The Mystery solved.

The grand idea had stemmed from all those years of reading Agatha Christie's Poirot novels. I was going to get 'the little grey cells' working overtime and I was going to discover who the 'Phantom Book Leaver' was (not a great name I admit). DNA swabs were going to be taken, Maggie was going to be put to work as a sniffer dog and, darn it, lie detectors had been ordered. There was to be a grand finale where all my suspects were gathered in our shed (highly implausible as barely 2 people can fit it there on a good day, but a girl can dream) and Andrew would get the radio wound up and tuned into Classical FM ~ for drama. Then.....I would reveal, to the shock and awe of everyone, who the mystery benefactor was. My moment of glory, my close up and my reputation on the lotties cemented for good.

That was the idea. In reality things were much more mundane, as life tends to be. Andrew and I were walking up to the car park and Phil came over for a chat and just casually asked me during conversation if I liked the books he had left me. I was dumbfounded!

He did receive my thanks and a big hug, but something in me can't help but be a little disappointed; my moment of glory, stolen (before I even had a chance to get those grey cells in gear and teach Maggie what sniffer-dogs do), and the news broken beside the manure heap as well!! What would Ms Christie think!

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I've had a horrible day, full of shakes, pure panic and an unsuccessful visit from my Social Worker. We're just back from a quick trip to the Lottie, which wasn't a good idea really for me today, yesterday it was nice, we had a BBQ and it was fun but every day is different...This has been the first time today when I have felt comfortable; Maggie is sleeping on 'her sofa', Andrew has done some dishes (bless him) and is now reading another second hand veg book he bought today, the decaff coffee is brewing and for once I am able to communicate to others without stuttering all over the place.

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One more thing, Thanks Stephen for putting a link to your (slightly embarrassing photo) of Andrew and I litter picking at the Spring Clean weekend. May I just point out that once that picture was taken I went off and filled my black bag with rubbish, where as you and Andrew chatted to Bill. Behold the evidence.... shame on you! x

A quick introduction and a mystery

I got the (quite) sad news about my request to take over A24b (thereby having a full square plot) on the morning we left for Italy. Mark and Charlene didn't wish to give up their half and move and well, I had to respect that. I was just glad to know for sure.

So it's about time I formerly introduced you to our new baby - A14b. (Check out the link to the map to see her in the grander scale of things). As you can see Maggie is already overseeing everything that is done to her new conquered land, though she does prefer the delicious comforts of 24a behind her to a mucky plot. Such a princess!

So there it is. The previous owner Terry has decided to chop up his full plot into 2 as he hasn't the time to work it all. So we have the side closest to our 'first born' (24a) and behind Gary's Shed. We're slowly using those history lessons about battle strategy to surround Gary and then conquer his plot too!!!! Oh, that should really be a secret....

You can see 24a just the left of Andrew with our wee shed, mini greenhouse and the not so mini fruit arch etc.

A good portion of this new plot was covered in thick black plastic and under that the ground had been ploughed over last year so the soil is in pretty good nick. We're starting down there and slowly we'll work upwards. There is a plan!

Anyway, Saturday was the first day of work and we marked out a few beds and started the old double digging. You know, dig a trench, fork it over at the bottom, put a layer of compost/manure at the bottom, then fill it in with the stuff you dig out of the trench beside it. Andrew shocked me by shouting out to Bobby that we were 'Bastard Trenching!', I thought he must be in a terrible mood already, but supposedly that is another name for it.

My trenches all went a bit tits up when on the start of my 2nd trench I came across this fellow. It took me over and hour to get it out of the wet stone packed clay-y soil it was in. And Bill's metal pole (The persuader), lots of big rocks, 2 wooden planks and a very shouty, flustered Hubby to finally lift it clear.

I went home after that but my Hubby soldiered on. I haven't seen it yet, I think he has 2 beds in and potatoes planted! What a trouper. Hopefully I'll go tonight, I'm still not fully recovered from the latest blip but I think it would be nice to get out.

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Ah, yes the mystery....well before we left for Italy Andrew went down to check on everything and found a present in our cold frame. These great books! There wasn't a note in the bag or in with the books and anyone he asked knew nothing about it! Another detective adventure begins..

By the way, last night's meeting was seemingly rather productive and although it took a very long time some important issues were discussed. I can't remember the majority of it all (there was wine in his had, come on, what's more immediately essential; info or wine?) but he did waffle on about hedges, roads, Dublin, Charity plots and water taps and me having to help him with the fundraising etc etc (ummm, a Merlot I was thinking).