tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48696932286908156262024-03-17T17:38:22.784+00:00Plot 7 Marsh Lane - Our Hungerford Allotment BlogHungerford allotment blog - grow your own, harvesting and vegetarian cooking. Enjoying allotment wildlife, weather and other things that catch my attention.
Enjoying time on the Marsh Lane Allotment site in Hungerford, Berkshire.
A record of successes, failures and a handy reminder for me.
From 2017 each post title brings a song to add a little extra music to the world - enjoy! Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.comBlogger922125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-83757161395595304222024-03-10T18:09:00.003+00:002024-03-10T18:09:57.943+00:00Woman<p>I’m not sure how it’s the 10th of March already, but that’s what life is like these days!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5P3looJ92PlFM2GJ65RUXjjpq5D_c98rsx6hKYYpJjxOYmZWTusJ5oyTFx3B6UEt5W0FLCHh0fsY5kCvsArQGz8nRg4VjDqF7e_vpVTn7hVWMpKfXOYTQVqneqHFleIaG-86kOjhwnbnXR3Q-S-vVTcjeXheYfbWKeRDDRlkuxGNi88_OAGgahzYr10/s2576/20240306_082314.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5P3looJ92PlFM2GJ65RUXjjpq5D_c98rsx6hKYYpJjxOYmZWTusJ5oyTFx3B6UEt5W0FLCHh0fsY5kCvsArQGz8nRg4VjDqF7e_vpVTn7hVWMpKfXOYTQVqneqHFleIaG-86kOjhwnbnXR3Q-S-vVTcjeXheYfbWKeRDDRlkuxGNi88_OAGgahzYr10/w300-h400/20240306_082314.jpg" title="Frosted daffodil" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A frosted daffodil</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>So far March has brought frost, fog and rain, but thank goodness a bit of sunshine too!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqNX_dd__qpyRFTp5t59cHZgB84kyNG6tMYKjIpFhQtYn2GNTb6af-PwvXHkWEt_giqUyZhLdnaMdfBaKayrclypsiem5qY_dn5CSrJXwcwEmL1BPZ4fXVKBiP6UywoLR05XqWWc9ua1VpXpA5mmaEyrKEbLkIGscxIsre3-Iz6SGoaWdLxAK7kRBF3k/s8000/20240304_080818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjqNX_dd__qpyRFTp5t59cHZgB84kyNG6tMYKjIpFhQtYn2GNTb6af-PwvXHkWEt_giqUyZhLdnaMdfBaKayrclypsiem5qY_dn5CSrJXwcwEmL1BPZ4fXVKBiP6UywoLR05XqWWc9ua1VpXpA5mmaEyrKEbLkIGscxIsre3-Iz6SGoaWdLxAK7kRBF3k/w640-h480/20240304_080818.jpg" title="Hungerford Kennet and Avon Canal" width="640" /></a></div><p>I’ve enjoyed seeing the various poems in shop windows up the High Street for the Hungerford Poetry Festival - what a good idea! I haven’t had an opportunity to pop into the library yet to see all the locally written ones but here’s my offering - a Marsh Lane one, obviously 😊</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MK151kqjgmTbAhD6uFISo3UHBZs36EXF-sY7wjnPxIub2olLlomKn3D1Mv4jELaAPCqbT3XPjUobMV5tXtymHwJfKZeabJSkajF3Ct2BZsc2fqd072CdzBcoD2_qRigWzyhUl3xG0Bz4l7urzHDqQ0RA1f0fZ1Fml_yQhTq5b5q99dzeQ3Abf5-mCuA/s1257/IMG_1541.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="983" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MK151kqjgmTbAhD6uFISo3UHBZs36EXF-sY7wjnPxIub2olLlomKn3D1Mv4jELaAPCqbT3XPjUobMV5tXtymHwJfKZeabJSkajF3Ct2BZsc2fqd072CdzBcoD2_qRigWzyhUl3xG0Bz4l7urzHDqQ0RA1f0fZ1Fml_yQhTq5b5q99dzeQ3Abf5-mCuA/w313-h400/IMG_1541.PNG" title="Marsh Lane Poem" width="313" /></a></div><p>We had a very pleasant allotment day yesterday, doing various bits of tidying and clearing - mostly not on our plots, but Jamie did finish the potato patch with a sprinkling of sulphur and a final dig through.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQQ9tZQxsR2XDI5J1EZnDEwNgTVwSbk0h5zw29tt5-qFcHydQdjRtotjIOoDx4_V4aekDcABOfgyopdPKkH-ZwNe4Y5VetjBOt7bIRY1o3VT2ra_4U_VtHziNOszbMkqzDC49d9gNtdO7vHLfzWRCPROtGBhen-kwXrvrCl5f5pSE2GRQ43eYV7AgQMM/s8000/20240310_102812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQQ9tZQxsR2XDI5J1EZnDEwNgTVwSbk0h5zw29tt5-qFcHydQdjRtotjIOoDx4_V4aekDcABOfgyopdPKkH-ZwNe4Y5VetjBOt7bIRY1o3VT2ra_4U_VtHziNOszbMkqzDC49d9gNtdO7vHLfzWRCPROtGBhen-kwXrvrCl5f5pSE2GRQ43eYV7AgQMM/w400-h300/20240310_102812.jpg" title="Potato patch" width="400" /></a></div>I dug and planted up some of Ivan’s irises - it’s a lucky dip for what colours we may get. There are 4 different plants there so hopefully a good mix - lots of plotholders have been taking them before the plots are re-leased to newcomers. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK8T5M9ue56yeJPbghEGfdOJq5I1WJ2BgS6E34eoD9mNWarEbyPmGNDS-dCsEkFITB50cLj-ghBYidTd-dlCRSF9cXZPZUcQei8NgaMXUGz-2F_dqGIkart5OQPSYhKKYc3jjeiOG167tJpT_7BN6Xv3jMBXuCk23mze6eoyABb9UYqkv6ZYXp0u0p60/s6739/20240309_145854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6739" data-original-width="5735" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYK8T5M9ue56yeJPbghEGfdOJq5I1WJ2BgS6E34eoD9mNWarEbyPmGNDS-dCsEkFITB50cLj-ghBYidTd-dlCRSF9cXZPZUcQei8NgaMXUGz-2F_dqGIkart5OQPSYhKKYc3jjeiOG167tJpT_7BN6Xv3jMBXuCk23mze6eoyABb9UYqkv6ZYXp0u0p60/w272-h320/20240309_145854.jpg" title="Iris plants" width="272" /></a></div><div>Lots of us studying last year’s photos to try and work out which plants to go for ☺️ Here’s a reminder of last year’s fabulous display; we will miss it, but it’ll be nice seeing the colours spread around the site. And we’ve bought ‘Ivan’s Bench’ with donations that plotholders have given for the plants - for Ivan and others to sit and rest awhile.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtJxKTsMjiRLaCVnnoO-FnUxYVIRvXcnA4HjzjfB01kHcQfbceQ8WbWxqX6XSyM-qY_iivHYaW3pc6p5XVx9fSBjBvOZIq3vWtWi7lMx_9y2X2dXwvn_tkrDR12za57qncJ8VQMWOd04wBbzzvUMeFCvO9k-lUyLm3IgdeWRUOPRz-cS3D9tHCBHNJxg/s2048/S0106375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtJxKTsMjiRLaCVnnoO-FnUxYVIRvXcnA4HjzjfB01kHcQfbceQ8WbWxqX6XSyM-qY_iivHYaW3pc6p5XVx9fSBjBvOZIq3vWtWi7lMx_9y2X2dXwvn_tkrDR12za57qncJ8VQMWOd04wBbzzvUMeFCvO9k-lUyLm3IgdeWRUOPRz-cS3D9tHCBHNJxg/w640-h360/S0106375.JPG" title="Ivan’s irises June 2023" width="640" /></a></div><div>Last weekend it was very wet but I managed to dig three holes and planted our mini-orchard - very mini! One Conference pear, one cherry and one golden apple. The pear and cherry are in bud but the apple is still dormant. I don’t know anything about fruit trees so it’ll be a bit of a learning experience.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVVR13hQysq7JJkBD4Nitsn27bGTSrhfcfFnUUb8ZioGYmlJRQKwUao0C5gg0b91s9R2G9R4f2GNRsiqJUd2RTv-QHGNN9T_k56F53FbDiSIl8Sbuicq_507Doz0McDwNTUbj-Xk2cmAOWDLiIu97cxPgm1xT80T3kOvQInzPlSyzwPH4FCfzW0oCkRU/s8000/20240309_111712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVVR13hQysq7JJkBD4Nitsn27bGTSrhfcfFnUUb8ZioGYmlJRQKwUao0C5gg0b91s9R2G9R4f2GNRsiqJUd2RTv-QHGNN9T_k56F53FbDiSIl8Sbuicq_507Doz0McDwNTUbj-Xk2cmAOWDLiIu97cxPgm1xT80T3kOvQInzPlSyzwPH4FCfzW0oCkRU/w640-h480/20240309_111712.jpg" title="Mini orchard planted" width="640" /></a></div>After a nice plot day yesterday it has returned to grey skies today and overnight rain, so I’ve been mostly cooking. A curried parsnip soup made with three decent parsnips from the plot and plenty of delicious spices - that will cover a few lunchtimes this week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Aj44-cmfOdUIWTjAX0opp8BLxOfP1Pq8nluGQoCbvem8qVCIgR36j252SWQscuQol6dsrhT5r_xvgRa-xlJA8dc6DKQ1JBgVtZLHQ6eN7wvL0brsDpUp_eo2Fdj133xNBwPDgb0gQoqUYnBUSUVu429WJxzoXBF8HRDQ9Er4tdhYbUkSXWkos-rPvU/s3196/3A516A35-8663-4827-8677-FCDF5DBFD371-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3196" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9Aj44-cmfOdUIWTjAX0opp8BLxOfP1Pq8nluGQoCbvem8qVCIgR36j252SWQscuQol6dsrhT5r_xvgRa-xlJA8dc6DKQ1JBgVtZLHQ6eN7wvL0brsDpUp_eo2Fdj133xNBwPDgb0gQoqUYnBUSUVu429WJxzoXBF8HRDQ9Er4tdhYbUkSXWkos-rPvU/w400-h300/3A516A35-8663-4827-8677-FCDF5DBFD371-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Curried Parsnip soup" width="400" /></a></div>Last week I used some of my dried <i>Yin Yang beans</i> with leeks and parsnip for a very tasty stew, made with passata. We also used a few leeks with a cheesy pasta, leek and Quorn lardons bake - so more-ish but we did manage to make it cover two meals.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rYUGpPZ_M7aUAezOLWJrKMy6808Xh7NHvLNzorgfPxCHoBTWqy_h-7c7YKdvQ1WLau6I-LmlZVHU9jX0jFEUrBqwT_y5A-P7QT8bUIq60FDuvNuCdzQm71hDyPMPcl40Hom3APifJvHnuuxTvkKxVb6LCr9gzWDBQPg-oa5iOU5h69BAYq6rBfJZHZA/s5690/20240304_174138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3736" data-original-width="5690" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8rYUGpPZ_M7aUAezOLWJrKMy6808Xh7NHvLNzorgfPxCHoBTWqy_h-7c7YKdvQ1WLau6I-LmlZVHU9jX0jFEUrBqwT_y5A-P7QT8bUIq60FDuvNuCdzQm71hDyPMPcl40Hom3APifJvHnuuxTvkKxVb6LCr9gzWDBQPg-oa5iOU5h69BAYq6rBfJZHZA/w640-h420/20240304_174138.jpg" title="Beans, leek and Parsnip casserole" width="640" /></a></div><div>As well as the soup today, I’ve been making a focaccia, using <a href="https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-garlic-focaccia-mix/867581-762600-762601" target="_blank">Waitrose garlic focaccia mix</a>. It’s been very time-consuming with so much resting and turning but it certainly bubbled and expanded!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIwxDwt5ay7_vHFRehtkL9b5lH7SMRRYAIiVWcB4ySfjDWcFn7QJbpnYWk7_mip5VL96ofPRkWHaZMx6dJb12NH8gWj-61CxkTFoG67iOGKw7_wmOJAux34FZYgFY41Cysk2f1AXvubtuE9kkx2ji_wdpyb3lzWGH7vz9j4cL4s-mLVQTMFzxrryFxGU/s2880/CCD96DC4-D510-471B-9722-00FD8B07222E-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTIwxDwt5ay7_vHFRehtkL9b5lH7SMRRYAIiVWcB4ySfjDWcFn7QJbpnYWk7_mip5VL96ofPRkWHaZMx6dJb12NH8gWj-61CxkTFoG67iOGKw7_wmOJAux34FZYgFY41Cysk2f1AXvubtuE9kkx2ji_wdpyb3lzWGH7vz9j4cL4s-mLVQTMFzxrryFxGU/w640-h640/CCD96DC4-D510-471B-9722-00FD8B07222E-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Focaccia mix" width="640" /></a></div>I thought I’d gone wrong a few times - the dough was so sloppy, but it looks ok now it’s out of the oven. As you can see, I decorated it with chives, peppers, tomatoes and onion - Some of those pre-roasted peppers look a bit too charred ☺️ And, it isn’t meant to be a Union Jack!!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDJXIvXpJB05l0yDkeWjAWqTjLDERVvaSUAxzC9fwMJw22yjvov11YiVZTEQ8JWtIG0Rm74N5LlF4fi4KF0pGopiNnrYRYWIr3RmrTmX9A4rY4Ee-yNG4m33jIR0_AKx1GIKr3Vpk3X_W5qRjkPiN6WiySl8PzvsyLXN5bP5cnZaWXAzMS9ysIGxCoYY/s8000/20240310_155836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6000" data-original-width="8000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDJXIvXpJB05l0yDkeWjAWqTjLDERVvaSUAxzC9fwMJw22yjvov11YiVZTEQ8JWtIG0Rm74N5LlF4fi4KF0pGopiNnrYRYWIr3RmrTmX9A4rY4Ee-yNG4m33jIR0_AKx1GIKr3Vpk3X_W5qRjkPiN6WiySl8PzvsyLXN5bP5cnZaWXAzMS9ysIGxCoYY/w640-h480/20240310_155836.jpg" title="Decorated focaccia" width="640" /></a></div><div><div><div>The song is a reference to International Women’s Day last week and, well, it’s a great song by Neneh Cherry - enjoy (though the video is rather depressing)!</div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pAYSAYg9kPI" width="320" youtube-src-id="pAYSAYg9kPI"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-1126274825355049452024-02-28T13:04:00.002+00:002024-02-28T13:04:22.017+00:00Come Together<p>I feel I need to write a post - February ends tomorrow and it's been such a wet, grey, windy month that even the allotment hasn't been very inspirational.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-ox-33W2xMZzFxv8lh0X1Qzd4Hwhb_cRjyLzWaxNzyTkhqtQqS4yM1mE0AP-ODM5NJO6KpTPc9Km20DBNIq5T7yV1pWKliJW_1lls_6zs6xYk1lyiL3riAVS_v2mLIDsFwJdf1l4ZugV98FoWlY6lREl6BwvfIxSbHdFXa0AjqOub0Ofy_S6prqhVNY/s4000/20240216_081817.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Kennet & Avon Canal" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-ox-33W2xMZzFxv8lh0X1Qzd4Hwhb_cRjyLzWaxNzyTkhqtQqS4yM1mE0AP-ODM5NJO6KpTPc9Km20DBNIq5T7yV1pWKliJW_1lls_6zs6xYk1lyiL3riAVS_v2mLIDsFwJdf1l4ZugV98FoWlY6lREl6BwvfIxSbHdFXa0AjqOub0Ofy_S6prqhVNY/w640-h288/20240216_081817.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thank goodness for the occasional morning walk to see some sunshine before the clouds gather. Sorry to be so whiney, especially after we had such a lovely Saturday - we had a HAHA Work Day.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8NERStQuTQUn1x25eHIAuRkpagwRnnLyJ6ix7TX6XCH_mMmDwGbIjk8U2tX2T-f-QmJvxA0xfDckqYotBjUwxO1ycr_SmCTvKu3v65M5oBpy4j2kNmobOTC94dwaZ-KgKhNgIT8PI-G69q4AiU_Jm0uWdXqmCAlikDYJzEcW_qn4ZRaU3oL55iI-jAo/s4000/20240224_102604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="HAHA Work Party" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8NERStQuTQUn1x25eHIAuRkpagwRnnLyJ6ix7TX6XCH_mMmDwGbIjk8U2tX2T-f-QmJvxA0xfDckqYotBjUwxO1ycr_SmCTvKu3v65M5oBpy4j2kNmobOTC94dwaZ-KgKhNgIT8PI-G69q4AiU_Jm0uWdXqmCAlikDYJzEcW_qn4ZRaU3oL55iI-jAo/w400-h180/20240224_102604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>You can see that a lot of plotholders turned up. We're all so desperate to do something out in the fresh air! We got to work on Ivan's fruit cage, which has now become a HAHA Communal Fruit Plot - look at us all in the cage 😀<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S3HIWm1ycU7g9hRwurwkynmc4DetePjpzvbRehoTBxkxbgFrRwKkvO_O8hWHBRQluaacYqCijFj43j7wF9BaJE9G3euJ4yUP154gKjrqhe2hh9KBIN30DWglQDaV9cL0HOARz9HdSyMKfTRVbtVh12aLHpGLOnaHHWq4cKKVYYSoeLTgAcl4QB4heGk/s2048/IMG-20240224-WA0000.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="HAHA Work Party" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S3HIWm1ycU7g9hRwurwkynmc4DetePjpzvbRehoTBxkxbgFrRwKkvO_O8hWHBRQluaacYqCijFj43j7wF9BaJE9G3euJ4yUP154gKjrqhe2hh9KBIN30DWglQDaV9cL0HOARz9HdSyMKfTRVbtVh12aLHpGLOnaHHWq4cKKVYYSoeLTgAcl4QB4heGk/w640-h480/IMG-20240224-WA0000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy of Forbes Stephenson</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The weedy plot in the foreground is one of Ivan's iris plots - the irises are being shared among the community. As you can see the weeds have taken over and the fruit plot looked like that at the start of the day. But a few hours later - voila! <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHgYVpaqzVgHhMbA_noA6VmLWxPF5vFA2hGng465uaOCFZFPls-NQLcSZSLDGhMRSU0lE9uFBSlUKnsv-3IlRBIkaSdA8cyAu1WRvDBtz6HKBuUgK6N-Jf4qwLaCSrtsvAo9dtWvCobaZgwgoGk5-aaw0kzEmUJim9GPjPWLzWztLygjWjr-peDYLZcs/s4000/20240224_150130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fruit cage - weed-free" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHgYVpaqzVgHhMbA_noA6VmLWxPF5vFA2hGng465uaOCFZFPls-NQLcSZSLDGhMRSU0lE9uFBSlUKnsv-3IlRBIkaSdA8cyAu1WRvDBtz6HKBuUgK6N-Jf4qwLaCSrtsvAo9dtWvCobaZgwgoGk5-aaw0kzEmUJim9GPjPWLzWztLygjWjr-peDYLZcs/w640-h288/20240224_150130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>And the grape vine is trimmed and tied back too so we hope to get a good harvest this year. A bit late for trimming really, but it needed to be done to stop it growing through the netting. We were pleased that Ivan came down to inspect and advise.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAdI419F0aIDWpl-DAU0_KIfIrGNjrAOPLo4cI1wyZi5iT3_Izcw0S46VGPaCK4SVTx0GcMgGSzsxpIZ2uIQZM37y4mwGLLcV4OfCOoCZ6r4vmtOoLjBmSKV1-tHetXm0tWebRooOYwwRH7ANgShzgMH80m0pD_H2PZUzzThBwhcPKbb-6gPj72B43PY/s4000/20240224_150140.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grape Vine (Pinot Noir)" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAdI419F0aIDWpl-DAU0_KIfIrGNjrAOPLo4cI1wyZi5iT3_Izcw0S46VGPaCK4SVTx0GcMgGSzsxpIZ2uIQZM37y4mwGLLcV4OfCOoCZ6r4vmtOoLjBmSKV1-tHetXm0tWebRooOYwwRH7ANgShzgMH80m0pD_H2PZUzzThBwhcPKbb-6gPj72B43PY/w180-h400/20240224_150140.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p>After working in that spikey fruity environment we enjoyed a gathering for snacks and chat around the bonfire. It was good to meet up with everyone again, including some newcomers and the Sun even shone for a bit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9uDQUPyVqKaWJq_M2vYRXzK40YLrjgmP43RPZ8qVCkSFvvFnxP1VqXOLwGiKN5bBYzYPU-qMuGzVry7qbavhU7mFQ0t3JUrtDuQBTuZN-iIKd0GZ2FBCmpZYp34ruAxJitXaxFFpXWwKU1LtWbiMOz5B2iXHRGPUKfYpfGls2xRUexfztgl3q9AP_qg/s3330/20240224_120130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Work Party bonfire" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="3330" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc9uDQUPyVqKaWJq_M2vYRXzK40YLrjgmP43RPZ8qVCkSFvvFnxP1VqXOLwGiKN5bBYzYPU-qMuGzVry7qbavhU7mFQ0t3JUrtDuQBTuZN-iIKd0GZ2FBCmpZYp34ruAxJitXaxFFpXWwKU1LtWbiMOz5B2iXHRGPUKfYpfGls2xRUexfztgl3q9AP_qg/w640-h346/20240224_120130.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>A couple of weekends ago I did manage to finish clearing the area where our little fruit trees are going to be planted, but it's been too wet to get them in - hopefully this weekend...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnexgGb0_6ckKs37xMdnRt3YaEdoaUEdLKCXYtbWtJT8IYaOcpZwNapeNYygf1_cbwAhSaDMxkybVjd__Koy4htpVftdDqdy1ejuCCQPGHorWUA2jEocYiD2aKfSk8vLy_PLIWXiFCgYW9_LTpIrsM6mpj_m-bEweoWCPktNyRElKnOqUTzuWThEMfRU/s4000/20240217_160527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fruit Tree plot" border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnexgGb0_6ckKs37xMdnRt3YaEdoaUEdLKCXYtbWtJT8IYaOcpZwNapeNYygf1_cbwAhSaDMxkybVjd__Koy4htpVftdDqdy1ejuCCQPGHorWUA2jEocYiD2aKfSk8vLy_PLIWXiFCgYW9_LTpIrsM6mpj_m-bEweoWCPktNyRElKnOqUTzuWThEMfRU/w400-h180/20240217_160527.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>At home I've been enjoying Rose harissa-flavoured everything at the moment after Jamie bought a pot of Rose Harissa pesto and it is so delicious, only a hint of heat and such lovely spicy flavour. I made a marvellous soup which included plot-parsnips and parsley along with some frozen veg. It provided me with a week of lunches and I've had two evening meals with rice and <i>What the Cluck</i> cooked on the hob with the remaining harissa. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYL6zUPi4IdqaoTYIlGG9D7sDPaQWe4U-fKOw5QcKTOMh69uhTXAi3fwNuNCRYumGF1jjlJn0fzUqQQ3Q-sX0B-nP7j48NrTT6R50qeox0ElpkW9MHebqSA7YPu0m5alITq2Urddxd-fK6CYKVT-afYgom7Fou-KzrIVAKsnjIIRTKWIiExNqauFxt0k/s3510/20240219_121810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rose harissa-flavoured vegetable soup" border="0" data-original-height="3510" data-original-width="1800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYL6zUPi4IdqaoTYIlGG9D7sDPaQWe4U-fKOw5QcKTOMh69uhTXAi3fwNuNCRYumGF1jjlJn0fzUqQQ3Q-sX0B-nP7j48NrTT6R50qeox0ElpkW9MHebqSA7YPu0m5alITq2Urddxd-fK6CYKVT-afYgom7Fou-KzrIVAKsnjIIRTKWIiExNqauFxt0k/w328-h640/20240219_121810.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><p>I was inspired to write a poem this month, for the <a href="https://artsforhungerford.com/hungerford-poetry-festival-2024/" target="_blank">Hungerford Poetry Festival</a>. If you like poetry you should go along to the Hungerford Hub to see what the actual poets have come up with - I'll share my offering on here next month.<br /></p><p></p><p>In the meantime, sing-along to Primal Scream. What an excellent addition to the day!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZUjW82je_38" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZUjW82je_38"></iframe></div><br />Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-16517551869929629202024-02-11T09:08:00.003+00:002024-02-11T09:08:36.893+00:00Cool for Cats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4pTkFayr1i7nz2YfdeIOU7OxqMl1pbfrmVZ-ODiLl1RWIIWVR-gDj-iBECYrfp9mTj-Qvz4PpAMz58ApCfYGYf3UBfgJSc3V_oI2UgeohY5UPmDYGnos5bSqCDc8lTa1NXoKvKQC4wZS_EQn4tUR9Ftv5h3ArZNoUpGLPYehzJ7ABvEG2SdVFb3ewHY/s2992/20240210_131953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Ginger cat" border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4pTkFayr1i7nz2YfdeIOU7OxqMl1pbfrmVZ-ODiLl1RWIIWVR-gDj-iBECYrfp9mTj-Qvz4PpAMz58ApCfYGYf3UBfgJSc3V_oI2UgeohY5UPmDYGnos5bSqCDc8lTa1NXoKvKQC4wZS_EQn4tUR9Ftv5h3ArZNoUpGLPYehzJ7ABvEG2SdVFb3ewHY/w640-h640/20240210_131953.jpg" title="Allotment cat" width="640" /></a></div>We’ve had a huge amount of rain again, the rivers are fit to bust again but yesterday we had some extremely welcome sunshine. We were surprised there weren’t more plotholders on site, but the ground is a bit too wet to dig.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguyz1Awx7cedqErk1D0D2P9htBTxPQ2vv8qmT4aiFGVxp68CEk-PLts0bR9SPq8Xh_8VKDTqyCdJCY0YELXxjSNtuhjMTpe0KdjqwT9FTyUaq1ItUAz6qIz1b2xUDanz9BBhBUSKqKOr7JcflL7HpHnzdHRREh3V3OyxeHTyPu-bgYjeMlHRm-SYXHaw/s2048/P2100017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguyz1Awx7cedqErk1D0D2P9htBTxPQ2vv8qmT4aiFGVxp68CEk-PLts0bR9SPq8Xh_8VKDTqyCdJCY0YELXxjSNtuhjMTpe0KdjqwT9FTyUaq1ItUAz6qIz1b2xUDanz9BBhBUSKqKOr7JcflL7HpHnzdHRREh3V3OyxeHTyPu-bgYjeMlHRm-SYXHaw/w640-h360/P2100017.JPG" title="Winter Sun" width="640" /></a></div>We’ve been clearing weeds, edging and pulling the carrots which had been left in the ground way too long. And there were some proper monsters in there, most had severe slug damage so have gone into the green bin at home - our 3 compost bins are already full.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNvJsNCFHb4BGKyTLPWhMQGWYNTd3el8TN5QZVsBbjZvoFbQQ6JlJeOij4_IvjegOKE-ZDz5cgVllcOAzGo5qyqzYFzD-hHrPgtnTGpHRNYndl9gRk1wvDlrtrIP2mbWs-M49S4uoS4EV1JURB937TqwWZ9PV92rx_ktUpEYOWNXITTFTOcX0grVB3H4/s2992/20240203_151231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNvJsNCFHb4BGKyTLPWhMQGWYNTd3el8TN5QZVsBbjZvoFbQQ6JlJeOij4_IvjegOKE-ZDz5cgVllcOAzGo5qyqzYFzD-hHrPgtnTGpHRNYndl9gRk1wvDlrtrIP2mbWs-M49S4uoS4EV1JURB937TqwWZ9PV92rx_ktUpEYOWNXITTFTOcX0grVB3H4/w400-h400/20240203_151231.jpg" title="Clearing the way for brassica" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>This is Jamie’s extremely neat handiwork last weekend - making way for brassicas. He added lime and chicken manure pellets after clearing all the weeds; the heavy bags of compost will help to firm the soil before the plants go in (well, they aren’t sown yet!). We hope to have Brussels sprouts, purple sprouting broccoli and Cavolo Nero.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI9htVfMtC_53U6pUg8QLfl8opXnap1DmoXX3lG86XYDk5fEvhdqUP8xaie5JagI0q4vT9tZ8USeXt7vOUc0CBmbnjUxhdkoUCqXgakTJgWFd-I_WWaP0hic6lGBRoECgBV8LR4LR0b7-eXXCk97vXsS-1zKQDTTI4Ulm2n-GQK1anZGSiVH8mAHbbjE/s2992/20240203_131524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI9htVfMtC_53U6pUg8QLfl8opXnap1DmoXX3lG86XYDk5fEvhdqUP8xaie5JagI0q4vT9tZ8USeXt7vOUc0CBmbnjUxhdkoUCqXgakTJgWFd-I_WWaP0hic6lGBRoECgBV8LR4LR0b7-eXXCk97vXsS-1zKQDTTI4Ulm2n-GQK1anZGSiVH8mAHbbjE/w400-h400/20240203_131524.jpg" title="Clearing for fruit trees" width="400" /></a></div>Oh, and this is the area I’m prepping for our three mini fruit trees. Jamie and I have rather different clearing techniques as you can see! Well, my bit of ground is much more weedy and I’ve had to dig a new straight-ish edge. Jamie moved on to hand-weeding the potato plot yesterday. We’ve only bought a handful of spuds: <i>Wilja, Rocket </i>and <i>Desiree. </i>They’re chitting under a grow light at home now.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rb18LDU-A8xD6REJBJ_3tggAdf3zXzJNE5qFADiva_aDQvaTRxdSYRIw56mIe6IWwcc6tAeneF6O_MDzbCzF6IxEfuHwry83za1NUM9HkAHm2df3Ye1ZbWoFBIRm0oUnccxUUa6SgY3w2TgI4yvsRZ1EG1XCyfpBbEOlffbxRRomor_NjEmIwSSKtwA/s2048/P2100010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rb18LDU-A8xD6REJBJ_3tggAdf3zXzJNE5qFADiva_aDQvaTRxdSYRIw56mIe6IWwcc6tAeneF6O_MDzbCzF6IxEfuHwry83za1NUM9HkAHm2df3Ye1ZbWoFBIRm0oUnccxUUa6SgY3w2TgI4yvsRZ1EG1XCyfpBbEOlffbxRRomor_NjEmIwSSKtwA/w640-h428/P2100010.JPG" title="Macro of hellebore flower" width="640" /></a></div></div>I saw one tiny crocus flower on our plot, but no other flowers yet. This is a macro photo of the hellebore flowers at home. They’re so pretty aren’t they and don’t mind the shade - perfect.