3 Signs of Spring

It’s definitely spring and I can prove it! First we’ve gone past the spring equinox. The days are now longer than the nights and will get longer until the solstice. Second, the sun has been shining and it’s getting warmer. Whilst not definite on its own, a good sign. What’s really the clincher – the sheep are back in the field and they’ve got lambs with them.

It must be spring – the new lambs are practising being cute

Help with the Muck Mountain

A pal came over to help out with moving the muck mountain donated by the farmer when he cleaned out the maternity hospital. My pal arrived wearing a mask and gloves. The mask is not to protect him but to protect others if he happened to be infectious but not ill. He’d used Hibiscrub on his hands before putting the gloves on.

It was very, very strange talking whilst keeping well apart. Six feet is minimum, a little more is safer still. I made a cuppa which he poured into his flask’s cup to drink. I said how weird this felt and almost silly – but was firmly told this is how we need to act.

He moved some of the muck mountain for me and repaired a stone wall the trailer had damaged delivering it. He’s a dab hand at dry stone walls and actually left it better than it was originally.

Home Made Disinfectant Spray Recipe

The tools he used; fork for the muck, lump hammer, wheelbarrow will get a spray with an anti-viral surface spray. This is easy to make at home. The ‘recipe’ is based on US Government advice so it should be effective. I’ve slightly increased the bleach they suggest but this is for objects, not hands.

Add 40 ml of bleach to 1 litre of water or a good tablespoon per pint. Mix well. That spray should kill the virus on surfaces. Just don’t use it on the tomatoes.

Idiots

What is wrong with people? Are they stupid, suicidal or what? Holiday resorts and places like Snowdon have been heaving People trudging up the mountain like sardines in a tin. Some of the local people here in North Wales are blocking off car parks. Maybe that’s a bit extreme but understandable. Sometimes words fail me. As for those still panic buying, arghh!
If you don’t believe it – see this article on North Wales Live

Peas and Broad Beans Planted

Whilst my pal was working like a Trojan on the other side of the holding, I planted out the peas and beans I’d started under heat in the greenhouse. That gained room on the bench but Val and our daughter have stolen lots of space for flowery stuff. I’ll let them off, this time.

Women should be banned from the garden centre – this lot is inedible!

Karmazyn Broad Beans

Karmazyn Broad Beans – planted in the raised bed.

Douce de Provence Peas. Heeled in leeks at the end.

Lamb and her mum hoping I’ve a treat for them

No social distancing for these guys!

Posted in Allotment Garden Diary
5 comments on “3 Signs of Spring
  1. Rowland Wells says:

    Hi John
    I’m glad you mentioned about your pal giving you a hand obviously taking the rite precautions as you said because i was going to help my friend plant his potatoes but i wasn’t quite sure if i should but from what your saying makes sense

    I was talking to my son who is a QS in the building trade obviously he wasn’t taking much notice about the present situation as commented he booked a holiday to Italy i said i don’t think so because its all on lock down I won’t tell you what i said to him but it was on the same lines as you said idiot

    anyway good bit of info many thanks take care RW

    • John Harrison says:

      Hi Rowland – even the young aren’t invulnerable to this virus. Most are but a small percentage will die. It’s as stark as that. Perhaps they would like a game of Russian Roulette? At least it’s quick.

  2. Adrian Flynn says:

    Thank goodness Spring is here,nice to see the sheep out with their newborn Lambs and the Spring flowers out.We had all that dreadful weather and could not get much done.Now we have some much improved weather and cannot go out much due to Government advice.For my daily exercise i will be going up my allotment where i shouldn’t come into close contact with anyone.Lets hope this is allowed as i do’nt want to go walking coming into contact with the public.Good God i am getting very anti social.

    • John Harrison says:

      You may feel anti-social but you’re actually being very responsible. Protecting others in case you have it, yourself from risk and keeping an emergency bed free for others not so lucky. OMG – I’m sounding like a right prig!

  3. Simon says:

    Talking about holidays in Italy, we booked 10 days in Sicily before this lot started. It is 40 % paid, not sure if they will take the rest of the money when it is due in May. Holiday is the first two weeks in June, and I can’t really see it happening. If I cancel, then I lose the money, I have to wait for it to be impossible to travel. Apaprently they are changing the rules, so we will only get a voucher for future holidays. Still, better than nowt.

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