The fruits of my labour.

At certain times of the year I often ask myself "Why?"

Why do I spend hours weeding, digging, yanking up roots of brambles.....

Stand in wind, rain, hail, hot hot heat...... battle with snails, slugs, rabbits, magpies, pigeons...

....and then Autumn comes!

I am rewarded!

Runner beans and French beans coming out of my ears!

....a bad year for courgettes but oh so sweet and tasty! No courgette and chocolate cake this year, I will survive!

The best Squashes I have ever grown, sitting in the sun on the garden table hardening up, so pretty to look at, jewels of delight!

3 years ago I grew flowers for our wedding at the allotment, something I have done every year now. Each time I come home from working hard up there I bring home the biggest bouquet to fill the house, a wonderful reminder of a gorgeous day!

So yes, Why?

I'll tell you exactly why.

I may toil with the pigeons but I have so many little wildlife friends who sing to me and hop along to say hello.

I may live in a city but at the allotment I am transported to the countryside.

I don't have to pay for a gym where you sweat amongst other sweaty grumpy people stuck in a dark noisy room!

And as I write this, I can come home and eat a lovely lunch of steamed veggies on homemade bread feeling refreshed, happy and utterly smug!