The rainbow bridge

For many months it has seemed that the only colourful growing things in my allotments have been the hanging basket flowers.  They have been like two little beacons in the muddy greyness all around. 

It has been the ideal time however to finish the restructuring jobs.  The allotments are taking shape structurally in a very practical way.  I am observing how I use them, and then putting things in place to make it easier.  It seems that way they are developing forms that are both pleasing and functional. 

The main project has been the paths both into the small allotment and across it to the larger one.  The paved entrance was rather ungainly and impractical when I took the small allotment on.  I was having to dodge past the bath and the strawberries with my tool laden rucksack and the wheelbarrow. 

The journey from one allotment to another was equally difficult.  It was inevitably muddy and unpredictable. To an onlooker I would probably have looked slightly worse for drink as I  slid daily on the mud and black plastic. 

There is a large paved area in the small allotment.  I can't really work out what it is for, but I have been gradually using its paving slabs to make the passage from one allotment to another a safe and enjoyable one. 

I prised the slabs away from their plastic lining with an old shovel.  With the slab balanced on the shovel I was able to grip it underneath and lift it free.  I am only a small pixie, so it would be very unwise to lift paving slabs.  Instead I rolled them on their sides.  This was very effective and rather fun.  I realigned the remaining slabs by sliding the shovel a little under their edges and nudging. This has formed a more practical and pleasing path by the entrance.

As I lifted the slabs I exposed a blood curdling advanced network of couche grass roots.  They made good kindling when dry for the Spring bonfire. 

Once I had realigned the path I had to move the entrance as well.  I found a piece of wire fencing of the perfect dimensions and installed it with wire and a staple gun to seal the old entrance.  Then I made a gateway of fence by staple gunning the end of it to a wooden stake and creating a nifty wire loop to hold it closed. 

I then secured the other side of the entrance by fixing a post firmly into the ground and looping the top supporting wire over it.  I was very pleased with the results.