can you please explain about raised beds

Nice post bob, liked the historical aspect

Me too - it makes a lot of sense.  I have to confess that being new to all this, I was at first seduced by the neat and orderly appearance of raised beds combined with the perceived ease of growing this way.  I pootled around this forum a whole lot more and read a few more books and now realise that its not always the most productive method of growing at all (taking into account personal circumstances/levels of fitness etc of course) and that I really had overlooked some very important points.  But I don't think even I would have thought 4ft wide paths was a good idea.  I now take the approach that I am just going to fit in as much as possible and be more relaxed about order and neatness.  So long as my plot is productive, I will be happy.  As were my ancestors I imagine.