I am still overwhelmed with disbelief that after several years, I have made it to the top of the waiting list. I don't think it's quite sunk in yet that this garden is all my own. The last allotment I had was a little short-lived but it thrived. I still remember my surprise and wonder at my successes. Since giving it up when moving home years ago, I have been involved in setting up several gardens - firstly in a small plot that came with the flat I was living in, then when we moved, volunteering at Hackney Community Farm, followed by instigating a community garden initiative, then very recently a very short spate of helping someone out with their back garden. There was varying success with each, and with the communal stuff I sorely missed having my own personal patch - the freedom and independence.
Anyone who knows me well, knows what important roles nature and gardening play in my life. Nature is release and relief; gardening is calming - therapeutic escapism; wonder and discovery. It's impossible to feel anything negative whatsoever when I am gardening, as I am so absorbed and totally content.
I really cannot believe my luck here. I feel grateful and lucky, and the timing is perfect. I have been immersing myself in various new projects and making positive changes in my life, to get back to health and regain energy and feel myself again after some stress and ordeals - so to now add a garden to things is incredible.
My very own plot of land.
I'm going to use this blog to track some of my progress.
Day One
I was up early, and had a big vegetarian fry-up, before boarding a bus and swiftly arriving at the allotment gardens just after 9am. I felt elated, really free of worries, and a bit giddily excited, if I'm honest. I hurried my way in, and was greeted straight away by the sight of a tabby cat. The cat responded to my arrival by leaping up with front paws. Gardens are not complete without the presence of cats!
I was struck by the powerful sound of birdsong all around - tranquility. A tiny robin came and perched on one of the trees on the corner of my plot. This is the escapism I crave in the city. To just have quiet moments where all you can hear are birds twittering cheerily, and all around you is green, growing, healthy, abundant.
The before and after photos!
Here's the view of the weeds, from ground level:
This is a big and rewarding project - I'm going to work hard on making things wonderful, and I already feel so healthy in body and mind from the exercise and fresh air.
Now I am reminded of the punk gardening blog Weeds Up to Me Knees Full of good writing and music, and an original punk fanzine writer/'zine fan too.