I definitely want an allotment!

My new friend Mandy invited me to visit her allotment and I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.  The image I had in my head of an allotment bears no relation to what I saw.

This was a thriving community of like minded people, all focussed on growing as wide a range of produce as possible.  In terms of location, it was pretty idyllic- based in the castlereagh hills with a view of Scrabo tower  and an occasional horse cantering by!

Mandy’s main allotment (yes, she has a back up one) is a little oasis of tranquility away from the hussle bustle of real life.  I totally got the appeal of it and can imagine that this would be a very therpeutic way to banish the stresses of work.

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Having grown up with a vegetable patch in the family garden, I am no stranger to home grown produce but this was on another level.  I couldn’t believe the range of fruit and vegetables growing all around me:  I counted potatoes, rhubarb, carrots, parsnips, turnip, swede, peas, beans, leeks, onions, raspberries, strawberries, redcurrants, courgettes, marrow, pumpkin, tomatoes, chillies and radishes (which I took home for my salad)

I am now fully converted to the delights of allotments.  I even cracked a smile  at the few gnomes on display!

Get me an allotment now!!!