Another blogiversary

Starting a blog is a bit like taking on a new allotment plot! It starts out as just an idea. For some people they find that the idea was far better than the reality and will write one or two posts (or dig one or two beds) and then disappear.

Others decide that it is something that they can only devote a limited amount of time to - unlike at the allotment the weeds don’t take over if you are away for a while although when you do switch on your computer after a break it may seem that lots of things have happened in your absence. There’s usually lots of catching up to do!

Then there is the variety of ways blogs are set out and what bloggers choose to write about. 

There is also the way a community develops around a common interest and how this community can support one another with advice, tips and inspiration.

I started this blog on 30 August 2006 which makes today it's 5th blogiversay hence the reason that this post is about blogging and not gardening - I hope you’ll just indulge me a little.

It does seem a bit incredible that I started blogging 5 years, and over 870 posts ago over which time the blog has evolved into something completely different to how it started out - just like our allotment and our garden. 

I've always enjoyed writing my blog but it's also good to know that there are people out there who regularly read what I've written. I'm always excited to achieve a new follower and wonder what has gone wrong when the number of followers goes down meaning someone has dumped me! 

I love reading the comments and would like to thank all of you who regularly make comments and help make the blog come alive. It's good to get to know some of my readers better through this interaction and also benefit from the tips, suggestions and advice offered. I'm always happy when someone new comments too. I know from experience that it can sometimes feel as though you are gatecrashing a party where everyone knows everyone else but we all like to meet new friends as well as keep up with older ones.

Of course blogging is very much a two way thing and I also enjoy visiting lots of other blogs, most of which are featured in my blogrolls. Who needs gardening books when there is a team of knowledgeable people out there always teaching some new tricks, reminding us of old ones, inspiring us to try new things and giving us an insight into how they garden in other areas of the world? 

As a ‘thank you’ for reading I’d love to be able to share a piece of one of my sister's fabulous chocolate cakes with you but as that isn't practical maybe you will be satisfied with a photo instead.

I'd also like to thank Craig, Mark and Carrie for the awards they gave me this year.

Craig only took on his allotment plot in July 2010 but his blog Dykes Edge Allotments describes how in such a short time he has transformed an overgrown area into a show plot.

Mark combines his love of growing vegetables (especially chillies) with his love of cooking and his blog Mark's Veg Plot is full of information about his growing techniques accompanied by his favourite recipes.

Carrie's blog Grow Our Own describes how her brand new garden in Northern Ireland is taking shape as well as taking us for regular visits to her allotment plot. She's a firm believe in what she calls allotmentherapy and also has a lovely way with words.

I know lots of my regular visitors have already found these blogs - if you haven't pop over and take a look.