OLYMPIC fever is sweeping though our house. Daughter is particularly engrossed in the Games and has seen the potential for unlimited adoration and sweets that a place in the squad can bring.

High diving has grabbed her imagination more than any other sport and she is making daily enquiries about how she can secure a place in the next Olympic team.

"Can I try out for the team next week?" she asks.

The fact that she has never been on a diving board before does not seem to dim her absolute conviction that when she tries it she will be of Olympic standard.

We explain that if she shows a real talent for diving then she will be spotted at club level.

We also tell her that it takes years of commitment and dedication but if she shows promise then we will support her all the way.

"Okay then," she says. "Can I try out for cycling at the same time?"

Years of commitment and dedication are also, I have discovered, what goes into maintaining an allotment.

That, mixed in with a healthy dose of optimism.

Like the Olympics, my plot this year has been full of winners and losers.

Gold medal vegetables have been in short supply.

Strong contenders include husband’s pumpkins and cauliflowers, along with daughter’s sweetcorn. I would also have to award myself a gold this year for my prolific french beans and growing parsnips for the first time in my allotment history.

A few silver medals might be handed out for beetroot and salads and my new potatoes would receive a bronze – better than a supermarket’s but not the best ever.

Lurking in the shadows, falling at the first hurdle and getting off to a false start would be courgettes, cucumbers and butternut squash.

Oh well, let's hope my dedication and commitment to these vegetables pays off by 2012.