Getting into the allotment

Allotment joy!
I've finally got cracking with the allotment and have some pictures to prove it! I don't know if it's terribly clear, but I'm prepping strips of about 3 feet across the plot. Turning it, then spreading manure, then turning it againg, with a final raking to even it out.
It's back breaking stuff though, this soil is pretty heavy clay, but is soft when I'm forking it over. I've tried to clear as many stones as I can see, but most "stones" turn out to be clumps of soil, or will be a tiny stone in a big lump of soil. I have spent a lot of time bashing the ground with the rake to break the clumps up, which is theraputic; I'd recommend it for anyone with anger issues.
Jamie is quite understanding, but he does get very bored. Last time he managed to entertain himself for about 20 minutes, then announced he was bored, but still let me dig away.
I'm still haunted by the look of abject misery that convinced me to abandon our 1st day on the plot. It was a bit chilly, but he insisted that running around made him colder, and it was windy, and I think this may be something he remembers. I just hope he doesn't develop a problem with gardening, or being outside...
Ah well, everyone needs stuff to tell a psychiatrist if the need arises :)

International Women's Day.

I am so stunned by what I read in the Metro I just had to share it. I see this as a slightly more productive than screaming at some newsprint...
I know anyone familiar with the rag that is the Metro will not be surprised at rage directed at it, but this rage is not anything to do with the letters page. Not even slightly. It is to do with the article to do with protests about female repression and inequality to mark International Women's Day.
Apparently female applicants for art or fashion at the Wuhan Science and Technology Institute have to parade in underwear to get a place.
Obviously there are many more examples of inequality, repression and pure evil directed towards women in the world because they had the poor luck of being born female. Insisting that prospective students parade about semi naked is degrading and undermines anything they accomplish as students, but compared to systematic rape, torture, and death meeted out at the hands of not just strangers, but governments and family members too, it pales into insignificance.
But that doesn't mean to say that voices shouldn't be raised.