Plots and Monopoly Spots Update

This is an update from an earlier post about allotments and Monopoly.

Getting an allotment was a great idea. I have really enjoyed going down there to potter about; weeding, watering and sowing seeds. G. didn't think much of the idea at the start of the time, seeing all the weeds that had to be removed. But since having had several delicious meals featuring homegrown produce, he has come around. Here's a photo montage of what has come out of my plot.

First, lots and lots of weeds came out.


These are the potatoes that came from the spuds we found in the ground from last year.

Me and just one of the many many bunches of Swiss chard we ate.

Pumpkins, bigger than my head!

Lamb steaks, with rocket, salad leaves, tomatoes and corn. Everything but the lamb was from the allotment.

Lena also enjoyed the corn.

There's actually a lot more I got out of the plot but I don't have photos. Lots of snow peas, regular peas and runner beans. Right now there's French beans growing, plus the salad, rocket, and 2 types of broccoli. I have to get some more stuff in to take up space over winter so that the weeds don't battle back. If you want to send me seeds to plant, send an email to zeebride@gmail.com and I'll pass along my address.

Knowing I want to keep up with the allotment, I went to pay for the next year at the parish office. She actually sent me away, saying to wait for my letter in the mail before paying. I don't see why it would be so complicated to take my money when I'm ready to pay it, but apparently it would mess up the system. Okay...

As for the Monopoly bit, the towns have been chosen and Cookham sadly wasn't one of them. This is probably a good thing for me, because it means I don't have to go out and buy a copy of the silly game. Monopoly is an okay game, but there are much better games out there. I'll save that rant for another day though.

A Nip in the Air

Fall is definitely on its way. The air has a certain bite to it in the mornings that wasn't there before, even in the lousy cool days of summer. Fall, or autumn if you prefer, is my favourite season. I think it's related to going back to school; that it was the start of a new year. In Edmonton, one of my favourite things was how it seemed overnight the trees would turn colour and there would be these bright bright yellow leaves everywhere, lighting up the parks and streets. In Munich, it was never so sudden, it was a far more gradual process. But what I enjoyed in Munich was the length of the season, an actual season rather than at best 6 weeks and then winter in Canada. (Which reminds me of a joke. Do you know the 4 seasons in Edmonton? Already Winter, Winter, Still Winter and Construction) I don't know what I will like best about fall here in England, but I look forward to it none the less.

Home owners

Last Friday, we finally exchanged on our house. Exchange, for those who might not be familiar with the ins and outs of the process, is when we basically put down 5-10% of the purchase price of the house and both parties agree to go through with the sale. Completion is the next bit, which is when we actually get the keys to the house. That happens on October 1 for us. We have our rental place until the 12th, so that gives us a comfortable overlap to get things moved. However, we are always to hear about eager volunteers who are willing to help us move on that first weekend, October 6th and 7th...

So this is happy news for us, even if it is slightly scary, considering the sums of money involved. It may not come across much in this post, because it has been a long time since our intial offer back sometime in June to get here. But believe me, we're excited.

Anyone want to come to the house-warming party? It'll likely be the following Saturday. Contact me for details.