5th~18th February 2018. Digging Race To The Great North Boundary Edge

MONDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2018

I arrived on the allotment at 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon, adamant that the week would see me achieve the first major aim, digging up to the planting area boundary at the far end to establish the base line from which I can begin setting up the area for planting.

THE PLOT AT 2 O'CLOCK ON MONDAY 5th FEBRUARY LOOKS 'DORMANTLY ACTIVE'

As this boundary is at the north of the plot I've decided to plant the tallest growing vegetable along this line so as to not block out any direct sunlight to other crops and to give a nice backdrop to future photographs. The obvious contender is the runner bean, so, although it's a little early to plant out, I will at least aim to get the supporting framework set up soon. This will make a change, visually and motivationally, from just digging. I'm aware of crop rotation and intend moving next years runner bean planting to the rear of the area of 'scrubland' which is visible to the right. This will be cleared and prepared at some point in the future in readiness for the 2019 season.

THE NORTH END OF THE PLOT ON MONDAY 5th FEBRUARY AT 14:00hrs. MY 'DOGLEG DIGGING' SHOWN IN ITS' EXTREME.

The image above, taken at 2 o'clockish, shows the string line set out on the boundary of the growing area and the amount of digging still left to do to before I reach the great northern edge.

5 O'CLOCKISH ON THE RUN UP TO THE GREAT NORTHERN EDGE 01.

At 5 o'clockish, with the light dimming and the temperature dropping, I decided to call it a day.

5 O'CLOCKISH ON THE RUN UP TO THE GREAT NORTHERN EDGE 02.

 
TUESDAY 6th FEBRUARY 2018

A 12:24 ARRIVAL ON THE PLOT SAW LITTLE, IF, NO CHANGE FROM THE LAST 'PLOT SHOT' FROM VIEWPOINT 01.

With the recent action mainly taking place at the far end of the plot at The Great North Boundary, noticing any differences between 'PLOT SHOT' images taken of the allotment upon arrival from Viewpoint 01 is much akinned to looking in a mirror every morning to watch ones' hair grow or weighing oneself every hour, when on a weight control diet, and expecting to see dramatic results every time...

I will, however, persevere with this routine and formulate a montage on the twelve month anniversary of the very first plot shot.

SCREENSHOT TAKEN FROM 'THE RACE TO THE BOUNDARY EDGE' VIDEO BEFORE ANY DIGGING TAKES PLACE

The race to reach the Great North Boundary edge, highlighted above with a string~line, would mark a milestone in my digging plan. I began tilling from the centre of the plot working outwards as, from a psychological perspective, it would visually reduced the distance to a boundary improving morale and increasing the number of 'milestones' and of celebrations for goals achieved.
The video below was taken spread over two days, the 6th and 7th of February, and is a compilation of a number of individual videos. It is hoped to serve several purposes:
Firstly, to demonstrate trench digging and leaf litter distribution.
Secondly, to entertain those who enjoy watching and who benefit from other people working hard or 'grafting', politicians, bankers, the tax man and weirdos as examples.
Finally, this video is an attempt to win the coveted 'YouTube Award For The Most Unwatchable All The Way Through To The End At Normal Speed And With No Fast Forwards Video Excluding Paint Drying Demonstrations 2018'. It really is a duel of tolerance.

The video below is the shortened version, the main purpose of this recording being

to make the footage available to those with more sense than time.

 

WEDNESDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2018
 

Below are a few images taken on the 7th of February, beginning with some views of the trench as left at the close of 'play' from the previous day and ending with the final celebratory result.

MY VIEW OF THE GREAT NORTH BOUNDARY LINE 'CUT IN' WITH TRENCH AWAITING BACKFILLING

RATS EYE VIEW OF THE GREAT NORTH BOUNDARY LINE 'CUT IN' WITH TRENCH AWAITING BACKFILLING

DOGS EYE VIEW OF THE GREAT NORTH BOUNDARY LINE 'CUT IN' WITH TRENCH AWAITING BACKFILLING

 

By ten past five in the dimly lit afternoon, the trench had been back~filled and the area completed.

 

THE GREAT NORTHERN BOUNDARY COMPLETED AND READY FOR PLANTING 01.

There was nothing more to add as an update to the week as I had developed an excruciating back injury, no doubt brought on by the poor raking technique of over stretching when pulling heavy soil.

I did return to the site, for a plot update and inspection, on Friday 9th and Sunday 18th Feb., only since then have been unable to dig so have very little to report.

THE GREAT NORTHERN BOUNDARY COMPLETED AND READY FOR PLANTING 02.

THE GREAT NORTHERN BOUNDARY COMPLETED AND READY FOR PLANTING 03.

Away from the plot I did manage to pot up an avocado plant that I'd grown from a seed germinated twelve months ago and this will be the next post, so if you want to be informed of future posts as they appear subscribe for post updates using the app. in the right hand sidebar menu.

This article was posted on 23rd February 2018. Despite a vast improvement to my back, I have still been unable to toil, although things are looking promising for some of the lighter duties next week

🌱

"So long for now friends"

"Thanks for stopping by"