I needed to get to the allotment today but, with various other engagements and needing to pick Jane up mid-afternoon, I didn’t get there until just after 4pm. The earlier rain had passed and the sky was clear but I hadn’t taken into account how quickly the light drops away at this time of year. By 5pm, I’d harvest the last remaining cabbages, pulled out most of the second lovage plant that I’m removing and done some weeding… but it was getting so dark, I couldn’t properly see what I was doing.

With a month and a half of shortening days, I’ll have to plan carefully for the next few tasks I have lined up for the plot: I can’t rely on squeezing in a quick visit at the end of an afternoon.