheila was very welcome especially after making an effort to come along straight after surgery on her knee. Thanks Sheila. Her Husband came too and I feel they enjoyed the evenings entertainment.

It seems that the majority at the top know it all. The results from the competitions show a true story in my eyes. Well done Julie and Chris. 9th in the whole of Birmingham is a very good effort Julie and well deserved. Christine your labours have been repaid. Congratulations.

The POND erosa is growing steadily and a nice community spirit is being acheived around the Badger SETT. Ha Ha its all in good fun and hopefully we shall get a Barbecue in the Autumn.
The Potatoes I dug up from self setters and put in rows have surprised me and lovely crops are the result. From 3 plants 8lbs plus and a really good looking bunch of Tatties.

The peas I planted with my new seed sower have come through as well as the cabbage. Also the bed that had Broad Beans and Peas in is now ready for winter crops. I think Turnips will be good and also some Swede. Will have to get that done today as well as making the pond area more useable.

Folks I am off now and ready to go up to the allotment and get things done. Take care as you know we care.
PS I have to get Hazels name on the stone so I shall be painting as well this week.

The Latest

Hi there, and welcome to the Sunday page roundup.
The Talk from Reg on thursday evening went down very well, and it was reasonably
represented by most of the Bottom plotters and only Sheila from the Top.
Obviously they know how to get ready for the show so it was not for them. Thanks Sheila, your presence with your husband was appreciated by all of us especially as you had only just had surgery on your knee that day and made the effort.

Those that did not turn up lost out, so lets see if they wish to come to the next one.

Hey the POND is down and water is in it, what a lovely big water but. Good if we have a drought. I am making headway filling in the sides and thanks to Brian the express train, the pond fitted quite well. He also gave me some weed suppresant to go around it. When the rocks are in and some flowers and suchlike we shall all be able to while away and put the world to rights down thebottomoftheplot. Ha Ha, its starting to look good. Gave a little dig up to the potatoes that were self setting, you know the ones I had carefully dug up and replanted in rows. Well a big surprise was awaiting me cus there were lots off three plants. All Mayo variety reds and appart from a couple of slug holes, well formed and good looking. Can ot wait to have an eat of them.

Have put in some late peas with the new planter and cabbage, they are coming through nicely. Will have to keep a close eye on the to see haow they grow and also protect them from the dredded pigeons.

Can't think of much else at the moment, but eh who knows we might get some more news tommorrow. TaRa......................................

New Beginnings

Watch all,
Now heres a thing, the pool is lying on the plot ready for planting Ha Ha, and all thanks to young Brian. I have to measure the base of the pool and also the shape etc so that I can paint a few lines for Brian to work on for hole digging, any other help would be appreciated.

Rescued a large toad with Jason last week, It was wrapped around the netting near my lettuces. It was not too far from extintion but all was well and he soon went on his merry way. I have heard of birds getting caught up in the netting, but not toads, ah well we shall all have to be vigilant on this one as they are a bonus to our plots.

With any luck we shall have the pond in and ready by the end of July, rain permitting, and we can all get ready for some nice Autumn evening Barbecues.
By the way, we appear to have secret watchers on our bloggs, Local officials and all that, well I never, it never ceases to surprise me who can be watching, Welcome to the bloggs Paul.
Hope you find it interesting, and worth a laugh or two occasionally.

Veg is ready to be picked and unearthed at this time but that bloomin wet stuff gets in the way. I shall try and load some piccies up shortly so keep watching all and take care for now as we care. Ta RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Further Jotts

Hi all and thanks for your comments, was going down today to do some digging but bloomin rain again, still saves me a job apart form Toms in Greenhouse.

Went over to country Gardens last night with Roger and I bought a nice Dogwood and some more Thyme, also another Herb, forgotten its name though. Its on the pot so will look later. The blasted Squirrel has knocked dowm my bird seed feeder and broken the perche3s off. I will catch that pesky squirrel and give him a piece of my mind.

