We’ve had to start watering at the allotment. It’s not on the scale of last summer but seeds and newly planted crops are in need of some regular watering.

After a fairly wet start to May, the last week and a bit has been rain free. We’ve also had some lovely, warm, sunny days although a few nights have been a bit on the chilly side. The forecast doesn’t suggest we’ll be getting any rain through the rest of the month. However, forecasts can change quite dramatically so nothing is for certain.

As you can see, rain is absent from the forecast. It looks like newly planted crops will need watering for the next couple of weeks at least until they get established. 

On the positive side, the fine weather means we’ve managed to get lots done on the plot. A couple of plots are almost completely planted up. A large area of these two plots consists of fruit much of which has to be covered up to protect the berries and, in some cases, leaves from the ravages of the wood pigeons.

Away from the allotment we’ve managed to take Ruby on her regular walks around Nostell Priory and Temple Newsam. Some of the parkland at Temple Newsam has been cordoned off to make way for summer festivals but we think we’ll still be able to manage walks in the woodland.

Unfortunately on our visit to Nostell this week the brood of eight cygnets was now down to six. Last year the resident swans managed to rear six cygnets so hopefully this year will be the same. 

The trees at Nostell are at their best at the moment with all their fresh green leaves taking over from the drab bare branches of winter.