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWyNcoZdsrYCf8Hp_Skbe9rQo5Z5ceG5XGnJH4vdBHxWygGpyI7UUYJOEDIPRHY2ck31a7Sp1ilFaN2NzsxNl-zzSOUqEDo3hMCRpypk9un0PUs8KpxfORyCpKWpL61qlY2siFtrTQNmUpbv0VMrqKzn4U0NPc58zJB1j22NzTtwX6KHQNXydne-vH1I/s2048/P2100009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQWyNcoZdsrYCf8Hp_Skbe9rQo5Z5ceG5XGnJH4vdBHxWygGpyI7UUYJOEDIPRHY2ck31a7Sp1ilFaN2NzsxNl-zzSOUqEDo3hMCRpypk9un0PUs8KpxfORyCpKWpL61qlY2siFtrTQNmUpbv0VMrqKzn4U0NPc58zJB1j22NzTtwX6KHQNXydne-vH1I/w400-h268/P2100009.JPG" title="Helebore" width="400" /></a></div><div>I found a perfect little frog yesterday whilst digging. It was only about 10cm long and golden. I didn’t get a photo because I had to move it out of harm’s way. I see people have started reporting UK spawn sightings - nothing at Marsh Lane yet. I did see a ladybird yesterday and <a href="https://plot7wildlife.blogspot.com/2024/02/goodens-nomad-bee.html" target="_blank">a digger bee</a> last weekend, but it’s too early for them to come out really, we’re still expecting a cold snap. I cleared the old growth from the perennials but have left them on an empty spot for the insects to stay cosy. It means I can now see the weeds on the flower plot and see a few bulbs are emerging, though the slugs have already spotted that fresh new growth 🙄<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpN-28raSXoLfMmvtStADY_qeC4B8UmsH6u32uunxq7qdTQcIEW7DRm0FbBEBoCcv-HFvKANW_eNSHdUlJgeJEwm2JsH2Xcpi5W6MARLwKfOwH4jvrCnjOYX6VLg7OHDmeOSyHPxNwObyp1NQYolRTT7oOxJISZ46ZIf5HkL56wkoLRaWM35J9O-F3WE/s2048/P2100019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpN-28raSXoLfMmvtStADY_qeC4B8UmsH6u32uunxq7qdTQcIEW7DRm0FbBEBoCcv-HFvKANW_eNSHdUlJgeJEwm2JsH2Xcpi5W6MARLwKfOwH4jvrCnjOYX6VLg7OHDmeOSyHPxNwObyp1NQYolRTT7oOxJISZ46ZIf5HkL56wkoLRaWM35J9O-F3WE/w400-h225/P2100019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div>Talking of which, look at these clumps of growth along the grass path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXprw1oO-6NDoVBsL5QSNcd_QQFvDlRk5sAE5xQith5L72TxwZQnRIY99pLktDYlucmRXxQXEG-qoGn3O46szFJm5UCJ_hyFRrUu4aJ4dr6iwr-sioAIIN4OoetPmViFDKdgMz45b90dxnPqE58bY7xiNhQpLAVrYWP2gcgvvUKNtT9OfrkUQ9jm0xCUw/s2992/20240210_140107.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXprw1oO-6NDoVBsL5QSNcd_QQFvDlRk5sAE5xQith5L72TxwZQnRIY99pLktDYlucmRXxQXEG-qoGn3O46szFJm5UCJ_hyFRrUu4aJ4dr6iwr-sioAIIN4OoetPmViFDKdgMz45b90dxnPqE58bY7xiNhQpLAVrYWP2gcgvvUKNtT9OfrkUQ9jm0xCUw/w640-h640/20240210_140107.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>They’re wild onion and have really spread over the last couple of years. They have a lovely onion scent - a bit stronger than chives, and can be used in the same way. You can apparently eat the bulbs too, but they must be very tiny. I’ve never seen a flower on these plants, but I’ll try to remember to check this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjnF-valtQuazy2u45huAKeK_cCdp9fR_2eqW9sGItfESJmSTIj4ld2a3EXhYH5EW-mkUwdyFAcv9h3r7CembSTJLHB9Dwr3HVxqzCGfWLzJViDLq8sqOPsZLtk_WKdat23FCqNrfsEawqI1ZZYeCaT_mmZOtP7lbILgnS18b2YbLTsyYo8xGlCdzAuY/s4000/20240210_171318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="4000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjnF-valtQuazy2u45huAKeK_cCdp9fR_2eqW9sGItfESJmSTIj4ld2a3EXhYH5EW-mkUwdyFAcv9h3r7CembSTJLHB9Dwr3HVxqzCGfWLzJViDLq8sqOPsZLtk_WKdat23FCqNrfsEawqI1ZZYeCaT_mmZOtP7lbILgnS18b2YbLTsyYo8xGlCdzAuY/w640-h288/20240210_171318.jpg" title="Dramatic sky" width="640" /></a></div><div>It’s great to see the longer hours of daylight and some dramatic skies like this yesterday. There’s definitely been some overnight rain, but we’re hoping to get a bit of plot-time in later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqQq8E9zP3WQsFsJYRNWyO5VjKOFugJs4p2_8jDQ7or0j-E926pkRZGRIyf1KRwEU1hIIz6IGMLKILHc0cZ6v-AiKdlzeCFLzJNioZ_hrgTD5QFnOeq6xwOUVxm0ePKWoqWleFHugfD6Rc6OfbuCSZ37LLKi9Qhk6jpSSPwX5u184mDfVOQGPlXPh2v0/s2992/20240210_131923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqQq8E9zP3WQsFsJYRNWyO5VjKOFugJs4p2_8jDQ7or0j-E926pkRZGRIyf1KRwEU1hIIz6IGMLKILHc0cZ6v-AiKdlzeCFLzJNioZ_hrgTD5QFnOeq6xwOUVxm0ePKWoqWleFHugfD6Rc6OfbuCSZ37LLKi9Qhk6jpSSPwX5u184mDfVOQGPlXPh2v0/w400-h400/20240210_131923.jpg" title="Ginger cat" width="400" /></a></div><div>Enjoy the song provided by Squeeze. Look at the handsome cat! He’s such a friendly fellow, but the magpies are very unhappy when he’s around. The active hedgerow was keeping him entertained yesterday. What a life - he’s got the whole site to monitor 😺</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uJ2cEc_TCH8" width="320" youtube-src-id="uJ2cEc_TCH8"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-11493305009031718912024-01-29T13:58:00.004+00:002024-01-29T13:58:41.896+00:00Little Red Corvette<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUVMCr9mhmNii63TtsgpBhNyyWr2FaeEmOlumefSnuXbRR0-Tjboqsbo8JiEqYz6wCLvJX5-hKWZL87fbWssgyQQaC84l5msN6kX34buUOeeI3ymhwOy4dV0RbuAPUE7dK0xInnGGHGtXW-K_TRIKr5sCfl7bd2i13Q6T4YqVIBEhTv797eyoY2Aeqcs/s2992/20240129_073315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUVMCr9mhmNii63TtsgpBhNyyWr2FaeEmOlumefSnuXbRR0-Tjboqsbo8JiEqYz6wCLvJX5-hKWZL87fbWssgyQQaC84l5msN6kX34buUOeeI3ymhwOy4dV0RbuAPUE7dK0xInnGGHGtXW-K_TRIKr5sCfl7bd2i13Q6T4YqVIBEhTv797eyoY2Aeqcs/w400-h400/20240129_073315.jpg" title="Spicy parsnip & squash soup" width="400" /></a></div>It turned out that my <i>Cornells Bush Delikata</i> squash had survived being stored for nearly 4 months and have become part of this spicy parsnip, squash and leek soup.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvxyFTdADn29-NtbcZdpmegY-d4rx8qZYWcbIerCaAkqDpqN-uNfDzLCKYIXsZDGRs63msuJLJBZeeCa7q0zdk9ZmoGOmVH5xh_DbqZ63UtL93b_4DE5INgGVOAgo_DQyZsu3Q9DW-7U4SASrSTGHZnrLOWtk81cEfrP-Gv3vbpV8_d9OBkqcKPVBFeA/s2992/20240128_151406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvxyFTdADn29-NtbcZdpmegY-d4rx8qZYWcbIerCaAkqDpqN-uNfDzLCKYIXsZDGRs63msuJLJBZeeCa7q0zdk9ZmoGOmVH5xh_DbqZ63UtL93b_4DE5INgGVOAgo_DQyZsu3Q9DW-7U4SASrSTGHZnrLOWtk81cEfrP-Gv3vbpV8_d9OBkqcKPVBFeA/w320-h320/20240128_151406.jpg" title="Trug of parsnips and leeks" width="320" /></a></div>All home-grown vegetables and plenty of spices. I have a couple of parsnips left over so I may try making parsnip crisps next time the oven is on - they sound tasty.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqr_ceXb5nF0MWrlHWXstYvm0CqHbUI0e6g95QO3-uGXOcWbMl_oXUJ4y5Wyryp8DJNoK46jEZaj65kKYjLaiJeLx9fonjMpFeDqF6Yo2DRAg2SkADLZY5CYOZztv4sn_ttAHpTPUibKZQgussubsIwgGbBGz7oHBau7TRCYjvQamtqRZhykT8Kmxlyo/s2992/20240129_072619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqr_ceXb5nF0MWrlHWXstYvm0CqHbUI0e6g95QO3-uGXOcWbMl_oXUJ4y5Wyryp8DJNoK46jEZaj65kKYjLaiJeLx9fonjMpFeDqF6Yo2DRAg2SkADLZY5CYOZztv4sn_ttAHpTPUibKZQgussubsIwgGbBGz7oHBau7TRCYjvQamtqRZhykT8Kmxlyo/w640-h640/20240129_072619.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I cooked it in the slow cooker - on high, so it probably would have been cooked in 3hours. I left it in for 4hours whilst working this morning and it smelled so delicious. It doesn't look as pretty after (over-)cooking but it is very tasty - I decided to leave it chunky.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAfNjxYqMmBGQRHvlDoEOFtYzN0xP5LB8L53IDZ7lvX_5Oldbm2Eu0skjVpWQ7ZjDVpHnt3Jz-oChjEpgIgFve-lqxaM4cpgrlAKRm6IPIQUcXjmrPM_gmBvt0juhb_tZR-kGn4doPDFDTHj1pqLEK7IfzRvT_NI4grQF5w6agnVH4KA_o4fzh-uQXiY/s2992/20240129_121407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrAfNjxYqMmBGQRHvlDoEOFtYzN0xP5LB8L53IDZ7lvX_5Oldbm2Eu0skjVpWQ7ZjDVpHnt3Jz-oChjEpgIgFve-lqxaM4cpgrlAKRm6IPIQUcXjmrPM_gmBvt0juhb_tZR-kGn4doPDFDTHj1pqLEK7IfzRvT_NI4grQF5w6agnVH4KA_o4fzh-uQXiY/w400-h400/20240129_121407.jpg" title="Chunky parsnip and squash soup" width="400" /></a></div><p>I'm trying to get used to using the slow cooker. Last week I cooked beans for 8hours on low before using them in several tomato-based meals. My <i>borlotti </i>and <i>yin-yang</i> beans didn't need soaking ahead of time because of the long slow cook.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQTHP4v_AAS8idhW9VdkK967LtV5BrVHChk1S33RWzOOqSydNwqVjfSYej1LeM9kSuW-LTTkJut0e9_e-QSfb53PW_035KVNKvz2beiVxJ-3Qu-Rps-hOsnHXRYzTep8dEn2NgYl4ec0Rhai_4qVi9soY8mn9ZmM8Er31B7QWYoWJ4bLpeAFdiMRi4IA/s2992/20240123_064709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQTHP4v_AAS8idhW9VdkK967LtV5BrVHChk1S33RWzOOqSydNwqVjfSYej1LeM9kSuW-LTTkJut0e9_e-QSfb53PW_035KVNKvz2beiVxJ-3Qu-Rps-hOsnHXRYzTep8dEn2NgYl4ec0Rhai_4qVi9soY8mn9ZmM8Er31B7QWYoWJ4bLpeAFdiMRi4IA/s320/20240123_064709.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We had a lovely day on the plot yesterday, enjoying the Winter sunshine - <span style="color: #ffa400;">new word alert </span>- APRICITY. I'd never heard that before but that's the kind of thing you learn when chatting with other plotholders.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw2QblfF_uRWRMiiJBKYq8lG2ZLCvU0Z2mKMr4e0NmoMrQfCZEmNIZDffXnl6iB4i6_15X1QQEH6if-YP4RtCZVIgwjD-HX80AxPi9FsHD1RwHPT2QR3w5xsnYeWToKmCqJvVv70Wf2U108wPwO72hln1S-r5YGinselFE5-yjhcYYmhYB_MAW2J4neo/s2048/DSCF8009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicw2QblfF_uRWRMiiJBKYq8lG2ZLCvU0Z2mKMr4e0NmoMrQfCZEmNIZDffXnl6iB4i6_15X1QQEH6if-YP4RtCZVIgwjD-HX80AxPi9FsHD1RwHPT2QR3w5xsnYeWToKmCqJvVv70Wf2U108wPwO72hln1S-r5YGinselFE5-yjhcYYmhYB_MAW2J4neo/w640-h480/DSCF8009.JPG" title="Weeding the broad beans" width="640" /></a></div><p>Jamie weeded the broad bean plants, which have grown rather tall because of the mostly mild weather this Winter. We put the net cloches back over them as they look rather spindly and vulnerable outside of their little plastic cloches.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlZd1R6Z66lxaxS6cOzrS7Fl36ollhLLicn_jB51FQ5N8uAaGXEq1SgIBa6B4uGopjqdFs80g8CpzV-4yNXN0EBklXUR8ODM2g_eKHeaxPkbzj_HJkDyKqIEZp03uXTTnC4OY9faDUegYQoOxvaXqEh6-CCiZB-8RAV4lhabaY1t8N-JviSVevUmSpL4/s2048/DSCF8010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlZd1R6Z66lxaxS6cOzrS7Fl36ollhLLicn_jB51FQ5N8uAaGXEq1SgIBa6B4uGopjqdFs80g8CpzV-4yNXN0EBklXUR8ODM2g_eKHeaxPkbzj_HJkDyKqIEZp03uXTTnC4OY9faDUegYQoOxvaXqEh6-CCiZB-8RAV4lhabaY1t8N-JviSVevUmSpL4/w400-h300/DSCF8010.JPG" title="Broad beans" width="400" /></a></div><p>I spent some time digging out the remains of our enormous rhubarb plant - we should have moved/split it in recent year and it's has given its all. There was nothing living left in the woody hollowed out stems. Well, one thing - a little mouse (maybe a vole) that I disturbed went hopping over to the hedgerow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzmkGpu-veREp6d2zJqRpQre_8mAmLqXH0XVd_UHHTi1S5SuuL5zPgAieiHOl6GbjnLYlUzLKU6poKCz8Sm8tXErIp_6obfqLZdF2OgDEVUDauzVGQBTqsjIUO4UQU3fFa8Co00ncWZsQPDGjV00hDu8MthYxKvzho5yhBzz45dMs55sBtsPmKDbqHi0/s2048/DSCF8017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzmkGpu-veREp6d2zJqRpQre_8mAmLqXH0XVd_UHHTi1S5SuuL5zPgAieiHOl6GbjnLYlUzLKU6poKCz8Sm8tXErIp_6obfqLZdF2OgDEVUDauzVGQBTqsjIUO4UQU3fFa8Co00ncWZsQPDGjV00hDu8MthYxKvzho5yhBzz45dMs55sBtsPmKDbqHi0/w400-h300/DSCF8017.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>So, that wasn't a lot of work but it did feel nice to be digging in the sunshine. And I spent an hour doing the RSPB bird count but started a bit late in the day so it was a very poor show: 2 great tits, 2 blue tits, 2 magpies, 1 dunnock, 1 robin and 2 woodpigeons - not very impressive! And the Sun started to sink so it got rather chilly.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHm6vBcY4TyqaSqsTBCmS8Dq0rgv0D-S2RM_6F5X6gKZqBbekeUKwxmeJV7rKB6ZOmY2Sjj6MA4F5QPY8Tb7tu-PAPE3M4o_ABY0_Zewqry9ByMVRDDjG2fHMP1O2i4t3xZcol64sWz6QmG8xWWbGUInlD8HcW4VpvcE4C504LE-2HnvSwICCtZmsafA/s2048/DSCF8019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHm6vBcY4TyqaSqsTBCmS8Dq0rgv0D-S2RM_6F5X6gKZqBbekeUKwxmeJV7rKB6ZOmY2Sjj6MA4F5QPY8Tb7tu-PAPE3M4o_ABY0_Zewqry9ByMVRDDjG2fHMP1O2i4t3xZcol64sWz6QmG8xWWbGUInlD8HcW4VpvcE4C504LE-2HnvSwICCtZmsafA/w640-h480/DSCF8019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>The song is provided by Prince cos we've bought a new car - a lovely shiny red one but it's not a Corvette, that wouldn't be very good for allotment visits 😄</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v0KpfrJE4zw" width="320" youtube-src-id="v0KpfrJE4zw"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-15162904710419694482024-01-21T15:11:00.000+00:002024-01-21T15:11:44.126+00:00The Riverboat Song<p>The temperature last week dipped to -9.2° in the polytunnel. Brrr certainly not gardening weather but bright enough to tempt me out for a brisk early morning walk to see the Sun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XRkaNjIXLH9Nwpz3NZ-reLcMoRP7mWLrK3NWWrFN-Xd-iePpnZbrk4iOEJTqTh0Z0nJhzoygyRr8RdVGny9iKTk11GANHL4jIqn-J5oOi79y9uiy5Yztaq8OpjDrpOQH6kypvukwkR86BDDDvWbGU7mHznv71WQwhG2_jHkpObl0wvBQMyRAHgOw3GE/s2992/20240119_081917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XRkaNjIXLH9Nwpz3NZ-reLcMoRP7mWLrK3NWWrFN-Xd-iePpnZbrk4iOEJTqTh0Z0nJhzoygyRr8RdVGny9iKTk11GANHL4jIqn-J5oOi79y9uiy5Yztaq8OpjDrpOQH6kypvukwkR86BDDDvWbGU7mHznv71WQwhG2_jHkpObl0wvBQMyRAHgOw3GE/w640-h640/20240119_081917.jpg" title="Sunrise over the Kennet & Avon canal" width="640" /></a></div><p>As well as frosty walk weather it’s soup weather so I’m glad I pulled leeks and parsnips last weekend before the ground solidified!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVgTdCKagvFCwFnCjvvOh1VLXiSPK0ykTZ5GKB_3RChyphenhyphenyoHZjYS4sRIT8PgjNbkAu2VXSSzTYTWur8SwmPtGpdXvVhEUG7LObbKTnONmHkcgPMKdlG3-Yopm29jMsNhpygxYgrVrdvcqqA2vCvbDfSGelMcH0eTidxmrDS98Fp-3YZjb6L_scnmHgtXo/s2992/20240114_143420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyVgTdCKagvFCwFnCjvvOh1VLXiSPK0ykTZ5GKB_3RChyphenhyphenyoHZjYS4sRIT8PgjNbkAu2VXSSzTYTWur8SwmPtGpdXvVhEUG7LObbKTnONmHkcgPMKdlG3-Yopm29jMsNhpygxYgrVrdvcqqA2vCvbDfSGelMcH0eTidxmrDS98Fp-3YZjb6L_scnmHgtXo/w400-h400/20240114_143420.jpg" title="Leeks and parsnips" width="400" /></a></div>I made this delicious curried leek & parsnip soup - flavoured with garam masala and a bit of curry powder. Hmmm, spicy but not hot - just how I like it and it served me for three lunches. That little bowl was just a taster.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-f7vyRGdgRrgYXxvftDmQ-DaX2kMbfpGds-1XckcmCtIGgB3-rAoQjkP-P1xxBQ57qGIsdc7hs3QPZLJbU7y5p1IaN3YOFqcZrJV-MrQ0UuuFsPR4pmWXGH3T1CtqHGcI8BwzmleqImAUUM0WVfFeOzQNob5RgEadS3IJ-sr8dPCk7KH7N-RUifKlBk/s2992/20240114_162512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj-f7vyRGdgRrgYXxvftDmQ-DaX2kMbfpGds-1XckcmCtIGgB3-rAoQjkP-P1xxBQ57qGIsdc7hs3QPZLJbU7y5p1IaN3YOFqcZrJV-MrQ0UuuFsPR4pmWXGH3T1CtqHGcI8BwzmleqImAUUM0WVfFeOzQNob5RgEadS3IJ-sr8dPCk7KH7N-RUifKlBk/w320-h320/20240114_162512.jpg" title="Curried Leek & parsnip soup" width="320" /></a></div>Yesterday we went to the plot but it was far too cold to hang around. The leeks have taken a battering from the cold snap but we expect them to recover now that the temperature has - though Storm Isha is now blasting them with strong winds and more rain 😒 Lucky I puddled them in quite deep.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT8ji86YfPo6H4P_XFlyh2iG4Ozs_yMoc2Xkk4xahd-31p64jy8B6WBnpaAJ7diT4U2m772cLYc9QV7bvQvzNUDWyvYwv628VfTcco4kZgmisYNnG3V90WoIM592WvzLy2PN7S7rO2Ry_4YWKnXtUrvBFJzNq6y6tJPaIu4ydP9jlxIDgW4TaFwsafX8/s2992/20240120_114556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT8ji86YfPo6H4P_XFlyh2iG4Ozs_yMoc2Xkk4xahd-31p64jy8B6WBnpaAJ7diT4U2m772cLYc9QV7bvQvzNUDWyvYwv628VfTcco4kZgmisYNnG3V90WoIM592WvzLy2PN7S7rO2Ry_4YWKnXtUrvBFJzNq6y6tJPaIu4ydP9jlxIDgW4TaFwsafX8/w640-h640/20240120_114556.jpg" title="Battered leeks" width="640" /></a></div>I did have to check the ice that had formed in the buckets, of course. I should have been more creative but my hands were too cold!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb_eRmQdlGw35iRuohaWnObQWyWMFT5QuxzErEF0kL9i1qgu97ndhrzxTSC5MUByrlgGynHO1fpx5q-TPf6io2J0TOLiKh9DS5e7TU5sRC_BmhckmWSXMv63O6OJ2uw1yi5yoqYzqDbSzE3URpzmACt7tbR1iUEYGlEPur2Vkre2oo-Y0S8ocyfmOr0I/s2992/20240120_152817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjb_eRmQdlGw35iRuohaWnObQWyWMFT5QuxzErEF0kL9i1qgu97ndhrzxTSC5MUByrlgGynHO1fpx5q-TPf6io2J0TOLiKh9DS5e7TU5sRC_BmhckmWSXMv63O6OJ2uw1yi5yoqYzqDbSzE3URpzmACt7tbR1iUEYGlEPur2Vkre2oo-Y0S8ocyfmOr0I/w400-h400/20240120_152817.jpg" title="Ice forms" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The robin didn’t appear at our visit yesterday, poor little chap out in the cold! The swans don’t seem to mind, but I did wish I’d taken some food for them when I saw them the other morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBILe6xMcaUTmsP4pszoJOehl-AC9aw-0L110e00GbBkDJ7BH_IUbirlM16GFdU5Un3AA9avXpb6joD50ynpXMziCWMx9tHuKI2Fv54hLhc0Qpl0fNK-vEv2oWj2sxLGqaAvsrn9-oLVebHD3Gq1cmr36kJCc8z9Y553BKU-g4veYt2p7ZxtDuYQoZmk/s1266/DBD07453-BD51-4B8D-A773-00ED1B4A7D8E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1266" data-original-width="1266" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBILe6xMcaUTmsP4pszoJOehl-AC9aw-0L110e00GbBkDJ7BH_IUbirlM16GFdU5Un3AA9avXpb6joD50ynpXMziCWMx9tHuKI2Fv54hLhc0Qpl0fNK-vEv2oWj2sxLGqaAvsrn9-oLVebHD3Gq1cmr36kJCc8z9Y553BKU-g4veYt2p7ZxtDuYQoZmk/w400-h400/DBD07453-BD51-4B8D-A773-00ED1B4A7D8E.jpeg" title="Swan and cygnets" width="400" /></a></div>This photo was taken on one of the frostiest mornings last week; idyllic though it looks I think I’d only be good as a Summer boat dweller (and maybe not in Britain 🤭)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5_n9ffONBQc1xoKdaOWlnSYGTQ29D4HoSOlFYjCXD5-JPwgwJCKJr5Wf1P4KBJjCl7QYvyUT7PjjcIYuIMuSpnu-dLhMAuJ5neU2KWdUix0FSxdKAbqWt8qdL6EitPU8YfS-NI95Oe1mF3RWLDxIqHECJDGNvfdMtS-LNffgiOfoBrsSc9EAjlEsoOw/s2992/20240116_080903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5_n9ffONBQc1xoKdaOWlnSYGTQ29D4HoSOlFYjCXD5-JPwgwJCKJr5Wf1P4KBJjCl7QYvyUT7PjjcIYuIMuSpnu-dLhMAuJ5neU2KWdUix0FSxdKAbqWt8qdL6EitPU8YfS-NI95Oe1mF3RWLDxIqHECJDGNvfdMtS-LNffgiOfoBrsSc9EAjlEsoOw/w640-h640/20240116_080903.jpg" title="Kennet & Avon canal, Hungerford" width="640" /></a></div><div>And those canal photos have given me the opportunity to use this excellent song by Ocean Colour Scene from 1996 (28 years ago - whaaaat?!). Batten down the hatches everyone!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/brzzM31G4x8" width="320" youtube-src-id="brzzM31G4x8"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-38026903517412724082024-01-13T09:56:00.001+00:002024-01-13T09:56:26.023+00:00Bridge over Troubled WaterIt can be difficult getting into the swing of things after Christmas and 2024 started with such rotten weather that it hasn’t been very motivating.<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2SAt1PQbhl01pMCN7kz2DTPheazOHJRrVl004TtZiZKlwQDGAPcJ_YZolbc90AzVTFe2isUfNUJdibelXJPzME88qsJJmRKX65tkPlGzYUXhhYwWp6LdeZr-SDbvaa-FJmDbPk2tB29wCvzxTRHNcvO6T5fmzgecDgVIIvLPwiGFXbGyIyxhwi60A8A/s2048/DSCF8005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2SAt1PQbhl01pMCN7kz2DTPheazOHJRrVl004TtZiZKlwQDGAPcJ_YZolbc90AzVTFe2isUfNUJdibelXJPzME88qsJJmRKX65tkPlGzYUXhhYwWp6LdeZr-SDbvaa-FJmDbPk2tB29wCvzxTRHNcvO6T5fmzgecDgVIIvLPwiGFXbGyIyxhwi60A8A/w640-h480/DSCF8005.JPG" title="Crescent Moon" width="640" /></a></p><p>The rain, brought by Storm Henk, was so torrential that there has been serious flooding in nearby towns and Hungerford’s rivers and canal have all overflowed with some houses needing to be pumped out - not us I’m pleased to say. What a truly horrible way to start the new year 😞</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhpJkTLz7mcMEQlO9yme8mJKb-Ak1gtHLzVmb2c4Tc196F0s3cAyDw7tzY8wVLcQE8f16IvoK0gxWYIcsKvQvav5iAZBBZmOQeOzppZsK9UrwZdcJQ-9_GtsG4D4jhiQvxrn-6aVLFEABJG2OfVqC8ax-Z_9cw1Hh3GDvdn-Ve19wy65qktKOyNLqKfI/s2992/20240105_081134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhpJkTLz7mcMEQlO9yme8mJKb-Ak1gtHLzVmb2c4Tc196F0s3cAyDw7tzY8wVLcQE8f16IvoK0gxWYIcsKvQvav5iAZBBZmOQeOzppZsK9UrwZdcJQ-9_GtsG4D4jhiQvxrn-6aVLFEABJG2OfVqC8ax-Z_9cw1Hh3GDvdn-Ve19wy65qktKOyNLqKfI/w640-h640/20240105_081134.jpg" title="River Dun" width="640" /></a></div>Here's the River Dun by the war memorial, at least 1 metre higher than it should be, with water gushing through from flooded areas upstream. Thank goodness for the marshland around Hungerford to capture most of that excess water. Nearby Marlborough didn’t fair so well…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOtyNMcx5JOK9XaHGOhIDz0KsSL7DHESUotJsiGSy82ka61cdYAx4eUw-AfzDrSSrvDalIDMpVNLLCXqBUzmcevCwM2GYNyG1RO5idMf-bdfqaQmCMPIIEyEIOiBmW10jSxE2IT9GRyY5FdAlU5n_pVBuL_V864_2YbWxjhiDrtaovG8OujNLF8QJJUA/s1358/IMG_1510.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photo credit SWNS" border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1358" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOtyNMcx5JOK9XaHGOhIDz0KsSL7DHESUotJsiGSy82ka61cdYAx4eUw-AfzDrSSrvDalIDMpVNLLCXqBUzmcevCwM2GYNyG1RO5idMf-bdfqaQmCMPIIEyEIOiBmW10jSxE2IT9GRyY5FdAlU5n_pVBuL_V864_2YbWxjhiDrtaovG8OujNLF8QJJUA/w400-h303/IMG_1510.JPG" title="Flooded Marlborough" width="400" /></a></div>We’ve had a few visits to the plot, mostly just to plod around thinking how nasty it looks, but our leeks have survived the drenching and continue to grow. This photo shows that there has been some very welcome sunshine this year - makes a nice change to see it on a weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_hGMj1CwdSd2822rfWPiTm1TeZFmn8lmq9ui1dLd2FYUFdQPMePzGTS_f9N9NfhxYPUB1SLc3JhSh6XxpySzGLRHclE1x1Gk9ff9mu-TMP4twaS69FFeAZ5VduMUssd9XTgziNvCf_aODNqEfxG0eU873qgCyr3cPP-mq4TEq928j9gaI7Ht9iv22dU/s2992/20240107_143905.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_hGMj1CwdSd2822rfWPiTm1TeZFmn8lmq9ui1dLd2FYUFdQPMePzGTS_f9N9NfhxYPUB1SLc3JhSh6XxpySzGLRHclE1x1Gk9ff9mu-TMP4twaS69FFeAZ5VduMUssd9XTgziNvCf_aODNqEfxG0eU873qgCyr3cPP-mq4TEq928j9gaI7Ht9iv22dU/w640-h640/20240107_143905.jpg" title="Leeks" width="640" /></a></div>And the broad beans have grown quite tall under their protection as the weather has been mostly mild so far this Winter. We’ll leave them protected for now as the weather has turned frosty and snow is threatening over the next week…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihXg-lYxHq1hxtGtlMUsqDzgAfPV4XAooQQ9_w_FeGjCGTFBUNe4Rw-rmYEOFigJuFenegfRfgVQbprJOAkOSJ-HORYpgMZ0HtgCVacJnGW7tPg9gwLQJLWLgmWAXyWEIRVGkQdAYV66vAfr5SSFDscc6Jg2dbQDPjFnFuL3oq5-YaC1WPTX85EqHoMQ/s2992/20240107_145020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihXg-lYxHq1hxtGtlMUsqDzgAfPV4XAooQQ9_w_FeGjCGTFBUNe4Rw-rmYEOFigJuFenegfRfgVQbprJOAkOSJ-HORYpgMZ0HtgCVacJnGW7tPg9gwLQJLWLgmWAXyWEIRVGkQdAYV66vAfr5SSFDscc6Jg2dbQDPjFnFuL3oq5-YaC1WPTX85EqHoMQ/w400-h400/20240107_145020.jpg" title="Broad bean seedlings" width="400" /></a></div>The spindly garlic is the only other sign of good things to come on the allotment.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtQXJhoCUTgYMCe3gXicBi7W30-aFIRMQ6N6jVGC58u826JdJCD1jDz2BhGSRb1Ys3Drx56r8A4bAImTb6D0UgvGMAFO2nRAdZq-jJidufSprDfPV111k_w0SlpA99Fjg4lp20gjVaaz9yCXO4k9AJ8xLgR2pHY0ORK0sMOJIsp9KhviANxwng6Vf4yo/s2992/20240107_144806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmtQXJhoCUTgYMCe3gXicBi7W30-aFIRMQ6N6jVGC58u826JdJCD1jDz2BhGSRb1Ys3Drx56r8A4bAImTb6D0UgvGMAFO2nRAdZq-jJidufSprDfPV111k_w0SlpA99Fjg4lp20gjVaaz9yCXO4k9AJ8xLgR2pHY0ORK0sMOJIsp9KhviANxwng6Vf4yo/w400-h400/20240107_144806.jpg" title="Garlic sprouting" width="400" /></a></div><div>At home I’m so pleased to see that our hellebore is coming back to life. It’s such a pretty and long-lived flower - perfect for these dull months.