Ah well can't be bad as the Pond will be down at plot but not in till Bryan returns from Hols. He has offerred help at hole digging. Getting the ends of bench painted green to keep things in line with the rest of the world. John Davies knows about my green paint so ask him where it goes. OOOPS He will be only too pleased to let you know about me. We used to live a few houses away from each other in our chilhood days. Hatcham Road, and Bendall Road.

The plot is providing me with some berutiful DUNLUCE suds and they do boil away if you cook em too long. Must keep an eye on that as they are super tatties and taste the earth, WOW.

Have had over 50 potatoes off 6 plants. Not bad eh.

Had a good rubarb and Orange brekky today to start well. Alkaline meal once a day does you the world of good, gets rid of the fat and bad enzymes in yer body.

Looking forward to my next weigh in on 9th July hope its good as I feel a lot better for loss of weight.

Well folks keep looking and blogging and Oh nearly forgot the Grecian part of Life at Christine and Mikes home. Its really fab and reminded me of my 3 yearts in Cypress in 1959 to 63. Wonderful pace of life then and a lovely country. Greek messehs and food was good.

See you all around the set TaRaa.

The Badger Set.

Its getting better, so I must be quick writing this. After yesterdays wet happenings, maybe I should not need to worry about a hose Ha Ha.

The back near the shed will be set out to involve a new developement. The POND erosa.

Gates and also bench will be provided so you may rest awhile. Couldn't be better eh.
Short blog this one as the INET tends to throw me off after a few minutes. Keep watching.

The Badger Set.

Its getting better, so I must be quick writing this. After yesterdays wet happenings, maybe I should not need to worry about a hose Ha Ha.

The back near the shed will be set out to involve a new developement. The POND erosa.

Gates and also bench will be provided so you may rest awhile. Couldn't be better eh.
Short blog this one as the INET tends to throw me off after a few minutes. Keep watching.

Moon Planting

Hi everyone,
well Christine surprised me with her gift of Red Currants and what a surprise.
Have been resetting the slabs on pathway and started to get some assemblance to bottom half of the plot.

Noticed my sunflower was missing its main growing point so aked Julie for another.
Must get this plant going as its the third attempt.

Pumpkin seems slow to get on eith producing anything like a runner or start, so will keep an eye on thet to. Pesy cheeky Pigeons are getting greedier and really pushing their luck. Might get pigeon pie yet. Have thought of a good name for the pool area, LA POND=EROSA

Its all Happening here

Hi everyone.
Nice to have a few minutes to get on the blog page and update it.

Well welcome to the BADGER SET and I know there are a few of you out there that are really interested in the new name.

Been down the plot today and have watered all that needs it and also looked at the greenhouse and noticed my Grapes are thickening up. Must get them thinned out a bit though as there will be no more room soon.

Christine was down there and also watering while Mike must have been lounging in the best seat in the house in front of the TELE. Some blokes have all the luck.

Its amazing how much she has put into her site and the walkways are getting filled in nicely. Must keep that blinkin grass cut on the paths though as it is growing like no tommorrow. Thats my job Chris not yours.

The broad beans are delicious and the runners are slowly coming along. Can not wait to taste the first Dunluce pots as they are due to be turned up July the 6th. They look good and are a good colour at the moment. The green parts that is above ground.

Made a new addition to the shed and its to scare the pigeons, but they seem to be on course to do more damage than usual. They are very hungry this year.

Forgot to take me shed key down and so was left to water and check things over before retreating to the bungalow for shade. Its bloomin hot out there today.

Saw Reg and noticed he had some caterpilars on his cabbages, so was only too pleased to assist by saying where they were so he could get rid of accordingly.

Have put on the councils Newsletter about our Talk evening on the 23rd July, and also there will be news on there about the Show as well.

It might create some more interest for other plotters from the area and bring them into the club.

Roger has had a little upset recently, so I told him to be patient and we would sort it out.

Its News

Hi all and welcome. Well what do you know, we are now called the 'BADGER SET'
Its after the surname you know. I shall have to polish me shoes up and get some proper allotment clothing to make a new impression.

The cheek of it all. As a Committee Member of Hill, I am at the number one spot. 1A that is. There is a large pice of stone I shall be painting up with the Badger Set piccy when its done and show you all. The plot is getting better each week and we have started putting in the winter greens and other similar items. I am really looking at the MOON Planting system and run off a copy eachh week to give me the weeks work.

