Chaos and Crisis, Obstruction and Delay

A bit of a washout at the allotment today, but also a valuable reminder that sometimes delay is beneficial.

I found out earlier this week that there is some major work to be done to the fence at the top of the bank behind my main plot (the next-door garden is literally sliding into the allotments!). But it’s not starting until the beginning of April which will delay the planning of my sundeck and planting my fruit trees. I have loads of digging to do on the main plot though. I’m gently and happily reminded that sometimes delay is beneficial.

Since my allotment has been levelled and I’m starting afresh, I thought I’d make triangular beds that can be easily reached from all sides. This will give us a large diamond-shaped bed in the centre which I’ll need to divide with some sort of path, maybe stepping stones so that it’s not too structured. We’ll see.

Eliseo is sick with a tooth infection and a fever to boot, poor darling, so I knew I was gardening alone this weekend. My rune this morning was Perth reversed, indicating obstructions and resistance, and a reminder that chaos and crisis are necessary. Hmmmmm……

So I headed up there today with high hopes after a bright and sunny start, my mission to mark out the pathways to a spade depth so that we can dig the beds ready to plant. I’d started digging the first of these on Friday but I’d also had acupuncture for my arms that morning and forgotten that it’s not good to do physical exercise after a treatment. I got about halfway through when my arms began to hurt and I had to stop.

I cycled up today wearing sunglasses. I arrived in the sunshine. I put my wellies on and got my spade out and, right on cue, the heavens opened and the rain poured down. It was only a shower but a heavy one. I forgot my runic warning and worked through it, getting really quite wet. I laughed. The sun came out again but this time only lasted about half an hour or so. Long enough to mark out the pathways though – Ha!

Diamonds are forever! Standing at the top of the bank you see the whole blank plot. Large triangular beds marked out at the corners of the plot leave a big diamond-shaped bed in the centre which I will divide. I have half-dug the triangle at the bottom left (where the bins are - see the plank I've been standing on while digging) and here is where the compost bins will live, with the raspberry canes to screen them from view. The green you see on the main plot is rye grass and field beans, sown as green manure over the winter and now in need of digging in. The collection of stones and rocks at the bottom of this snap are sitting on the bank, on the first 'draft area' of where the sundeck will be.

Then it rained again. This time I felt defeat and realised I was resisting the rain. I remembered that chaos and crisis are necessary. I am worrying that I’ll never get in done ‘in time’ but it’s my beloved allotment that I’ve worked for 11 years so I have time to take my time. I’m gently reminded again that sometimes a delay is beneficial.

The sun was shining when I arrived home and the camellia in my front garden is lush and in full glorious flower, the sight of which has lifted me through this day of obstruction and delays, and as I sat down to write this the heavens opened once again.

I think I'll do some Reiki instead!


Love Weather
Love Life
XXX