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4thvaUCTiD7dm9phHYyVUx1SvMgznTRnqMWbC4cUHNNwRNTDKC8CDzblVnoL-YpTro_iy2aaIImJsDE3mQKNzn3QnEHqv96bCdFu-OV_j3qFXbjH_DIetnX0sDclalIvmfoEMwpCiPwDHs7WuCMl5JnTiN7paHa_OfqmZNAoWaCLk723cuSmUEINfgs/s2992/20231229_090536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4thvaUCTiD7dm9phHYyVUx1SvMgznTRnqMWbC4cUHNNwRNTDKC8CDzblVnoL-YpTro_iy2aaIImJsDE3mQKNzn3QnEHqv96bCdFu-OV_j3qFXbjH_DIetnX0sDclalIvmfoEMwpCiPwDHs7WuCMl5JnTiN7paHa_OfqmZNAoWaCLk723cuSmUEINfgs/w400-h400/20231229_090536.jpg" title="Hellebore" width="400" /></a></div><div>Apart from soggy plot visits, I have regular morning walks up the High Street, just to move a bit! I really like to visit the fruit and veg stall at our market - when we don’t have our home-grown this is the next best thing I reckon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4XPms0oESL-W1DFLibzcPNVIZveEVylWNq3HOzK2-MZN5qmdOx0KlC7XQmihE_J8e4WOy5mmYhvtW-ZkuutHiDgeyVjSY9PaUDImgIGIDsdXJ62kjy_yh9QgYyGnR_emfdmGj1KzRkSfbsckt6NvzaKCYip2rDQd7sZ4Mdi6SjgeuLtYJzJyqeH93DI/s2992/20240103_082138.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4XPms0oESL-W1DFLibzcPNVIZveEVylWNq3HOzK2-MZN5qmdOx0KlC7XQmihE_J8e4WOy5mmYhvtW-ZkuutHiDgeyVjSY9PaUDImgIGIDsdXJ62kjy_yh9QgYyGnR_emfdmGj1KzRkSfbsckt6NvzaKCYip2rDQd7sZ4Mdi6SjgeuLtYJzJyqeH93DI/w640-h640/20240103_082138.jpg" title="Hungerford Veg market stall" width="640" /></a></div>I’ve bought a few seeds which look interesting including some flowers (<i>Zinnia</i>, <i>penstemon</i> (from one of my mum’s flower lists) and <i>echinacea</i>) and veg (<i>purple dragon carrots,</i> <i>piccolo</i> courgette and <i>biquinho red pepper</i>). We haven’t really started our planting plan yet, but will do soon. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1Obtfa9CsLerU3zLH74VZo2-De6LYNoVtg6y90QXCN3yZZr3ZVr3jR6rh2Jiv7CUl018yejuhmVbrH7M8vr9z9vL3_Fqm4iYXWPVI-jqFWE8RQz_sYkfQOYLf6cll5yPScf65Iek-gzHt0pq8PnJsYS15LekNVH2jhVDc5D_71dKIwoCJtuCYTq-7Nw/s1636/IMG_1511.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1636" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1Obtfa9CsLerU3zLH74VZo2-De6LYNoVtg6y90QXCN3yZZr3ZVr3jR6rh2Jiv7CUl018yejuhmVbrH7M8vr9z9vL3_Fqm4iYXWPVI-jqFWE8RQz_sYkfQOYLf6cll5yPScf65Iek-gzHt0pq8PnJsYS15LekNVH2jhVDc5D_71dKIwoCJtuCYTq-7Nw/w400-h286/IMG_1511.PNG" title="Chestnut & sprout puff pastry" width="400" /></a></div>I haven’t done any interesting cooking yet this year, but after Christmas I made this lovely chestnut & sprout puff pastry ‘thing’ and a delicious parsnip and chestnut soup. I probably should pull another parsnip for soup this weekend actually. I shouldn’t waste them as they’ve grown so well for a change!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RpveZjL9-iR6T6z311n74D4TpnI9MxXkO4jq3JBbmeJZ5rpil7A1M6KZng1V6IuESD4ljo8wr44nwZCpdcbmcVyIOVUusVj1dSH90s_xABD6ffQ_wFZeACewLwqb4VKa5NoHvskD1X_GdbqmsmKp58EGhnWcvVTVvpdMxrvO_YqXf1y26ArJ0hUAOq8/s2992/20240105_081103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RpveZjL9-iR6T6z311n74D4TpnI9MxXkO4jq3JBbmeJZ5rpil7A1M6KZng1V6IuESD4ljo8wr44nwZCpdcbmcVyIOVUusVj1dSH90s_xABD6ffQ_wFZeACewLwqb4VKa5NoHvskD1X_GdbqmsmKp58EGhnWcvVTVvpdMxrvO_YqXf1y26ArJ0hUAOq8/w400-h400/20240105_081103.jpg" title="Trout stream - full and brown" width="400" /></a></div><div>Look at that horrible brown water which is usually calm, clean and has trout in. Aah well, it’ll soon be Spring 🫣 But it gave me an excuse to use this beautiful song, of course, provided by the great Simon & Garfunkel. Sit back, relax and sing along. Beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4G-YQA_bsOU" width="320" youtube-src-id="4G-YQA_bsOU"></iframe></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-58255530165313789312023-12-28T11:43:00.001+00:002023-12-29T16:46:52.963+00:00Looking Back<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aAHI47JzmDpMQY725DlxBqL0wroCLnmwcWLXg1K_al9O_ATmC0XArCNKfBWOJZMafECKypQ6oHEFGmpiC5nvxsnFaViCy6miLxIGctW3ke3D1kyyzj9MwPlXTFgxBatlQLYiXz6W7Mc7ILQ_4BeEOAJ-qSa6sYdj62aVwZgg0vgCJ0oATfL0_tI7XcY/s2048/IMG_1467.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6aAHI47JzmDpMQY725DlxBqL0wroCLnmwcWLXg1K_al9O_ATmC0XArCNKfBWOJZMafECKypQ6oHEFGmpiC5nvxsnFaViCy6miLxIGctW3ke3D1kyyzj9MwPlXTFgxBatlQLYiXz6W7Mc7ILQ_4BeEOAJ-qSa6sYdj62aVwZgg0vgCJ0oATfL0_tI7XcY/w640-h480/IMG_1467.JPG" title="Happy New Year!" width="640" /></a></div>I hope you’ve had an enjoyable Christmas and that 2024 brings you plenty of good times as well as an extra day in February. I’m hoping that 2024 runs a bit slower than recent years, but we’ll see. Thankyou for dropping by occasionally and I hope you enjoy the music, here’s a brief look back over last year, with some fave photos and my book list at the end. Happy to receive any book or music suggestions of course!<p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><b>January</b></span> </h2><div>The first planting of the year was some Egyptian walking onions. Unfortunately, along with all my spring onions, the slugs enjoyed them. I’ll try again though!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-yFb8uwe8Rr5-6TOaqKUSZTPfhVSaBD3H64PX55VhtWskNEdT1uWWAUigN8BeVSMq7qQ-nLr6zlAHqcilJouaKZZUAjEU-N5zT3vjlKTlS9ywwT6IhEinEYbQlNRHTfh1g7JYO5BWOMOs5yEkB5TxL9PSBbp1L_bgVuzTLwagq6S9LVl1IyUbMyFbM8/s2048/P1220541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-yFb8uwe8Rr5-6TOaqKUSZTPfhVSaBD3H64PX55VhtWskNEdT1uWWAUigN8BeVSMq7qQ-nLr6zlAHqcilJouaKZZUAjEU-N5zT3vjlKTlS9ywwT6IhEinEYbQlNRHTfh1g7JYO5BWOMOs5yEkB5TxL9PSBbp1L_bgVuzTLwagq6S9LVl1IyUbMyFbM8/w400-h268/P1220541.JPG" title="Frosted dandelion" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was a wet start to 2023 (we couldn’t know how wet the year was going to continue!). We had at least one super frost, although no snow. The cold nights gave us some beautiful sunrises and sunsets.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0f38eOBZWIYY97FB8VtAxygfDAMokjOSlmxcvxzEIbfmjDNtJYZQ27VxUaSdMjYCm_daGTasAKWHQN25iyWxIqmgjkiMqlumOAeer3JEveWfdDktqM4r8RLsXKDzQN6jIswRB3ZObt9-ujTML0shmzs28HURJsCJfEamjwkbpCUNc9OrEB5PgG7IsAA/s1960/DSCF6218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1960" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr0f38eOBZWIYY97FB8VtAxygfDAMokjOSlmxcvxzEIbfmjDNtJYZQ27VxUaSdMjYCm_daGTasAKWHQN25iyWxIqmgjkiMqlumOAeer3JEveWfdDktqM4r8RLsXKDzQN6jIswRB3ZObt9-ujTML0shmzs28HURJsCJfEamjwkbpCUNc9OrEB5PgG7IsAA/w640-h372/DSCF6218.JPG" title="Red sky at night" width="640" /></a></div><p>The allotment was providing us with carrots, Cavolo Nero and parsnips.</p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">February</span> </h2><p>Clearing and digging began in earnest as the ground dried up. We actually felt we were ahead of the game for a change.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAl3qKW8gOsipsLyphA6yf_6_cLRvL8sfS2FJFroQcrs5K3_kl7G6l-rBJDY9QIP1VF3iVIDtOlJBOjoYWgmPgMNOzvJGLZkbQ5Pp7_LVdhR8M-Qn7bcwUFqJcIQyCPSWGmvO7s0ILNAGOVFFKqZh9BTKzoIpjH-Q5QResrBi6Num6qzp1VM8kHUNnEc/s4000/20230205_152801.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAl3qKW8gOsipsLyphA6yf_6_cLRvL8sfS2FJFroQcrs5K3_kl7G6l-rBJDY9QIP1VF3iVIDtOlJBOjoYWgmPgMNOzvJGLZkbQ5Pp7_LVdhR8M-Qn7bcwUFqJcIQyCPSWGmvO7s0ILNAGOVFFKqZh9BTKzoIpjH-Q5QResrBi6Num6qzp1VM8kHUNnEc/w640-h480/20230205_152801.jpg" title="Digging in sunshine" width="640" /></a></div>And the Cavolo Nero kept providing - I think I’ll plant it again this year - and purple sprouting broccoli finally started producing the delicious flowerheads. A month later than 2022, but worth the wait.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuFJloxbS0oMNnjD0NRZ-7kAUv-7ebn7CEaH2mhHBxjQMPSs3qL0PACwZO9TSfhyphenhyphenG6r7ifsI5NN5MHpuFJ2kSU4Gh_LTka1fHAX3uf8ZKycEIQGc89tEmDOf-k5yw2pOcsRWKkqOaXo5rv2YtPvp7Ihx0xmTz-QctTL8GQToui6yKDaxrhZ1QHj2vrWA/s4000/20230210_191556.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuFJloxbS0oMNnjD0NRZ-7kAUv-7ebn7CEaH2mhHBxjQMPSs3qL0PACwZO9TSfhyphenhyphenG6r7ifsI5NN5MHpuFJ2kSU4Gh_LTka1fHAX3uf8ZKycEIQGc89tEmDOf-k5yw2pOcsRWKkqOaXo5rv2YtPvp7Ihx0xmTz-QctTL8GQToui6yKDaxrhZ1QHj2vrWA/w400-h300/20230210_191556.jpg" title="Cavolo Nero with chestnuts and rice" width="400" /></a></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">March</span></h2><p>Early March was when we got some snow. We had to get up in the wee hours to enjoy it; it (and we) didn’t hang around long.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG75YmvtGkNeGTMPb0uQdWH9Rpi5VAbGYW2s8tL7GYrJ6mVEjxQwz-hcqmxK51oVSu4YfKjLXlrG7WC2bADuNtyyWQ7V-cVZX3-h1bIymphScUtd8pjX9RD-AHsqZaMX42Kl1EsLgKBKz_0kx2JPDDD6_bksteVpM9XOpWAwYfL9W4yzqVWQLjWlOkv4/s4128/20230308_033703.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG75YmvtGkNeGTMPb0uQdWH9Rpi5VAbGYW2s8tL7GYrJ6mVEjxQwz-hcqmxK51oVSu4YfKjLXlrG7WC2bADuNtyyWQ7V-cVZX3-h1bIymphScUtd8pjX9RD-AHsqZaMX42Kl1EsLgKBKz_0kx2JPDDD6_bksteVpM9XOpWAwYfL9W4yzqVWQLjWlOkv4/w400-h300/20230308_033703.jpg" title="A quick snow walk" width="400" /></a></div>Last year’s dried beans made for some tasty meals including these bean burgers, served with steamed purple sprouting broccoli - delish.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RfEQyxIkOv9G5WqREqE_DEH0vzOxnby1APcpiuVvHBl7eGqi980KVQAu6-zsaMCkJkG1ygC63YxB-DpPM7Ta7JfSRTCQXP7BtF2t1_6EiW1wZ89tqpEbzJA9_xOR5-Py7m-PAK-t0doyZrTZA13gULSTTVQEB7EIMLY5-K1zRAXLzrtwie7IJc1M8qA/s4000/20230328_071011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RfEQyxIkOv9G5WqREqE_DEH0vzOxnby1APcpiuVvHBl7eGqi980KVQAu6-zsaMCkJkG1ygC63YxB-DpPM7Ta7JfSRTCQXP7BtF2t1_6EiW1wZ89tqpEbzJA9_xOR5-Py7m-PAK-t0doyZrTZA13gULSTTVQEB7EIMLY5-K1zRAXLzrtwie7IJc1M8qA/w640-h480/20230328_071011.jpg" title="Bean burgers" width="640" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">April</span></h2><div>Finally time to start sowing most of the seeds that we’d ordered. Lots of different flowers for the flower plot were protected in the polytunnel. The chitted potatoes were also planted in the ground and a few in bags.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine_KQeuR5_KTDhQsEHFuZECYCZnOeCRvl0nghG4V7l_6quXWUNHXmvBj1WZbtkXXvM6nQyB6QbmXXeEUaA_IoGp2uKw2f64i5PcMpi3eIby-OrkO57Iq20_Q_OY-u3S8jjjRv_DZ8qc5dN2V1NdozZKBZzUHRPLgBp0cuALWmqgKrvYroPqyia3YREaY/s2048/P4230767.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEine_KQeuR5_KTDhQsEHFuZECYCZnOeCRvl0nghG4V7l_6quXWUNHXmvBj1WZbtkXXvM6nQyB6QbmXXeEUaA_IoGp2uKw2f64i5PcMpi3eIby-OrkO57Iq20_Q_OY-u3S8jjjRv_DZ8qc5dN2V1NdozZKBZzUHRPLgBp0cuALWmqgKrvYroPqyia3YREaY/w400-h268/P4230767.JPG" title="Tadpole" width="400" /></a></div>There was a mix of some warm weather among the wet and chillier days. April is a great allotment month, with lots of busy/chatty plotholders and plenty to catch up on, but thank goodness we have the polytunnel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVLD0awZm1VxpFbQcJP2aNKCnQXpcovGUzObcYTeUjrT5sthL9ByMyLBk5di7cHmYgpsYCRN7oaC8ZpxNFdhCflpmaNrTgWOUTgDQR1_YA88VXBA1qBLltLaRj9ZUMv97IZbNzEPh2hINVW3H5F7hfj44y2tQgXkjFFTsZEksV9n7Klo8fUw3wumnzgY/s1724/P4220738.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1724" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoVLD0awZm1VxpFbQcJP2aNKCnQXpcovGUzObcYTeUjrT5sthL9ByMyLBk5di7cHmYgpsYCRN7oaC8ZpxNFdhCflpmaNrTgWOUTgDQR1_YA88VXBA1qBLltLaRj9ZUMv97IZbNzEPh2hINVW3H5F7hfj44y2tQgXkjFFTsZEksV9n7Klo8fUw3wumnzgY/w400-h315/P4220738.JPG" title="Chives and purple sprouting broccoli" width="400" /></a></div>Along with the PSB, rhubarb and fresh chive flowers joined the meal plans.<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">May</span></h2><div>Aah May! Still more to sow (including pre-germinated parsnips which were direct-sown) and so much growth with proper colour on the plots. The hedge full of flower and birds infuses a keen-ness to get tiny plants into the ground, but we hold off unless we have back-ups on hand.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD61y0PfbhWc9AiYIFXC-j9CXvc5lU4yBF9RIA8Giu5y7lz9_w5RU3p6XxC9Mos_KhyphenhyphenvjFxLL4XUT6g3s_imKHk11UL7dL1Tg8_5JxQvXD-5mmLs9FwY4Ti-Fl3pgOVZG0EiDU9OXX-kRuGgCjvGNH6tjiuhEZ9ER95TKf0OuisRB2beK9FP39oJ16XR8/s4000/20230523_084843.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD61y0PfbhWc9AiYIFXC-j9CXvc5lU4yBF9RIA8Giu5y7lz9_w5RU3p6XxC9Mos_KhyphenhyphenvjFxLL4XUT6g3s_imKHk11UL7dL1Tg8_5JxQvXD-5mmLs9FwY4Ti-Fl3pgOVZG0EiDU9OXX-kRuGgCjvGNH6tjiuhEZ9ER95TKf0OuisRB2beK9FP39oJ16XR8/w640-h480/20230523_084843.jpg" title="Iris and chives" width="640" /></a></div>It was a mostly sunny month so perfect for growing and working. OK, there was some rain but not altogether unwelcome.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-651GseF88-MkknU-TUspu-1Gs9MCag2iqp_SkQOInbG8yTkWpLF8P0xYNBJVJh0TsVHEjAd-FuwFwx4vCB7GzwAF3hCkrImyOdgjEomqJutqLw7opXahClvkW69knOZ1uM21SYSuIYUCKGFcHicMdbRF3FyMSadFa4n6u8zHtBtNgZnO53jmKK6XbAs/s2556/20230508_095721.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="2556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-651GseF88-MkknU-TUspu-1Gs9MCag2iqp_SkQOInbG8yTkWpLF8P0xYNBJVJh0TsVHEjAd-FuwFwx4vCB7GzwAF3hCkrImyOdgjEomqJutqLw7opXahClvkW69knOZ1uM21SYSuIYUCKGFcHicMdbRF3FyMSadFa4n6u8zHtBtNgZnO53jmKK6XbAs/w400-h400/20230508_095721.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><div>We even started an early courgette in the polytunnel. It kept producing for months; we moved it outside in the Summer.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x5wm040MJG3F4R8FLFLTAZuPhOZFBXjqpE9PZNo9MMnUDIo9ockGaIzwD62GeFxM1WQWkqg7fYiJtI9QdBAzeaF-nT28Js59VZpcd8NYM6drgQGZE2TQjHgQRsi6BnVMye7_ILTiio8o5BDe3tlJkdX2akFVuRRSXXlWmuuYvHPp-sUiLC3qoZskmJM/s4000/20230507_143224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1x5wm040MJG3F4R8FLFLTAZuPhOZFBXjqpE9PZNo9MMnUDIo9ockGaIzwD62GeFxM1WQWkqg7fYiJtI9QdBAzeaF-nT28Js59VZpcd8NYM6drgQGZE2TQjHgQRsi6BnVMye7_ILTiio8o5BDe3tlJkdX2akFVuRRSXXlWmuuYvHPp-sUiLC3qoZskmJM/w400-h300/20230507_143224.jpg" title="Pot-grown courgette" width="400" /></a></div><div>Delicious leeks were on the menu along with a few early strawberries.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;">June</span></h2><div>It really was a flaming June - it was so sunny and beautiful, we thought it was a sign of a sweltering Summer, like last year, but that didn’t quite work out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMFk18EdFzYHYKdKFoZIJQUSgTTx7UxEOsJF0oN8kjhjqKzy98J_Cl1NBogcEUF8Crm1mwzyjvh9Imz21aQVdnBzJ3DjNEciQYf0qOwaIHqkz2anbIasABXx03xXmT0p5NotUktzzZrB0Jwfwr_exhrdx-kpk0_qoc9Pl79894T68_ipaWaVbA0cvMd4/s2048/P6070015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMFk18EdFzYHYKdKFoZIJQUSgTTx7UxEOsJF0oN8kjhjqKzy98J_Cl1NBogcEUF8Crm1mwzyjvh9Imz21aQVdnBzJ3DjNEciQYf0qOwaIHqkz2anbIasABXx03xXmT0p5NotUktzzZrB0Jwfwr_exhrdx-kpk0_qoc9Pl79894T68_ipaWaVbA0cvMd4/w640-h360/P6070015.JPG" title="Ox-eye daisies" width="640" /></a></div>We saw bullfinches, a rosemary beetle and a previously unseen red and black froghopper, but even better were the plotholder gatherings!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dhXr5vvVhyruZFnhBHCa6hHiCPp9l8bAiZ3Sby1YTbkIYh1GRORk4lTayqqmVCS9z0A-i2efM30PDPQtYa-e9X_JsJ6gYVp2k6ZM5vjA9yuPI1c_7WTtv2RZJWVtkD6QwFF28tXzv_0UNu2Jy417Iq1K9_kmNAH61RFmemT0R3ZdXD5-hEno90wuap4/s4000/20230610_130122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dhXr5vvVhyruZFnhBHCa6hHiCPp9l8bAiZ3Sby1YTbkIYh1GRORk4lTayqqmVCS9z0A-i2efM30PDPQtYa-e9X_JsJ6gYVp2k6ZM5vjA9yuPI1c_7WTtv2RZJWVtkD6QwFF28tXzv_0UNu2Jy417Iq1K9_kmNAH61RFmemT0R3ZdXD5-hEno90wuap4/w400-h300/20230610_130122.jpg" title="HAHA Plotholders picnic" width="400" /></a></div>And we enjoyed a sunny site Open Day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2eWcSAua6mAg901TL4WXbNTQ3JQSWr7GVPZgRB-GhPigFitoW8UNzTKMmAo8Ws8iKpTD0nzN02jguqUuB1XfiVuH6w9MoK3Qyes4YaM9K0mQFguk8iG6ehPGwy-O7HvyhbTnoCZlHuhhV1iB3FqAKH_KV_sWO3_lvS_Ovwii-F31suGe-RHWiY-Ayus/s2048/IMG_1177.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2eWcSAua6mAg901TL4WXbNTQ3JQSWr7GVPZgRB-GhPigFitoW8UNzTKMmAo8Ws8iKpTD0nzN02jguqUuB1XfiVuH6w9MoK3Qyes4YaM9K0mQFguk8iG6ehPGwy-O7HvyhbTnoCZlHuhhV1iB3FqAKH_KV_sWO3_lvS_Ovwii-F31suGe-RHWiY-Ayus/w400-h300/IMG_1177.JPG" title="HAHA Open Day" width="400" /></a></div><div>Salads were getting more interesting with delicious broad beans, mangetout and radish.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">July</span></h2><div>Nia provided us with the sweetcorn plants as most of ours had failed to germinate and the watering regime was hard work …initially…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2iQywUlhDkAG4XY-hiqp_JX28WrI2xpUH5Yj4RD3EwwPoGsm4_nguZxeXRb1lmdyvjU1IHgDobYAGb3LmQ3WuMKaeOzOiwrGmsbBgtElnQ2lNO-0KrCr5wQVdmpLrYratCMokrrrIDV4bdRzbeLu4YN8DWE8tJvN_CNmXo67GN04_LAw5Qmgvxa3MmA/s4000/20230702_143217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2iQywUlhDkAG4XY-hiqp_JX28WrI2xpUH5Yj4RD3EwwPoGsm4_nguZxeXRb1lmdyvjU1IHgDobYAGb3LmQ3WuMKaeOzOiwrGmsbBgtElnQ2lNO-0KrCr5wQVdmpLrYratCMokrrrIDV4bdRzbeLu4YN8DWE8tJvN_CNmXo67GN04_LAw5Qmgvxa3MmA/w400-h300/20230702_143217.jpg" title="So much watering" width="400" /></a></div><div>And then the rain came and everyone cheered, but the polytunnel still needed watering…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi-Pa8Kkl2r_TgD3iNZNuYV2uPiPZ7Oc9qSsznuw3_fY22SjHe_uxARy99yc8_-sY2s7vDIHyCQGTR-CxHrcZ5tdoSbK8nHXKIFW02pnTptmqQ1jX5q4yUBRUF9MfPV0LoHI9JNJC7dqxjI74pF1lp5y9LXeiUzM3uBBd_hNXPA8aJhefYzPFq7Bi8cM/s4000/20230722_141535.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi-Pa8Kkl2r_TgD3iNZNuYV2uPiPZ7Oc9qSsznuw3_fY22SjHe_uxARy99yc8_-sY2s7vDIHyCQGTR-CxHrcZ5tdoSbK8nHXKIFW02pnTptmqQ1jX5q4yUBRUF9MfPV0LoHI9JNJC7dqxjI74pF1lp5y9LXeiUzM3uBBd_hNXPA8aJhefYzPFq7Bi8cM/w640-h480/20230722_141535.jpg" title="Still watering in pouring rain" width="640" /></a></div>And the rain carried on for a bit too long, but we all agreed that the plants were certainly enjoying it.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKWNtZaubT2Y43IOeo4sKjZZdCPckeUtAq6qrKcUiqlmDiKk45Nt7yrifrHRVwhnM5qxGZfu6Im33eOKp5mV8BrU2IlSfz5o0TkUaOdcjSYbRfivVMnTchONrylpWnyfN8SrGUyzpAZQmF4o5HNznaOn9tNqtIk2Z7CWbewfoxNgrpCFzsmzFZsn72Sk/s4000/20230725_190730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKWNtZaubT2Y43IOeo4sKjZZdCPckeUtAq6qrKcUiqlmDiKk45Nt7yrifrHRVwhnM5qxGZfu6Im33eOKp5mV8BrU2IlSfz5o0TkUaOdcjSYbRfivVMnTchONrylpWnyfN8SrGUyzpAZQmF4o5HNznaOn9tNqtIk2Z7CWbewfoxNgrpCFzsmzFZsn72Sk/w400-h300/20230725_190730.jpg" title="8 home-grown items" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>And you can’t have lovely trugfuls and platefuls of veggies without some help with the watering!</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #674ea7;">August</span></h2><div>There was more rain, more sun and more allotment events.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TohnCZkXWiuL4I_r7XcSX87ioQm4coAH3kfpOlx5LgUBRaYjUHC69NwLJmZmg_uasL8WcN_7KH8W_XhbeAm4oUa41438n05LjnEcmshE2GuCcWyQDAJ1awKuknpE_44qYNqzb29T58Rc8rzS8raVupj3wziiC2ukExw0SjHgHTL1NdMlmemdyRAyI3o/s2048/DSCF2005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TohnCZkXWiuL4I_r7XcSX87ioQm4coAH3kfpOlx5LgUBRaYjUHC69NwLJmZmg_uasL8WcN_7KH8W_XhbeAm4oUa41438n05LjnEcmshE2GuCcWyQDAJ1awKuknpE_44qYNqzb29T58Rc8rzS8raVupj3wziiC2ukExw0SjHgHTL1NdMlmemdyRAyI3o/w640-h480/DSCF2005.JPG" title="Beautiful flowers" width="640" /></a></div>Sadly we said happy 95th birthday to my mum and later in the month said goodbye to her for the last time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dG0PEVy15Kgf1E3FXU7si_Yt-uf6ttEaQ4NgZT2kwjmIrrzvts-44_0tbJsSb_LuPCkHLSbO_zXOl7o4m5Fa64rxjqA9tOqF8_2l9vTfaZTes6qb9atanfLERxKy_u8DXt50UaLiv9nCE48V6O65u3lyPZb2Nm-Ko7nKZWRmoZ5PNy_63JcwbDDwuZM/s1335/IMG_1468.jpeg"><img alt="“Cheers!”" border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1335" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7dG0PEVy15Kgf1E3FXU7si_Yt-uf6ttEaQ4NgZT2kwjmIrrzvts-44_0tbJsSb_LuPCkHLSbO_zXOl7o4m5Fa64rxjqA9tOqF8_2l9vTfaZTes6qb9atanfLERxKy_u8DXt50UaLiv9nCE48V6O65u3lyPZb2Nm-Ko7nKZWRmoZ5PNy_63JcwbDDwuZM/w320-h320/IMG_1468.jpeg" title="Me and my mum on holiday" width="320" /></a></div><div>Remembering happy times on holiday and her love of gardening through our own flower patch now.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAe-s0W6TPFHjHPS2UvbNLVs2_UK5gFx_SmZN2Mf8OXLRaFDZODD14Gj06_WJ8WRoO4rjh0iWaTujsB1LVct5NcbXFwC43d5CV1vkH6RHN1hRsixMvl-T6Fp36enfpxaktcgZhvQ6Q2qzpW2jCeMA97lsSYEB4RfuRsUX3ktHwjpfWlak1j52epSw-H8/s2992/20230826_121518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAe-s0W6TPFHjHPS2UvbNLVs2_UK5gFx_SmZN2Mf8OXLRaFDZODD14Gj06_WJ8WRoO4rjh0iWaTujsB1LVct5NcbXFwC43d5CV1vkH6RHN1hRsixMvl-T6Fp36enfpxaktcgZhvQ6Q2qzpW2jCeMA97lsSYEB4RfuRsUX3ktHwjpfWlak1j52epSw-H8/w400-h400/20230826_121518.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A bumper bed of leeks were planted as our seedlings had grown well this year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hBA1LjrbDHr8tPHc8ZonAEaS0UzGBJJ6DlfGKUdTV6DGjo7APP6L7j5854-2EkbTWpYiZE4NJllvz8HGGGqJuYHHawjo195V_qMlS1OjN57HrxKw93WpOu-kYooiH3r88a-VazS3RHafaw4IgvWdefEV0dhsN_KdbBqjWwlKUQfBb8Dk6yPA9CUoZ5s/s2992/20230801_150803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hBA1LjrbDHr8tPHc8ZonAEaS0UzGBJJ6DlfGKUdTV6DGjo7APP6L7j5854-2EkbTWpYiZE4NJllvz8HGGGqJuYHHawjo195V_qMlS1OjN57HrxKw93WpOu-kYooiH3r88a-VazS3RHafaw4IgvWdefEV0dhsN_KdbBqjWwlKUQfBb8Dk6yPA9CUoZ5s/w640-h640/20230801_150803.jpg" title="Leeks puddled in" width="640" /></a></div>Harvests continued to include asparagus pea, courgettes, salad, potatoes and beets.<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">September</span> </h2><div>Extreme temperatures arrived along with our late beans. We had to buy runner bean plants as ours refused to germinate, but the borlotti and French beans grew well on the tunnel frame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yxmP1KRp1HfqyKkHutCnQbmJJQV7x_54b9K70kaJcKxiOKReicRP-mWutzYAAARG0-aJ9VZ7CrycaWSbezNQKKQL6QeAje8Dyvqoaz4KckhARuNL-IRpQqG3ay47kwsEB6kwBHERmKDoZ17BBH554zaYnWwJ2P7_sBiM4cwAo4owjHoY12LR2DWvZFg/s2992/20230910_153357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1yxmP1KRp1HfqyKkHutCnQbmJJQV7x_54b9K70kaJcKxiOKReicRP-mWutzYAAARG0-aJ9VZ7CrycaWSbezNQKKQL6QeAje8Dyvqoaz4KckhARuNL-IRpQqG3ay47kwsEB6kwBHERmKDoZ17BBH554zaYnWwJ2P7_sBiM4cwAo4owjHoY12LR2DWvZFg/w400-h400/20230910_153357.jpg" title="Bumper harvests in September" width="400" /></a></div><div>Super-harvest month! Most of the borlotti beans and yin-Yang beans were left to dry on the plants and then finished their drying in the polytunnel. The weather was perfect for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSrY9qwP8cTHLb_5FrRtJFA4znyUCJN6fjQhq-xe-q3mO12hbKvKRUrG9KBA3O0uPBnEqkpQsR2Z5xIHJ51Uat05JILxtVtCnebv2wfX-VR-3P23WxPIWzn-EyC-ovRkGdvlnrgYrKO_AUFKILu9LIAWFHW7nlXsbE1DXSgnnyM4O52IOtmTk38ffJ3Y/s2992/20230921_171503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSrY9qwP8cTHLb_5FrRtJFA4znyUCJN6fjQhq-xe-q3mO12hbKvKRUrG9KBA3O0uPBnEqkpQsR2Z5xIHJ51Uat05JILxtVtCnebv2wfX-VR-3P23WxPIWzn-EyC-ovRkGdvlnrgYrKO_AUFKILu9LIAWFHW7nlXsbE1DXSgnnyM4O52IOtmTk38ffJ3Y/w400-h400/20230921_171503.jpg" title="Colourful trug" width="400" /></a></div><div>The Scabiosa Stellata produced their pretty seedheads and other flowers were putting on a fine show of late Summer colour.