Occidental Allotment
I couldn't help but notice recently how many of the Swindon based Honda workers seemed to have a little glint in their eyes as they waved goodbye to the car assembly line for four whole months, and on 80% pay. I know times are hard and I know many of us are more than a little bit nervous about what the future holds, but come on, four months off on 80% pay. I think the glint in my eye would have lasted a nano second before it became a massive beaming smile, which I would have had difficulty shaking off. How many of us have ever had four months off work with a good income, and it not having been preceded by a nine month gestation period. It just never happens. Anyway I wish them all the best, but I just hope they have a job to come back to in May.
Looking at the news pictures of the assembly lines showed the great complexities involved in modern car construction. Four months is a long time to be away from the tasks that will have become second nature to many of them. I can't imagine that many of the workers will be allowed anywhere near the plant when they return in May. Not only will they have pushed those skills to the furthest recesses of their mind, but many will be dreading their return having had such a long period of freedom. They will have enjoyed the most carefree period of their adult lives. The only skills they will have acquired will be getting irate at the vacuous discussions on Loose women, and improving on their attempts at guessing the Countdown Conundrum.
It's a bit like this with allotmenting; well at least it is for me. I don't grow stuff over the Winter for the simple reason that it is too cold, especially this Winter. I tend to have three months away - finishing in November and not returning until March - outrageous isn't it! Like the Honda workers I will inevitably de-skill during my hiatus and to some extent not give it much thought - appalling, I know.
As we pass through February I am starting to come to terms with the approaching reality that is my allotment; my imminent return and the new season of work that must be fulfilled. As the Honda workers will soon discover, there is no such thing as a free lunch and they will have to go through the pain of re-skilling when they return.
Come the first of March I will return to the land to relaunch the back breaking labour that is the payment for the new season of sumptuous organic lunches.
Looking at the news pictures of the assembly lines showed the great complexities involved in modern car construction. Four months is a long time to be away from the tasks that will have become second nature to many of them. I can't imagine that many of the workers will be allowed anywhere near the plant when they return in May. Not only will they have pushed those skills to the furthest recesses of their mind, but many will be dreading their return having had such a long period of freedom. They will have enjoyed the most carefree period of their adult lives. The only skills they will have acquired will be getting irate at the vacuous discussions on Loose women, and improving on their attempts at guessing the Countdown Conundrum.
It's a bit like this with allotmenting; well at least it is for me. I don't grow stuff over the Winter for the simple reason that it is too cold, especially this Winter. I tend to have three months away - finishing in November and not returning until March - outrageous isn't it! Like the Honda workers I will inevitably de-skill during my hiatus and to some extent not give it much thought - appalling, I know.
As we pass through February I am starting to come to terms with the approaching reality that is my allotment; my imminent return and the new season of work that must be fulfilled. As the Honda workers will soon discover, there is no such thing as a free lunch and they will have to go through the pain of re-skilling when they return.
Come the first of March I will return to the land to relaunch the back breaking labour that is the payment for the new season of sumptuous organic lunches.
Labels: Honda