Bit of an early start today... 2:30am in fact! Son John had a flat tyre on his way back from one of his 'liaisons', this time in Milton Keynes. Needed to be picked up from Buckden, about 20 mins drive away. Patchy mist on the way. Didn't try and fix the car in the dark, just got it a bit further off the A1 so the black Golf GTi was safe for the night.

So a bit groggy overall today. By the time we'd gone back after breakfast & put on the spare tyre to get him going I only got an hour on the allotment. Just enough time to strim a bit around the vines and give the chicken coop its weekly clean out.

It's a bit of a sad time though, since John is moving out tomorrow. The last of our children to go. Like the other three he's not moving far, thank goodness... sharing a flat in the centre of St Ives. I'm sure his mum will be in tears. But on the positive side, we can break out the pixie outfits we've been storing for so long and chase each other around the house with gay abandon!

The Sunday squash match with son David was very close, but again lost 2-3. Having lost last Sunday the annual competition was over, with David the year's victor at 7-1 in months. Had the bright idea of 'configuring' the competition to one of two half year, and if it's 1-1 in half years at the end we have a big play off at New Year. At least this keeps me in the race for longer... even if David wins every match he can't claim victory until the end of October each year. So the reconfigured score is:

First half year - 1-0 to David

Last half year - 1-1 in months, Sep score 2-0 to David

What a result! I've got a butternut squash growing! Spied it (yes, only one from about 10 plants) amongst the abundant shoots and flowers that have been sprouting. With a bit of the sunshine we're badly short of, maybe it'll mature in time.

Opposite story with the canterbury bells. Put seeds into a prepared bed a couple of months ago. Saw the seedlings pop up. Then saw the weeds pop up. By the time I got to weed the bed today I wasn't sure what was weed and what canterbury bell... or in fact if there were any bells still left! Result is I've got things remaining of uncertain parentage. I'll keep a watch on them in the next week or so.

Strange happenings in the feathered fraternity over the last couple of days. Yesterday an egg was deposited just outside the coop. Today I thought I'd got another broody chicken, only to realise again after attempting to encouraging the cluck out that she was actually trying to contribute to the three eggs already laid by her sisters. But in late afternoon? It's normally always by midday.

Added to that yesterday I spied what I thought initially were lice in one corner of the coop. On reflection they were too big and I think they were woodlice, although didn't look like the ones normally seen. Tried to catch the two or three I saw without success, they disappeared under the nesting boxes. Shouldn't have worried... today it looks like one of the girls had been scratching in that corner and no doubt they've gone the way of all things that look like a possible meal.

Although leeks I planted a month ago are going really well they've been disappearing under a blanket of weeds and rogue tomatoe plants, so in first serious visit this week (visit of sister in law Trudy restricted allotment time as well as access to PC) I started clearing the bed... half way finished as you can see. If only I could find a culinary use for weeds I'd be made!

Also planted seeds (japanese onions, spinach, spring onions) in bed that I'd added contents of oldest compost bins to. Not sure if the compost will be too rich or just right.

Did manage during the week to turn remaining full compost bin which has been steaming away for about two months... accompanied as usual by the feathered fiends. Also replanted lettuce seedlings.

Feels really disorganised though... other than the leek & asparagus bed, I don't think I've got any raised bed with a single crop in it, or the appearance of being planned where the beds are shared. Number one objective this winter is to get a weekly planting plan!

First week back to work again after almost three weeks off... though only working Tuesday and Wednesday each week is feeling good!

More mowing and strimming over a couple of hours in the morning. Front of plot looks reasonably tidy now, although some of beds badly need weeding... next task.

Completed the emptying of the two oldest compost bins; the raised bed I've put the contents on looks pretty good now.

Caught Connor Chicken sitting on a nesting box several times during the morning... oh oh thought I, she has gone broody again. Then realised only three eggs had been laid and the poor thing had been trying to do her bit to add to the collection! Once she'd laid she seemed as normal as ever, so maybe she isn't broody.

If there's one thing that is growing really well it's beetroot. Picked three fist sized specimens.

Cycled home to get ready for squash against my son David... then cycled all the way back again past the allotments and on to the St Ivo Outdoor Centre. As usual, I had my chances to take the match but lost 1-3, monthly score now 1-4 in matches and 7-14 in tie breaker games. Our 2008 competition of who could win the most months was over since there's only 2 remaining matches in August... so I persuaded David to play another match to give me a chance of ending up 4-4 if I won the remaining matches. Lost that one 2-3, so I've conceded the year to him 1-7 in months. Must get my squash video out again.

After the double match no surprise I had a nap in the sun lounge in the afternoon, then completed a couple of jobs before Trudy arrives tomorrow.

