Hi All, This is my first ever post and it's to say Yipppppeeeeeee!!! We have finally managed to get an allotment after been on a waiting list since October last year. It was just a couple of weeks ago we were able to visit the allotment for the first time and choose our plot. As we were first on the list we were able to choose from all available plots. Once choosing the plot (90ft X 30ft) we were told the half plot (90ft X 15ft) next to ours was also available and we were welcome to take that one on if we wanted, needless to say, how could we refuse!!

It was only after paying up and beginning the massive job of digging over the overgrown plot that we realised how much work is going to be needed to get it up and running. The allotment hasn't been touched for over a year and we/my husband is having to dig the allotment totally from scratch. We were offered the facility of weedkiller and then using the allotment rotovator but he wants to dig it all for himself to ensure all dodgy weeds (nettles and mares tail) are dug out as thoroughly as possible. I spent the first 3 days on my hands and knees with the kids weeding one patch whilst my hubby was digging over another patch.

It is turning into an addiction already, the kids want to go down every night after school and I feel a sense of sadness even depression setting in when the weather is too bad to do a bit more. Saying that we did manage a couple of hours during Sunday between 50mph winds and driving rain, my husband is a trooper (either that or a little crazy). We have taken to packing a picnic and eating at the allotment with flasks of tea and coffee (sheds arriving next week!).

Since getting the allotment, we have dug over a large area with around 180 spuds (5 types), 100+ onions and around 80 shallots. Beans and peas will hopefully be going in next week some time. I have a friend with a couple of horses who said we are welcome to their manure so we have made a large heap with sandwiched weeds and grass cuttings for the giant pumpkin and butternut squash plants which I have grown in the conservatory and hardened off in our small garden.

It's brilliant, everyone we have met on the allotment (approx 80 plots) are really friendly.

The only regret I have is that we didn't try to get an allotment years ago.