Still, as you can see, my home made compost bin was pretty cool, and fulfilled all my functions. The lids of both sides lifted independently, and both front sections came away easily to facilitate turning and compost removal. The problem is that the wood itself had started to rot, and the whole thing had started to lean precariously backwards. Not necessarily a problem in a normal garden, but this is right next to the pavement, and raised up around a metre, so any backwards collapse may well involve a damaged car or a very smelly passer-by.
Also, we're trying to sell the house, and while I love my wibbly wobbly compost bin, it's right by the back door and not the neatest of structures. So I'd decided it had to go.
First job - empty the compost. Underneath the top coating of recent peelings it was rich and dark, and teeming with worms.
So, another job ticked off, and one (tiny, and possibly unnecessary) step closer to being ready. I still have to go to the tip (not today). And there is still FAR too much greenery in the garden, which looks as much like a jungle as it's possible for such a tiny space to look.
For now though, I've come inside. I treated myself to some (reduced) flowers, there is pizza dough in the bread machine, and my sister will be here shortly. We've got a race to prepare for. I hope it stops raining before then...