You may recall the BBC covering our programme to buddy up plot
volunteers with plot holders who had to self-isolate, were shielded, or classed
as vulnerable during the Covid 19 crisis. We had some half dozen plots being
maintained and I took over my neighbour’s plot whilst she was locked down.
Click to read and view first blog article on TV https://londonplotlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/lottie-is-going-to-be-star-on-allotment.html
Click to read and view second blog article on TV https://londonplotlife.blogspot.com/2020/04/youre-on-allotment-tv-tomorrow-lottie.html
Now some 16 weeks later and Anna has returned, and we met up
once again.
Anna was like a child in a sweetshop with her eyes darting
from one plant to another examining everything on the plot and she was very
pleased it wasn’t a jungle. Opening the shed which had also been in isolation
took up new meaning and watching her once again become reunited with its
contents was a joy.
It’s the first time in all these weeks she has ventured onto
public transport or even very far out of the house. She still has yet to visit
a supermarket and she is alert but safe. You can see the spring in her heels as
she takes it all in.
She now plans to come a couple of times a week to ease
herself back and maybe it may take some time but the plot will be looked after irrespective
and even while I am away, cover has been arranged for both plots.
The one aspect I never realised at the beginning was the
amount of watering and weeding two plots take.
Anna left with a broad smile and a big bag of produce.
‘What do I do with these flying saucers?’ she asked holding out
some big yellow patti pans that I had picked for her.
I reply, ‘Eat them like courgettes. Slice them, cube them,
grill them or steam them. They are lovely.’
‘Ok ’ she said still looking at them rather quizzically.
Lottie was pleased to see her and acknowledged her with a
wagging tail and a nuzzle and she passed the sniff test. When she had left he
said, ‘Nice to have her back. There’s always cake when she’s around.’
‘Did I miss the cake?’ Lottie asks.
‘No, it was just a short visit and it’s cake and a cuppa tea
next time’ I responded.
‘I don’t drink tea’ she replied and flopped down disappointingly
onto her cushions on the bench.
As folk start to come back onto the plots you meet old
friends and although it’s just a few months, it’s different and great to meet
up again. They certainly appreciate the work their buddies and that they are
returning to a maintained plot since they have been away.
Next week sees the return of our Secretary who despite being
in isolation a couple of hundred miles away , she has done a fantastic job
managing many issues, the exploding waiting list and sorting out the National
Society’s Kings Seeds process and insurance cover. Just need our Site Manager
back and I can start to relax!