It could'nt be simpler. I have noticed some strange things happening in the greenhouse, there are [lants coming in ion pots. I do not see any legs or footprints though. Where the dickens thay are coming from I do not know. Ah well kjust get on with it and maybe one day some person oor persons will own up to it.

Got to go and see a specialist Neurologist soon in July so I shall take a look to see what all the shaking going on is. If it is the Parkinsons problem then I know I will have the correct handshake to join that exclusive club. You have to be on the ball in that society so I have heard.

Thw Dunluce pots are coming on nicely and so are the Broad Beans. Been picking some lately to enjoy at meal times. Strawbs are berr-utiful and they are only in their pots still. Must make a special bed for them.

I have decided to plant some different veggies together in the same area and I have Onions growing with Sweetcorn and shallots with lettuces. They are all doing very well. Trying to confuse the little blighters that settle and gnaw away at the tips of plants and things. The beer traps are catching some nice slugs so that works too. Have to go and get meself some pain killers now as I feel a bit drawn and painful, so take care out there we love you all and keep watching the blog. Johnieb

Hi everyone, and welcome to my new bit before I go away for a few days.

I shall have been at the plot nearly four years now and I am just getting down to good honest gardening and learning all the time. I have made my two posts for Beans and also made a pair for the lovely Hazel. She is gonna have to paint em though. Ha HA. She will feel better for that as she has made something herself. How a bout the before Picture. Hope it will com through.
Well I think its worked. Thats before the main offending tree was pruned. The sun it was taking away from the plot was tremendous.

Another Pic perhaps, with a young Lady having a go next door.

How about that Chris. You didn't even know.

She has been a star. Gave me a lovelly box of Biccies for the Tea breaks we have. All because I made her a Compost Bin. Have to make a couple of dozen now so I can be kept in biscuits for the rest of me natural. Thanks Chris. It was a real surprise. Nice to have such good neighbours.
Saw Bri & Plum recently and the delightful Allison. She may be the next compost bin project. We shall have to wait and see.

Well must pop off for now but hey, Those Paper Pots are really doing my Cabbage and Broccolli well. Lots of stuff in the greenhouse almost ready for hardening off. But will have to wait till I return as I cant stretch me arms that far.

Bye for now all. XXXXX where appropriate.

Its Getting Better

Hi all,
and Thanks Bri/Plum and Hazel for your comments. Have issued comments to you all regarding same.

I will now try to upload that Picture of mine I wanted to get on.

Well that did not seem too bad, but if it works it is after the tree cutting etc.
I have taken some more piccies and I will endeavour to get them into the blog.

First earlies just gone in yesterday, DUNLUCE and hopefully Hazel they will be fine.
Also put my Comp. Pots in for Reg's competition and have split two potatoes because of shoots.

We shall have to see how we go.
Hazel I shall make the upright as I showed you in my book one for each end and then do the necessary strings. Hope that will go OK as well. Bit down today cus can not get on plot. But I am resting and that can only be good. Made 25 Paper Pots ready for Cabbage and Broccoli if poss will get them in tommorrow.
I shall leave it for now and blog off, and get back soon. Tara all...

Hi all,
just to let you all know we are up and running again. Done lots of work on the plot lately, and have been hard at it. The plot is looking better now and I am pleased for the effort of myself and Roger and others have done to help. Christine on plot 2a has also been down and given her plot a really good going over. It's looking good. We both have been planting some flowers and climbers in the plot areas and we hope to have a nice looking site for any visitor to come and have a look at and also hopefully come back again. I have put some Lillies in around one of my water buts and also the trees have been cut back sufficiently to allow light through. I will try to insert a picture if I can at this stage so hang on here goes.
It appears it did not work. I will have to get some tuition on it and try again. Before and after the trees were cut would be good pics. Menews etc. Roger and I had Bacon Butties yesterday morning, and with the cuppa as well it went down superbly.Met Bula Rice yesterday and she is off to London Wednesday and will be back next Thursday, so we can have a cuppa and get down to the latest news.
Alls well that ends well and I am amazed at young Hazel, her blog and allotment info are very very good and I have had lots of pleasure reading about the things she has done. I will have to pull my socks up and get going again to at least get some resemblance of a good blog like hers. Well done Hazel.

