Being able to walk to and work the allotments during these difficult times is one thing, but to enjoy going past some of our neighbours and see their little faces in the sunshine is another.
The allotments are within the Mudchute Park
and Farm, the largest urban farms in London and sitting just a short distance
from the largest density of residential housing in Western Europe in Canary
Wharf and the Docklands.
The skyscrapers reproduce faster than rabbits
and what was once a lone tower some twenty years ago is now surrounded by some
30 towers all vying to be the tallest and all now often obscuring the pyramid of One Canada
Place tower in the centre.
It can be strange to be working on the plots
and having a vista of skyscrapers in the background, Many are over 50 storeys high and look down on
you like an eagle views its prey. It certainly makes you appreciate more the Mudchute oasis within the development spread down the Isle of Dogs.
The farm itself is in lockdown so you are
unable to walk through it and miss many of its residents. The pigs are off the
path so Peter and his friends are not busy chomping through the last
broccoli and cauliflower leaves. Mind
you they managed to devour the kale leftovers before the lockdown so have the
iron inside them.
The ducks and geese continue to pack their
huge enclosure and enjoy their daily exercise in their pool but they say that
they miss the cheeky children's faces looking through the fence.
The horses are pleased not to have a dead
weight on their backs and still get to trot unaided around the paddock. The
donkeys are just donkeys and wonder what all the fuss is about.
Billy and the other goats are a bit put out
and although their diet may be healthy and nutritious they tell me that they do
miss those exotic delicacies they get from passers by.
We will ignore the cows; most people do!
Chickens may look cute and still race to the
fence at the sight of every person they see. However, the expression bird brain
is not far off. They may chatter a lot but say little and having a conversation
with them is like talking to the cows but noisier.
Now Larry the llama and his adopted parents - Shush, no one has told him yet. Well they just amble around looking bored whilst their eyes and heads like submarine
periscopes watch and observe. I used to think them very cute until Larry
proudly showed me some dental work he had done and I saw the size of his
molars!
But the stars of the show this time of year
are the wee lambs, which thanks to the midwife Farmer Tom and his team are here and getting their first taste of green grass and mother's milk. Also enjoyinga chance to gamble around with only a few farmhands around.
They all wait until the lockdown is over and
normal visiting hours are resumed and the families, school parties and visitors
return!
Meanwhile Lottie and I walk quietly past our
friends. We may throw a friendly wave and raise a hello and greeting to those
we know but leave them to enjoy these peaceful moments in Spring as we walk on by to the plot.