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdjxeFQ3NGuvZ-onNF3hqHK_5Z0RjC7jR8mhHyt8zO4oZ7VBg_qipVEqkmXREtQ6Un5dedL5Zmasby_4to2n3RgmGgkJ-dHAlsvoVl-clzaO01ciG_Ploi-sisuWmcZddC6kJM-Ve1sMOaeiOQjgeaz640RW948UjAv4uAvXQzYm2NQ0aOwx_dEMAj9A/s1920/20230913_084919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdjxeFQ3NGuvZ-onNF3hqHK_5Z0RjC7jR8mhHyt8zO4oZ7VBg_qipVEqkmXREtQ6Un5dedL5Zmasby_4to2n3RgmGgkJ-dHAlsvoVl-clzaO01ciG_Ploi-sisuWmcZddC6kJM-Ve1sMOaeiOQjgeaz640RW948UjAv4uAvXQzYm2NQ0aOwx_dEMAj9A/w400-h400/20230913_084919.jpg" title="Scabiosa Stellata seedhead" width="400" /></a></div>Apart from beans, potatoes, salad we had sweetcorn, aubergine and peppers on the menu.<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800180;">October</span></h2><div>A few sunny days encouraged the last of the flowers to bloom ahead of the first frosts and we even had a barbecue! And we managed to sow our broad beans as intended.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMOJR7fuo_ncVPWor9u_eu65tng5BjxGerAYlmx5JFDIJJvsNVruVBuxt7xmlntJLijMPhQHb56YtrVjM46dMYg-Z4mgIYKGBVHWN-MlgJiWiyF_TY5sOjAW5Y7x7xqFDAdqwPQAzJuOoljphMNEBADYpjKsp8-J2akVD2t5qmlAhLc-Q1M63IgEc77E/s2048/DSCF4002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMOJR7fuo_ncVPWor9u_eu65tng5BjxGerAYlmx5JFDIJJvsNVruVBuxt7xmlntJLijMPhQHb56YtrVjM46dMYg-Z4mgIYKGBVHWN-MlgJiWiyF_TY5sOjAW5Y7x7xqFDAdqwPQAzJuOoljphMNEBADYpjKsp8-J2akVD2t5qmlAhLc-Q1M63IgEc77E/w480-h640/DSCF4002.JPG" title="Morning glory" width="480" /></a></div>As well as frost there was a lot more rain as the first Winter storms arrived. We got off lightly compared to other areas, but still completely drenching. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKIkCSTMUiaRxl0MDmf0zcYI49xB9TlGOpbuLeUeNkGKlvOGg9HueJtTG3xB1PH2qS4tdSd1_V5SDY6yD14PJud5-h418FLvlQCfovDxqEBB1S_V6EPczpwZClsfHuMtpjYv1-NYwRGrDlHc03zmqlKWc-YYcZqFMhs-3AAHtRNYfscesbRNelNaMrpo/s2992/471C6ECE-2371-4A70-B894-12974CBD1C33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKIkCSTMUiaRxl0MDmf0zcYI49xB9TlGOpbuLeUeNkGKlvOGg9HueJtTG3xB1PH2qS4tdSd1_V5SDY6yD14PJud5-h418FLvlQCfovDxqEBB1S_V6EPczpwZClsfHuMtpjYv1-NYwRGrDlHc03zmqlKWc-YYcZqFMhs-3AAHtRNYfscesbRNelNaMrpo/w400-h400/471C6ECE-2371-4A70-B894-12974CBD1C33.jpeg" title="Dried yin-Yang and Borlotti beans" width="400" /></a></div><div>Luckily our pumpkins were stored in the polytunnel by then and all the sweetcorn and beans had been harvested.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglLq1boGWLuCVBSPv6PbSVXtxqou7_Zwiw2GY2IbXIAtzKEvYmf-d1UJYe-4WXbKXHOiFSZHHooVLjygbCeMfLCs775hDNwkntcHrPAiQyimsQwyXy1mwp7InkV4Zs0gFF4_N9wvIdKFQToCryaYFUMjzz_PcMRnUCKdSuLxxh97lhq97jSTL3bSAJ94/s2992/20231014_153356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglLq1boGWLuCVBSPv6PbSVXtxqou7_Zwiw2GY2IbXIAtzKEvYmf-d1UJYe-4WXbKXHOiFSZHHooVLjygbCeMfLCs775hDNwkntcHrPAiQyimsQwyXy1mwp7InkV4Zs0gFF4_N9wvIdKFQToCryaYFUMjzz_PcMRnUCKdSuLxxh97lhq97jSTL3bSAJ94/w400-h400/20231014_153356.jpg" title="Pumpkins galore" width="400" /></a></div><div>Sweetcorn, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, leeks and pumpkin were on the menu.</div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">November</span></h2><div>Yet another rainy month, so a very soggy plot for occasional visits and manure deliveries. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wc-ZRi0AqDussxuyg4zlCNK7_-vcTSht_tRbFpNXvpQwooBswszLJf-j830qUTbNLUSc6qc5w3MKaSKkZOpMFtApoM3cheniFRXdevJYmkgD4mWogxznONS0lCQJcZ00WfLnCVL8qmaRvDteAZ8xoPVPxYH7xeTaFa8u2-NCLq6oyiQ9j3olP0rLzJI/s2992/20231105_143749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Wc-ZRi0AqDussxuyg4zlCNK7_-vcTSht_tRbFpNXvpQwooBswszLJf-j830qUTbNLUSc6qc5w3MKaSKkZOpMFtApoM3cheniFRXdevJYmkgD4mWogxznONS0lCQJcZ00WfLnCVL8qmaRvDteAZ8xoPVPxYH7xeTaFa8u2-NCLq6oyiQ9j3olP0rLzJI/w640-h640/20231105_143749.jpg" title="Rainy November" width="640" /></a></div>Surprisingly we’ grown good parsnips this year; all the rain hasn’t caused canker and although some are multi-legged ones they’re tasty and some are very big. Much better than our attempts in recent years.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNUHgUJZZnEaC_r_Fp0Va8_G4h_wXMVTqfFWWoqvdQn7jq-RQ9FrCCny8NVBCC5AXZH9AkqnkKe0Cc1DA9EmHHcp9ZbIFHt-_rjZmETxQ-8V1hPBQuitI0K1_FkTI541IgoSUEdPWAbt8UpKyhXmgCxCSRDhsB2xQwTGkGUmWtIogW6jIHUO6vJxLakk/s2992/20231111_154024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNUHgUJZZnEaC_r_Fp0Va8_G4h_wXMVTqfFWWoqvdQn7jq-RQ9FrCCny8NVBCC5AXZH9AkqnkKe0Cc1DA9EmHHcp9ZbIFHt-_rjZmETxQ-8V1hPBQuitI0K1_FkTI541IgoSUEdPWAbt8UpKyhXmgCxCSRDhsB2xQwTGkGUmWtIogW6jIHUO6vJxLakk/w400-h400/20231111_154024.jpg" title="King size parsnips" width="400" /></a></div>Squash, beetroot, parsnips and carrots provided meal ingredients.<div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ff00fe;">December</span> </h2><div>So here we are another year has flown by with happy and sad times to reflect on. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYnMUqZdHidzZn-uTtGIDVYQkk1fUGuKqNGzi7JWD3C7B-ykfMAiEftwxYa5fRsTrLlC1yih7h8MkmY8TpMa3TlLPvu6aQXn_CdoPdvcLbwv0IPoGXtHJ27dydBXuVZcUpn2QdYc-7IA4PpPS7xObFjQdal-fi0JuAI_YPa0bGk8W2NnotUGH5meZAp8/s2992/20231226_172652.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYnMUqZdHidzZn-uTtGIDVYQkk1fUGuKqNGzi7JWD3C7B-ykfMAiEftwxYa5fRsTrLlC1yih7h8MkmY8TpMa3TlLPvu6aQXn_CdoPdvcLbwv0IPoGXtHJ27dydBXuVZcUpn2QdYc-7IA4PpPS7xObFjQdal-fi0JuAI_YPa0bGk8W2NnotUGH5meZAp8/w640-h640/20231226_172652.jpg" title="Christmas snacking" width="640" /></a></div><div>Plans are in progress, with fruit trees waiting in the polytunnel and seed catalogues on hand. The weather is wet but warm so weeds are taking over, but we’ll get to them one dry day quite soon…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy01FFdIsdn8v_O-AnbpJfe_fxWi_xdkcgalwKJoJ4Vitm-FYM3q-abFEqIVowOuRGdAPVdsbdrUEX9o467pndyCz4_HDOm274BYBQ8EW2TRhT5V8auGZIOXiNMytKS40NQN6LpqIHnQzTvuP2U1l2oGG6mU4lJS4Xx6GuOPt7_ZckqVS0tlTIV6PyylM/s2992/20231225_172430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy01FFdIsdn8v_O-AnbpJfe_fxWi_xdkcgalwKJoJ4Vitm-FYM3q-abFEqIVowOuRGdAPVdsbdrUEX9o467pndyCz4_HDOm274BYBQ8EW2TRhT5V8auGZIOXiNMytKS40NQN6LpqIHnQzTvuP2U1l2oGG6mU4lJS4Xx6GuOPt7_ZckqVS0tlTIV6PyylM/w400-h400/20231225_172430.jpg" title="Parsnips for Christmas" width="400" /></a></div><div>The nights are shortening and there are signs of Spring bulbs to look forward to. In the meantime we’ll continue enjoying our Christmas and new year celebrations. </div><div>I have two new <b>‘My Favourite Books’ </b>as a result of this year’s reading list: </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-94HOeV14YVCHFHdclY1222FTaXUCUSpw2Y6lEOSKK28gbihzsEzFXlzqVlzJFf1wpkpGTi8BWZuHANQJ2b93UKwB-zwsRVchjHXprWhklDDDPJcn_nEGc1ul2xQvoPPwsjx44xB3bTG9AoMUZpdf3uQpU02HfH3BMX1T8GqZkWU4vM4dFLxx1iLKcss/s883/IMG_1474%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="883" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-94HOeV14YVCHFHdclY1222FTaXUCUSpw2Y6lEOSKK28gbihzsEzFXlzqVlzJFf1wpkpGTi8BWZuHANQJ2b93UKwB-zwsRVchjHXprWhklDDDPJcn_nEGc1ul2xQvoPPwsjx44xB3bTG9AoMUZpdf3uQpU02HfH3BMX1T8GqZkWU4vM4dFLxx1iLKcss/w352-h200/IMG_1474%20Copy.JPG" width="352" /></a></div><div>I realise I’m late to reading ‘The Grapes of Wrath’, after all it’s 85 years old, but it is amazing and sadly poignant in today’s world. Definitely worth a re-read in my opinion. </div><div>And the ‘The Murmur of Bees’ is so beautifully translated from the original Spanish. With a touch of magic I found it totally absorbing and delightful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi-cuk082TF0RIIwJxCqLzLbw2XHNS6836ef9SAGzCwfefGhsrAmSbbcCgfGI2P4TjNBNZm5jhBJk6pHYBoIphFVBQimDogpAnplR5bEuAGJL7hRFOE_TtDrIp4VKYqKsWM_XBmNZLPXMZJZ2naI69y777D_uccUrWLxzIaKBSjBNZNVV-en3OAcyYZs/s1462/IMG_1474.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="903" height="642" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMi-cuk082TF0RIIwJxCqLzLbw2XHNS6836ef9SAGzCwfefGhsrAmSbbcCgfGI2P4TjNBNZm5jhBJk6pHYBoIphFVBQimDogpAnplR5bEuAGJL7hRFOE_TtDrIp4VKYqKsWM_XBmNZLPXMZJZ2naI69y777D_uccUrWLxzIaKBSjBNZNVV-en3OAcyYZs/w397-h642/IMG_1474.PNG" width="397" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULuUPBf6YgWlLf1UvMmOGI4MtDeTvhrukdHx-o6VDm9bSwSehzZSpIgywXT7IFKcK0iVi6lFwwSZWcx_YUlbBLAjDWLmjCw3kt5tjaM8DhI2BtSyuHC3NCzzy7EF_1o6EOwOamGvR0taO4u8Fcw_KtOLrK3z3H5NlU-5J4hearXEMViHgbMKYcthfNx4/s1565/IMG_1475.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="891" height="665" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULuUPBf6YgWlLf1UvMmOGI4MtDeTvhrukdHx-o6VDm9bSwSehzZSpIgywXT7IFKcK0iVi6lFwwSZWcx_YUlbBLAjDWLmjCw3kt5tjaM8DhI2BtSyuHC3NCzzy7EF_1o6EOwOamGvR0taO4u8Fcw_KtOLrK3z3H5NlU-5J4hearXEMViHgbMKYcthfNx4/w403-h665/IMG_1475.PNG" width="403" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESYD1iMbK7xtMXUTzAgZvMfgQxkl79iKPeZ__SU8levoVgKWFeo0RhScqLrp7XTt4pzc5sRe-0mGCtnM9_pHPrMKE_w0nsQq1Iimm1O_lYMzhK_vdOgSqlyyqQtU98bcovlMr4tmtnODINGvcuy1TEaBY916Snrf6VxH4waNwoswcIF2eJ9Y5IAoai28/s1883/IMG_1476.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1883" data-original-width="888" height="843" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESYD1iMbK7xtMXUTzAgZvMfgQxkl79iKPeZ__SU8levoVgKWFeo0RhScqLrp7XTt4pzc5sRe-0mGCtnM9_pHPrMKE_w0nsQq1Iimm1O_lYMzhK_vdOgSqlyyqQtU98bcovlMr4tmtnODINGvcuy1TEaBY916Snrf6VxH4waNwoswcIF2eJ9Y5IAoai28/w398-h843/IMG_1476.PNG" width="398" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Happy new year and thankyou for popping by 🙂</span></h2></div><div><div>Song title provided by Keane.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/663CI_o4sTY" width="320" youtube-src-id="663CI_o4sTY"></iframe></div><div><div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-5114693827308513962023-12-22T13:38:00.002+00:002023-12-22T13:38:50.126+00:00Home<p>I'm on my final lunchbreak of 2023 - breaking up for Christmas in a couple of hours! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwJhIL_emCQL2_OnIog-zAPSPHsXVc7G1QD-F063mlOkUsNCmC0veUK5apA2lnPYTny-Cjsh_CXnoWoFvlzI0Go_uXStMVZ0IsiflQypJwScgVyYWQztL2DtuunzYuYJPeCFxVXBA_qei_XeQ7Ivbu2Ozhi1C6UtFKB6z_PaSrqu7Pex92TY3Cxcje1Y/s2992/20231216_154954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwJhIL_emCQL2_OnIog-zAPSPHsXVc7G1QD-F063mlOkUsNCmC0veUK5apA2lnPYTny-Cjsh_CXnoWoFvlzI0Go_uXStMVZ0IsiflQypJwScgVyYWQztL2DtuunzYuYJPeCFxVXBA_qei_XeQ7Ivbu2Ozhi1C6UtFKB6z_PaSrqu7Pex92TY3Cxcje1Y/w640-h640/20231216_154954.jpg" title="Happy Christmas!" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's not like it used to be - no driving home for Christmas (no, not that song) because I'm already home.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgcHM7ZDkZRkEqpQR679BsBBIbkBcWiHBA6OcM8aWXvAKIj4ijY7khJIygyphXDYqaJrNTSZv4jfN2CXOWnXAsfPcTy7YfjKjeeZIA1kUH97fMHLtSpX9GG-r9PEwEchNOmf-eSrTwaHcRCWh0zGJ8e1eDYdTGNm3DL0z_yOPO7rgiMS88k587ZtIvkM/s2992/20231219_082146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgcHM7ZDkZRkEqpQR679BsBBIbkBcWiHBA6OcM8aWXvAKIj4ijY7khJIygyphXDYqaJrNTSZv4jfN2CXOWnXAsfPcTy7YfjKjeeZIA1kUH97fMHLtSpX9GG-r9PEwEchNOmf-eSrTwaHcRCWh0zGJ8e1eDYdTGNm3DL0z_yOPO7rgiMS88k587ZtIvkM/w400-h400/20231219_082146.jpg" title="Rainy Christmas Tree" width="400" /></a></div>I just need to pack away my laptop and sit back down. With 3 days to go I must admit that I'm not feeling very Christmassy. Maybe it's the weather - it's been a very damp December so far and it's rather warm and windy today.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuB8DjDPRh9ogpMYRbMTrbcECQE5K3dSCSlXr5waasDyUy7-GCq5NGoIaZBh-BwSxbAH3z-z2iWKt03dEC9ZGTU66Y7hxt0QyVmJ8OLObR4uHIdeKwEEvrJfqfVJLxKxPPCMvgIxhnTyMdP1ZfCs-C7qJqfntAK51lxTfBmaRq8JomNSZJWBqqhiKWe8/s2992/20231210_120202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuB8DjDPRh9ogpMYRbMTrbcECQE5K3dSCSlXr5waasDyUy7-GCq5NGoIaZBh-BwSxbAH3z-z2iWKt03dEC9ZGTU66Y7hxt0QyVmJ8OLObR4uHIdeKwEEvrJfqfVJLxKxPPCMvgIxhnTyMdP1ZfCs-C7qJqfntAK51lxTfBmaRq8JomNSZJWBqqhiKWe8/w640-h640/20231210_120202.jpg" title="Wet allotment" width="640" /></a></div><p>We've had a few December visits to the allotment - it's not very inviting, but we've pulled some great parsnips and we bought 3 tiny fruit trees - here's the Thompson & Morgan photo.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X8cID9WF3QNXhcBHbfot1Hs9nSB-8cYCTMAEmKDhTYqcAjRnwIf-SVMdXkZ6qnS5JeVkRUJZ_XZqQfeq1Qpus-WJTzrhruZ3B2j5QEDXhyXy2IK0cxBPtsabDxJk6Wev2EV9TaPIoIq3664l6t7UYwtCDHjMpxtXGDXAcWcJvQcPi-60358zTzTSg38/s1688/IMG_1444.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="1668" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_X8cID9WF3QNXhcBHbfot1Hs9nSB-8cYCTMAEmKDhTYqcAjRnwIf-SVMdXkZ6qnS5JeVkRUJZ_XZqQfeq1Qpus-WJTzrhruZ3B2j5QEDXhyXy2IK0cxBPtsabDxJk6Wev2EV9TaPIoIq3664l6t7UYwtCDHjMpxtXGDXAcWcJvQcPi-60358zTzTSg38/s320/IMG_1444.PNG" width="316" /></a></div><p>And here's the real thing 😆 I'm sure they'll be fine in a few months! They have buds already but they're waiting in the polytunnel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-NMrRm4pU7S1JYoWa_T045D_kqvBMoK6C7XlUpkdZBOwhzG9toLVfKSyxiH4K2fmw1mrO8LAsFYALhyphenhyphenwuoaKWJqIrePxz-KKV8tIdtWMB1U2VS3U_DtN73RFFTs8CEZcB_HF8lrBuAa95QSAwq9wvgx0nAQHiM45HcAd3o1K1d56fPXgy1RDoNHQnz4/s2992/20231208_103417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-NMrRm4pU7S1JYoWa_T045D_kqvBMoK6C7XlUpkdZBOwhzG9toLVfKSyxiH4K2fmw1mrO8LAsFYALhyphenhyphenwuoaKWJqIrePxz-KKV8tIdtWMB1U2VS3U_DtN73RFFTs8CEZcB_HF8lrBuAa95QSAwq9wvgx0nAQHiM45HcAd3o1K1d56fPXgy1RDoNHQnz4/w400-h400/20231208_103417.jpg" title="Fruit Twigs" width="400" /></a></div><p>The broad beans and garlic have sprouted which are welcome signs for next year. Yesterday marked the Winter Solstice so we're on our way to Spring now 😏</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse_ipenvz8ppqliMyuB0R3zaToyrt3X12gMNg9iGKG9eKZqshKMlfa7KwOIdFGO_Hzx0pvBHZTHEyhxS8xN2H1JX8KU341_ghMu9J99K52EQs-rKJQ9qjt12pI2KmzN1Iumrj3xWtRBwmUpxmPuLajNxtvh4lAS5srRfYD_tLEj3ZOVGvo5n7ZjkEPE4/s2992/20231203_134015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhse_ipenvz8ppqliMyuB0R3zaToyrt3X12gMNg9iGKG9eKZqshKMlfa7KwOIdFGO_Hzx0pvBHZTHEyhxS8xN2H1JX8KU341_ghMu9J99K52EQs-rKJQ9qjt12pI2KmzN1Iumrj3xWtRBwmUpxmPuLajNxtvh4lAS5srRfYD_tLEj3ZOVGvo5n7ZjkEPE4/s320/20231203_134015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>At each plot visit recently we've seen flocks of (probably) redwings - a regular Winter migrant. They don't stay still for long and have proved tricky to photograph.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASvMAiAAhfBu5zMhRgG3aCLFHqgdtrlGLxWLLg8N4AG1buNioVo1TQAzEfMOlvwN9AFMzpxFccv1wtIDSBaVTSmbjYjZvICk2eHS72GhIiMpUSrb-HhyphenhyphenqlD42uI49yyMnXIsvNSnH8iqFbBBNCw7Oqk89I7zT_t2VdUm1gG7TLMgBTgeMdDBiI6FLBnQ/s2046/IMG_1450-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2046" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASvMAiAAhfBu5zMhRgG3aCLFHqgdtrlGLxWLLg8N4AG1buNioVo1TQAzEfMOlvwN9AFMzpxFccv1wtIDSBaVTSmbjYjZvICk2eHS72GhIiMpUSrb-HhyphenhyphenqlD42uI49yyMnXIsvNSnH8iqFbBBNCw7Oqk89I7zT_t2VdUm1gG7TLMgBTgeMdDBiI6FLBnQ/w640-h480/IMG_1450-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Redwings (probably)" width="640" /></a></div><p>Anyway, back to work (I think everyone else has already gone!). Have a Happy Christmas!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3TiOuU9oNmKIUaQtl7J2ouVWLsbl2WC040YhwRmZYypAECkMpTxZIoFHZVZnktM5S_Rmc8Sm9pG0g5MBbTZFifONH8UaEWb6LsrY2FL0XJIdGXjMcyxoPDxwDN2kt83uHgWjLOuE7W6toQwaEOAhg1vLaB4IQAUEshVjNPXlawFzlkT6Uxd52O_naGw/s2992/20231217_110743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3TiOuU9oNmKIUaQtl7J2ouVWLsbl2WC040YhwRmZYypAECkMpTxZIoFHZVZnktM5S_Rmc8Sm9pG0g5MBbTZFifONH8UaEWb6LsrY2FL0XJIdGXjMcyxoPDxwDN2kt83uHgWjLOuE7W6toQwaEOAhg1vLaB4IQAUEshVjNPXlawFzlkT6Uxd52O_naGw/s320/20231217_110743.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This jolly song is brought to you by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DHEOF_rcND8" width="320" youtube-src-id="DHEOF_rcND8"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-56696666772046367092023-11-26T16:51:00.001+00:002023-11-27T07:17:06.748+00:00The Walk<p>It’s been a wet month, I’ve not been inclined to move very far and work has been keeping me very busy but yesterday we had a long walk in the chilly countryside. It had been a very frosty morning and the temperature remained close to zero, but we were dressed up warm and it felt ok in the sunshine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSCG_T-_WGyz4NtS2iJO4XbozRqpXTrizTdCZcEaJMRZEch0mIdb_YwiStw3LxasbLWZR-r-s6dXpM5E2FSAAvj_vlYlRaxBUwvqB-33jBeeHNodiQt4fux9w0AEP-HAi1jLayhmpNFXwmuXXMYPG1evFJirJTgtz0pMqMj7lCDIS7-MQ9mZrcxQZwf4/s2992/20231125_151958.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2247" data-original-width="2992" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqSCG_T-_WGyz4NtS2iJO4XbozRqpXTrizTdCZcEaJMRZEch0mIdb_YwiStw3LxasbLWZR-r-s6dXpM5E2FSAAvj_vlYlRaxBUwvqB-33jBeeHNodiQt4fux9w0AEP-HAi1jLayhmpNFXwmuXXMYPG1evFJirJTgtz0pMqMj7lCDIS7-MQ9mZrcxQZwf4/w640-h480/20231125_151958.jpg" title="Clematis seedheads" width="640" /></a></div><p>We walked a 6-mile circuit to Chilton Foliat, which is a neighbouring village.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmCJR1aIU8o0E4czRqu_C97MlVH11jZB92Z0TktJ0FsnA011SYofQ2cL3w5amywm8eKKqszcsrgtuORNtEI1dEg4hPvXhM6QR3nMxfMPwuIUQlevL8wYozT0wvyTxDq4HSFMbbAFRmpXOewc82c1z38Pr9SbxpzY8JoL0K_RPGWh9-9lxVxERdrGje9A/s2181/IMG_1441.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="2181" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmCJR1aIU8o0E4czRqu_C97MlVH11jZB92Z0TktJ0FsnA011SYofQ2cL3w5amywm8eKKqszcsrgtuORNtEI1dEg4hPvXhM6QR3nMxfMPwuIUQlevL8wYozT0wvyTxDq4HSFMbbAFRmpXOewc82c1z38Pr9SbxpzY8JoL0K_RPGWh9-9lxVxERdrGje9A/w400-h200/IMG_1441.PNG" title="Circular walk" width="400" /></a></div>It was very beautiful and near the River Kennet much of the time. This was looking West from the Fairy Bridge. The river is swollen and very fast-flowing at the moment after all the rain.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEPyU8Y8vXylTItCRlnlsafmYRJEnUfgdTH_V5Q65bVezFd2bWnF-NXbDFqVsdF4fsO6zg1HQI3UYpoSwwixTVYkSH6bTPXOH6ewKeIbuBOqsmQrk0kSC07nEilrjWbOqAJKwtMcHrxJq1iQVHKzDCimdMiA-Ae9wC8m4z9fQBEJa71v43097piFnYsQ/s2048/DSCF4025.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEPyU8Y8vXylTItCRlnlsafmYRJEnUfgdTH_V5Q65bVezFd2bWnF-NXbDFqVsdF4fsO6zg1HQI3UYpoSwwixTVYkSH6bTPXOH6ewKeIbuBOqsmQrk0kSC07nEilrjWbOqAJKwtMcHrxJq1iQVHKzDCimdMiA-Ae9wC8m4z9fQBEJa71v43097piFnYsQ/w640-h480/DSCF4025.JPG" title="View from the Fairy Bridge" width="640" /></a></div><div>Rather strange to see a lone cygnet but he was enjoying eating the watercress.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YvJEjR6zOT6JFveo761LxQLFPt72srsyLoXINm4RS9FhB9GwIoW_Eja19Lx9BnXkpPOl7rLj62DjFzlJGEK6AUagSsJHz0c2yLENgu8wua_mYQ8Y4j3nIiSpjSJBo1A-kDOgs2hMzeZG7PyzREhQQbiPqkPq0DNIOcnKUhkrnY9QlVAiLo2XcUb7Tz0/s2048/DSCF4021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7YvJEjR6zOT6JFveo761LxQLFPt72srsyLoXINm4RS9FhB9GwIoW_Eja19Lx9BnXkpPOl7rLj62DjFzlJGEK6AUagSsJHz0c2yLENgu8wua_mYQ8Y4j3nIiSpjSJBo1A-kDOgs2hMzeZG7PyzREhQQbiPqkPq0DNIOcnKUhkrnY9QlVAiLo2XcUb7Tz0/w400-h300/DSCF4021.JPG" title="Cygnet eating watercress" width="400" /></a></div><div>We saw some excellent clouds during the walk - I think these are <i>cirrostratus.</i><b><span style="color: red;">Edit: Turns out they're </span></b><b><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u" dir="auto" lang="en" style="color: red;">cirrocumulus clouds.<br /></span></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bCQY9SEG8XNBHOWvmyTbsbkO1Ldj5F3d_CDWGGGkKBKWGXwV1Si6knm8q1Py_Z-Rk-qi0HHSdHbGsVgbXr0Po2YO_zc6nwY35n0NbLeFsDPdgLQLIR6mtkZmniYXVogM7mqHo3IMXq7FnJkU0N-KZaVQejyG7hGnhP9E-rstmebsPG1WWKCkFzYSs8c/s2048/DSCF4043.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bCQY9SEG8XNBHOWvmyTbsbkO1Ldj5F3d_CDWGGGkKBKWGXwV1Si6knm8q1Py_Z-Rk-qi0HHSdHbGsVgbXr0Po2YO_zc6nwY35n0NbLeFsDPdgLQLIR6mtkZmniYXVogM7mqHo3IMXq7FnJkU0N-KZaVQejyG7hGnhP9E-rstmebsPG1WWKCkFzYSs8c/w640-h480/DSCF4043.JPG" title="Cirrostratus" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this photo is showing a <i>Sundog </i>(like two small rainbows either side of the Sun) they occur in cold weather and under the right circumstances. This <i>parhelion </i>effect is produced by the Sun’s rays being diffracted through ice crystals and ‘diamond dust’, described by <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/optical-effects/parhelion#:~:text=In%20the%20right%20circumstances%20two,Sun%2C%20with%20no%20discernible%20colour." target="_blank">the Met Office here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg77_gWuwStTI4oKTRaMzSxa6lMTzgUgbNggDSVnQ3Ft6m3v8gSw9QpoLFJrCRawph9vrCJrasUExORa0Ks3xp17rXlnf_8p2KBcPlp0uUHscLAePzIqwapXgV-pWvqj2VZ5pUicxOK5W3mYon_eQDsggzWRT_MFLuK4mrNJfud_1DBTBFJpJnVn-Ow8/s2992/20231125_151514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg77_gWuwStTI4oKTRaMzSxa6lMTzgUgbNggDSVnQ3Ft6m3v8gSw9QpoLFJrCRawph9vrCJrasUExORa0Ks3xp17rXlnf_8p2KBcPlp0uUHscLAePzIqwapXgV-pWvqj2VZ5pUicxOK5W3mYon_eQDsggzWRT_MFLuK4mrNJfud_1DBTBFJpJnVn-Ow8/w635-h640/20231125_151514.jpg" title="Sundog" width="635" /></a></div><div>Part of the walk is up this hidden footpath which runs alongside that huge field. One of our previous plotholders has a dedicated bench along there, over-looking the fields surrounding Hungerford.<i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG1YK2QAcbxj5S2220TOX_4NrQz1g37KP6N33yexysETkv0UmBwGP9ER-Yw6DFiBSu7ZbnTVeudUDO77mLNjrfHk_cMXzl5SPJMPv4WPEunl2U43RfJPm6NNvGc6hCaLrfp0zx6quaJ-eV-ptkzkoRBHp9lHIo-QPYR6MaafZoDvBL8DtO5HUpcxpueA/s2048/DSCF4014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrG1YK2QAcbxj5S2220TOX_4NrQz1g37KP6N33yexysETkv0UmBwGP9ER-Yw6DFiBSu7ZbnTVeudUDO77mLNjrfHk_cMXzl5SPJMPv4WPEunl2U43RfJPm6NNvGc6hCaLrfp0zx6quaJ-eV-ptkzkoRBHp9lHIo-QPYR6MaafZoDvBL8DtO5HUpcxpueA/w400-h300/DSCF4014.JPG" title="Tree tunnel" width="400" /></a></div>We’ve seen hares in that field before but yesterday the most interesting wildlife we saw was at the start of our walk - this little muntjac deer.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-5PK-xfyIVYngQwHzsHPoxGK7GL3d4dsifM9kt5k3NA0mQoXEVPSrbnrLFuZjfFtS1ev6MByQ3yRuqcP3dXo2HkLGapQNAGJHVB7aqU_nw_NfUkIh6Hhw7krNJU-Cf4azkP0Rd4y0YOmVoemezImJ55EamrE9sAU21VrkVCI6btj0NgnV6Cgg_ye9Q0/s1828/DSCF4003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1828" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-5PK-xfyIVYngQwHzsHPoxGK7GL3d4dsifM9kt5k3NA0mQoXEVPSrbnrLFuZjfFtS1ev6MByQ3yRuqcP3dXo2HkLGapQNAGJHVB7aqU_nw_NfUkIh6Hhw7krNJU-Cf4azkP0Rd4y0YOmVoemezImJ55EamrE9sAU21VrkVCI6btj0NgnV6Cgg_ye9Q0/w640-h426/DSCF4003.JPG" title="Muntjac deer" width="640" /></a></div>It was a very cold day, but so pleased that the Sun was shining to show off the Autumn colours in all their glory.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy-7o5rbttPyW8yCyb2b7QP8AHn00PxZYERdU7smqrg87bAhZIG4pI-fcyT-z6wbpYcHqMF6zGekaFTw-XpIc_4NsozQvL0E5yjL2aARFT49Qc0kAgCYxsdvicAtttLQm8fN3E0ICaEybySBYbx9RCjd1cTD3rRD76Qp1uzz8zUSB5JmPvNLfKp1Dttc/s2048/DSCF4012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCy-7o5rbttPyW8yCyb2b7QP8AHn00PxZYERdU7smqrg87bAhZIG4pI-fcyT-z6wbpYcHqMF6zGekaFTw-XpIc_4NsozQvL0E5yjL2aARFT49Qc0kAgCYxsdvicAtttLQm8fN3E0ICaEybySBYbx9RCjd1cTD3rRD76Qp1uzz8zUSB5JmPvNLfKp1Dttc/w640-h480/DSCF4012.JPG" title="Autumn reflections" width="640" /></a></div><div>The allotment is looking far less picturesque, this was 2 weeks ago and today has been very dank.