Return to the Allotments
Yes. This blog has been quite neglected lately, because I 've been busy with other things. In among all the chaos and soul-destroying shite (not getting into details because I'm trying to keep things reasonably light here), I eked out time to read 'A Bite-Sized History of France' by Stéphane Hénault and Jeni Mitchell. As the title suggests, it's a brisk and accessible book about French history, through the lens of food and drink, looking as how various culinary staples have influenced, and have been impacted by, social attitudes, religion, politics and war both on the frontline and in civilian life. It's an absolutely fascinating and very informative read; absolutely would recommend it.
Anyway, onto the allotments. I went out for a wander the other afternoon, seeing as it was a nice day, and of course, I am like a moth to a flame with this part of town. It's very nostalgic, as these are my childhood stomping grounds, but it's also just a really pleasant area in its own right.
Starting with some wispy clouds that caught my eye.
Past the Yellow Brick Road (no longer a sand path, as it's been covered with tarmac, but we still call it that) to see these ramps.
Checking in with the Gate to Nowhere, of course. Can confirm, it's still there and it still doesn't lead anywhere. Just as it should be.
Onto the path by the allotments, where there's a very satisfying little bit of wilderness.
Onto the allotments proper, always a delight.
Heading up the hill, under a lovely impromptu archway.
Up at the top of the hill, where you can just about see Shutlingsloe in the distance, just to the right of the middle of the image, up past the dark patch (that's the slope in Macclesfield forest where there's a firebreak), and the shallow inverted V shape is the hill. Here are some pictures from actually up on Shutlingsloe; it's been far too long since I last went up there, maybe it's time for another visit.
Looking down the hill towards the street, where there's an interesting mix of cosy, folky Victorian style (kind of Arts and Crafts looking) and pleasantly geometric Art Deco houses with satisfying stepped geometric accents. (Not pictured here for privacy reasons.)
A look towards some houses that were built in 1999 with a whimsical sort of fantasy aesthetic. It's not particularly visible from this angle but the main body of the building has a village hall kind of vibe and there are swooping fluted accents to the roofs, they feel a bit like something you might expect to see on the cover of a Terry Pratchett novel, one of the ones with the lavish cover designs by Josh Kirby. I cannot for the life of me remember what the sketch was 'round here before those were built. It might've just been an uninterrupted field.
And in closing, some leaves, because they're pretty.
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