You win some, you lose some.

What a difference a couple of weeks can make. A fortnight ago we were sweltering and couldn't drink enough water. This week we were in danger of either being blown over the rainbow into the land of Oz or having to build an Ark and take in two of each animal (except maybe the Welsh!).

I had intended to spend this morning fishing but after arriving down at Sandbanks there was the distinct possibility of me needing some ruby slippers to get home again so I gave that up as a bad idea and went home so that we could all head off to the allotment.

Things there are a little bit odd at the moment. We are either succeeding beyond expectations or crashing and burning. 

Successes - Purple sprouting broccoli; what a marvellous and tasty veg. Cauliflowers; we seem to be the only people on the allotment site that can grow them, pure beginners luck. Broad beans; so sweet and tasty it's untrue. Strawberries; there is a god and I reckon he loves strawberries.

Failures - Carrots; but then to be fair no one seems to be having any luck this year with carrots. Tomatoes; I don't think we're going to be getting any this year, the slugs seem to be enjoying the plants though!

Meanwhile back in Nigel we've had a nice few potatoes out of the potato sacks. Nothing spectacular but enough for a few meals. We've still got three pots worth of spuds that have so far managed to avoid the ravages of the slugs and snails (if they weren't such good food for other animals they wouldn't be coming on the Ark either, they could stay with the Welsh!).

I think the chillis might just be a bit of a fail as well. The plants have grown brilliantly and flowered but so far no fruit. They have been smothered in greenfly though (another candidate not to make it on to the Ark at this rate). We've given the plants a bloody good washdown and some food and will be trying to pollinate with a small paintbrush if there's no sign of fruiting in a weeks time. Please keep everything crossed as I love my chillis (not as much as I love my wife though x).

Anyway, I have dinner already prepped for tomorrow; chicken with herbs, garlic and onion, potatoes, peas and beans. Do you know what? Forget what I said earlier, when you're eating fresh homegrown fruit and veg it's all a victory!