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8NGh0jcZkjlHW_k-7gox1g3boo-73iOo1BJJ_4Evj5iuWW7arc6rk53r_n5IedqDxIFgLzGGwVrMIjlEn_OgKrHe8KquFKPM1KqyWnqxqKhKmSRwVPDh4iHUpQt0gyBXTxroPKwgtcBnzcFWoq1Kx2pNXAzVvWGbqnAaj9DIwEi3sUPgvJfaSvFywGU/s2992/20231111_154307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8NGh0jcZkjlHW_k-7gox1g3boo-73iOo1BJJ_4Evj5iuWW7arc6rk53r_n5IedqDxIFgLzGGwVrMIjlEn_OgKrHe8KquFKPM1KqyWnqxqKhKmSRwVPDh4iHUpQt0gyBXTxroPKwgtcBnzcFWoq1Kx2pNXAzVvWGbqnAaj9DIwEi3sUPgvJfaSvFywGU/w400-h400/20231111_154307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>We have had short plot visits each week and the broad beans have germinated. I pulled a parsnip, which had no canker, that’s a rare feat for us! I brought the squashes and parsley home to avoid the frost, but the parsnips should only improve with a bit of frosting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rfwFMkeTGUM9VqLq25lPzPF6-NR1peKGePVsAwlNVQLBz85MWF0EWXczlrkNqo00VNoJ1zbpNxr-C5GWgTspRP0ypx8MLf8lLx55y2buxcwXEig8C8p-jVmOfYVz5HhU6wXlcB92oQ-10EONXfBgpsZm7N6NG1Uqy82UkbkFVbrX6EX8ilwQ7wogtRU/s2992/20231111_154024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rfwFMkeTGUM9VqLq25lPzPF6-NR1peKGePVsAwlNVQLBz85MWF0EWXczlrkNqo00VNoJ1zbpNxr-C5GWgTspRP0ypx8MLf8lLx55y2buxcwXEig8C8p-jVmOfYVz5HhU6wXlcB92oQ-10EONXfBgpsZm7N6NG1Uqy82UkbkFVbrX6EX8ilwQ7wogtRU/w400-h400/20231111_154024.jpg" title="Autumn harvest" width="400" /></a></div>I had two meals of this <a href="https://www.riverford.co.uk/recipes/chestnut-thyme-mushroom-casserole" target="_blank">mushroom and chestnut casserole</a> - so delicious! Mmm, and look at that roast parsnip - yum yum! And the other meal included a couple of the tiny pumpkins cut into slices and roasted.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae4HpwKoUNHd1Yixxw7V45dsTYPOdsGUpPuqRRSxBCIvcrmajSXQ0DRPypEeIhqUW1gXz57e3ae0NbhMphnMXwdrt0XS2-cG9DpxRKxkmEwdqIzf4a7VxlwltWcOyRL5QGTD8Yv5WM3SgrCr3pYVO0aIdpOf05vHZ9mAH6QXrIYipY4ansCE-lss2qsU/s1653/IMG_1442.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1269" data-original-width="1653" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjae4HpwKoUNHd1Yixxw7V45dsTYPOdsGUpPuqRRSxBCIvcrmajSXQ0DRPypEeIhqUW1gXz57e3ae0NbhMphnMXwdrt0XS2-cG9DpxRKxkmEwdqIzf4a7VxlwltWcOyRL5QGTD8Yv5WM3SgrCr3pYVO0aIdpOf05vHZ9mAH6QXrIYipY4ansCE-lss2qsU/w640-h492/IMG_1442.PNG" title="Mushroom & chestnut casserole" width="640" /></a></div>I expect my next post will be in December and the Christmas lights are being switched on tonight in Hungerford. It has certainly felt Wintry this week, but definitely still looked like Autumn for our lovely walk.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnjqRzpJQzazX9k8T4bf2wZC4aA4aChnwBkhyphenhyphenjpbaCkc0kl8sbjPiDcLm1SqeVb-kbG0RHqLDwu_8YZ3rjQLCB68zFlgO_gEKxKb88Sxcausnp6PZtWmrYPybOlxiVr45AyxM6Is5RXBV_pjUdzt8PK2MXrVC_y12EqBf126arhOT5tRle1A9H99Uecw/s2048/DSCF4026.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnjqRzpJQzazX9k8T4bf2wZC4aA4aChnwBkhyphenhyphenjpbaCkc0kl8sbjPiDcLm1SqeVb-kbG0RHqLDwu_8YZ3rjQLCB68zFlgO_gEKxKb88Sxcausnp6PZtWmrYPybOlxiVr45AyxM6Is5RXBV_pjUdzt8PK2MXrVC_y12EqBf126arhOT5tRle1A9H99Uecw/w640-h480/DSCF4026.JPG" title="Autumn colours" width="640" /></a></div><div>Enjoy this great song by The Cure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G2nHq0tJ75c" width="320" youtube-src-id="G2nHq0tJ75c"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-20200828879656032912023-11-06T07:57:00.000+00:002023-11-06T07:57:03.772+00:00The Only One I Know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUHdrmzCVm_cFG_V3Dl14K1uLtDf5mXjmW-KbT6H6ZD9cLJdAJrtDYISl_IC2gLfLv4mrMmz4C8sVjFrgVT4KgNPxpEtxOZ6geManwpC4ajx_xXvjXo3Gl3Mewp3wgLFIe3u_UMiavrqG3uEKsF9j9HIS_yy_uzwzs_sFwmZmrdR4qhSntU65iVdYEOs/s2992/20231105_142804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1652" data-original-width="2992" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUHdrmzCVm_cFG_V3Dl14K1uLtDf5mXjmW-KbT6H6ZD9cLJdAJrtDYISl_IC2gLfLv4mrMmz4C8sVjFrgVT4KgNPxpEtxOZ6geManwpC4ajx_xXvjXo3Gl3Mewp3wgLFIe3u_UMiavrqG3uEKsF9j9HIS_yy_uzwzs_sFwmZmrdR4qhSntU65iVdYEOs/w640-h354/20231105_142804.jpg" title="Moss Landscape" width="640" /></a></div><p>Looks like an aerial photo of a desert landscape doesn’t it? Oh, just me? <br />It’s been quite the opposite, so much rainfall over the last week. Our 50mm raingauge had over-flowed, but I appreciate that we’ve been lucky compared to some parts of the country which are still flooded as the ground is so saturated.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOholcz3GcBwahogQnZQFVGVfMzMveaz7GZhGsEUZyMB0PF-_gxtNoF5JyHFHlP95gavRj1AdvU7HwcnQygQ_YLAs3JK-_FtRUR74Xqrl02vlCOhTwOvI_FhaB6Gb3B05MhW25J8jEdWeTdGZKJ8D_uO0QsmLamfJcKdu5eHoEr5JVnkpZ-ZhK0dFQ-Q/s2992/20231105_143749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOholcz3GcBwahogQnZQFVGVfMzMveaz7GZhGsEUZyMB0PF-_gxtNoF5JyHFHlP95gavRj1AdvU7HwcnQygQ_YLAs3JK-_FtRUR74Xqrl02vlCOhTwOvI_FhaB6Gb3B05MhW25J8jEdWeTdGZKJ8D_uO0QsmLamfJcKdu5eHoEr5JVnkpZ-ZhK0dFQ-Q/w640-h640/20231105_143749.jpg" title="Sunshine and showers" width="640" /></a></div>We had some lovely blue sky yesterday (Sunday). Some tiny showers threatened more rain, but the wind blew the clouds away and we had a pleasant couple of hours clearing the sweetcorn patch. If the weather stays mild the weeds will love that patch of bare soil! You can see how much the grass is growing and the <i>Calendula </i>are still providing spots of colour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gGG7vej066sAFFC-JKpqTdtJwJn-yt68pS5q7-JGcCZlMQBOsClyLaWBzEmwR4BVqkeOuxBbKQ3LMR0FRETuArZQksEI7xW4fK-GnV-kXZPRhh1MS8wpVNszOpQMioghTx3ibW1bjVmQ0sTRpr-_XH0LGp2IX3zPRva0d086oOLBjxe1c4b_rQc43LE/s1920/20231105_143600.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gGG7vej066sAFFC-JKpqTdtJwJn-yt68pS5q7-JGcCZlMQBOsClyLaWBzEmwR4BVqkeOuxBbKQ3LMR0FRETuArZQksEI7xW4fK-GnV-kXZPRhh1MS8wpVNszOpQMioghTx3ibW1bjVmQ0sTRpr-_XH0LGp2IX3zPRva0d086oOLBjxe1c4b_rQc43LE/w400-h400/20231105_143600.jpg" title="Pot marigold" width="400" /></a></div><div>Most of the other flowers are just seedheads now, although the <i>verbena bonariensis</i> still have a purple tinge and the <i>Nicotiana</i> has a few flowers protected under the glass table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnXu4I_YBq5h6i7t1AFry5x0LqZq_Zyi_65A3P7l05B8IvrTwrFHIBMN9KJMCayibSpl8z29Vmx-rP1H7sfnODjSKFKwPGWvyUParlWPhhD5LlfJD-XmxEHB7iUUxGwF08c3EKcuQgBLeAmPjB5Dj0VoyeNcHqP-3Xl3dCM6SSdiJJsJesQBhfzdUSuk/s2992/20231105_143728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnXu4I_YBq5h6i7t1AFry5x0LqZq_Zyi_65A3P7l05B8IvrTwrFHIBMN9KJMCayibSpl8z29Vmx-rP1H7sfnODjSKFKwPGWvyUParlWPhhD5LlfJD-XmxEHB7iUUxGwF08c3EKcuQgBLeAmPjB5Dj0VoyeNcHqP-3Xl3dCM6SSdiJJsJesQBhfzdUSuk/w640-h640/20231105_143728.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>This seems rather unexpected in November - we’re still eating our tomatoes! They eventually turned red after being at home for a few weeks and are so tasty providing bruschetta lunches. There's home-grown basil on there but the Spring Onions are shop-bought - we simply can't grow them without slugs demolishing them. I sowed 2 long rows this year, but not one was fit to eat 😞 Any ideas?<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1FhQ5dUHUcUnpmtwTkVRWhP8kHTRNR_iQeklY_CopiDUR0MiTOdBxksbGF5-UZolEmoqQukT2IfBM68tRUH5KJlhE-Da6n5PqVV5j0gFhhDg6mmwA17WIdDhJEPDa3SPrDDl1mmbOXX05Jz4bErNKjhit49abObFWwo4qTzqmh1RQgv9Zjskm9iUA4c/s1668/IMG_1419.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1301" data-original-width="1668" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1FhQ5dUHUcUnpmtwTkVRWhP8kHTRNR_iQeklY_CopiDUR0MiTOdBxksbGF5-UZolEmoqQukT2IfBM68tRUH5KJlhE-Da6n5PqVV5j0gFhhDg6mmwA17WIdDhJEPDa3SPrDDl1mmbOXX05Jz4bErNKjhit49abObFWwo4qTzqmh1RQgv9Zjskm9iUA4c/w400-h313/IMG_1419.PNG" title="Bruschetta" width="400" /></a></div><div>Anyway, as you can tell, there’s not really much going on. Which is why I was staring at a plank for much of the time. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfHN9XvlHuzeGeqWZAA__zBlfITOzYmmJp-w0vp209XNI0stl8VAKhafsr1V8Ejdyws3gjDoiDZqVawEZw5fAHJ_l7lyUHSpfCSU5s27NZrliC8bx4MiRp0J-uiEF1Wi1gDy7FskD9eoeWu7mLOagRA_NCQwWpMCYrCBW3SJkYl08V22fvTW3DLpyRVU/s2849/20231105_142536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2137" data-original-width="2849" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfHN9XvlHuzeGeqWZAA__zBlfITOzYmmJp-w0vp209XNI0stl8VAKhafsr1V8Ejdyws3gjDoiDZqVawEZw5fAHJ_l7lyUHSpfCSU5s27NZrliC8bx4MiRp0J-uiEF1Wi1gDy7FskD9eoeWu7mLOagRA_NCQwWpMCYrCBW3SJkYl08V22fvTW3DLpyRVU/w640-h480/20231105_142536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>But what a plank! The moss is certainly enjoying the decaying wood. There are at least 4 different species that I can see on there.<br /></div><div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireNbLKsJNNWGRtVLwYfirU2YE04kbIgljynp5lm8w6LSw1YZWSfWAevDO0OpJb-_HI9N9L3fpT-E0bIwDtel-bFksucutfhHZVJAKENdozO6SXjllNxg77_JfTEZwBB0MVPVyu9vQBHikGqinLseAXpP_RDgYuGX_VhGUlQuBO33mDvNH-gT7SGP7r8o/s2992/20231105_142818.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2253" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEireNbLKsJNNWGRtVLwYfirU2YE04kbIgljynp5lm8w6LSw1YZWSfWAevDO0OpJb-_HI9N9L3fpT-E0bIwDtel-bFksucutfhHZVJAKENdozO6SXjllNxg77_JfTEZwBB0MVPVyu9vQBHikGqinLseAXpP_RDgYuGX_VhGUlQuBO33mDvNH-gT7SGP7r8o/w482-h640/20231105_142818.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div><p>So, here are a few moss facts: moss is a type of <i>bryophyte </i>(along with liverworts and hornworts) and there are over 1000 species in Britain and Ireland! The <a href="https://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/" target="_blank"><i>British Bryological Society</i></a> (formerly known as <i>The Moss Exchange Club</i>) is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjeVwv31gvxis0bfRUFLvgHvqAt9QjqdMWW5S6m1QzRfYhmFMtrG08ANblpZ_tBiM8NaSsZBcziuTantV338IO67kITYlxTF9YTxejEqWjoVgxEvT07Qgi4VcTqwFx5IcvKPlFI-eHnoZ2KLAdL_Hfma42vpT4TxrfSrNgnN13qepQwJBce8pvQyFjkI/s1920/20231105_142728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjeVwv31gvxis0bfRUFLvgHvqAt9QjqdMWW5S6m1QzRfYhmFMtrG08ANblpZ_tBiM8NaSsZBcziuTantV338IO67kITYlxTF9YTxejEqWjoVgxEvT07Qgi4VcTqwFx5IcvKPlFI-eHnoZ2KLAdL_Hfma42vpT4TxrfSrNgnN13qepQwJBce8pvQyFjkI/w400-h400/20231105_142728.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mosses can be found almost anywhere in the World, from deserts to the arctic but Britain's warm-ish, wet (getting wetter) climate is perfect for lots of species. This is the only one that <b>I think</b> I can recognise and name at the moment - <i>Grymmia Pulvinata. </i>The little things that look like flower buds, setae, turning back into the pincushion are the defining feature. Cute.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Kr_CAKTIF5bzdEOL-K-aUdEt_2dxcJCxpVLANeLkTqDWLFpfLc4L6pIvjBLAQf7g2uAQ_Nr_F4OfInTaF_lRTLOyjw44mANa1SiuS6ZCutbV6Ho763RYAfa9wlQVcg5voXfcITv-QH8x-M8Law54s39QqvwbN34MT0mzTNTTtb14-aJqJ4KYrTCmJMY/s1920/20231105_142655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Kr_CAKTIF5bzdEOL-K-aUdEt_2dxcJCxpVLANeLkTqDWLFpfLc4L6pIvjBLAQf7g2uAQ_Nr_F4OfInTaF_lRTLOyjw44mANa1SiuS6ZCutbV6Ho763RYAfa9wlQVcg5voXfcITv-QH8x-M8Law54s39QqvwbN34MT0mzTNTTtb14-aJqJ4KYrTCmJMY/w640-h640/20231105_142655.jpg" title="Grymmia Pulvinata" width="640" /></a></div>So that provided the song title - sung by The Charlatans. Sing along - marvellous.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0RJwW77Lsj8" width="320" youtube-src-id="0RJwW77Lsj8"></iframe></div><br /><p></p></div></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-91051226081034167472023-11-01T12:04:00.002+00:002023-11-01T12:04:39.637+00:00Scary Monsters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0fR3LGCE3JFJw0GTiH4lT3l8aWlpGlCFS9xdKLRBiyqA6MyGwCuSkKRuzcmhnBapBiIDN3-vToDDkAKB5hNQKzsJw2igfhuxPAasd9P0wuAk2Aq3UWyComqblkkvo2UutapsJdJVymxlKj3g2qkdvlFv3bPD9eIe8VTnIsXdGFa4x1_1C4T9q2iLV6Y/s1368/PA290061%20Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1348" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_0fR3LGCE3JFJw0GTiH4lT3l8aWlpGlCFS9xdKLRBiyqA6MyGwCuSkKRuzcmhnBapBiIDN3-vToDDkAKB5hNQKzsJw2igfhuxPAasd9P0wuAk2Aq3UWyComqblkkvo2UutapsJdJVymxlKj3g2qkdvlFv3bPD9eIe8VTnIsXdGFa4x1_1C4T9q2iLV6Y/w630-h640/PA290061%20Copy.JPG" title="Yellow Dung Fly" width="630" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It’s that time of year again Halloweeeeen, ooh spooky 👻 </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav1FPcT6jwQ_0-Bohx6R1HHfBDW1gTPVwOB0lkZ6vThZ5-wuWehlU1THqxQ8LT3GLBnTGXN2v10_3keQfq3bIfWNT2mMywFW1KfaeOxeT5MwagbjKWRzhxAlceqVAqQJ0dU-_gyPlfcdQr7t1neIHn36TPQ1Qp4PfJkyUTz2ecVbNUmTgbW-LLR_SC1o/s2992/20231031_194910.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav1FPcT6jwQ_0-Bohx6R1HHfBDW1gTPVwOB0lkZ6vThZ5-wuWehlU1THqxQ8LT3GLBnTGXN2v10_3keQfq3bIfWNT2mMywFW1KfaeOxeT5MwagbjKWRzhxAlceqVAqQJ0dU-_gyPlfcdQr7t1neIHn36TPQ1Qp4PfJkyUTz2ecVbNUmTgbW-LLR_SC1o/w400-h400/20231031_194910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Our mini pumpkin was included in the meal, decorated our dinner table and Jamie even managed to carve one, but it was a bit fiddly.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnehE32nfat_LbZFWVIz9fdI57HgkjL2GFKMwSKqAGK5gLL1duFJeCP2fd_iRzmEdYblPbi3saFGw0QbQa3FE3oPvqNTL4B6cp5PS8X7lP5o2FLKoz8AFrUrLFGpW2LX8_9SQATMq40ThVyr4DANmCK6n47Ibhp0p5zx1VVBheLW-BH_kgQIqfpUxzm8/s2992/20231031_220357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2451" data-original-width="2992" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnehE32nfat_LbZFWVIz9fdI57HgkjL2GFKMwSKqAGK5gLL1duFJeCP2fd_iRzmEdYblPbi3saFGw0QbQa3FE3oPvqNTL4B6cp5PS8X7lP5o2FLKoz8AFrUrLFGpW2LX8_9SQATMq40ThVyr4DANmCK6n47Ibhp0p5zx1VVBheLW-BH_kgQIqfpUxzm8/w640-h524/20231031_220357.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The scary monster is a yellow dung fly - we’ve had another manure delivery to site. Hooray! We had a 10 tonne delivery and nearly half had been carted off to plots by the end of the weekend - we had a few barrow loads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8IO_Xzo-qUXMLpgNEGsQFoZ9hc-DCMmqJKeamuWZH70ZtxU5Ym5o1rWFOz-bCo4Aikg_aFxZqZnH-LjrhWbpCD3DD2xWWYoXHE7zUwRhdFlJl5ba8XsrpOMCAgvzhQcaaiKX9DXFRgJXI21K2NSZ1K2aZkyKQe9Co89biZZkeJ3_hm1x8oBl0xcXbAA/s2992/20231028_140841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8IO_Xzo-qUXMLpgNEGsQFoZ9hc-DCMmqJKeamuWZH70ZtxU5Ym5o1rWFOz-bCo4Aikg_aFxZqZnH-LjrhWbpCD3DD2xWWYoXHE7zUwRhdFlJl5ba8XsrpOMCAgvzhQcaaiKX9DXFRgJXI21K2NSZ1K2aZkyKQe9Co89biZZkeJ3_hm1x8oBl0xcXbAA/w400-h400/20231028_140841.jpg" title="Manure" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Behind the manure are our broad beans <i>Aquadulce Claudia</i> which we sowed at the weekend. As usual, they’re protected by plastic bottle cloches and netting. The netting doesn’t protect from everything though 🙄</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbBOtQ3TllaNB1-XLpcktiLsOi7NphTlOd7B1ZqQFPccMY2r5pJ8JVfARiO4xFEotq4M2JGWTrFNDE1T0M_8gVkBxWET9F6ztW_uPVmZDr_qeFFXwgAgDGe4s3OKIE4Vz1QGfzEKOEao_UZSUyel6oLAg_pSA4mdlZFJeJnA3QtcqWIP7VFL6-vHLcls/s2992/20231028_130023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbBOtQ3TllaNB1-XLpcktiLsOi7NphTlOd7B1ZqQFPccMY2r5pJ8JVfARiO4xFEotq4M2JGWTrFNDE1T0M_8gVkBxWET9F6ztW_uPVmZDr_qeFFXwgAgDGe4s3OKIE4Vz1QGfzEKOEao_UZSUyel6oLAg_pSA4mdlZFJeJnA3QtcqWIP7VFL6-vHLcls/w640-h640/20231028_130023.jpg" title="Allotment cat" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our little visitor is back to his friendly self and he joined us in the polytunnel during a sharp shower.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcp2XsArsYX1Rae3xm9P5sP2tPC0Ey7DDfkm3D34hOxgmJfQaHFyKZTLPFEPKSwCvLwvL2ZixZtrkBji7AldxZAXvJlfiPnoI68WnEZb-XqdQCdQ5E6GWRl91etgQxPcnoDLz0RFIc2xSc_iVoAYRQOBS09XkzGkTFFUiEKnSpnY6MNiHx9J9QcCwLzc/s2992/20231028_130204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcp2XsArsYX1Rae3xm9P5sP2tPC0Ey7DDfkm3D34hOxgmJfQaHFyKZTLPFEPKSwCvLwvL2ZixZtrkBji7AldxZAXvJlfiPnoI68WnEZb-XqdQCdQ5E6GWRl91etgQxPcnoDLz0RFIc2xSc_iVoAYRQOBS09XkzGkTFFUiEKnSpnY6MNiHx9J9QcCwLzc/w400-h400/20231028_130204.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The showers were torrential at the weekend but it was reasonably warm and very pleasant when the Sun came out. We noticed that that the wasps were making the most of Ivan’s grapes, which have sadly gone to waste this year.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuYqSegU-pFwd8VWZfNThQlLS1rm-ZQkGV-SHMnYDbKKhJhIpW_M3KqKGxowsrO1tXa02Blaklt1VlGIWb_X2_cXzCgIsXrRPEyKvS-5JnRi_wfNB9FiGWZFxQpsO7gbWKuj3z01kjDE6zkXX3Xs5LchKIkgdrw1eHZ-jNHzKXhJ3pi1oKBt0nQ2d534/s2048/PA290035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRuYqSegU-pFwd8VWZfNThQlLS1rm-ZQkGV-SHMnYDbKKhJhIpW_M3KqKGxowsrO1tXa02Blaklt1VlGIWb_X2_cXzCgIsXrRPEyKvS-5JnRi_wfNB9FiGWZFxQpsO7gbWKuj3z01kjDE6zkXX3Xs5LchKIkgdrw1eHZ-jNHzKXhJ3pi1oKBt0nQ2d534/w428-h640/PA290035.JPG" title="Wasps eating grapes" width="428" /></a></div><div>They were definitely drunk on them. All binging together - we’ve all been there 😀</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe69QcZpkmf-ylVN4mXjcSQJ-1P102eyojqQs9ipYCar3ykPkFl-9CUMfGq9xtLKAa6HF6YGETmraqRRK2R-Jftq7VurSzVIVMoxhMQlGFa00biHUwKbPbC4TSoETSWCkkWCMnCjXLS-KpiFCm9JZYxzmXh65XpI1m5sADQH4XjYHOSV9_Py5wGasS8w/s2048/PA290036.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNe69QcZpkmf-ylVN4mXjcSQJ-1P102eyojqQs9ipYCar3ykPkFl-9CUMfGq9xtLKAa6HF6YGETmraqRRK2R-Jftq7VurSzVIVMoxhMQlGFa00biHUwKbPbC4TSoETSWCkkWCMnCjXLS-KpiFCm9JZYxzmXh65XpI1m5sADQH4XjYHOSV9_Py5wGasS8w/w640-h428/PA290036.JPG" title="Drunken wasps" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It seems that we’re well into Autumn now - November today, unbelievable! The leaves finally changed colour. This is a <i>Creeping cinquefoil </i>leaf, so pretty throughout the year, but it does take over.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmCJe27WVqm6R-aLHCQWWiNckO1UGrXqtqq-WzogVDdBuNdTPA679QD_S34SGlzqXboJHZMbMmCChYnw-0mp0cyK99gbuTqaQW6SlC_x2bHwQwUwyCIOsldg8c-WfP1gAspHZA8CvFRmzch8VAMolSj_eihmeCCpWaP-xa8P754qVHxAm6YPouoDt78Q/s1570/IMG_1410.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1478" data-original-width="1570" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmCJe27WVqm6R-aLHCQWWiNckO1UGrXqtqq-WzogVDdBuNdTPA679QD_S34SGlzqXboJHZMbMmCChYnw-0mp0cyK99gbuTqaQW6SlC_x2bHwQwUwyCIOsldg8c-WfP1gAspHZA8CvFRmzch8VAMolSj_eihmeCCpWaP-xa8P754qVHxAm6YPouoDt78Q/w400-h376/IMG_1410.PNG" title="Autumn leaf" width="400" /></a></div>Even my little hazel tree looked autumnal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCMQ8nwDAG8AX3ylg2W1OmZxNH4ob6dOtgdIMDjQQtgo0dUUWxY-1RdshvFfdWSndaC4axq_VKvm7qLzgxEGjHHE9gWwBrU75q4pu9EJrjZ5GopKHFXdeih6sQLcbKTGLef7otd0Gtmt_COw9EtiHQa6QvVpswG8gwoELDO7N1-af0bYwcD9AzICheDs/s2992/20231029_145135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCMQ8nwDAG8AX3ylg2W1OmZxNH4ob6dOtgdIMDjQQtgo0dUUWxY-1RdshvFfdWSndaC4axq_VKvm7qLzgxEGjHHE9gWwBrU75q4pu9EJrjZ5GopKHFXdeih6sQLcbKTGLef7otd0Gtmt_COw9EtiHQa6QvVpswG8gwoELDO7N1-af0bYwcD9AzICheDs/w400-h400/20231029_145135.jpg" title="Autumn sapling" width="400" /></a></div><div>The pot has some excellent moss forming the ‘forest floor’ for the little tree.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDABDWFnTKqFNIcQnXDCD9EIAK2YVpZO2VaGt7f9s0llitDdBvTPDvI7xCyYnmyFv437_1Nfpv-Gq42eGp6maStr-rfnR9prNqKVji863WgUOrtyj496fFOfE8j6cs0ZR0_nFURB6GxYr6b8rtzpmdwIH67HioiabLBEyy-GQ1GpLeumCQ_4FqBZ6g_YQ/s1536/IMG_1414.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1536" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDABDWFnTKqFNIcQnXDCD9EIAK2YVpZO2VaGt7f9s0llitDdBvTPDvI7xCyYnmyFv437_1Nfpv-Gq42eGp6maStr-rfnR9prNqKVji863WgUOrtyj496fFOfE8j6cs0ZR0_nFURB6GxYr6b8rtzpmdwIH67HioiabLBEyy-GQ1GpLeumCQ_4FqBZ6g_YQ/w640-h484/IMG_1414.PNG" title="Moss" width="640" /></a></div><div>But Storm Ciaran is clearing the remaining leaves off the trees today. I have a day off work, so we’ll go up the plot and batten down the hatches later. First I’m having a toasted cheese and beetroot sandwich for lunch. I’ve always liked cheese and beetroot together, but toasted is even better - totally delicious! Talking of delicious, I made this <a href="https://thehappyfoodie.co.uk/recipes/pumpkin-black-eyed-bean-plus-coconut-curry/" target="_blank">pumpkin and bean curry</a> the other night - mmm, coconut tastiness but unfortunately I didn’t cook the beans for long enough; even though they’d been soaked overnight they would have needed cooking for 30mins I think, not the 15mins I gave them - they were rather hard still.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ziosgwAAG0Qr97PjmKWBALG2IALhxhYJA7D_2oNCOrE4_VwBahCdENFT7WIHJFIJwGTaXWP8pVH6dwUQCcA_xWwIWblqeoT4GBuhaq3Qadomkxhprq6_hCg3MHivJHuAiJDBESQDMH8P4CypmKK3Gk6CyaA9LgPc5gCAYTzvlKdwLlznrVulOtTUySI/s2066/IMG_1403.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="2066" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ziosgwAAG0Qr97PjmKWBALG2IALhxhYJA7D_2oNCOrE4_VwBahCdENFT7WIHJFIJwGTaXWP8pVH6dwUQCcA_xWwIWblqeoT4GBuhaq3Qadomkxhprq6_hCg3MHivJHuAiJDBESQDMH8P4CypmKK3Gk6CyaA9LgPc5gCAYTzvlKdwLlznrVulOtTUySI/w640-h448/IMG_1403.HEIC" title="Pumpkin & bean curry" width="640" /></a></div><div>I had a bit of good news recently - I wrote a poem (I know! Me!?) and WON a £50 voucher from <a href="https://nomadsclothing.com/" target="_blank">Nomads Clothing.</a> I love their clothes so I was very pleased 😊 Here’s the poem and the coat it’s written about.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtVVr75d3yrGMkvibc-1joWfjjHAqdLxB1tg4z4LA71RHmkH7Ra13F7UNJA1dky6lYBYlGfLofjgNiHKJ0a_0jfroUP1kOyCLElIMSLxqkJmr3QJ4WTTMhaiIqv4qeKMw7DT2jepHKDUs1pSMpsdjFoCaxoaMfwObo7BUIziXdPM6h4pBLcv4YUeJQ-k/s1702/IMG_1375.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1702" data-original-width="1104" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtVVr75d3yrGMkvibc-1joWfjjHAqdLxB1tg4z4LA71RHmkH7Ra13F7UNJA1dky6lYBYlGfLofjgNiHKJ0a_0jfroUP1kOyCLElIMSLxqkJmr3QJ4WTTMhaiIqv4qeKMw7DT2jepHKDUs1pSMpsdjFoCaxoaMfwObo7BUIziXdPM6h4pBLcv4YUeJQ-k/w416-h640/IMG_1375.PNG" title="My poem" width="416" /></a></div><div>The song is provided by David Bowie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NHywdqH3F6Y" width="320" youtube-src-id="NHywdqH3F6Y"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-10372714117842682572023-10-23T07:53:00.004+01:002023-10-23T07:53:46.402+01:00Snail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5kr3LHtHI16O_JlcHEHLcwN8XXLBGYMok9pYxjJcJlJ6nvXnaNVg8RQVke0R7Z-OrTURbm5vDCnF3SM3egIy751UXbQRQ6WN69IhKMMr1EXbipzLEwXww2XTR-CvQWI8X-hpcqm_yK7UrVQWkMeDuj-VlWibfx5ccNJCQAykMRYX-l3166_xhXbACDw/s2992/20231022_094922.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5kr3LHtHI16O_JlcHEHLcwN8XXLBGYMok9pYxjJcJlJ6nvXnaNVg8RQVke0R7Z-OrTURbm5vDCnF3SM3egIy751UXbQRQ6WN69IhKMMr1EXbipzLEwXww2XTR-CvQWI8X-hpcqm_yK7UrVQWkMeDuj-VlWibfx5ccNJCQAykMRYX-l3166_xhXbACDw/w640-h640/20231022_094922.jpg" title="Sweetcorn" width="640" /></a></div><p>We’ve had lots of rain (though thank goodness, nothing like the catastrophic deluge that Storm Babet brought down on some parts of the UK) and a couple of frosts which have turned the plot into the usual Autumn coloured scene. I had two visits to the plot yesterday. The first just to collect some of the mini pumpkins for the nursery school and to get some for my sister. I gave her some beetroot and parsley too.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV9HBUvGE5E9qjXr7AC2_8wHwn1IJAPmeXG5bGL_efrht_a5kVokQl3GHr-YAeex1_QXG7r5JTRjLJ6z76Gn18XdUB_jmNY6h98s6bhfcfmLLrRNNorZvJoppSHiS-3UjSn0uD9Rkh6AEgnEj2VlF4zhGZe8ZlJQdhnLBLokfKwKsuVFNRXpOvAKkIc4/s2992/20231022_103337.