Pigeons don't like sprouts

My 'career' is over... 30 years and 9 months have brought me here..

Walked out of work on Friday, with a friendly goodbye from a close work colleague, to face 'retirement'.

Wednesday was the eventful 'send-off' from work with a many kind words from work colleagues and some humorous reflections, a card full of signatures and a very generous gift - also many thoughtful words of encouragement for my new ventures..

Friday; and I met Lynne and Richard for a celebratory lunch - followed by a few present openings at home. When I say 'presents' it was Lynne's and Richard's less than veiled attempt at humour / winding up. Gifts included: a book on how to retire and be obnoxious, a pair of slippers, a cap, a pipe and a pair of pyjamas!
Hilarious :-0

Saturday; received my P45! ummm...

Managed to get to the allotment on Saturday to check the state of play. Unsurprisingly the site looks bleak, though I know it shouldn't take too much effort to 'fluff-up' the soil in the coming months - but just as well to keep off the soil whilst it's too wet to work. Took a few photos to remind me of the condition of the plot in January, as it's always encouraging to look at these during mid-summer to see how the effort and labour has paid off and the how well the plot looks when full of growing crops. I noticed that the few purple sprouting broccoli plants I had have not survived the ravages of the winter snow, ice and minus whatever temperatures, plus the attentions of the local pigeon population. However, whilst the tops of the sprout plants have been pecked about, the sprouts remain intact - hence I can only deduce that pigeons don't like sprouts!

Likely to be a quiet-ish week ahead as we adjust to the change in my circumstances. Loads to do though...

 

Bleak view 

 There be sprouts !

Let's try again..

Well, things appeared to be reasonably set fair - with some plans firming up. However, on Saturday 15th, went down with a very quick and heavy head cold that saw me off to bed in the early evening. Felt rotten, and was annoyed that I didn't make it to Dundry Nurseries.

That was just the start...

Man.. I've had flu before, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Basically in bed for 4 days, very little to drink and nothing to eat is one way of losing 8 pounds of weight. Collapsed on Sunday morning (early), bruised knee and fortunate not to bang my head on the way to the bathroom floor.

Eat some toast on Wednesday, and got some more food in me on Thursday, but feeling nauseous all the time. Friday was slightly better with more food and drink with Saturday and Sunday seeing definite improvements.

Managed to get to work today, though feeling out of it for most of the morning. Trying to catch-up some bits and pieces, but difficult to make up 5 lost days.

Managed to phone a potato order through to Dundry Nurseries and picked them up today. So I now have 2nd early and main crop supplies for the new growing season. Allotment condition remains unknown..

Retirement is 4 days away...

I have my business cards, and the majority of the web-site is ready. Just need to pull this together and upload.

I have a few contacts to call in mid February which might be the start of some new work - exciting times.

The start of a new year

Some time since the last entry..

Well, we survived the entry into the New Year, a quiet affair recovering from a bout of illness. Recovered just in time to return to work on the 4th - I've sort of got back up to speed at work after a nice time away.

Finally managed to get out on the bike on my own, for an 18 miles spin around to Tewkesbury - I can't recall how long it's been since I went out with the club on a Saturday morning - got to be 2 months. So, nice to be out in the 'cool' fresh air again.

Still haven't managed to get to the allotment - no idea what state it's in, but now getting concerned that I haven't managed to cultivate some of the plot. Experience is such that things will balance out, and it's surprising how much time you can make up with a few days of fine, drying weather (whenever it comes!). Looking forward to visiting Dundry Nurseries this weekend ahead of their potato weekend on the 24th of January. Never ceases to surprise me how quickly the seed potato buying season comes around. An exciting time of preparation and looking forward.

The new business planning continues. Business cards ordered, web-site design coming together, looking at getting business insurance sorted. 11 working days left in the old job...and people keep asking whether I'm counting the days...