Why does it always rain on me

More and more rain today. I wonder when the hosepipe ban will start this year?

Bird Watch

Have just sent the results from our birdwatch to RSPB. We saw eight different species on the plot but shame we could not count species that were flying past as it would have added a few more. Really wanted the pheasant to turn up but no luck there, hope that the fox didn't catch up with him. The weather forecast said it would be milder today but was greeted by a heavy ground frost when I arrived on the plot. Did a bit of tidying, had the Robin following me everywhere as I was raking some leaves he was having a feast. The weather forecast has been rubbish lately so in future I am just going to look out of the window and decide for myself what the day holds.

We went to the site today to pay our annual rent. As we have two plots we pay more than most but it is worth every penny. Next time I have to pay I shall be an old age pensioner ( hate the sound of that) so will get a big reduction in the cost.  We were greeted as usual by the robin and found a fox sniffing around our shed. I topped up the feeder and hung up a fat ball but next week will have ago at making my own with some suet and porridge oats. Really getting desperate to get sowing and growing, but did notice the garlic showing and the rhubarb seems to be coming to life.

The Compost Song

For ages Barbara has been obsessed with sorting out our compost heaps. She has been trying to get me to help her turn them and use it on the plot but I have been putting it of for ages. The compost now is about five years old and is really good so a few weeks ago we started to sort it and use it.I found this video on You Tube and not only does it look like Barbara it shows how enthusiastic she gets about the stuff. By the way I do not appear in any of the film.

Went to the beautiful Kelsey Park in Beckenham to feed the birds with a loaf of Mr Warburtons finest brown seeded. I was soon surrounded by all sorts of ducks,geese,pigeons and gulls. The blackheaded gulls are just beginning to get there black heads so spring must be on its way. The most impressive of the ducks was the Mandarin which is really spectacular. The swans also let the Canada geese know who was boss. I then went to check my feeders on the allotment and all the suet pellets that I hung up yesterday had gone but still a big pile of seeds left.

Going on a march tomorrow in support of Lewisham Hospital which is in danger of losing its A&E department and maternity unit. This hospital is dear to my heart as not only does Barbara work there but they have looked after me during my heart problems. Sunday will be at the plot for my RSPB bird count.

Just my luck

Really started to get in the swing over the last couple of weeks. I have retired and Barbara had two weeks holiday. We spent quite a few hours on the plot and I was able to coppice all the plum runners that I had been meaning to do for ages. Barbara spent time sorting out our compost heaps and we have loads of good stuff which has spent a few years rotting down. Now it is covered in snow and put a stop to groundwork.

We have been feeding the birds and we have put up a new bird box. We have had great tits nesting in our old one for the last six years and last year a robin nested in our shed, I will put pictures on here when I can sort the camera out. We are taking part in the RSPB  bird watch at the weekend so will let you know how many species we see on our plot. Last week we had a pheasant on site which was chased by a fox.We thought that he would fly away but he just ran as fast as he could, he had a head start on the fox and managed to escape.