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaV9HBUvGE5E9qjXr7AC2_8wHwn1IJAPmeXG5bGL_efrht_a5kVokQl3GHr-YAeex1_QXG7r5JTRjLJ6z76Gn18XdUB_jmNY6h98s6bhfcfmLLrRNNorZvJoppSHiS-3UjSn0uD9Rkh6AEgnEj2VlF4zhGZe8ZlJQdhnLBLokfKwKsuVFNRXpOvAKkIc4/w400-h400/20231022_103337.jpg" title="Trugful of colour" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>I was pleasantly surprised to see that the parsley plants had survived the frost but I don't think they'll last much longer. I had 5 plants all taken from one Tescos parsley plant - definitely worth splitting and planting out and easier than sowing seeds. Even the one that the slugs ate down to one stem back in May recovered to produce a bushy plant.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGSJmyfmj2QOJzP1hluSSMQVp9bQFt5IoSLEg1rMcaNYB-m7DRxoDfH4OqtMizcgvyBC694iqMpgGzkT3sAvnl40p9gwbZLR-nVTP47AGOEP4jx1cgtw3Sl3444M3PmwGiqFXbUKXl3U4V_EYfD2TOeTKzfhTpc5T5zLh5aByj46CSq4QepHfJGr6BTs/s2992/20231022_094807.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGSJmyfmj2QOJzP1hluSSMQVp9bQFt5IoSLEg1rMcaNYB-m7DRxoDfH4OqtMizcgvyBC694iqMpgGzkT3sAvnl40p9gwbZLR-nVTP47AGOEP4jx1cgtw3Sl3444M3PmwGiqFXbUKXl3U4V_EYfD2TOeTKzfhTpc5T5zLh5aByj46CSq4QepHfJGr6BTs/w640-h640/20231022_094807.jpg" title="Love lies bleeding" width="640" /></a></div><p>The <i>Love lies bleeding</i> has been properly frost-scorched, as has the courgette (small cheer).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbdiCx5pbf31HMUnuP43rMilPgcjqV1MzmSDrt1w-0x64h3fY5zoYxv_f6-bAov9zVh2X-ek8qwBwR8-9KmCIEQzZ7evCZkcPCIPsQmZu7XTi7ASJM0JzOWNCANv7ZWQ9aZXZS_MqWz8nJf_wD22Xq51dO7LjMMzHx744Srp2vA-V6N4PGVkydsh3mkc/s2992/20231022_094734.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbdiCx5pbf31HMUnuP43rMilPgcjqV1MzmSDrt1w-0x64h3fY5zoYxv_f6-bAov9zVh2X-ek8qwBwR8-9KmCIEQzZ7evCZkcPCIPsQmZu7XTi7ASJM0JzOWNCANv7ZWQ9aZXZS_MqWz8nJf_wD22Xq51dO7LjMMzHx744Srp2vA-V6N4PGVkydsh3mkc/w400-h400/20231022_094734.jpg" title="Drooping courgette" width="400" /></a></div>The beans from the tunnel really need clearing, but there are a few flowers left unscathed lower down on the<i> Spanish Flag</i>.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh8mezI_2YZZKklI5UlQ2wYY0FMD5hjeYI-9Mnlwc_fTsDgrRtIeWqjfXud08Jem4fboIbu3tikcwUIDvTqly8nZqGCauMXjTb3yA_rt2c6WjiGVPeeTiJ1FShUhYp_MyYcdbImluMcj82GsmXIOVB03wU9QV7H3lSHgEd24LOkqW1Zolgp4gh0hkCtM/s2992/20231022_095118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh8mezI_2YZZKklI5UlQ2wYY0FMD5hjeYI-9Mnlwc_fTsDgrRtIeWqjfXud08Jem4fboIbu3tikcwUIDvTqly8nZqGCauMXjTb3yA_rt2c6WjiGVPeeTiJ1FShUhYp_MyYcdbImluMcj82GsmXIOVB03wU9QV7H3lSHgEd24LOkqW1Zolgp4gh0hkCtM/w640-h640/20231022_095118.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Yesterday we were concentrating on clearing the tomatoes and aubergine from the actual polytunnel. The robin flew in there in the morning because I dared to visit the plot with no mealworms for him - he was quite miffed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpjQK-WV-lu3XmTL4uYl4PZtjhVaS7eA0Lxwl-DNh2Z1Ru2eRMj3GIewYu4O9iuCaby30VdL0gROUq3PVmAJi7v93hVrhVRmXtHhc6zPhYXAnwgXt801Xtyll2NtzBeUrtW6eERPZfdeDXl-XB8CBh9XPWfAU1Mwfci2FXDY9V-u7b07wlFhNu-vGTmk/s2795/20231022_101654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2473" data-original-width="2795" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpjQK-WV-lu3XmTL4uYl4PZtjhVaS7eA0Lxwl-DNh2Z1Ru2eRMj3GIewYu4O9iuCaby30VdL0gROUq3PVmAJi7v93hVrhVRmXtHhc6zPhYXAnwgXt801Xtyll2NtzBeUrtW6eERPZfdeDXl-XB8CBh9XPWfAU1Mwfci2FXDY9V-u7b07wlFhNu-vGTmk/w400-h354/20231022_101654.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>I didn't visit that early but the Sun was so low it was casting a beautiful light over the site. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bYnWq-D_wfjw9DGZbxyXPzS11wh0J-ZUcROZzHuw7g1Hs4YJZ8wZptHQ_8hlksENHuqWw0-ZYagKYGeK36c-1c8TGeklz54Q0b946i_VIR8tlsftTHzr4lwuiTLizVMVaEdtP6DAnOEMhmhygxCaDZez8zU8bkVGHIb9BDI3148VXaigioVC6iDXDEk/s2992/20231022_094515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2386" data-original-width="2992" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bYnWq-D_wfjw9DGZbxyXPzS11wh0J-ZUcROZzHuw7g1Hs4YJZ8wZptHQ_8hlksENHuqWw0-ZYagKYGeK36c-1c8TGeklz54Q0b946i_VIR8tlsftTHzr4lwuiTLizVMVaEdtP6DAnOEMhmhygxCaDZez8zU8bkVGHIb9BDI3148VXaigioVC6iDXDEk/w400-h319/20231022_094515.jpg" title="October Light" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div>The temperature in the polytunnel had fallen to 3.4° overnight but it felt reasonably warm in the sunshine and with my thick jumper on. The <i>scabious stellata</i> seedheads are still looking interesting.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1OAoa_lAty8odiSxB-sUkODhu-dEwmCNxvDj91Cjpx7tx1B66vxpqDecPS7KEHPJP7AyDIEtS0rBQOsfK_Vk_O3OStsiBztrRgtwW3HUO_B0yaOCZDm7JK02rzfSTMYkMSaosB6R-1G7SxJ7qt7yhtv9BK8QE2qD-YTSt2w73CBkWar4DTglDiEkwm8/s2992/20231022_094626.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1OAoa_lAty8odiSxB-sUkODhu-dEwmCNxvDj91Cjpx7tx1B66vxpqDecPS7KEHPJP7AyDIEtS0rBQOsfK_Vk_O3OStsiBztrRgtwW3HUO_B0yaOCZDm7JK02rzfSTMYkMSaosB6R-1G7SxJ7qt7yhtv9BK8QE2qD-YTSt2w73CBkWar4DTglDiEkwm8/w640-h640/20231022_094626.jpg" title="Scabious Stellata seedheads" width="640" /></a></div><div>The second trug of the day after Jamie and I spent the afternoon chatting and clearing is for me. I’m making a leek, carrot and parsley soup for lunches. And the pumpkins are going to be in a version of this <a href="https://adreskitchen.com/recipe/pumpkin-black-bean-and-coconut-curry/" target="_blank">bean and pumpkin curry</a>; I'm going to use some of my dried borlotti beans.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBTCRFugG2jPe7pgfoKnQginysfRhYrTKXLfZBAFz3ADsHbDPKXQZsoQPNMbm3t9Uqx_-wVGs8D-NpPLVEPMoahTkWhbcmfibCFoqWsNB9g2NZTrSf0-2pfHZTJcfJlpAp4njPRUiy03TWsgor00N3q1JRBZIzC79uCI7cEDVkcoEGy9Dasi7CpjTThU/s2992/20231022_162224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBTCRFugG2jPe7pgfoKnQginysfRhYrTKXLfZBAFz3ADsHbDPKXQZsoQPNMbm3t9Uqx_-wVGs8D-NpPLVEPMoahTkWhbcmfibCFoqWsNB9g2NZTrSf0-2pfHZTJcfJlpAp4njPRUiy03TWsgor00N3q1JRBZIzC79uCI7cEDVkcoEGy9Dasi7CpjTThU/w400-h400/20231022_162224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>The carrots are crazy; mostly multi-legged and some monstrous ones! And there are snails absolutely everywhere - loads of tiny baby ones looking for somewhere to over-Winter and then come out in Spring to eat all our seedlings 😖</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX4Jv8cTsHZqdMd_fjbl-RJMOa7QLqHfZjJCfdM8W7RwGSoyWTBlKwQ4pdwjMn60W3c35BfoX0eTe-Uj0cF1fO0AyEkFSFkcPydCMjAH8dDFVIdaJZWA5EoJxrOWZWVdn5Hwy7wsITvzItvmGXVYjyUA0b0ThASC2bL6xAp9WPccZKGImc3z-Mstg0mk/s2992/20231022_094826.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX4Jv8cTsHZqdMd_fjbl-RJMOa7QLqHfZjJCfdM8W7RwGSoyWTBlKwQ4pdwjMn60W3c35BfoX0eTe-Uj0cF1fO0AyEkFSFkcPydCMjAH8dDFVIdaJZWA5EoJxrOWZWVdn5Hwy7wsITvzItvmGXVYjyUA0b0ThASC2bL6xAp9WPccZKGImc3z-Mstg0mk/w640-h640/20231022_094826.jpg" title="Snail" width="640" /></a></div><p>Song title provided by the Smashing Pumpkins.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TGF_NwHv9C8" width="320" youtube-src-id="TGF_NwHv9C8"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-40670891194208078822023-10-16T13:13:00.000+01:002023-10-16T13:13:55.963+01:00Rainbow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbOrFvd3g347EfhujhZwqwnubpLzck_eBi5Uh26WM6J5XeZZIJ9JwEZSF6C0GvIRNqmRVW-LdidJbuAdeyrMU0siwkCAGlHqZWoxX7hfIv04KqjMIw2RHg6uO4E_MGXnGsOXwr6lP7-0nnHDqdA4OYRvI3OaE0_h7ARsSOjbxosaeE4SgX7LgfGLHbS8/s2992/20231014_153356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbOrFvd3g347EfhujhZwqwnubpLzck_eBi5Uh26WM6J5XeZZIJ9JwEZSF6C0GvIRNqmRVW-LdidJbuAdeyrMU0siwkCAGlHqZWoxX7hfIv04KqjMIw2RHg6uO4E_MGXnGsOXwr6lP7-0nnHDqdA4OYRvI3OaE0_h7ARsSOjbxosaeE4SgX7LgfGLHbS8/w640-h640/20231014_153356.jpg" title="Mini Pumpkins" width="640" /></a></div>We have a LOT of mini pumpkins (<i>Jack-Be-Little)</i>. They're actually a bit too small and may be a bit of a pain to cook, but they'll look nice in a Halloween display. My sister and a local nursery school will benefit from a few of them and I'll keep the slightly bigger ones for roasting.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SL07r6NbdcFB_oepq8gkNAZXBH_KdguiBaLUaU-Fw3pApiag5LmD_X8g1XDeXITMn-umkIXzNy00-RIUQ-3jslyyxpIhsN0UDF7xpiwPkmduEdsGcVxh8ACyUYCWoQc8Ka7LQoyRhOBehGEkEIMFJcNhYGiJoad8UoD-w-U4hD2Iri0AmprqrQe-IJI/s2992/20231014_140416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SL07r6NbdcFB_oepq8gkNAZXBH_KdguiBaLUaU-Fw3pApiag5LmD_X8g1XDeXITMn-umkIXzNy00-RIUQ-3jslyyxpIhsN0UDF7xpiwPkmduEdsGcVxh8ACyUYCWoQc8Ka7LQoyRhOBehGEkEIMFJcNhYGiJoad8UoD-w-U4hD2Iri0AmprqrQe-IJI/w320-h320/20231014_140416.jpg" title="Pumpkins galore" width="320" /></a></div><p>We put them all in the polytunnel and zipped it closed ahead of the forecast frost at the weekend - and it did arrive. Brrr, we weren't used to it at all! 0.3° on Saturday night.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjqvGNWHK8TLcOCGj-ckQvwPqc3D8DzgkO6-puXQDSI7Qh5lphTVKHW3TG-_FCF9ivhI_z5N2gIGlmneaebcGwwKNFxtDdu42-hJ_TEvEjwDXPQ3GrXrKdZOif6-F0nxRqHhV97oAmdA7fBpj7QwuX3RkhJdffJf8qRic5NkRTbfErnWR9pZnLaFBa-Q/s2992/20231014_134833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjqvGNWHK8TLcOCGj-ckQvwPqc3D8DzgkO6-puXQDSI7Qh5lphTVKHW3TG-_FCF9ivhI_z5N2gIGlmneaebcGwwKNFxtDdu42-hJ_TEvEjwDXPQ3GrXrKdZOif6-F0nxRqHhV97oAmdA7fBpj7QwuX3RkhJdffJf8qRic5NkRTbfErnWR9pZnLaFBa-Q/w400-h400/20231014_134833.jpg" title="Bonfire" width="400" /></a></div><p>We weren't cold during the day on Saturday because it was a HAHA Workday. Lots of hedge-cutting - only to stop the fence getting overgrown; the birds are enjoying the berries far too much to cut back the laden branches. The bonfire was mostly old rotten wood from pallets and the like. The Sun shone for much of the day and it was a nice gathering of plotholders. We were watching the activity on the ivy in the hedge - so full of life!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J-k5W8I2wVHJAzyQF2bW5qSqkjnyejNzgLrnt6ypJOr-1a13oM3Ym6ABNnphDmrcmts1NMGEF_OazT_g0iuYTpT0TjPH1SjHionv0P7PyG8lLh1y2qG76kB-Gm6iBur56xs5qlhy-QiIcfzyXQUuMzq2q3Fh5xFKB0bjl4RnK-GMPfczO72b6ZcsMQA/s1668/IMG_1394.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1668" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6J-k5W8I2wVHJAzyQF2bW5qSqkjnyejNzgLrnt6ypJOr-1a13oM3Ym6ABNnphDmrcmts1NMGEF_OazT_g0iuYTpT0TjPH1SjHionv0P7PyG8lLh1y2qG76kB-Gm6iBur56xs5qlhy-QiIcfzyXQUuMzq2q3Fh5xFKB0bjl4RnK-GMPfczO72b6ZcsMQA/w640-h504/IMG_1394.PNG" title="Wildlife on ivy flowers" width="640" /></a></div>Literally buzzing with flies, bees, hoverflies, ladybirds and wasps - all enjoying the nectar and pollen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnxRff9JmkCex3UxRxx3AyvwZXZOEGR5UOLomw79ROW9I1fxWzeUw-DrC-dKIqME0T-7z-tQq04kc0aD4QyaTZCej0gS3Eho0CZhGTgYoPxsq9lk80VCMK91lAKYawRxmbkYvW__1QaXeEgf2LUrxCgE0Cy57NbleivZSoyBKnshvUWJv_qgPgq9rINM/s2992/20231014_140113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnxRff9JmkCex3UxRxx3AyvwZXZOEGR5UOLomw79ROW9I1fxWzeUw-DrC-dKIqME0T-7z-tQq04kc0aD4QyaTZCej0gS3Eho0CZhGTgYoPxsq9lk80VCMK91lAKYawRxmbkYvW__1QaXeEgf2LUrxCgE0Cy57NbleivZSoyBKnshvUWJv_qgPgq9rINM/w400-h400/20231014_140113.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The frost has taken out some dahlias on site but our plot is a bit more protected because of its proximity to the hedge and our flowers are still blooming - the hummingbird hawkmoth was enjoying the verbena again at the end of the day yesterday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYANGpQpoIdJBdsIFvSV8QNl_D1g1enXmsyESOFf5haj0UbALOoKj_zs_w6clIi9qEeEi7egPbCflXWLAoObqN5wsN2VqJQAvWUnMfAhUXjjejlrJIrPtUJ6qTo25rztJJGrZTbdiAhC_uLQY6W4xUXgEsqdJo_Ge4DRffFicGVBh_BbBRexwj0vf65Y/s2592/20231015_155358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2424" data-original-width="2592" height="598" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYANGpQpoIdJBdsIFvSV8QNl_D1g1enXmsyESOFf5haj0UbALOoKj_zs_w6clIi9qEeEi7egPbCflXWLAoObqN5wsN2VqJQAvWUnMfAhUXjjejlrJIrPtUJ6qTo25rztJJGrZTbdiAhC_uLQY6W4xUXgEsqdJo_Ge4DRffFicGVBh_BbBRexwj0vf65Y/w640-h598/20231015_155358.jpg" title="Mammoth parsnip" width="640" /></a></div><p>I pulled the first parsnips yesterday - look at that monster. Of course I stuck the fork through that, so it went into the compost bin but I was pleased with the one on the right. Though they need a bit more frost to get the true parsnip flavour out of them, I'll try roasting some to see if that draws the flavour out.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8Ii2VmEdnkx0BEw4qSN5FwGC0oUznbkob4V-yxV7_Zo1c-3Jpi6P_CDmwfrJDLCUuaRIo_jwM3TMWK75NuNSxQcOTEKjfRMNpEyu3-XquhSWs7m5IXR42oX1qAJNlIfHb82SVpnBoDQpUDBVHsJuWX-ohNLGuKKGfP3XmceFXsLT4QvIOm60bbzT_3Q/s2992/20231015_161008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2407" data-original-width="2992" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ8Ii2VmEdnkx0BEw4qSN5FwGC0oUznbkob4V-yxV7_Zo1c-3Jpi6P_CDmwfrJDLCUuaRIo_jwM3TMWK75NuNSxQcOTEKjfRMNpEyu3-XquhSWs7m5IXR42oX1qAJNlIfHb82SVpnBoDQpUDBVHsJuWX-ohNLGuKKGfP3XmceFXsLT4QvIOm60bbzT_3Q/w320-h257/20231015_161008.jpg" title="Winter-style trug" width="320" /></a></div><p>The leeks were some which weren't transplanted but have grown quite thick in their original sowing location. That Wintery trug formed the basis of our gratin dinner - I added some chopped nuts and cheese to the top but I think the all-home-grown dish looked better before the cream and topping was added.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vnOTNEnPGtbqBx24mdWtcymPCY8TeMR44oRqm9nKC0-q7nzhUOrBVrXpI0-YtdUddI1c4VeZMziC0O2XLTssYYVS3VerW__PeK2yYNDANaq-bsBu0rmA1guH2kAaBXsUGoPg5MppimHbLZtEKsuilbgvxeA35KfxqzCqjVYMA2XSOv52Lt0MnohNh70/s2992/20231015_184546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0vnOTNEnPGtbqBx24mdWtcymPCY8TeMR44oRqm9nKC0-q7nzhUOrBVrXpI0-YtdUddI1c4VeZMziC0O2XLTssYYVS3VerW__PeK2yYNDANaq-bsBu0rmA1guH2kAaBXsUGoPg5MppimHbLZtEKsuilbgvxeA35KfxqzCqjVYMA2XSOv52Lt0MnohNh70/w400-h400/20231015_184546.jpg" title="Gratin without the cream or topping" width="400" /></a></div><p>On Saturday, just when we were feeling ready to go home, there was a very timely (it damped down the embers) and very heavy shower! It was quite unexpected and we had to run for cover.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR7I9rpN27I4iLmPdtUG1NLGLC9qcNSjFX9-BtWuMsbFsf_DS_NURFYH3go7Edn_1-rB0O6Uc80A48Tdffnciry5bDG1EBkkcCfc5Ix33j7wg1kYfRw3YArg3pijHvfuIENYL-ukDs4gOw597NWTr_KiThJmj-RgxvvQJRsZ206I1aseeuLaYm2WuYwE/s2992/20231014_152544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzR7I9rpN27I4iLmPdtUG1NLGLC9qcNSjFX9-BtWuMsbFsf_DS_NURFYH3go7Edn_1-rB0O6Uc80A48Tdffnciry5bDG1EBkkcCfc5Ix33j7wg1kYfRw3YArg3pijHvfuIENYL-ukDs4gOw597NWTr_KiThJmj-RgxvvQJRsZ206I1aseeuLaYm2WuYwE/w640-h640/20231014_152544.jpg" title="Rain shower" width="640" /></a></div><p>And then we had a lovely rainbow to enjoy!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbWbNE3T1GRxTS9wXC8i2_yohyRJ6uA-T0btOnvAl60DaHSVmCkHgIh0H0461k-EHWyfTUHlq4nE_owEN-WtzDb0wtmxOIGjmTMCmWHXJOCf8UD1mXL8ZoOFGeiR3KFGT2unRbfpa4K9sw5u5hkxOJfNgryyewKuroNZsEg-JPs0gVJ2US6SVj8vQlv0/s2992/20231014_152754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbWbNE3T1GRxTS9wXC8i2_yohyRJ6uA-T0btOnvAl60DaHSVmCkHgIh0H0461k-EHWyfTUHlq4nE_owEN-WtzDb0wtmxOIGjmTMCmWHXJOCf8UD1mXL8ZoOFGeiR3KFGT2unRbfpa4K9sw5u5hkxOJfNgryyewKuroNZsEg-JPs0gVJ2US6SVj8vQlv0/w400-h400/20231014_152754.jpg" title="Rainbow" width="400" /></a></div><p>And when the big black cloud moved on, we were bathed in sunshine with blue sky again - crazy weather!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlqb5nmSQnX-ZuU1j3_MT2v3BPZtS_O-eChM1Fgene557ABHowKC0iJMgI21ZEai9xSkGNTa1BGi-iCfgVNicw9Fq0T12C1ZbwcsTPnM7HlL_uXjmlE64WvintCrMSW44P6FwA5fvjZ5RL2LEZWecZgZf9sIyYbeJDXtEsp-WgaEM6LQFEDPdiAk_P4k/s2992/20231014_152901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlqb5nmSQnX-ZuU1j3_MT2v3BPZtS_O-eChM1Fgene557ABHowKC0iJMgI21ZEai9xSkGNTa1BGi-iCfgVNicw9Fq0T12C1ZbwcsTPnM7HlL_uXjmlE64WvintCrMSW44P6FwA5fvjZ5RL2LEZWecZgZf9sIyYbeJDXtEsp-WgaEM6LQFEDPdiAk_P4k/w640-h640/20231014_152901.jpg" title="Rainbow" width="640" /></a></div><p>So that's why today's song is provided by Marmalade - love the hippy lady, she reminds me of my sister back in the day 😀</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MeMS8SuHPs0" width="320" youtube-src-id="MeMS8SuHPs0"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-32508348545043372082023-10-10T07:36:00.000+01:002023-10-10T07:36:06.766+01:00Morning GloryYes, it’s filtered, I had to because it was a bit blurry and then Photoshop offered me this and how could I refuse?! It was quite a nice photo with a distant hot air balloon.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_wfIQ6jPo1XbklomtDe8S3Q-3spBsiWkxESS2tOul0z2XdKCwFO5hXclCI1L7fjKc026Ngxc77AHUZrY78uycfYqtL4enqXGcZtXJ9bzKd8aIGN_xvRTOCVuOOApihSwFp_tDwRQLn-B66SM6_JYSq_66mnHrGxpltzYs-07WGGj6sM02qlKeIE4yXo/s1668/IMG_1381.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1644" data-original-width="1668" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF_wfIQ6jPo1XbklomtDe8S3Q-3spBsiWkxESS2tOul0z2XdKCwFO5hXclCI1L7fjKc026Ngxc77AHUZrY78uycfYqtL4enqXGcZtXJ9bzKd8aIGN_xvRTOCVuOOApihSwFp_tDwRQLn-B66SM6_JYSq_66mnHrGxpltzYs-07WGGj6sM02qlKeIE4yXo/w640-h630/IMG_1381.PNG" title="Sunset (edited)" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, that was Saturday as the Sun was just slipping down behind the treeline. Jamie and I enjoyed a barbecue on site and had a couple of games of pétanque in the warm weather. The Sun is setting at 6:30 now and is rising at about 7:30 - this was the lovely sunrise sky on Saturday morning (no filter required).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdL0Ss5LSuBZdiJt42YAp3KIFgo-vLf-Cn7xvX7BJtw2SwW1Ow0mTH_s9cMg6zKcGpCyCPW54LfLsw13I-HaUBk1-_aqnTN5LI9pAvug3npAKkMQoVLecvZ36HslbIvyc2v4AE3jPkE5wv3Ji74w79-9DRoS-B-tI3lPqmdQ_8rpxyx-iOCGNCwIibbI/s2048/DSCF2050.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdL0Ss5LSuBZdiJt42YAp3KIFgo-vLf-Cn7xvX7BJtw2SwW1Ow0mTH_s9cMg6zKcGpCyCPW54LfLsw13I-HaUBk1-_aqnTN5LI9pAvug3npAKkMQoVLecvZ36HslbIvyc2v4AE3jPkE5wv3Ji74w79-9DRoS-B-tI3lPqmdQ_8rpxyx-iOCGNCwIibbI/w400-h300/DSCF2050.JPG" title="Hungerford skyline sunrise" width="400" /></a></div>They may only be short days now that we’re in October but what a lovely sunny Sunday we had. The flowers are still making the most of it on the plot. Our morning glory took a long time to flower, but look how beautiful they are now. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAvDmVbfHwGeRa-Z3jIX5va6tALf-LvetvS-iIu3_Pe6WiemQzUShlE5BYgg1riu6sWiEH_3yIELjkY87e4eK3obKGKgoXi6yNK127zWaOwSFXviw0iVIRy4DaVLkJBaWZcWtgQ9AueWUf2zhfpZ7bYwy7g9bgxZNQhvGg2rtFs9Xsfrw2BQ9Sb8WXbg/s2048/DSCF4002.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAvDmVbfHwGeRa-Z3jIX5va6tALf-LvetvS-iIu3_Pe6WiemQzUShlE5BYgg1riu6sWiEH_3yIELjkY87e4eK3obKGKgoXi6yNK127zWaOwSFXviw0iVIRy4DaVLkJBaWZcWtgQ9AueWUf2zhfpZ7bYwy7g9bgxZNQhvGg2rtFs9Xsfrw2BQ9Sb8WXbg/w480-h640/DSCF4002.JPG" title="Morning Glory" width="480" /></a></div>And my one dahlia has finally developed a flower, after the amazing dahlia year everyone else seems to have had! Oh well, it’s still pretty.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7ChzSBrcvi8o9lYS061AxbuHq5Cuz6dpMdQZJfLlNesy_s94cOxIuT_OVj8X8PhEzapwZpHhr0hy93nyfvSZxBTS9pUOZNnIkKHZC13XS6LWw7IfsdUAG-ZX4s565zRNCtMwtE1lwISZpvtZ4qjaLolEXhZTxvlWQiQ4r38PCGRPUHql4tZCS4yIN1c/s2048/PA080001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs7ChzSBrcvi8o9lYS061AxbuHq5Cuz6dpMdQZJfLlNesy_s94cOxIuT_OVj8X8PhEzapwZpHhr0hy93nyfvSZxBTS9pUOZNnIkKHZC13XS6LWw7IfsdUAG-ZX4s565zRNCtMwtE1lwISZpvtZ4qjaLolEXhZTxvlWQiQ4r38PCGRPUHql4tZCS4yIN1c/w400-h268/PA080001.JPG" title="Dahlia" width="400" /></a></div><p>And finally a melon <i>Mangomel</i> had matured enough for us to eat for breakfast - it was tiny, barely a mouthful but super-sweet.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4FIqGPZJ0AqU-wyDk7VBCxKrq-OqXDaeGHx1P_s-jNQjsGIgSo6-pPM0LzhxIeAMwEMsypYiggUu5Zw2-fNmBPvXdJrCdPZL2gHZZQfXE8I6pkligJqXlu_TeQdBGQ3ry5zFbfOq_78anmLl4CSwPhhKCkOBdI193y3tz5yMza4VNtREW_njpMlnUeI/s2992/20231010_065307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2492" data-original-width="2992" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4FIqGPZJ0AqU-wyDk7VBCxKrq-OqXDaeGHx1P_s-jNQjsGIgSo6-pPM0LzhxIeAMwEMsypYiggUu5Zw2-fNmBPvXdJrCdPZL2gHZZQfXE8I6pkligJqXlu_TeQdBGQ3ry5zFbfOq_78anmLl4CSwPhhKCkOBdI193y3tz5yMza4VNtREW_njpMlnUeI/w320-h267/20231010_065307.jpg" title="Tiny mangomel melon" width="320" /></a></div>The bees, hoverflies and butterflies are really making the most of the fine weather and on Saturday we were so pleased to see a Hummingbird Hawkmoth enjoying the <i>verbena bonariensis</i>. The <i>antirrhinum</i> have got to be one of the best self-seeded flowers. So many different colours; they’ve been flowering for months and the bumblebees love them. <br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dkSfTzUHHVCkqoUtegWErtsRj16yEwXjF07aj63rAGVOcJV9pvSByGiVRmIN5e5FY1M7TYqGp4-huNoZqHNy7DuGJvF8SjUxTkSeIUhslsCZaOVMfQxeO3_tIf54Nn6tUbS9gUeRO7YAnUUrasc4ctEvTSSfUXJSEcW4xbtXGhtxCj2wiAX9Huyfzqs/s2992/20231008_154441.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3dkSfTzUHHVCkqoUtegWErtsRj16yEwXjF07aj63rAGVOcJV9pvSByGiVRmIN5e5FY1M7TYqGp4-huNoZqHNy7DuGJvF8SjUxTkSeIUhslsCZaOVMfQxeO3_tIf54Nn6tUbS9gUeRO7YAnUUrasc4ctEvTSSfUXJSEcW4xbtXGhtxCj2wiAX9Huyfzqs/w640-h640/20231008_154441.jpg" title="Snap dragons still in flower" width="640" /></a></div><div>I planted 2 garlic bulbs, which provided 20 cloves, (<i>Caulk White</i>) on Friday and I’ve now planted up all the flower bulbs I ordered. I’ve put some in pots and some in the ground: various alliums, daffodils and anemones. I hope they don’t get wiped out by mice like they did last year… we’ll see what appears next Spring. A few have gone into the flower bed where I’ve cleared masses of Nigella seedlings, but never fear… they’ll be back!.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wsw_4CoWirG9nLscPhHdqdaO0yIvXLY1iGag8PWq5BZXJ_CEQSAzwIAOOqnPZCy18jrpyESHvOUCIuawYBfhMWH52CLPhCgl9riitf6vYE8_rqJYAs4kP6duIMC9deJ_gJQBzRGsD7Wf7QvpU3ENRxNrZmh8vzghjq28P1tjamCJjm4FD3vgP2Rdhug/s2992/20231008_150915.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Wsw_4CoWirG9nLscPhHdqdaO0yIvXLY1iGag8PWq5BZXJ_CEQSAzwIAOOqnPZCy18jrpyESHvOUCIuawYBfhMWH52CLPhCgl9riitf6vYE8_rqJYAs4kP6duIMC9deJ_gJQBzRGsD7Wf7QvpU3ENRxNrZmh8vzghjq28P1tjamCJjm4FD3vgP2Rdhug/w400-h400/20231008_150915.jpg" title="Bulbs planted in flowerbed" width="400" /></a></div>And here’s a before-and-after weeding photo at the front of Plot8. I’ve put some bulbs in front of the irises and amongst the grape hyacinths. As you can see, the irises have been trimmed back to 15cm for over-Wintering.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDxh1PPOrsnK3PoCm5AaTaFkeRG2eMafzRIdlusI0ayNUYgqFS_r7Py7Dg_YRX1lKTRWNoBmqXHc7kJpioqu49ml8BpMwJrY27x5HTdvepuQvB0kEXAeKpuLBdVVIaw5S2PdW_TNlgnfV17oJW3rnjyMg3WrklZkfvgj5rur6djD9PeBWFw6ojmcCgjc/s3196/286C1A43-633F-4CC9-A3DA-DB1EB11C7672-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDxh1PPOrsnK3PoCm5AaTaFkeRG2eMafzRIdlusI0ayNUYgqFS_r7Py7Dg_YRX1lKTRWNoBmqXHc7kJpioqu49ml8BpMwJrY27x5HTdvepuQvB0kEXAeKpuLBdVVIaw5S2PdW_TNlgnfV17oJW3rnjyMg3WrklZkfvgj5rur6djD9PeBWFw6ojmcCgjc/w480-h640/286C1A43-633F-4CC9-A3DA-DB1EB11C7672-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Weedy patch - before & after" width="480" /></a></div>HAHA has a seed swap container in our communal shed, so I’ve packed up a few of our collected seeds this weekend too. Lots of beans and flowers - if plotholders don’t want them we’ll find somewhere else to share them. