A while back, some of the discs in the Scrob-back began to get a bit nauseous, and began hurting more than somewhat. Mrs S had had a similar problem a few years previously, and I knew it wasn’t a happy experience.
We’d been trying to get ‘fit’ and were using a rowing machine, (which I now condemn as the worst fitness appliance ever designed), and quite honestly, the 'rowing' action eventually caused us immense problems.
So poor Mrs S grinned and bore it, but the year mine went, it was a question whether I could ever work any more, so the Doc hooked me in for a stretch – literally! That didn’t work, so after a couple of weeks, the offending bulge was chopped out, and instantaneous relief was the norm.
But we had an allotment - it needed digging - lots of it.
Mrs S bought me this marvellous spade. It is possibly the ugliest contraption you could dream up, but I can say now, that it is the best digging implement you’ll ever need. It uses about a third of the energy; you don’t have to bend down and it covers at least twice the area time wise without breaking into a sweat!
The technique is that you kick the pedal downwards into the soil, which pushes the blade in as any spade does, then you push forward an inch to ease the soil, then you haul back on the handlebars. The spring ‘loads’ and flicks the sod to any spot you choose. At first, it is really a hit and miss affair, and needs practice and patience, but after a couple of hours, you can really motor, and I’ve done huge areas with hardly any effort.
Terrex have gone out of production now. Their spades were often used by the old boys on the allotments we used, and I used to envy the speed and lack of effort needed to turn everything over. What has amazed me is that as they aren’t made now, you can’t get one anywhere, and even Ebay mentions £200 and lots of postage, as they are quite heavy…
So I’ll lock the old thing up again, having given it the standard Spring session before the witching hour of 12 noon of a Good Friday, when we adjourn for a pre-prandial tincture…
17 comments:
never even seen one...looks like one of those contraptions someone made to sell on tv for a few months...lol...i will look and see if i can find one though as i am out and about...don't think i could get that mixed up with anything else...lol
I understand about the bad back. I suffer from chronic pain in upper and lower back.
Looks like a good idea the spade.
I have done one better. We sold the house bought a condo and now have a gardener to do the work. Leaves more time for Gold Label Barley wine.
After all, It is always five O'Clock somewhere.
OT - Oh, you're so right!
Promise, the spade really works a treat!
Gold Label any time...
Come back when you're ready eh?
Daisers; Promise... they are real tools!
Yup, they look strange but they work extremely well!
As you are so young... maybe you need to talk with us oldsters a bit more eh...;0)
And don't get any ideas... I'm on the Barley wine tonight so WATCH IT!!!
;0)
oh my i didn't know 45 was still SO young...and to be honest i thought i had seen most yard implements as my father in law buys everything that makes life easier...it was nice to be called young though...that doesn't happen much anymore...Happy Easter to you and yours, my friend
I want one!
sounds like a nifty tool, but globus thinks hiring an oap-gardener once a week below minimum wage is just as convenient ;-)
Did you build that out of your Meccano set S?
hello my friend. xx
Lils - you can borrow it any time you want!
Promise!
Globus - welcome!
I'll be there in four and a half years so will use it to make a fortune...
Hats - you've got a defining memory...yes, nearly built it from the green bits...
Trubes - you need to get better My Love!
Sounds awful this nasty stuff - and looks bad... can you post still?
Summer should see it off apparently, so get the bikini out soon; not too much to ask is it?
;0)
Daisers; you're tiny so keep at it...
Know of them - so they work! Will see if we can get them into production here, sound marvellous.
Tuscs - How are you!
Yup, they really do work, and take some skill, which luckily comes naturally if I'm a man of the soil, or slowly, if I'm thick...
It attacked me in the shed this evening so it's not my best mate tonight; but I'll forgive it.
(Fell on my arm and caused me to shout 'bugger' very loudly).
I have a 'rake' which is shaped like a claw and you use it with a twisting action. Works really well.
Regarding indoor exercise equipment I highly recommend a cross-trainer - a bit like a ski machine but not, if you know what I mean.
Low impact, good upright posture, natural motion ...
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