The week on the Isle

Hi all, just got back from the Isle of Wight and it certainly was white.
Had a good time plenty to drink and eat and lots to see. Played Mr & Mrs on stage Tuesday evening, and came last. Just shows how much she knows about me! Ha.

Paid a visit to plot and was dissapointed could not get anything done as snow is still covering it.

Never mind I shall endeavour to bore you to bits with my Recipe for an even warmer winter soup.

First of all get carrotts, onions,parsnip, leek and also cabbage chopped up fine. put in a pan and fry off with a little oil. When happy about the frying off then add 3 large spoonfuls of Rogan Josh, and also a small spoonful of your favourite curry paste. Mix all together and add a sprinkling of
Plain flour. Do not forget to put salt and pepper in. Mix and add some tomato puree, then add boiling water, a little at a time. Get the pan really full and make sure you add 1 oxo normal, 1 oxo veg, and 1 oxo chicken, all crumbled in and stir well.
Bring it to boil then lower to simmering. Add some chopped potatoes and also some mixed herbs and a boquet garni. Leave to simmer away for an hour or so and then add some more finely chopped cabbage. Test for taste and add whatever you wish to get that super taste that you like.

You can seive this through a seive or do not bother and add dumplings or chicken legs to cook in the soup. I use chicken and add it at around halfway through the cooking.
I know you should like this as much as I do if you like a slightly spiced soup, I called it the Johnny Badger Rogan Joshi poshi soup. It tastes great and can fool most of my grandchildren in to eating their vegetables. I have had it for Xmas starter and the family loved it, without the chicken of course. Just a soup and it went down well. My one grandaughter Lucy said she did not like cabbage, so after she had had a bowlful I asked her her opinion, and she said it was lovely and what was the longish pieces in it, and when I said cabbage, she replied can I have some more, it's lovely. The cabbage was cut into fine strips around an inch to 2 inches long. Ha Ha. Try it and let me know how you enjoy it. Got to get some Pork Pies done this week for the Builder Hazel. She has been hard at it making beds on her plot. They look good Hazel. See you all around sometime. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee XX

Hi all, sorry I have not been on lately, kept losing password and could not get on to site also not been to well of late.
But all now behind me. I have been down to my spot and looked at the situation there and after I opened my eyes I was amazed to see it was not too bad just a bit of a mess really, more like me Ha Ha.
Saw Julie down at plot and met Chris and Hazel and Chris's friend Christine. All good stuff. Burnt the ground a bit and dug a little and starting to tidy up my bottom end. Careful with the words badge, Hazel is bound to pick you up on it. Eh she mentioned her Celery wine, wow, I bet that's a winner on TV.
Got lots to do and will get some photos sorted out for next time, but would like to thank Julie for offer of help and also Christine for her comments. Its hard to keep a good young boy like me down you know. I keep bouncing back like the proverbial penny. Trying to refurbish an old clock for the shed, and did some drawing of the plot today looking from where I usually sit and sip me tea and rest between digs etc. I am going to try and get my frame for HotBed set back on the back half of plot and then I can get some muck in and start it going. That's where I shall need help Julie, but have asked Brian of plum fame to help and will let you know when I shall be down to do it. You probably have noticed it perched half on the barrow ready for moving. I shall ask Jodie as well.
Onions I sowed in August 08 have been coming on nicely and have put them into special box in greenhouse. Hope I can grow woppers to go in show. I have been making soups and stuff and also Pork Pies, NO! not Porky Pies Hazel, the edible ones. Ha Ha. Will trully save you one Hazel, hope you will enjoy it. I think I will sort out my special recipe for soups and let it go down in blog for all to try. They taste great and even my Grandaughter Lucy likes em.
Ah well thats a blog an half for now so toodle pip all you allotmonteers and keep planting , digging, and whatever you do. Bye for now JohnieB