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUUTRaF7JQWXdlxD9hLwRaZng0gtWzn3xEYzamzdZGvSACaEND6XuyWlUDpuN2R8ugvLHqNjEM0pQYrmYoy1CZH5D_F1xFmqD_WcHkfiUb0P3V-vTHb3x-60FUrOD0joE3opeMyACU6OqJEkZih0PIcLG0v1Z_yYfQ7Y6iVumAU5Rr_PUK_q3t47vEmg/s2992/20231008_104746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUUTRaF7JQWXdlxD9hLwRaZng0gtWzn3xEYzamzdZGvSACaEND6XuyWlUDpuN2R8ugvLHqNjEM0pQYrmYoy1CZH5D_F1xFmqD_WcHkfiUb0P3V-vTHb3x-60FUrOD0joE3opeMyACU6OqJEkZih0PIcLG0v1Z_yYfQ7Y6iVumAU5Rr_PUK_q3t47vEmg/s320/20231008_104746.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Yesterday I had a meal of Yin Yang beans, curly kale (thanks to Nia), tomatoes and onion flavoured with a bit of garlic, oregano, soy, tomato puree with a little finely grated cheese on top - delish and so easy to make!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcmWGsZ9h4-dm6hu5RiwbQSOYuGVIL5aGEH230M55cYB4ill_5oanMRoOD6Bj8y-r13daYtoFFM9sLkyfo4-3_a7QZsj4mvMtYgZ3Jpm3aJvTzxTTFHlJhU5ExgehOCxNrsV2ZBHe0XOivFhh1JzDv6X0UZvN0drinl-IA05XmlEhSaoyjzjMb98o45w/s2992/20231009_181959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcmWGsZ9h4-dm6hu5RiwbQSOYuGVIL5aGEH230M55cYB4ill_5oanMRoOD6Bj8y-r13daYtoFFM9sLkyfo4-3_a7QZsj4mvMtYgZ3Jpm3aJvTzxTTFHlJhU5ExgehOCxNrsV2ZBHe0XOivFhh1JzDv6X0UZvN0drinl-IA05XmlEhSaoyjzjMb98o45w/w400-h400/20231009_181959.jpg" title="Kale, Tomatoes & Orca Beans" width="400" /></a></div> And, just one last thing - look at this potato! Is it the veggie version of ham-fisted? 😊<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4oI2p_T7jF7nwGEu8nRVZxKed9_80x74zTm1-8yHfCDphRTjm6zycwKuZ1pwTsdBicM19NzkMbamltj_stNaJiFd61dV7-Yc5rpRY05DJkn_CYZawNDcMK6CSgKC4liwNEk4DST1rPikskZkCkbWmN1nWtogZsWQAve8WeIKfO2zoT_HB_Vlvgtz5Gw/s2508/20231002_184649.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="2508" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4oI2p_T7jF7nwGEu8nRVZxKed9_80x74zTm1-8yHfCDphRTjm6zycwKuZ1pwTsdBicM19NzkMbamltj_stNaJiFd61dV7-Yc5rpRY05DJkn_CYZawNDcMK6CSgKC4liwNEk4DST1rPikskZkCkbWmN1nWtogZsWQAve8WeIKfO2zoT_HB_Vlvgtz5Gw/w400-h400/20231002_184649.jpg" title="Fist-shaped potato" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The song title is provided by Oasis. What a song, haven't heard that in a while but can't believe it was released 28years ago!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wm54XyLwBAk" width="320" youtube-src-id="Wm54XyLwBAk"></iframe></div><br />Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-36384277632525195072023-10-02T08:17:00.000+01:002023-10-02T08:17:45.517+01:00Changing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOD5DeOyLpKUlJjcTwNUGN4bn3dbjuwwRooJ7B-sWtrjPzt_D1JEQmV_3LshUeYZHDhmrVxcW2aHbO-C2RFSvDhYrM9ioOq1VuLK1_oxXpb1nmJOMjK4Q5L7HvkFDALqSsI2j6OSdCRERmdwCB6Cz80M941tSIPolMVt_phErohjkV1LQCwNtNf79nFE/s2736/20231001_165408.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Pink and purple flower bed" border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2061" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOOD5DeOyLpKUlJjcTwNUGN4bn3dbjuwwRooJ7B-sWtrjPzt_D1JEQmV_3LshUeYZHDhmrVxcW2aHbO-C2RFSvDhYrM9ioOq1VuLK1_oxXpb1nmJOMjK4Q5L7HvkFDALqSsI2j6OSdCRERmdwCB6Cz80M941tSIPolMVt_phErohjkV1LQCwNtNf79nFE/w482-h640/20231001_165408.jpg" title="Verbena Bonariensis and Nicotiana flowers" width="482" /></a></div>The <i>verbena bonariensis</i> is so pretty and I do love the mix of colours with the <i>nicotiana</i>. They’re usually buzzing with life but I didn’t see many bees yesterday, even though it was pretty warm for October (October already!?) and wasn’t breezy.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc2ET45Mf90HSYzMMNdpDzfjiML0GkeQlpP0nwnQVjD9CLUhmvioWTjox6s-WIqz0pm-2JpvVa9iPnnd_gc0bE2n2Qa153xRaehhaI_mWgxEPocZ2C0mz9GjHMDNf4WHxJnRo0fKZYPsPRqjv_SJB7DMCdFhRREeV1AnlWCks3f9PBeiaufqruoeHOL8/s2992/20231001_125357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc2ET45Mf90HSYzMMNdpDzfjiML0GkeQlpP0nwnQVjD9CLUhmvioWTjox6s-WIqz0pm-2JpvVa9iPnnd_gc0bE2n2Qa153xRaehhaI_mWgxEPocZ2C0mz9GjHMDNf4WHxJnRo0fKZYPsPRqjv_SJB7DMCdFhRREeV1AnlWCks3f9PBeiaufqruoeHOL8/w400-h400/20231001_125357.jpg" title="Weeded & dug for garlic" width="400" /></a></div>We had a busy day on the plot and my aching body isn’t used to it! In the morning I weeded and dug this area where the garlic is to be planted. We’ve had a delivery of very well rotted manure to the site so I dug some of that in - a barrowful for £1.50 - bargain. Jamie spent the time clearing, digging and chalking an area where the potatoes had been - for our broad beans to over-Winter.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz9qmOUreznLNP44ELy-uznfTlRCtb_RIthGAuF3RrFwR3jQA-u-36b9dQjWD7_AtMUMTLQMLe7RSNnX-MHjLyenuNWzBRX9_5H38f5Hk_JjwqcE54bfWc-srjJzDcal44cq2-1slmqDMWdOkVsG1G7Fxtgeov8L4db_R1sAu3gjR1IKvQXZtB5KqwSg/s2992/20231001_165321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlz9qmOUreznLNP44ELy-uznfTlRCtb_RIthGAuF3RrFwR3jQA-u-36b9dQjWD7_AtMUMTLQMLe7RSNnX-MHjLyenuNWzBRX9_5H38f5Hk_JjwqcE54bfWc-srjJzDcal44cq2-1slmqDMWdOkVsG1G7Fxtgeov8L4db_R1sAu3gjR1IKvQXZtB5KqwSg/w400-h400/20231001_165321.jpg" title="Leeks" width="400" /></a></div>In the afternoon I spent time clearing the weeds from the leeks bed. The weather has been warm with a bit of rain - the weeds have loved it… the bindweed had started strangling the leeks and the grass and bittercress has also enjoyed a fresh burst of growth. I tried hard to pull out unbroken bindweed roots, but it’ll be back 😩 I’ve cut back the parsnip leaves which had become a slugfest and there's
a row of leeks there which have been chomped. Hopefully they'll recover
now they can see the light of day again.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gD3LZIwuXWC999LoIx0fgLRALqXeKNDOCO8x-vXlTDOWIKXe7ADsCylOHdyfg-II4yquQcdc4yZd1sUEI1r9ysU4MFDC7lraDXnG-TKFoivliUsZgJ3vUXACsZyBsu9esGTL9En6Sp4KK14NIU21btUPo9tBtuTFNMj_UmNRFxA0fc2k3hPLWJ1aDBA/s2992/20231001_131333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gD3LZIwuXWC999LoIx0fgLRALqXeKNDOCO8x-vXlTDOWIKXe7ADsCylOHdyfg-II4yquQcdc4yZd1sUEI1r9ysU4MFDC7lraDXnG-TKFoivliUsZgJ3vUXACsZyBsu9esGTL9En6Sp4KK14NIU21btUPo9tBtuTFNMj_UmNRFxA0fc2k3hPLWJ1aDBA/w640-h640/20231001_131333.jpg" title="Jack-be-Little pumpkins" width="640" /></a></div><div>Now that the foliage is dying back we can see all the mini Jack-be-Little pumpkins. Those two plants have been happy it seems! We need to get some shelves up in the polytunnel so those little fruits can go in there to cure. Jamie was making some room in the polytunnel today by removing a couple of the pepper plants. I'll use the soil for planting up some bulb pots. So, as well as sweetcorn, we had peppers for our meal last night. They were meant to go orange, but they taste good green too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfkgxI6KODdv7tGYTmgRGHdMG4EiinmLBXv-8ruDp8uxEf6-NS48oZ8D50ntYo6Y0N2e12jhN99Iu_8AHebJ381GH8W9Mr-gAzu74ec762_GtLB_DBaKABK4dLL-ebkjnIPWWNhhpUGTU3liM2XlbxBFUnlIkA4iNPJFXqU4srN5gNRlqJ2agMfAaq6M/s2992/20231001_130821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfkgxI6KODdv7tGYTmgRGHdMG4EiinmLBXv-8ruDp8uxEf6-NS48oZ8D50ntYo6Y0N2e12jhN99Iu_8AHebJ381GH8W9Mr-gAzu74ec762_GtLB_DBaKABK4dLL-ebkjnIPWWNhhpUGTU3liM2XlbxBFUnlIkA4iNPJFXqU4srN5gNRlqJ2agMfAaq6M/w400-h400/20231001_130821.jpg" title="Peppers and sweetcorn in a trug" width="400" /></a></div><p>We had halloumi and roasted veg - I've started just adding the halloumi to the roasting pan towards the end of cooking rather than cooking separately on the hob - it gives it a slightly different texture but still delicious and squeaky. That plateful has home-grown peppers, sweetcorn, garlic, basil and a few tomatoes (but mostly shop-bought). Perhaps we'll try growing our own onions again next year ...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NGxnQcFBNDwfsuOfH-FTlYAvfdXd_DIWar4akKs1AvM8Glz195M6URfaLt8n3HO5O7dHDPrSGE8sdrBmuGHtxyFbUPCOlXzpAHmaCndVXVLpPXtdeDMVoeAEi0uJwLUkpR2eDflg1LA3I_08DSAbQbuS8Egrm5ytRHQTZi22Jx3o1uaoylCtEXpInNI/s2992/20231001_194948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NGxnQcFBNDwfsuOfH-FTlYAvfdXd_DIWar4akKs1AvM8Glz195M6URfaLt8n3HO5O7dHDPrSGE8sdrBmuGHtxyFbUPCOlXzpAHmaCndVXVLpPXtdeDMVoeAEi0uJwLUkpR2eDflg1LA3I_08DSAbQbuS8Egrm5ytRHQTZi22Jx3o1uaoylCtEXpInNI/w640-h640/20231001_194948.jpg" title="Roasted veg and halloumi" width="640" /></a></div><p>We've had the last of the green beans, although I'm contemplating whether to save some of the runners for drying...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6bBbIgr76CuIHF6nXT107od0v1I0N8svnkDAtZ3oLzdRi2jmGhOQk7ggWehKnZLprXEr4VLztxaPKw5TUV46nI0psJG_nRNybv3bJqiNIcLNPSullEE0aOPgPEA66DhNUzbtVNbozuwyxPOBTzS225nAy4N6r0ZBt0M_ujs1pKb6SoX7YlilSg8AyKk/s1452/IMG_1353.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1452" data-original-width="1324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6bBbIgr76CuIHF6nXT107od0v1I0N8svnkDAtZ3oLzdRi2jmGhOQk7ggWehKnZLprXEr4VLztxaPKw5TUV46nI0psJG_nRNybv3bJqiNIcLNPSullEE0aOPgPEA66DhNUzbtVNbozuwyxPOBTzS225nAy4N6r0ZBt0M_ujs1pKb6SoX7YlilSg8AyKk/w365-h400/IMG_1353.PNG" title="Picking the beans" width="365" /></a></div><p></p><p>The beans in the polytunnel roof completely dried and they’re now in jars - I have a few left over for sharing. I know <i>borlotti </i>are delicious but the <i>Yin Yang </i>(aka <i>Orca</i> or <i>Calypso bean</i>) are so fabulous looking; I hope they taste good too!</p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6Sv7gzzR8gdHoL1a25ov11yj3DDwOdGVIzzCrq_ELYSKIIbE8Jp8_Ttw3sN-5B6cOeAUMMW32_A96Uw-xSV2oAWKkbq9_8Pg0mo7L8Bw4gUYltetCrUSWX4TnYDZ3gognkTkuVGRk9-HbkgY_Kg2cDJaWSNggPCBGiIffBvJ0VZxAZVruiL01ntKz_Q/s2992/471C6ECE-2371-4A70-B894-12974CBD1C33.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6Sv7gzzR8gdHoL1a25ov11yj3DDwOdGVIzzCrq_ELYSKIIbE8Jp8_Ttw3sN-5B6cOeAUMMW32_A96Uw-xSV2oAWKkbq9_8Pg0mo7L8Bw4gUYltetCrUSWX4TnYDZ3gognkTkuVGRk9-HbkgY_Kg2cDJaWSNggPCBGiIffBvJ0VZxAZVruiL01ntKz_Q/w400-h400/471C6ECE-2371-4A70-B894-12974CBD1C33.jpeg" title="Dried Yin Yang & Borlotti beans" width="400" /></a></div>We think we may have had the last of the courgettes, although there are a couple of new ones appearing - we've been eating them since June! The song is provided by Sigma with Paloma Faith.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CgcD2Hxz0uU" width="320" youtube-src-id="CgcD2Hxz0uU"></iframe></div><br />Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-38929846157369536372023-09-23T11:05:00.001+01:002023-09-23T11:05:37.998+01:00SorrowI’ve been offline for a few weeks and the season moved from some sweltering late Summer days to rainy Autumn ones, although it’s a dazzling blue sky this morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF-lNz3IHlmobNrrEUaV3mfkC6DarT3is_X17_dag8ut4Nz08nw4JG3pZ3cWvXLt4eUymeIDNW_PvTQhpzgbStiogAVqG3nFQNRIzdAFNFe1jSvQmWWtUVhJPzbNxUcPZE5vhIH2VpkWKrNkfd93_d4qZruBJf2wYMwVulIl-yQfF_oL4R53XsAz0iOg/s2992/20230921_171503.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTF-lNz3IHlmobNrrEUaV3mfkC6DarT3is_X17_dag8ut4Nz08nw4JG3pZ3cWvXLt4eUymeIDNW_PvTQhpzgbStiogAVqG3nFQNRIzdAFNFe1jSvQmWWtUVhJPzbNxUcPZE5vhIH2VpkWKrNkfd93_d4qZruBJf2wYMwVulIl-yQfF_oL4R53XsAz0iOg/w400-h400/20230921_171503.jpg" title="Colourful trug" width="400" /></a></div><div>In the mornings and evenings it definitely feels like Autumn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyu1siqQYcfSB344ALSkj39FVHE4XvJQOiwpPgGf9sAiKjZvGOAMkxy_j4IEoNJKX3gudYoU1CjdEbIUZYFZLOwcpRxLIFroK19mfyAw4HGpgJ8Z9IApTSjzhJHgcl5DweE78AxBInY5WF37dJ6bnRd1R8-z3edw_SYu8YEm-2GPMInNIbLJ7YHFKfm0/s2992/20230905_083244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyu1siqQYcfSB344ALSkj39FVHE4XvJQOiwpPgGf9sAiKjZvGOAMkxy_j4IEoNJKX3gudYoU1CjdEbIUZYFZLOwcpRxLIFroK19mfyAw4HGpgJ8Z9IApTSjzhJHgcl5DweE78AxBInY5WF37dJ6bnRd1R8-z3edw_SYu8YEm-2GPMInNIbLJ7YHFKfm0/w640-h640/20230905_083244.jpg" title="Autumnal mornings" width="640" /></a></div><div>Harvests have been plentiful and colourful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TCz71CnQrtP1L-iGp0iD3JMgBGf8xaDl2zRyaxi-4GRaLgVEFTOGc8FqToNr3L8uikxHBRlDYRWWM8jPXmxLyuAThfr9Y9YL--5FLZN6lPoR_zXyqnZg51AO_ftcDM8_zeJ-ZwmsmT6Lfg_yROw95wvdmNfL6kt0wNJlrj_5hOpv8ZUnJJHCbHulWwU/s2992/20230910_153357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TCz71CnQrtP1L-iGp0iD3JMgBGf8xaDl2zRyaxi-4GRaLgVEFTOGc8FqToNr3L8uikxHBRlDYRWWM8jPXmxLyuAThfr9Y9YL--5FLZN6lPoR_zXyqnZg51AO_ftcDM8_zeJ-ZwmsmT6Lfg_yROw95wvdmNfL6kt0wNJlrj_5hOpv8ZUnJJHCbHulWwU/s320/20230910_153357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>The French and runner beans have been feeding us well. We were late with the runners so they’re not stringy yet. I may pod some of the French beans for drying, but I probably have enough dried beans…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOQ8R1kWhitMykMbmskRFZLG7kji5OhIdkY_nOJIijcwD9mdsJLmgfEjxANaezDbpr36rgOywXXrRwmA3mwxG7XxOD8d273ARKgDWV3UPkGhja5218PA2YehM7ZNuz5BAqWOpVNbtZSQN58u4SIG67a95u95eGmNinYdPvtW6k-gxmSzW0uIYnj2I5y4/s2992/20230910_151912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXOQ8R1kWhitMykMbmskRFZLG7kji5OhIdkY_nOJIijcwD9mdsJLmgfEjxANaezDbpr36rgOywXXrRwmA3mwxG7XxOD8d273ARKgDWV3UPkGhja5218PA2YehM7ZNuz5BAqWOpVNbtZSQN58u4SIG67a95u95eGmNinYdPvtW6k-gxmSzW0uIYnj2I5y4/w640-h640/20230910_151912.jpg" title="Climbing bean tunnel" width="640" /></a></div><div>Most of the <i>Borlotti</i> and <i>Yin Yang </i>are being dried. I move them from the polytunnel roof drying mesh before the pods pop open.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUng8Q8QIQs3V6s9igYslAJ0e8tVPulxhwtUX64TYrrHmK8_RS9-cSZYa0uAdg8b7op3bA8176dAobeg-f4x4b0dcrQMEaMRFfS6opeB-4fS7-8RvrMWqRdWGkiK2AGgnY4FoQgJDJsZ8P9gE-oqtkmVwtNpVAokDQz1XhTj_SexxnZaoiWVWeOp-KpQ/s2992/20230920_115455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUng8Q8QIQs3V6s9igYslAJ0e8tVPulxhwtUX64TYrrHmK8_RS9-cSZYa0uAdg8b7op3bA8176dAobeg-f4x4b0dcrQMEaMRFfS6opeB-4fS7-8RvrMWqRdWGkiK2AGgnY4FoQgJDJsZ8P9gE-oqtkmVwtNpVAokDQz1XhTj_SexxnZaoiWVWeOp-KpQ/w400-h400/20230920_115455.jpg" title="Drying bean pods" width="400" /></a></div><div>Flowers are beginning to die back, but the <i>Scabiosa Stellata </i>are now in their prime - their seedheads are only small, but so pretty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLv4FLU6uM2Jj_TWY8hj91GMHl8rOBKOycwRpnmZR57AEUawN8tzZ0nwX_EGhvdOAzxzQ7LSZx4Vwjxy1kceNh5-Q6lW3PIdE2DrEh5PktquhQbPAqI45Iqh3LfSkL9CZApUY0TiCFsmgXmQeWIXWAMAoATkXEq51pX13lOcDYgXAzGX8vySHbgOYw8w/s1920/20230913_084919.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLv4FLU6uM2Jj_TWY8hj91GMHl8rOBKOycwRpnmZR57AEUawN8tzZ0nwX_EGhvdOAzxzQ7LSZx4Vwjxy1kceNh5-Q6lW3PIdE2DrEh5PktquhQbPAqI45Iqh3LfSkL9CZApUY0TiCFsmgXmQeWIXWAMAoATkXEq51pX13lOcDYgXAzGX8vySHbgOYw8w/w640-h640/20230913_084919.jpg" title="Scabiosa Stellata seedhead" width="640" /></a></div><div>The <i>Spanish Flag </i>began to show flowers at about the same time as Spain beat England in the Women’s World Cup final, but September put on a full show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgjjl_bVkxoZe6ZfdZX_EUpH1ysqDt91_ekkDZJ4ZK38O7pkMngYj_1TddDGtnfJ54_lmKJXbCgMWx5VbZ-fwCor8F4YArL4-nCkLDFZjWTmQYLHFddIAQvncrdvYgh5sURn02XWiQmOPunLzPC0bJ2Rc8JAXtrBNLjoE872FcoRcchT6RiuWKnaTqno/s2992/20230913_085017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgjjl_bVkxoZe6ZfdZX_EUpH1ysqDt91_ekkDZJ4ZK38O7pkMngYj_1TddDGtnfJ54_lmKJXbCgMWx5VbZ-fwCor8F4YArL4-nCkLDFZjWTmQYLHFddIAQvncrdvYgh5sURn02XWiQmOPunLzPC0bJ2Rc8JAXtrBNLjoE872FcoRcchT6RiuWKnaTqno/w400-h400/20230913_085017.jpg" title="Spanish flag" width="400" /></a></div><div>The <i>calendula </i>have been stunning, but really need deadheading daily.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOlp-qCHQRgEYmzjjGXvQoyc6n8CYuNSmRXwdzeqX9OktNvo_BADDEDYOVcyrrq6L1BkIy510sTiFeIFjWYQnIePL9NQioRfpatvC1wyaHP19RrN5l5jHU4l7LC1fybRUPPH2kUTFRPzzw4xi1MwrUYkftpUA9euwP6B6g-AmTeNQQZ-81VPFS4EEze8/s2880/6983858D-1716-4ECD-8E4B-59377BBFD8E5-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpOlp-qCHQRgEYmzjjGXvQoyc6n8CYuNSmRXwdzeqX9OktNvo_BADDEDYOVcyrrq6L1BkIy510sTiFeIFjWYQnIePL9NQioRfpatvC1wyaHP19RrN5l5jHU4l7LC1fybRUPPH2kUTFRPzzw4xi1MwrUYkftpUA9euwP6B6g-AmTeNQQZ-81VPFS4EEze8/w640-h640/6983858D-1716-4ECD-8E4B-59377BBFD8E5-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Beautiful calendula flowers" width="640" /></a></div><div>The two courgette plants just keep producing. We’ve had to share or compost some giants but they keep on coming!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQISmOClaC49bKIOZ83B16RwlG_vY9sUHDkeYcIGRVsrHrRoiyUdNQ3lrei7lIhff1tLiXL5zjoP4OeisV5lycrIdJmxBNBXS-Zc2wLYhYzIxlgRv8EHjOEgph21GPIFcJGMSkOObr6iDpKMo6iGJN6x_jwsHPDlw9qEwaoEQywfJIz-O4GH-kNyfXVA/s2992/20230909_142204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQISmOClaC49bKIOZ83B16RwlG_vY9sUHDkeYcIGRVsrHrRoiyUdNQ3lrei7lIhff1tLiXL5zjoP4OeisV5lycrIdJmxBNBXS-Zc2wLYhYzIxlgRv8EHjOEgph21GPIFcJGMSkOObr6iDpKMo6iGJN6x_jwsHPDlw9qEwaoEQywfJIz-O4GH-kNyfXVA/w640-h640/20230909_142204.jpg" title="Everlasting courgette" width="640" /></a></div><div>And sweetcorn is now on the menu, for lunch most days. A few of the stalks had been blown down (or dragged down by the weight of the mini pumpkins), but the cobs are excellent; <i>Incredible </i>are not as sweet as our normal <i>Lark </i>variety, but are delicious.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUprZ2d4oA-xUXbNwuD7zmsumWDbfUEY1GbxD9XDvUFs5fotKPsJeOEAG101gaxtSol7bLZndm4ln9LIbQrG9lxCd87Ke2Qei79ZVqu19zH8k2WboW37aZ4_aosegwq5TryoLE2eUyKN3RCcRelPQJlK5Zg6YJ4t23d9LD2Ylk567yhK948DpvaS-fzCc/s2992/20230920_122614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUprZ2d4oA-xUXbNwuD7zmsumWDbfUEY1GbxD9XDvUFs5fotKPsJeOEAG101gaxtSol7bLZndm4ln9LIbQrG9lxCd87Ke2Qei79ZVqu19zH8k2WboW37aZ4_aosegwq5TryoLE2eUyKN3RCcRelPQJlK5Zg6YJ4t23d9LD2Ylk567yhK948DpvaS-fzCc/w400-h400/20230920_122614.jpg" title="Sweetcorn" width="400" /></a></div><div>The <i>radish</i> flowers have been so pretty and the pods have been a tasty, hot, on-site snack and addition to salads/stir fry. So many pods that I pickled some and added <i>nasturtium</i> seeds which are extremely tasty when fresh so I hope they’re good pickled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl2PN3UxRmdUWUSHQFUjkxRQBVV5EBhnzzQToLGuNeqgNcdUn_WNs5VRQqCIvbKy_eCPYLNAl9AU0StphnFlb21Six8n7QmyTruL1ckIzER3aXwD4dcSFKkGcO8bTswl9v_fNc_xYIuwrHJS5whYSI9NEHtlm2ijN16G_6xrpvemhUITmjdbbzRl3GGA/s3196/7BECA0AF-B911-419B-B1D7-0A93E7B0DE9D-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3196" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl2PN3UxRmdUWUSHQFUjkxRQBVV5EBhnzzQToLGuNeqgNcdUn_WNs5VRQqCIvbKy_eCPYLNAl9AU0StphnFlb21Six8n7QmyTruL1ckIzER3aXwD4dcSFKkGcO8bTswl9v_fNc_xYIuwrHJS5whYSI9NEHtlm2ijN16G_6xrpvemhUITmjdbbzRl3GGA/w400-h300/7BECA0AF-B911-419B-B1D7-0A93E7B0DE9D-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Pickled radish pods and nasturtium seeds" width="400" /></a></div>The <a href="https://youtu.be/Eys6ngxEOn0?si=BPyCCy4uBgq0wMZJ" target="_blank">song is provided by David Bowie</a> and reflects the current feeling as we said goodbye to my mum who made it to her 95th birthday but pretty much decided that was plenty and fell asleep. A terrible time for us but doing our best to remember the good times, of which there were many.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn52jTnLkOpLTcwqC-TcKTvw47w2zon_ca0i_IDmrI6bIG7PSNS61m4IWDwlTXZHeK7Yb8muJE9PoLvNHnVutII4K7kDlEowR8UNAtv_ljfSZH-VFGzqlVPqnako-FrnPbROB6ODMAW4MyPjnefd1ioJjgqU47CGOHdwGDCpdqUerNbozu0b6IL-YfLFQ/s3465/6EE4252A-9E5D-41E9-BB0B-6BE819815B5E.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="3465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn52jTnLkOpLTcwqC-TcKTvw47w2zon_ca0i_IDmrI6bIG7PSNS61m4IWDwlTXZHeK7Yb8muJE9PoLvNHnVutII4K7kDlEowR8UNAtv_ljfSZH-VFGzqlVPqnako-FrnPbROB6ODMAW4MyPjnefd1ioJjgqU47CGOHdwGDCpdqUerNbozu0b6IL-YfLFQ/w640-h640/6EE4252A-9E5D-41E9-BB0B-6BE819815B5E.jpeg" title="Family Memories" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-86802814723562706812023-08-13T08:46:00.002+01:002023-08-13T08:46:37.673+01:00Summertime<p>It’s been another mixed bag weatherwise….</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPFp-n7FE4p5jr030j9GveZ1u5u3LEoCUhbRy-RvGM_TT22aefV0bXzDBmsOJGYadbRipFhoM867rQJO3f2VX-8QDXBo9rsHqZBNMFGfFKpuxe4Lak1M1O2vHhoQvhrdQ_fF-eIoSi1z3mNhQxn54gJmc8enNeOElanKBO13TbCO2pQpARhC9TLXmYW0/s1920/20230805_105332.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Raindrops on flower" border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1920" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaPFp-n7FE4p5jr030j9GveZ1u5u3LEoCUhbRy-RvGM_TT22aefV0bXzDBmsOJGYadbRipFhoM867rQJO3f2VX-8QDXBo9rsHqZBNMFGfFKpuxe4Lak1M1O2vHhoQvhrdQ_fF-eIoSi1z3mNhQxn54gJmc8enNeOElanKBO13TbCO2pQpARhC9TLXmYW0/w640-h640/20230805_105332.jpg" title="Calendula in the Rain" width="640" /></a></div>We’ve been to the plot to either water or harvest most days. Really hot if the Sun happens to be shining, but at other times it has been distinctly grey!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFP4veubWSUaDjWbixwk32G4a1HSd9hBD3HQwHEzs3ehlDbnCLS_FdQbJwAD5340G8sXqgA9i9Iqs5qLuOxb8qjpFscN4Topdzr7atoQWBCEFpE8P_yycU6-HpKxps8INybG1g0EvAv4PyUAcFu08w9KWXAP2dr67GnWTsaIQNvebd2Qwjm0qrkfPwrc/s2992/20230808_122217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFP4veubWSUaDjWbixwk32G4a1HSd9hBD3HQwHEzs3ehlDbnCLS_FdQbJwAD5340G8sXqgA9i9Iqs5qLuOxb8qjpFscN4Topdzr7atoQWBCEFpE8P_yycU6-HpKxps8INybG1g0EvAv4PyUAcFu08w9KWXAP2dr67GnWTsaIQNvebd2Qwjm0qrkfPwrc/w400-h400/20230808_122217.jpg" title="Grey Summer day" width="400" /></a></div><div>But it’s been quite warm and the plants really are loving it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95RGojo9tZK6P5Pu2EMgvJpNaNQ6opmH0U6l7LHGr1EVwHek0OD7F9KEXRVL_xmc4CejDp1vOSy-Uk0aCumIKgQWQnHq6NbTWqnoAuyb2QXH4kdZlepmGUkbSWpZsb3gjKhhWVF37BvnJhZPEx6_3_lT4G-1fGxBCcdpRxJUZKaZ1VWWZVtvG3tBcr7k/s2992/20230812_095045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95RGojo9tZK6P5Pu2EMgvJpNaNQ6opmH0U6l7LHGr1EVwHek0OD7F9KEXRVL_xmc4CejDp1vOSy-Uk0aCumIKgQWQnHq6NbTWqnoAuyb2QXH4kdZlepmGUkbSWpZsb3gjKhhWVF37BvnJhZPEx6_3_lT4G-1fGxBCcdpRxJUZKaZ1VWWZVtvG3tBcr7k/w640-h640/20230812_095045.jpg" title="Borlotti beans on a frame" width="640" /></a></div>The <i>Borlotti </i>beans are behaving as planned on the frame. They’ll be easier to pick than the <i>Asparagus Pea </i>(aka winged peas) which are so tricky to spot amongst the weeds and squash foliage!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F3IO01d-VFAzUrTU61l8mmNX--c1gcpCXQJvhV1rvqnR0JCfDhRnsLtC1TPjGkkU5hH9R6RngErt8nU_Glat8eaHAys51WczCJQGZ26pXltGuPUOWtAUOJSoAo8L0Lq0v-Rmq05t8JtC6PXhxzaMckcOr56pQ2W5WibiSrJRG8nFvHWzCBrfPpbySXk/s2992/20230812_101305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7F3IO01d-VFAzUrTU61l8mmNX--c1gcpCXQJvhV1rvqnR0JCfDhRnsLtC1TPjGkkU5hH9R6RngErt8nU_Glat8eaHAys51WczCJQGZ26pXltGuPUOWtAUOJSoAo8L0Lq0v-Rmq05t8JtC6PXhxzaMckcOr56pQ2W5WibiSrJRG8nFvHWzCBrfPpbySXk/w400-h400/20230812_101305.jpg" title="Spot the asparagus pea!" width="400" /></a></div>The asparagus peas are still part of most harvests at the moment along with courgettes…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBCWi2x7EvPAOMQQ0DCKwAP5_KRfG2LVENhveLobUpGR2cvCa6m4CurpxOkeHoZrTMbmHzT00LN1O-SLXhQmnLiQKsxpTKsZW_ZIeeKsXjJH1t7G1A0-GfxsJOxjNMm40DNp-wjCYyvt9HbYgZyf4flR06ozOi2q8UTEmYfZQj-tK10GRK6q2Rs1k8Kc/s3465/54976148-31A6-403E-B63B-972D41A2A031.