In the end we decide simply (hah!) to pivot the shed, so that its door faces the compost container, rather than - as originally planned - shift it toward the rasberries to form one end of The Cage. This is partly because the ground between the shed and the raspberries is alright - good enough to grow things in, unlike the soil (stones) parallel to it, but closer to the potatoes. This led us to contemplate extending (in the future) The Cage still further toward where the shed is now, forming a cage of around 230cm x 550cm, but also leaving us a Social Section between The Cage and the shed. Even i'm bored by this amount of detail.
The ladies were a tremendous help. While P and I got on with the labour, K and J provided much-needed commentary (when K was between international calls). The shed now sits proudly (and solidly) on two pallets, and we have retrieved the several rubber mats on which it used to sit for use on paths. Many thanks to our kind and supportive neighbours.
We then borrowed five very heavy bags of hearty mushroom compost (smelling of mushroom) from Mr G's plot, and spread this and some chicken manure (smelling of a chicken's behind) over our four raised beds as well as the area on which will sit The Cage. 
Then we covered each bed (aside from where the elephant garlic is growing) with black plastic. Our friends the worms will spend the next couple of months dragging this delicious goodness into the soil in readiness for planting. Sunday, we return to build The Cage. A basic framework is developed, using the Freecycle boards and leftover shelf brackets. We have enough wood to make the first of our cage modules 230cm x 230 cm. My keenness on headroom, plus our limited ability to countersink the posts, left us with a framework rising, I would guess, 250cm high. Well, that high in some corners, less (and more) high in other corners.
So, the frame stands It's not the most square of structures, nor the sturdiest - there were some high-anxiety moments in construction and erection - but it was still standing as we left the allotment. We have a fond hope that we will be able to see it in the morning from the train station platform.
I had developed a doorway, the frame of which has had to be removed for the moment (until we secure wood for the other modules). I now wish to redeployed our conservatory venetian blinds to act as a cool door. K is pictured within the doorframe.On our way out, we have a brief chat with plotters near the gate. They are constructing a very orderly set of prefab plastic raised beds, interspersed with bark-covered paths. We agree - despite ramshackle construction, splinters, backache and the likelihood that our efforts will become a pile of pick-up-sticks when exposed to a stiff wind - that homemade is our prefered method.
Even (especially) when it looks like this.Joyous news from Freecycle on the carpet front. This will help turn our paths into paths rather than mudbaths.
Weather: overcast, windy but mild.
Compost corner: We left the stalk of the sprout plant sticking up out of the compost heap. Something has been nibbling.
Sheep nearby.
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