Well it has been a long time. Festive greetings and a Happy New Year to all our readers!! We have been distracted by the Downstairs 
Improvement Project over 6 weeks in October/November during which time we more or less left the plot to its own late autumnal devices, having done the requisite sowing of green manure and plonking of real stuff on appropriate beds. It does show our growing confidence with the plot, that we can let it be for a while without panicking. We did of course pop up and avail ourselves of produce as and when required - kale, cabbage, leek and parsnips.And then the snow came. On Saturday 17 December there was a blizzard for about 4 hours in St Albans. Traffic came to a halt and the main roads were blocked by stranded vehicles. And the allotment became a place of magic, our very own Narnia. We went up the next day and we were the first to go there after the snow, as was evident by the complete lack of tracks, other than those of rabbit or bird.
A
fter marvelling at the transformation, we managed to find ourselves a little winter harvest - miraculous isn't it - that snow and ice can fall and yet some vegetables can still be found. Our ancestors of course had to deal with this on a far more perilous basis. We have also been eating and enjoying our potatoes, squash and garlic as per usual. And had our first dried beans yesterday.The cold weather has been with us for some weeks now, the temperature hovering around 0 degrees, and it hasn't really inspired us to get on with our usual tasks. We have garlic to plant and beds to reinforce, the shed to clear and tools to clean.
Just after Christmas we had a very welcome visit from my friend and colleague (and some say one of the wise men) Joseph. He is the first from my place of work to witness our pride and joy. The plot looks somewhat shabby and sorry for itself at the moment, various things having died or grimly carrying on. The leeks especially seem determined t
o keep up appearances. I think - and hope - that Joseph was genuinely impressed with what he saw. He asked the odd intelligent question and seemed happy to pose with a garden implement for the blog. He certainly appreciated the home-cooked produce the night before - a stunning Spanish pumpkin soup, followed by shoulder of lamb with garlic, potatoes and peas. I attempted a raspberry and blackberry fool which refused to set - but was drunk nonetheless with appreciation by the guestage.We realise that the Downstairs Improvement Project has prevented us from the usual excitement of ordering seeds and potatoes. We will get on the case - because no matter what the weather throws at us in between, spring will come and we must continue our great endeavour.
Pest control note: Many mice have been caught. Most pleasing. Especially as one of the parsnips clearly had been nibbled.
