As
you can see, underneath the plastic boards and plastic tablecloth,
the wooden surface was spotless. I just needed something to cover it
with that was easy to wipe free of soil, liquid, sauce, crumbs...
I
began, following Liz's instructions to go an inch or two at a time
and smooth out any bumps, lumps, or air bubbles...
I
managed to get it almost perfect on the surface - with no bumps or lumps and only a couple of very small air pockets. But...the corners
where it joined underneath the tabletop to stay in place got a bit
tricky. I wasn't sure how to fold/cut it to ensure it stayed stuck
right and neat.
I
persevered and came upon this as the result. It is fairly neat
underneath and very neat on top - and a considerable improvement in
both look and ease of clean to the former set up. I then adjusted the top of the table
with items I store there - leaving a clear work surface for my
next cooking and crop preparing ventures.
There
you go - success! Meanwhile, my eggplants were not growing well.
Down the allotment, they suffered from the wind and pest damage and
had not reached the stage of flowering, let alone fruiting. At home,
in the poly tunnel, a burst of flowers has arrived - the first
falling off...and I am wondering if they are too late to give me any
fruit this year - probably. I have never grown them before - at least, not
successfully - only into 2-3 inch plants that failed to progress. This is
therefore the best so far from my efforts - but far from the 1-2 fruits
per week objective I aimed for. Maybe we will have another burst of
late warm sunny summer - or maybe next year...
