In the beginning...

Day 1 - 07/06/2012

So, we are Joel & Erica, also known as Jerica. We got together last May (2011) on the premise of a blind date, which happened to be a success thanks to our best friends setting it up. It was apparent from the beginning that we both share a love for food - good food - both making and eating it. Our first date being an example of this - I (Erica) had a very manly gammon, egg and chips, but nevertheless ate it with demur, whilst Joel had a sturdy pie, and mash with Hendo's relish of course being from Sheffield and all.

I (Erica) have always had a tendency to come up with completely ridiculous and irrational ideas, fully convincing myself that they will work (as lets be honest in my head and with an imagination they often do). However, actually actioning them is a completely different story. Soon into the relationship is was clear that I (Erica) was comfortable in sharing my thoughts with Joel. Surprisingly I was never laughed at. His face was more a silent don't be silly kind of look. Or a 'yes dear' response was given.

Around last September I decided that I quite liked the idea of growing my own fruit and vegetables. Growing raspberries and rhubarb in the back garden was no longer enough. I'd outgrown the idea - get it?! Apologies for the really bad attempt at a gardening joke. The idea of having my own patch of land to grow 'stuff' appealed to me...I put my idea to the other half of Jerica - Joel. To my surprise Joel liked it too. (At this point in the relationship I thought this must be long-term as some would run a mile at the thought of a 21 year old allotment keeper).

At this point I must point out that the thought of bugs, mud and manure had not even crossed my mind. Helping Dad mow (I nearly typed hoover there for some reason) the lawn was a chore which I would only consider if paid to fund my Topshop addiction.

Having perused the Sheffield City Council webpage I figured out how to apply for an allotment. I therefore requested the forms and completed all the admin crap.The chosen plot was Meersbrook - kind of midway between mine and Joel's house. I was disheartened that out of 500+ plots there were nearly 200 people on the 'waiting list'.

And so we began the waiting game: in which time we went on our first holiday to somewhere quite exotic - Thorton-Le-Dale in N.Yorkshire, we had a very merry Christmas, we survived the most horrific ferry journey to Bruges at half-term and we visited LDN where we shared our love for our Sovereign Queen.

June 7th marks the day which we picked up our keys and the day in which it dawned on us what kind of commitment an allotment would be.My big idea soon turned into the 'what have we let ourselves in for' phrase.