Picked up the new Pashley bike from Halfords yesterday. Spent an hour in the evening fiddling with all the adjustable bits while Linda was watching Inspector Poirot on the telly (sends me to sleep). Resisted the usual tendency to adjust everything so many times to get it just right I finish up with all the settings as they were originally.

Really comfortable riding position on my first trip up to the plot late afternoon. The one thing I didn't fiddle with was the seat... the springs look like an exam subject in themselves, but there is a nut you can adjust to stretch the leather. So although I returned with a slightly tender derriere I think I'll put that down to my own bodily adjustment and leave well enough alone seat-wise.

Since royalty is arriving Monday in the form of Trudy, my sister in law, thought I'd better tidy things up. Had a good strim around the path edges & whizzed (or maybe wheezed is more apt) up and down the paths with my 'new' (free from the local charity shop but I gave a £2 donation) push along mower. Finished about a third of it before I got fed up.

Got more of the oldest compost onto one of the raised beds. Starting to think about winter crops and what to plant now. Dug another few rows on the new plot.

Connor Chicken looks like she's going broody now! Noticed when I picked the eggs out from the nesting boxes that two were still warm, and later in my session I had to move Connor Chicken out of the nesting boxes. That'll be the third chicken gone broody in as many months! If she's still sitting tomorrow I'll have to call in Darren's magic box again.

Had a walk with Linda late morning in lovely warm sunshine. Strolled around Holywell with a coffee at the Old Ferry Boat Inn, reputed to be the oldest pub in England as well as having its own one thousand year old ghost.

Spent most of my first serious spell (i.e. more than an hour) on the plot since returning from holiday cleaning out the chickens' coop & pen.

No chance to do any planting etc, although I did return home with one of my larger vegetable hauls... thanks to Joan & Keith in the next door plot (the word plot does them a disservice since they've got one of the best & most productive allotments around). They have an excess of french and string beans and kindly gave me a big bag.

Also started a new compost bin and began to empty my oldest bin to spread out on a raised bed. The latter started frenzied activty from the feathered fiends, who never miss a meal opportunity as shown here. Was interrupted by heavy rain.

The plot looks a bit untidy at present, need to catch up on weeding and grass cutting before my sister in law Trudy arrives on Monday!

Arrived back from a great week's holiday with my parents in Scone, Scotland, late afternoon. Went to Pitlochry, reached summit of Ben Vrackie... visually! Climbed the dam but no salmon in the fish ladder. Saw red deer and a buzzard when walking towards Waulkmill. Saw grey heron when walking through Quarrymill. Couldn't see the David Douglas memorial because the church yard was locked up.

Strangest site was in the forest nearby. As shown in this photo (click to enlarge), the tall pine trees had been pushed outwards in every direction except in the centre where they'd been snapped off half way down. Don't know what caused it... strong whirlwind? Very strange and spooky!

Up to the allotment for an hour to have a feather audit. My daughter Beth had done a good job looking after them, though they didn't come rushing back from all points of the plot when I called them... not even when I shaked the container with their beloved corn in it!

Called Halfords to see if my new Pashley bike had arrived... yes, it has, but they need to make it up & don't want to rush the job. Can't argue with that. It'll be ready late Friday. Can't wait!

My shed is a year old this month, so thought I'd reminisce on what a fun task it was to build it. But it's certainly been worthwhile... whenever the wind is whistling across Hill Rise or the rain is pouring down it's really snug & warm inside.

Bit of a slow day today. Went for another session of chemotherapy in the morning to fight the masked invader in my bladder (well, to make sure the masked invader doesn't return after being whipped out earlier in the year). So I had to hang around the house all day afterwards taking it easy. Only managed to pop up to the plot quickly to feed the chickens.

Having returned from his seaside holiday, Connor called to ask if I could go round & kick his new football with him. Said I couldn't because of medicine. Cue loads of questions. Another 'phone call just before he went to bed because he was feeling sad. Becky popped in briefly with Sammy & Izzy on their bikes. Son John off on one of his mystery overnight assignations... he's off to Ipswich this time. Think he 'meets' his girlfriends on Facebook.

Going to give Beth a training session tomorrow on how to look after the chickens while Linda & I are away at Scone in Scotland for a week. Think she'll be OK until it comes to the bit about taking the chicken poo out of the nesting boxes... otherwise the chickens will be laying on about three feet of poo!

Saw a green woodpecker on the ground as I walked up to the plot today. Couldn't get close enough to it to take a picture, so here's one off the net.

Might be last chance I get to do a Blog until I return from the frozen north on Wed 20-Aug.

Managed to get another few square metres dug on the new plot, & plant another goosberry bush (well, actually a cutting I took earlier in the year). It's slow progress through, with the feathered fiends observing every spadeful for tasty nibbles.

