Mmm I sympathise with this dilemma. If I had a garden, I wouldn't have got an allotment. I did have a few moments of "What have I let myself in for" but I'm doing ok and now wished I'd gotten one sooner. I do agree that you do get some people that offer advice all the time, even criticisms - I have an Italian lady that likes to tell everybody that passes that I'm young and inexperienced and don't know what I'm doing but she helps and any negativity I just take with a pinch of salt and laugh at it so it depends on how thick skinned you are. As said above, the friends land is not secure tenancy so take the best of both worlds. Take the land and do the basics - there's beauty in simplicity - don't over do it so when your allotment eventually comes you won't be sad to lose it too much. Use it to start collecting tools, seeds, containers etc and most of all experience to take with you to the allotment. Then, if you find the allotment isn't for you, you will still have the friends plot to continue with and start planning more with it. What I do like about having an allotment is the feeling of community spirit. I'm lucky in the sense that albeit one or two busy bodies I avoid (and sometimes dodge from sight into a bush or something) overall everyone is so friendly and it's just you, yourself and the birds and bees on your space. As soon as you enter the gates, any troubles, thoughts and worries beyond are left there and you enter a world of your own bliss. Go for it.
Mix 2tbsp of white,granulated sugar with 1tbsp of water and place on a spoon for a Bee to reach. Sometimes they're too exhausted to reach back to the hives when it's hot and dry.
Posts
What I do like about having an allotment is the feeling of community spirit. I'm lucky in the sense that albeit one or two busy bodies I avoid (and sometimes dodge from sight into a bush or something) overall everyone is so friendly and it's just you, yourself and the birds and bees on your space. As soon as you enter the gates, any troubles, thoughts and worries beyond are left there and you enter a world of your own bliss.
Go for it.