Dad's Mini Allotment - Part 2 - Starring John Holmes

I returned to my parent's to help out at the beginning of September because my poor mum hurt her back and had been in bed for 4 weeks. I’d planned to go back for her birthday in September, and as it was I headed up there a week early. It turned out she had fractured her spine and has osteoporosis. I needed to stay. To make matters worse, dad has a crumbly vertebrae in his upper back which is pressing on his spinal chord and this results in him not being able to feel his fingers, and use his hands and arms as usual, and out walking the dogs one time, he just fell down - it was all a bit of a shock for me to see both my parents in such a state!

And what do you do when things are tough? You Carry On!

So, as I had planned, I checked up on dad’s mini allotment and logged what I found. It turned out dad's beans, onions and tomatoes had come along so well and they'd been munching their way through beautiful homegrown produce! Neighbours were lucky too! Thankfully, up until

mum fracturing her spine, they’d both kept the garden in top form, it’s really very beautiful - this is what happens as a result of years of experience, but mainly by putting your heart into something, trying your best and lots of love. I’m sure home grown food tastes better because of this!

Lucky me, to arrive when the tomatoes and beans were in full force and an endless supply too! In fact there was such an abundance, mum had made batches of tomato sauce, which we then used in cooking stews or in a corned beef hash. I love green beans and even today, 24th October, dad has plucked some from the front garden for tea tonight! - Yes from those sneaky beans he planted in the front garden to mum’s dismay. He also planted some along the fence so their lovely neighbour could reach over and help himself (I think that’s really why dad put them there - he’s very thoughtful and kind).