Can't complain though. With barrier mark 2 up & running they're now successfully confined to the extra plot. I was concerned that the chickens would just fly over this second version, shown below. Having got fed up of the whole thing the only option would have been to clip their feathers; I didn't want to do that. So it's higher than required but at least works.

Mr Ratty was pushing his luck this morning. Hadn't seen him about for some time, but as I walked up to my plot here he was rushing the opposite way up the access path to get into my neighbours plot before I cut him off. A couple of hours later as I was putting weeds on the compost pile, he came gambling over the cow manure & into one of the other compost bins! Think he resides next door but likes to nibble kitchen waste in my compost.

Pulled up the broadbeans, which were now past their best. Must remember next year to only do a couple of rows since most of the pods were unpicked. Planted chillie pepper plants in their place.

Went around Holt Island with Linda in the afternoon. Very windy by then so didn't see many birds, although the dragonflies were patrolling up & down the paths.

Took Sammy for a kick about at football & to see the chickens in the evening. As I drove away with him Izzy was up at the window shouting for me. Must leave enough time to take her as well in future.

Bit of a disaster on the squash front, lost 1-3 to son David. Back aching a bit from digging so I didn't do myself justice. I also rely on him having a late night on Saturdays, but he looked pretty fresh today. So that's me 1-2 down in matches & 5-8 down in games. Got to win on Tuesday!

The feathered fiends have been making a bit of a mess in some of my raised beds... they have the whole of the extra plot to scratch around in, so when I try & box them in there why do they fly over the barrier kamikaze-like to attack my most productive beds? So the challenge today (since it was thoroughly wet & miserable in the afternoon) was to construct something to keep them off my original raised beds plot. Here's the result (click to enlarge & admire the craftsmanship).

Couple of design features I hadn't anticipated are that Paigey Chicken squeezed through the openings within minutes, & the whole thing was so unnecessarily high that it's in danger of blowing over and squashing a grandchild or two. Back to the drawing board tomorrow.

On the plus side it wasn't too hard to do (though the screeching noise made as I sawed the plastic spooked the chickens), so I had time to dig more of the extra plot & reposition the gooseberry bush there. Oh, also planted some more spring onion seeds. Must plant some lettuce seeds & let the plants grow a bit taller before planting out... the last lot I planted have been scoffed by slugs!

Took the pear tree back to the garden centre in the morning, no trouble about getting a refund. Caught a rare sighting of son David with his girlfriend Honour as we passed & waved to each other in our cars.

Linda & I did a damp three hour circular walk to Houghton & Hemingford Abbots with a stop off at the Axe & Compass, where they serve up the most delicious chocolate squares with their coffee.

First tomatoes picked today. Only four, but soon I won't know what to do with them all. Whilst ferreting around the beds I realised there was at last some success with the carrots as well (it only takes soft deep soil & a bit of watering but I will try and do it on the fly!) so picked some of them as well. So here's the day's bounty... spring onions & three eggs included.

Weeded the beds. Don't mind a few weeds to pick since they really heat up the compost pile. Having 'phoned the garden centre about the expired pear tree, dug and bagged it up to get a refund. Only fair given it cost me £27.99 five months ago. Turned over some more of the extra plot.

On way home popped in to daughter Beth's house. They're off to Great Yarmouth for a few days so I'm looking after the cat & fish. As usual got a serious leg massage from the cat as I got its tea ready.

Car in to do handbrake cable. £101 to replace both at One Stop Motors, not bad. Walked to town with Linda & had a wander around the market, stopped off at The Dolphin for a coffee. St Ives always feels like you're at the seaside, really touristy. Daughter Becky around for lunch with Sammy & Izzy.

Izzy chicken is back to normal at last, although it'll be a few days before she starts laying again. I'd filled up the dust box with fresh soil yesterday. There was no doubt just how much they appreciated this, with two of the chickens sharing the box & nearly burying each other at times!

Lost the weekly tennis battle with Barry 3-6. My daughter Becky had tried to load him down with a full roast chicken dinner beforehand, with treacle tart to follow. Sadly he smelled a rat & declined the treacle follow up. I thought he'd actually managed to scoff the seconds so my whole game strategy was based on him staying in one spot all night. If I'd known he was a tart lighter my approach would have been radically different.

As we were sitting out afterwards supping a beer there was a wonderful sky with occasional flashes of lightning. Not sure if this photo does it full justice.

Seems I'm on a losing streak this week since the Tuesday son v dad squash result ended up me losing 1-3 to David. That makes the match score for Aug 1-1, & tie breaker games 4-5.

Good news... Izzy Chicken is out of the magic box. When I raised the top I didn't get a demented feather ball but the normal, inquisitive chicken again. First thing she did when released was to plonk herself in the dust box & have a good roll around. I'll know if all is finally well when I first appear tomorrow & see her lined up with the other three waiting to be fed.

