August 2014 - Heavy Horses at work

Our local PYO (pick-your-own) farm had an exhibition of ploughing by heavy horses and we decided to go along for a look. It was a fun afternoon ....here is a short video of what we saw...

Veg plot growing well!

After 8 weeks we are starting to see that all those other allotmenteers were right when they used to stop in passing and say "It will all be worthwhile....!" (which used to make us feel violent as we were still at the digging stage then!!)

Beans, leeks and peas (in their cage to protect against pigeons!)

 4 different varieties of spuds

Which are almost ready to give us new potatoes.....

... and the chief labourer a short rest!!!

BOFs in Action again...

Because the allotment is not going to be enough to keep us busy and active we have ensured our membership of the BOFs Club by joining the Ramblers Association and getting ourselves geared up for serious walking trips....
                     
So.... 
and no laughing please.... suitably attired in boots, backpack and sticks we are ready for any eventuality and set off for a walk along the Wey and Arun Canal!

                                                        
a lovely little stretch of water - very pretty and peaceful ... see a short video below...     

A new blog for a new phase of life

Our first thoughts when we returned from our handover cruise with the new owners of Izula was - 'How are we going to keep fit now that we no longer have the barge?'  So we started to collect ideas.... 

Now that we live in a flat we have to look outside for things to do. We both like gardening and growing stuff, and although we have 2 acres of beautiful gardens here, they are managed by a commercial outfit and there is nothing for us to do here. So we have taken up an allotment!! Now if that doesn't give us the credentials for the BOF club nothing will.  

Starting off

After 2.5 weeks

We started off like this - a plot full of grass and weeds -quite daunting. 
But after a week .... it looked like this...
This should keep us fit!!!

A month after starting off....

Beans and potatoes have been planted with marigolds around the edges to deter the slugs and snails (or so we have been advised!!)

The foxes are creating problems though as they have been coming and digging holes etc every night.....so we have had to put down some netting and twiggy branches as well as garlicky granules which we hope will keep them away. 
We will see!!

Fox deterrents in place!!!

A New Life..... on land now

Our beautiful Luxemotor IZULA has been sold .... after 10 years on board we decided that it was time to move on and spend time on some other interests before it was time for the Grim Reaper to visit!

So after a 9 day handover to the new owners, Jonathan and Kat, we have now joined the ranks of ex-bargees and settled back in our flat in the UK.

We are planning lots of different activities and I will be putting anything interesting on this blog.... so watch this space.

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