Attacking the wilderness

We gained a new area of land at the allotment this year but only managed to cultivate part of it. Most of the rest we covered with black plastic sheeting and some we left as it was. In the event, vegetation has grown over the sheeting, almost covering it and the area we left as it was grew a proliferation of magnificent nettles.

Now is the time to tackle both areas, so I made a bit of a start on the nettles. That is a challenge. Tall and woody above ground with tough, densely matted roots below ground. Mixed in are lots of stone, bits of wood, ironmongery and all sorts of detritus. This is going to take some time to clear.

Before I could start I had to gain entry to the shed, having left the key at home in the padlock at our home shed. This meant finding someone who had a screwdriver and unscrewing the clasp. Not very secure these sheds. I sometimes wonder why we have a padlock.

In the evening we saw Show of Hands at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford with our friends Wendy and Chris. Show of Hands never fail to impress - their music, the sentiments of their songs and the sheer quality of their musicianship (especialy Phil Beer) is of the highest quality.