Had wandered round to both daughters during the day. Played grandson Connor football in the afternoon. He was kicking the ball much better. When I asked him if he'd been practising with his dad, he said he thought a little bit of my brain had got into his. Pretty smart way of describing training for a five year old!

I'm fed up having to go up to the allotment in the Punto just to take the strimmer. Tried fitting the strimmer to my bike crossbar, but even I could see there was going to be significant wobbling. Think I'll try using the strimming time on digging over the new plot, so there'll be less to cut back anyway. Although only up on plot for an hour, managed to turn a few spadefuls over. If I make a rule that on every visit I dig an area, no matter how small, it'll soon get done.

Bit of a rush again today. Last day of work before nearly three weeks off on holiday, & babysitting for Becky & Barry while they had another wedding location sortie. So only managed an hour on the allotment.

At last, the first tomatoes are turning red! Got loads coming on so I'm looking forward to a really good crop. Last year was a disaster because it was too wet, so hope we get lots more sunshine... it's been a bit wet over the last week. Photo not up to usual standard since it was almost 9:00pm when I took it & light getting low.

Also managed another chip away at the extra plot. Put a redcurrant bush in to join the blackcurrant bush I'd planted a couple of days ago.

Becky & Barry fixed on having their wedding at The Old Bridge Hotel on Saturday 22-Aug-2009. You can't get in their house for wedding magazines, some of which are on loan from Beth following her wedding two years ago! But The Old Bridge Hotel is very nice, probably the best hotel in the area. The wedding suite has several rooms as well as a large patio area so it should be a really enjoyable event.

Izzy Chicken is still in the magic box. Lifted the lid to see if she'd calmed down, but the feathers are still going up on the back of her neck in anger. The previous broody chicken took only 36 hours to come around, but that was after she'd been sitting in the chicken hut for three weeks on nothing but a hot bum. Since Izzy Chicken has been moody for only a few days she might be in for a longer session.

Looking forward to my time off, the peak of which will be a week in Scone staying with my mum & dad & a chance to see all the family. Going up by train with Linda, who hasn't been back to Scotland for years, so it's a bit of an adventure for us both.

The handbrake cable went on the Punto. Looked at Barry's Haynes manual to see if I could repair it but it's a three spanner job needing some skill & the car has to be jacked up, so that'll mean a £100 or so out of my purse! The car's cost over £500 already this year with replacements for cam belt & fuel monitor!

Izzy Chicken still on the nest today looking all broody and moody. The feathers on the back of her neck were even going up in anger! So she's now in Darren's magic chicken wire bottom box to cool her off. Want to hear just how annoyed she was when put in the magic box? Click here to get a right earful!

No time to plant anything today. In between chatting to Darren from next door, Connor on the 'phone, then playing with Connor & Paige when Chris & Beth appeared, only managed to squeeze in a strim of weeds around the vines & some composting.

Had the bright (well, barely glowing as it turned out) idea to shred all the newpapers we had with the lawnmower. Since it holds moisture newspaper is really good in the compost bins, but I get a bit fed up tearing it all up by hand. Cue the lawn mower. Mistake I made was to do it while my wife Linda was in the sun lounge (our greenhouse converted to somewhere to sit in when it's cool) enjoying some peace & quiet doing her puzzle books. Replay the Izzy Chicken audio to get an idea of the reaction. Might have worked better on a less windy day. Think I'll try the big shredder at work.

Bit of a thoughtful day since it was this day last year David Eastwood, my best friend, passed away. A year younger than me, he put up one heck of a fight against bowel cancer. Amongst many things I miss our weekly battle on the squash court.

Early rain cleared and as I arrived on the plot mid morning the sun was shiny and warm. Chickens doing usual welcome dance along the fence, with the four heads plastered together, following me up and down until I appeared at the gate with their food.

Yes, I do have another broody chicken as pictured... Izzy chicken. Displaying all the symptoms, including the jumping up and down and squawking loudly, so unlike her. Will have to make use of Darren's chicken wire bottom box to cure her.

Have finally started chipping away at the uncultivated part of the extra plot... being most of it at present! Managed to dig over a square and plant a blackcurrant bush that had been in a pot all year awaiting its move. Got several more fruit bushes to do.

Bit of a rush this morning since it was my son in law Chris's 25th birthday party in the afternoon, & I had to help him put up our folding gazebo in his back garden and play my son David squash before the party started at 15:30; so I was away before noon.

Enjoyed the party. Chris did a barbeque, grandchildren rushed about and made lots of noise except when they had birthday cake stuffed in their mouths. Managed to hold my own with Chris on his new Nintendo Wii, even though he'd been practising like mad since Beth let him open his present on Saturday.

Good start to the squash month, beat David 3-2. So I'm 1-0 up in matches this month, but down 1-6 in months this year. He was a bit quiet, hope he's OK.