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="3465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBCWi2x7EvPAOMQQ0DCKwAP5_KRfG2LVENhveLobUpGR2cvCa6m4CurpxOkeHoZrTMbmHzT00LN1O-SLXhQmnLiQKsxpTKsZW_ZIeeKsXjJH1t7G1A0-GfxsJOxjNMm40DNp-wjCYyvt9HbYgZyf4flR06ozOi2q8UTEmYfZQj-tK10GRK6q2Rs1k8Kc/w640-h640/54976148-31A6-403E-B63B-972D41A2A031.jpeg" title="Trug harvests" width="640" /></a></div><div>The cucumbers may have produced their last fruits - well, we still have a supply in the fridge. We pickled a couple in white wine vinegar with dill, mustard seeds and a few chive flower buds on 5th August.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAqDlg10IE-X7k7SpaHTQdlskI2GrAe4krLUJgq6OZvOavc3vCPOGLtOec9OJ-FL13Z-ymizevTafdgjQxeYDnMm4xWOgieiTiHyy7dRLicd-4hnXlYkhL8QbAPHcHnEa3ku0XjMpKEiLYm-mDq_2cPzWxINfBzAZbvE3XVyncJX8BlH7XXZ69YKCdU4/s2992/20230805_145027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAqDlg10IE-X7k7SpaHTQdlskI2GrAe4krLUJgq6OZvOavc3vCPOGLtOec9OJ-FL13Z-ymizevTafdgjQxeYDnMm4xWOgieiTiHyy7dRLicd-4hnXlYkhL8QbAPHcHnEa3ku0XjMpKEiLYm-mDq_2cPzWxINfBzAZbvE3XVyncJX8BlH7XXZ69YKCdU4/w400-h400/20230805_145027.jpg" title="Pickled cucumber" width="400" /></a></div><div>And I even resorted to a peanut butter and cucumber roll for lunch - it was actually very tasty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DMAq4A5pooI8sCLlGNXrVPUoC_pjpk2HEVX67gJFsnmMRXSrVoY20kbpwJ0XN-rXnIhOuawGEiGPoz1urXAgo4ReQkVRa_j1ZEv2z0NkCPYCjh4GXOuUPo83XYyjMXFStuYcert5n3LYmPtYXbqH7kU4KgrpBQNNzD2qwEmxcoDEChm0ug5xy9EAdH8/s2992/20230811_121132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DMAq4A5pooI8sCLlGNXrVPUoC_pjpk2HEVX67gJFsnmMRXSrVoY20kbpwJ0XN-rXnIhOuawGEiGPoz1urXAgo4ReQkVRa_j1ZEv2z0NkCPYCjh4GXOuUPo83XYyjMXFStuYcert5n3LYmPtYXbqH7kU4KgrpBQNNzD2qwEmxcoDEChm0ug5xy9EAdH8/w400-h400/20230811_121132.jpg" title="Peanut butter and cucumber roll" width="400" /></a></div><div>On our plot visit, ahead of the football yesterday (England beat Colombia to get to the Women’s World Cup Semi-final!) I was hoping to pick a Florence fennel bulb, but (as usual) they have all bolted - I’m sure they looked ok in the week, but they were still under their protective covering. Frustrating, I should have kept a closer eye on them. They’ll just be composted now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aM5Ge5A62YuGNLSeo1v5pER5lPs86YjVQAzbbJl2TmbLdMPl1I0wZ-ADUrejfW9Yb5IweaIt4Vq0Fb_-0VvuE66vVpPh2pEayauieqE5bfgr-RfvcMj4SbkzZP01BZFr-6LxcqdFjtl-R7FFKmJi8cXinBIPp9tjOgSexCl2tc-W2n5Jbb6JFWcqvlI/s2992/20230812_101553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aM5Ge5A62YuGNLSeo1v5pER5lPs86YjVQAzbbJl2TmbLdMPl1I0wZ-ADUrejfW9Yb5IweaIt4Vq0Fb_-0VvuE66vVpPh2pEayauieqE5bfgr-RfvcMj4SbkzZP01BZFr-6LxcqdFjtl-R7FFKmJi8cXinBIPp9tjOgSexCl2tc-W2n5Jbb6JFWcqvlI/w640-h640/20230812_101553.jpg" title="Fennel - bolted bulbs" width="640" /></a></div><div>Plot 7 is looking particularly overgrown! There are lots of <i>Yin Yang </i>dwarf<i> </i>beans and the <i>Cornell’s Delicata </i>squash as well as <i>Jack-be-Little</i> mini pumpkins hidden amongst that lot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rm82fG02DC1pucjbSWy5EfRsxfQG3OmR8HHepFGtMeA78W2sTFljJ6is4zcjyCyXsSrOw7YK6vkoyyyUZIFluR_cr95GuWSCpPQGjG5tnLGP7hliaR6nxrEnTiXOZriabB3qObiChH3nSfNIGC8BtlgIZdoOBAae_s50sDpavOC-3cmJEw-BdtMVx7Q/s2992/20230812_101609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Rm82fG02DC1pucjbSWy5EfRsxfQG3OmR8HHepFGtMeA78W2sTFljJ6is4zcjyCyXsSrOw7YK6vkoyyyUZIFluR_cr95GuWSCpPQGjG5tnLGP7hliaR6nxrEnTiXOZriabB3qObiChH3nSfNIGC8BtlgIZdoOBAae_s50sDpavOC-3cmJEw-BdtMVx7Q/w640-h640/20230812_101609.jpg" title="Plot 7" width="640" /></a></div><div>I had to clear alongside the polytunnel as snails have been getting in and eating our peppers 😒 They liked the flowerpots and the mass of <i>Creeping Cinquefoil</i> which has taken over that pathway. I chucked about 30 snails over the hedge - I know they may return, but I’ve at least slowed them down and they don’t have such a handy hiding place right next to the food supply! We shall keep a closer eye…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0wprN6MVUeiYNyOexLitV62qB4xdNBoSxoioJGCxl5vYWzKKfJXGpvgfMTFY262LHJ0dmLzrOZRVEagPpi1wIsGUGg2Rk-u6AydmIHQa_O5sLaxbihtZ9DdOObzIdlUzXO3OQaBIJy-Z1v8RSpwb23bv0Auuz9DjSMjWtygJvgUmBYFApTO3tzHi2Rc/s2992/20230812_101943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0wprN6MVUeiYNyOexLitV62qB4xdNBoSxoioJGCxl5vYWzKKfJXGpvgfMTFY262LHJ0dmLzrOZRVEagPpi1wIsGUGg2Rk-u6AydmIHQa_O5sLaxbihtZ9DdOObzIdlUzXO3OQaBIJy-Z1v8RSpwb23bv0Auuz9DjSMjWtygJvgUmBYFApTO3tzHi2Rc/w400-h400/20230812_101943.jpg" title="Cleared of weeds" width="400" /></a></div><div>Our first aubergine is on its way and I don’t want something nibbling that. Such a pretty flower and fruit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4U27GIDCnREjAD9lfm87iHgxrY4ujZCiEFeb8GOUfx-SqGiVlAxiq_BFH_1Eo1b1qCeyvzGIonkRWzUxtiJpf_lD5ljONxUDrc8juEG18Ip0xz5e3RzoHN-2a5KIhzDUACAEUjiDfwiYzOzFRSuoIc1qx-jzMV8iBNwo5ZxQwe-BTMhbZb8juqr2e6k/s2992/20230812_101045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4U27GIDCnREjAD9lfm87iHgxrY4ujZCiEFeb8GOUfx-SqGiVlAxiq_BFH_1Eo1b1qCeyvzGIonkRWzUxtiJpf_lD5ljONxUDrc8juEG18Ip0xz5e3RzoHN-2a5KIhzDUACAEUjiDfwiYzOzFRSuoIc1qx-jzMV8iBNwo5ZxQwe-BTMhbZb8juqr2e6k/w400-h400/20230812_101045.jpg" title="Baby aubergine" width="400" /></a></div><div>But the prettiest flower at the moment is the second flowering of our <i>Delphinium</i>. This photo hasn’t been edited at all - the sky really has been that blue at times! The plant has sent up at least four more spikes, it’s a beauty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX6grtVq15RbTZOHLOdzWmNtavKj_cg-xOiFI_-Bbt7afowTtOvNJ8Rmq_4psjWjU8NshjnqryGtbYIV5I4F0_FFysZMfcDQHz_CcNkZ1XB1tyrRx92i3gNMRzF5pzVWc7dUPnvyzj9hWYMW59j-X-Hc8ZpH5GfNIeWdtJRqr69DUphyW1WLmebJro60/s2992/20230809_175743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX6grtVq15RbTZOHLOdzWmNtavKj_cg-xOiFI_-Bbt7afowTtOvNJ8Rmq_4psjWjU8NshjnqryGtbYIV5I4F0_FFysZMfcDQHz_CcNkZ1XB1tyrRx92i3gNMRzF5pzVWc7dUPnvyzj9hWYMW59j-X-Hc8ZpH5GfNIeWdtJRqr69DUphyW1WLmebJro60/w640-h640/20230809_175743.jpg" title="Delphinium" width="640" /></a></div>The flowerbed has quite a lot of <i>Nicotiana</i> now and <i>Verbena Bonariensis </i>is just beginning to emerge. I’m waiting (quite) patiently to see what another plant is which I clearly sowed, in a T-shape, but can’t find a record of… Buds are just appearing..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaInyFii4NNp-Qay8XalZePlVxiwnlbOHz2Zyx03BAtL0eCZyUAL-Ho40fc_5kV8Ck5Rrj-aTVvrWmFk8rsZIqHQeD6laM_wd_h-ai25AYsthzenw3cDs6-ZpsPAZzDN04x7g7r2W54sDscWZr9ZmSy_BhE9iRruQAbSerbql9H95wgLIE-dA4LvmSolk/s2992/20230812_102116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaInyFii4NNp-Qay8XalZePlVxiwnlbOHz2Zyx03BAtL0eCZyUAL-Ho40fc_5kV8Ck5Rrj-aTVvrWmFk8rsZIqHQeD6laM_wd_h-ai25AYsthzenw3cDs6-ZpsPAZzDN04x7g7r2W54sDscWZr9ZmSy_BhE9iRruQAbSerbql9H95wgLIE-dA4LvmSolk/w640-h640/20230812_102116.jpg" title="Flowerbed" width="640" /></a></div><div>And lastly, this was last night’s dinner - all home-grown and rather pretty. Carrot and beetroot fritters with chard, potatoes and asparagus peas. Not a courgette in sight, or even hidden (though there are three in waiting..!)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd6pNtvFLAY4rooDklghcqPNOTR1A0X6KKbJwD0-TPykgNkWogSgVzH_C5jUkszAIsNqx8Md-qOw1DZbZQ8c7cH861VWPqwf1lVgDJW3weHqlgZ8oPCjSFez0LQosdC7kAze3nPw-JeB0CiF3bxm-G069lmFTjRv7fwbw3EP9gmlYZw2XlbD4s6LWAns/s2992/20230812_185218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSd6pNtvFLAY4rooDklghcqPNOTR1A0X6KKbJwD0-TPykgNkWogSgVzH_C5jUkszAIsNqx8Md-qOw1DZbZQ8c7cH861VWPqwf1lVgDJW3weHqlgZ8oPCjSFez0LQosdC7kAze3nPw-JeB0CiF3bxm-G069lmFTjRv7fwbw3EP9gmlYZw2XlbD4s6LWAns/w400-h400/20230812_185218.jpg" title="Carrot & beetroot fritters" width="400" /></a></div>The song is provided by the Fun Boy Three - love this version of a beautiful song. Enjoy the song and the Summer…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D1QPdXBwLtg" width="320" youtube-src-id="D1QPdXBwLtg"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-88209310590437568132023-08-04T17:38:00.000+01:002023-08-04T17:38:01.634+01:00Talking in Tones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6LGmjhIAeHMFIbRB_z-jPM9T6Zk1yJ6uqkxOg5mF24B-DUCBSFEhxqWhndPfRRwvgif8EBIG9ZaYejBZW800OtNxo8MQi3C3LjZSRLkV-1N8kDL14g4IVfo-MUVDXN5-TjTTQf0VZpi_ATJAyc2o-VB5gIcEa_5jxyt3kBg_wZN796STqHK8UOOSlgU/s2048/DSCF2007.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6LGmjhIAeHMFIbRB_z-jPM9T6Zk1yJ6uqkxOg5mF24B-DUCBSFEhxqWhndPfRRwvgif8EBIG9ZaYejBZW800OtNxo8MQi3C3LjZSRLkV-1N8kDL14g4IVfo-MUVDXN5-TjTTQf0VZpi_ATJAyc2o-VB5gIcEa_5jxyt3kBg_wZN796STqHK8UOOSlgU/w640-h480/DSCF2007.JPG" title="August garden" width="640" /></a></div><p>On 1st August, between rainy days, we planted 60 leeks. I think that’s the most we’ve ever planted but they’re such a handy Winter vegetable.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzed0WBx4dClW4UrYF-Svomh_VRU003J7grW74zi6pKw7XdMfsWqs58dUe3JV9VGlmTub1Udp12JpnpL_Hoq09ehg2DRvsfYx6Ea_D7Vjb4kS59KuM1lHzRRJXJsIdB8uMilaIrkt2zb48G9IJRDEEEGVFt0VSnR3EsmpnM5EmWbkLptDTQoLuXcD964/s2992/20230801_150829.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzed0WBx4dClW4UrYF-Svomh_VRU003J7grW74zi6pKw7XdMfsWqs58dUe3JV9VGlmTub1Udp12JpnpL_Hoq09ehg2DRvsfYx6Ea_D7Vjb4kS59KuM1lHzRRJXJsIdB8uMilaIrkt2zb48G9IJRDEEEGVFt0VSnR3EsmpnM5EmWbkLptDTQoLuXcD964/w640-h640/20230801_150829.jpg" title="Leeks are in" width="640" /></a></div>We planted them in the usual way; topping and tailing and dropping them in a deep hole so they hopefully grow with a substantial white bit, then fill the hole with water. They’re spaced so that a hoe can get between them.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttChB1D78ytvOLT6DLsiHKop-snz2tRNBSfZd2f5x8vptX9D8fqIvLzZRENv6rDGWLVoddXdjr9f2jZkOF9G9BUeERugiQjq5_LzNahrBodZwOGRg3jd92YbaFxuXtkemrS9zPAjaqgjDl_OtHmsrzwXHjm_6A3gkzmUm5LRXkKYamW4EM66YWB89rsc/s2048/DSCF2003.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttChB1D78ytvOLT6DLsiHKop-snz2tRNBSfZd2f5x8vptX9D8fqIvLzZRENv6rDGWLVoddXdjr9f2jZkOF9G9BUeERugiQjq5_LzNahrBodZwOGRg3jd92YbaFxuXtkemrS9zPAjaqgjDl_OtHmsrzwXHjm_6A3gkzmUm5LRXkKYamW4EM66YWB89rsc/w400-h300/DSCF2003.JPG" title="And relax" width="400" /></a></div>Apart from dealing with the leeks, we’ve mostly been sitting and watching. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmzMoleCADgsM6QeOPHZ4aVELLz3olQEDOAz7TesT9Vsx8NHvBXPZeg6RiodUcB44dU8hTc8vSEK-hgn-N7Xk0ENQXAlIVGB2DByyYoVwqMWe_7YOXBtIGE9RAar_Ss_zP4ERjoDAvG04aHlqxguKomCqXcfT8IWA67i9iOalC5XrbJaTwfJF1HXvOFM/s2048/DSCF2005.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUmzMoleCADgsM6QeOPHZ4aVELLz3olQEDOAz7TesT9Vsx8NHvBXPZeg6RiodUcB44dU8hTc8vSEK-hgn-N7Xk0ENQXAlIVGB2DByyYoVwqMWe_7YOXBtIGE9RAar_Ss_zP4ERjoDAvG04aHlqxguKomCqXcfT8IWA67i9iOalC5XrbJaTwfJF1HXvOFM/w640-h480/DSCF2005.JPG" title="August garden" width="640" /></a></div><div>The weather is dealing with most of the watering, we just do a bit for the weekly feeding and the items in the polytunnel.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4EPEzBOZzZxn9_7T2-uorm78kvc4na9gRhoouB9uMwEKHOC3LynLlq9WmwO6BkTSZbjRVT6kPcctbk0rnjSaii3CWRRIek72uFy1UxO8GRMbg_Y0ICllXjX5HHAOMLlsFrgDZo8D7CqehXOnpMBlo3p8urbl4aP4rxx4Gr_ZGUgGpjwckOSzxg90nRo/s2048/DSCF2009.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA4EPEzBOZzZxn9_7T2-uorm78kvc4na9gRhoouB9uMwEKHOC3LynLlq9WmwO6BkTSZbjRVT6kPcctbk0rnjSaii3CWRRIek72uFy1UxO8GRMbg_Y0ICllXjX5HHAOMLlsFrgDZo8D7CqehXOnpMBlo3p8urbl4aP4rxx4Gr_ZGUgGpjwckOSzxg90nRo/w640-h480/DSCF2009.JPG" title="Inside the polytunnel" width="640" /></a></div><div>Talking of the polytunnel.. it’s been a welcome shelter a few times this holiday! There are lots of peppers, tomatoes and aubergines forming but the plants aren’t as wild as they usually grow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYrLITBeyOY0zD8EVx9ae0Df-jACL7uS_QnWzkfStlKxtmzqejKrp2aVeDD9S554TzMZWgxgUB4UGe_6Z2u4drQ9yZ0bpwx4aUykzoRr1Cnb4dmPRAco18ANXcEy-1tn3pUe-RNFmTLeYdI-Qv-K-Vej7UR6lKT-DlFG_GD7so-9r9DgVDCQyq1kgIVo/s2048/DSCF2001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHYrLITBeyOY0zD8EVx9ae0Df-jACL7uS_QnWzkfStlKxtmzqejKrp2aVeDD9S554TzMZWgxgUB4UGe_6Z2u4drQ9yZ0bpwx4aUykzoRr1Cnb4dmPRAco18ANXcEy-1tn3pUe-RNFmTLeYdI-Qv-K-Vej7UR6lKT-DlFG_GD7so-9r9DgVDCQyq1kgIVo/w480-h640/DSCF2001.JPG" title="Sweetcorn - male flower" width="480" /></a></div>The sweetcorn has developed its male flowers, rather pretty pinky ones ones on these <i>Incredible</i> plants, though the cobs are expected to be standard yellow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mLFY-PkX9IDpnNSBTOuXUPCyAjXKRSDlhltww4ps6CRD-NTfNnCXNGMKA8gtEVLoj3pPg4ALDWjbj4-DInhAmRA1sVnc1Q4lClThdfPhpxhKUTFxoODP7JY_Ve7gZ0YCL6y44x1vQg7tUFkMrdAZIQlQX5KvJpMqn0fNANtiXox93v_rPchrOhDLLLQ/s2048/DSCF2037.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mLFY-PkX9IDpnNSBTOuXUPCyAjXKRSDlhltww4ps6CRD-NTfNnCXNGMKA8gtEVLoj3pPg4ALDWjbj4-DInhAmRA1sVnc1Q4lClThdfPhpxhKUTFxoODP7JY_Ve7gZ0YCL6y44x1vQg7tUFkMrdAZIQlQX5KvJpMqn0fNANtiXox93v_rPchrOhDLLLQ/w640-h480/DSCF2037.JPG" title="Rudbeckia" width="640" /></a></div>Talking of yellow, look at the lovely <i>rudbeckia </i>- we have several of these, all offspring from one plant my niece gave me probably 10 years ago. Beautiful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK6ecBRjLZYZm-g56ZMziwtOG79sllg_Qu1aD0mydkccF3N2cFJ4YOWvlatQv8vyeukwURTPRWPB0HdMWKOh4gypuDgYgNd-MPtfE9JVnbu9YT82HzOKDAv9F7YdbfPK_2s4iKwviTIJwFYcvDESN4gkymv0jopgdRANxGXDb8KL9QubNbragYXb7Vxs/s2048/DSCF2035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaK6ecBRjLZYZm-g56ZMziwtOG79sllg_Qu1aD0mydkccF3N2cFJ4YOWvlatQv8vyeukwURTPRWPB0HdMWKOh4gypuDgYgNd-MPtfE9JVnbu9YT82HzOKDAv9F7YdbfPK_2s4iKwviTIJwFYcvDESN4gkymv0jopgdRANxGXDb8KL9QubNbragYXb7Vxs/w400-h300/DSCF2035.JPG" title="Female bullfinch" width="400" /></a></div>And, talking of beautiful, here’s the female bullfinch. We hear their hooting call before we see them. Both parents are with their young at the moment. So lovely to see.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zjym8eqiQa3vYdxnYKEyydwEeMZwSziXAspJm-JH6gbmCTLP0J0QJkW0nYReVPkNKSoDWSfETWkHKoY2iV1PSSWL8b067106WPsB05J-INYirV10luman8ChsAQL2047nXnED9_B6l3RN27GDWqCXsnNPFYz9k0hsg4AxRdV2r3fJudErhqYvk_hTU4/s3196/DBA8D508-2E56-4E8C-8C22-9041E94A9AD2-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3196" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zjym8eqiQa3vYdxnYKEyydwEeMZwSziXAspJm-JH6gbmCTLP0J0QJkW0nYReVPkNKSoDWSfETWkHKoY2iV1PSSWL8b067106WPsB05J-INYirV10luman8ChsAQL2047nXnED9_B6l3RN27GDWqCXsnNPFYz9k0hsg4AxRdV2r3fJudErhqYvk_hTU4/w640-h480/DBA8D508-2E56-4E8C-8C22-9041E94A9AD2-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Butterflies" width="640" /></a></div><div>Talking of lovely… I did the <a href="https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/the-2023-big-butterfly-count-has-begun" target="_blank">Big Butterfly Count </a>by the HAHA Wildlife plot yesterday. The numbers were rather low, less than we’re seeing on our buddleja at home:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysFNCn4T77i3ga9-we9_zOYKMRU8o6nokjuciAG0xGzsDRszvPDsnNCPOtodpYDqSmVRXGRdWVH7wadI8VAbJoiYXlN2sirapN5QVV3Wh1tMovPB0a6yREizSTksXoBYSwmfELgGCrK-Mgr06GB6kMzR_SsZU7F0-cjCiI9PgNuCI7yc6A3lrPZn7gec/s891/IMG_1245.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="874" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysFNCn4T77i3ga9-we9_zOYKMRU8o6nokjuciAG0xGzsDRszvPDsnNCPOtodpYDqSmVRXGRdWVH7wadI8VAbJoiYXlN2sirapN5QVV3Wh1tMovPB0a6yREizSTksXoBYSwmfELgGCrK-Mgr06GB6kMzR_SsZU7F0-cjCiI9PgNuCI7yc6A3lrPZn7gec/s320/IMG_1245.PNG" width="314" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I was pleased to see that someone else had reported a count from the site on 23rd July - interesting to see the different species.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3md-u1XUUy_8-0-IO79EGrgLHSFB11Rv14lmSQm54wFVViWmc9veF8_MZDl_exWTq-H15F9h9EpUgnJju_2r5ybiePxuHgtAxrAJTIGj4EYInoKnt3_bd08SQzp-AmdTa6qeGu14SMrmc0UPtM65ODRiOfmC7VzAZQB3bVwxZ8eu6mHW4AMPj7Kw5TDI/s880/IMG_1246.PNG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="754" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3md-u1XUUy_8-0-IO79EGrgLHSFB11Rv14lmSQm54wFVViWmc9veF8_MZDl_exWTq-H15F9h9EpUgnJju_2r5ybiePxuHgtAxrAJTIGj4EYInoKnt3_bd08SQzp-AmdTa6qeGu14SMrmc0UPtM65ODRiOfmC7VzAZQB3bVwxZ8eu6mHW4AMPj7Kw5TDI/s320/IMG_1246.PNG" width="274" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Talking of interesting … yesterday was our Flying Ant Day. When the ants fly off to start new nests - <a href="https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biology-for-all/flying-ant-survey" target="_blank">see this link for more info.</a> We have so many ants nests in the grass paths on site, I think they’ll have a long flight to find a new nesting site!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkmUhsDaP32wXOqf5-lENPp810067Gm8vsum4NomE0Qewn0tKCv_bJcLiYb6T8nvH2Hiv3tftS83Y6ASllk2x4SlUlXjVQcfyTrL3MYuM-8mHlXq1HgvAhSmr-uWeSxd52ipH5cjRK9zVbw_g7cIk1SjHK54T0SzsL-kEH3HzG4qcwZMTctySWC1cUoQ/s1550/P8030017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1550" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkmUhsDaP32wXOqf5-lENPp810067Gm8vsum4NomE0Qewn0tKCv_bJcLiYb6T8nvH2Hiv3tftS83Y6ASllk2x4SlUlXjVQcfyTrL3MYuM-8mHlXq1HgvAhSmr-uWeSxd52ipH5cjRK9zVbw_g7cIk1SjHK54T0SzsL-kEH3HzG4qcwZMTctySWC1cUoQ/w640-h564/P8030017.JPG" title="Flying Ant Day" width="640" /></a></div><div>And, when did black ants start biting? I’m sure it used to only be the red ones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyj3ITUcj4hbo5ezdI9qgTQRWJr_UoC1v2DKYt4v9LjokV9pj5clbYZh3vVBs9hR5uFuDfgfrmC-Wtovmwmtjck2G7i-ecaCWncs0oxw-FWStD8Rg0Q7trck8MD8zlHWiHEx55gR4lqAtjJaXU7DSB3Ca4YxVJo6v6dW-dz17RWvRYBxKX3d2LGLGb5Gc/s2048/P8030023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyj3ITUcj4hbo5ezdI9qgTQRWJr_UoC1v2DKYt4v9LjokV9pj5clbYZh3vVBs9hR5uFuDfgfrmC-Wtovmwmtjck2G7i-ecaCWncs0oxw-FWStD8Rg0Q7trck8MD8zlHWiHEx55gR4lqAtjJaXU7DSB3Ca4YxVJo6v6dW-dz17RWvRYBxKX3d2LGLGb5Gc/w400-h268/P8030023.JPG" title="Flying Ant" width="400" /></a></div><div>Talking of biting … <ahem> here’s a couple of recent tasty meals.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FSdcF3hEa_MDHVCOG6e4ylvagbseOtNt4tJEEwqQVPMreN4-tW7CWZsaNVd4P2y9Mj6_LHekW32z4bgVP9aZjYPxsbkbqstUVjjwTBy-eEqx0uWFGs8yb-X0aYfIq1I9xfeIkqpTbEVUjXqjnVn-JJMA804qpY_vxdSMxJvJ45b1TQAm9EToRumqK4A/s2992/20230803_191650.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FSdcF3hEa_MDHVCOG6e4ylvagbseOtNt4tJEEwqQVPMreN4-tW7CWZsaNVd4P2y9Mj6_LHekW32z4bgVP9aZjYPxsbkbqstUVjjwTBy-eEqx0uWFGs8yb-X0aYfIq1I9xfeIkqpTbEVUjXqjnVn-JJMA804qpY_vxdSMxJvJ45b1TQAm9EToRumqK4A/w400-h400/20230803_191650.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Baked halloumi, courgette, tomato bake with potatoes and asparagus pea</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZrCXpYw6uPG7loKmW6jCoprFFbFhY1OX3iMOrWAvJFHDbG8s3bIn_LgxUdDJkrp3ki6hmo4H8Dkj2Ibi7B6XRQDN8aIOakLbSPmuuqA5YduKtZevlLdrypUy5c0VtmkEDNIFpjJsnlR3ugYdodqLCUeA8rfLEZiujIlsUdAZO1MieHXXt-05JlqExmA/s2992/20230731_184213.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZrCXpYw6uPG7loKmW6jCoprFFbFhY1OX3iMOrWAvJFHDbG8s3bIn_LgxUdDJkrp3ki6hmo4H8Dkj2Ibi7B6XRQDN8aIOakLbSPmuuqA5YduKtZevlLdrypUy5c0VtmkEDNIFpjJsnlR3ugYdodqLCUeA8rfLEZiujIlsUdAZO1MieHXXt-05JlqExmA/w400-h400/20230731_184213.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Stuffed courgette with cheese, nuts and carrot with mangetout</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div>And talking of mangetout… I pulled the remaining plants but have left the frame so the <i>Cornell’s Delicata </i>squash can grow up it. It’s gone a bit crazy, but that’s good as it’s the only Winter squash we’re growing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNVWGBGN7RntJL0rFe5YqTx4PtXpfKtLF-zdXptoDxLc9ZP-36T0JUOrw-6h9mAsGC_I_ByHyC2ZBEBUAZI0as2WqFcbqSfSYxabZnP7zto3eV3dZVo7ZMADUKiQxIKDfRDq9gGwtdTh4j17oUeimulMvNv566kEhOAOiWlJHzW8kwfgtzlhEKXBwDKc/s2992/20230804_160351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNVWGBGN7RntJL0rFe5YqTx4PtXpfKtLF-zdXptoDxLc9ZP-36T0JUOrw-6h9mAsGC_I_ByHyC2ZBEBUAZI0as2WqFcbqSfSYxabZnP7zto3eV3dZVo7ZMADUKiQxIKDfRDq9gGwtdTh4j17oUeimulMvNv566kEhOAOiWlJHzW8kwfgtzlhEKXBwDKc/w400-h400/20230804_160351.jpg" title="Space to grow" width="400" /></a></div>And finally, talking of frames. We’ve picked our first French beans today which we’re growing up the old polytunnel frame. The Borlotti beans on the other side are winning at the moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2r8KeZqisUX9WZWUe-LnlSz9MOiWsGNzXCWJjnxkW0QJM_ZMO9IhX37380vkoDUAffISiOr3J6SJV2bs9xGDRRdUDBZJWQ2ecNC2ZcNTscw5KY39CCmgQp8Wtgwm4ipdJ53AMt1ldS8tUJKQ3Id6ucAKI-l1n9qAAPLAj7JDaG7KNe7r2gTeAjkM90U/s2992/20230804_165214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2r8KeZqisUX9WZWUe-LnlSz9MOiWsGNzXCWJjnxkW0QJM_ZMO9IhX37380vkoDUAffISiOr3J6SJV2bs9xGDRRdUDBZJWQ2ecNC2ZcNTscw5KY39CCmgQp8Wtgwm4ipdJ53AMt1ldS8tUJKQ3Id6ucAKI-l1n9qAAPLAj7JDaG7KNe7r2gTeAjkM90U/w640-h640/20230804_165214.jpg" title="French beans" width="640" /></a></div></div><div>The Charlatans provide the song title which is why I’ve been ‘talking’ a lot in this post. Enjoy!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CLnpdCMb7VA" width="320" youtube-src-id="CLnpdCMb7VA"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-21886713371454668322023-07-31T08:10:00.000+01:002023-07-31T08:10:24.471+01:00CloudbustingI took a couple of slices of bread and butter to the plot for a fresh and colourful sandwich 😀 To be honest, it didn’t taste of anything but bread and butter, but it did look pretty. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpAIIBpIths_z0DDNhu3kB3kw0TaAQfT6xOkPqpN73EUAsiZbQ5XcmkycEjsvpzgVl9iwGXasvjb157N3aJxyfbOUUJFwm2gqVq4Ovge9DeWZyBKC16Q567RDwwOss6U8ZbcXXlwPXrswhwta33AsCEMeb_MbCe9Uw1XQLji9EpNcw3FvmS8ZmsM8xw8/s2961/20230729_123247.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2915" data-original-width="2961" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpAIIBpIths_z0DDNhu3kB3kw0TaAQfT6xOkPqpN73EUAsiZbQ5XcmkycEjsvpzgVl9iwGXasvjb157N3aJxyfbOUUJFwm2gqVq4Ovge9DeWZyBKC16Q567RDwwOss6U8ZbcXXlwPXrswhwta33AsCEMeb_MbCe9Uw1XQLji9EpNcw3FvmS8ZmsM8xw8/w640-h630/20230729_123247.jpg" title="A floral sandwich" width="640" /></a></div><p>This sandwich was tastier, with the addition of a freshly picked cucumber, cheese and mayonnaise 😊. I only recently found out that snapdragons (<i>Antirrhinum</i>) and French marigold (<i>Tagetes) </i>flowers<i> </i>are edible and you can order tubs of ‘fresh’ edible flowers online…! Hoho, I don’t think I’ll bother.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08A81JUYpx5ByqVGNB2-Sn90WRLNAcFDLV5uIj2cGaFwlIh6AE6InpCFIbcBoCKJvz2cahC2s7QckHxg1MLGLgiCxpdQFGGpJeja6lZ_aBLMlI3tRRmGpOzFqnOHbBfjmyUINQ1HhtqFNwX85t2-qywQREe1zfZTFf07tdwPQ-edHAdhwubIuk-HQq-Q/s3557/20230729_135323.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2798" data-original-width="3557" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08A81JUYpx5ByqVGNB2-Sn90WRLNAcFDLV5uIj2cGaFwlIh6AE6InpCFIbcBoCKJvz2cahC2s7QckHxg1MLGLgiCxpdQFGGpJeja6lZ_aBLMlI3tRRmGpOzFqnOHbBfjmyUINQ1HhtqFNwX85t2-qywQREe1zfZTFf07tdwPQ-edHAdhwubIuk-HQq-Q/w400-h315/20230729_135323.jpg" title="A tastier floral sandwich" width="400" /></a></div>Anyway, enough of that silliness, (though I think my sandwiches may include a few petals more often now). This is a row of nasturtium with self-seeded snapdragons - such beautiful colours, even on a dull day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5ArKFbANB4Ws6VUsqqPtG2XOEy17ltT5aoinZmPXAsH7HrFLVVF89VxDWBfhhK5Eavl08ByBcrJCmHiC_EnsFNxpllGSxqdZxZ2-tfDN2iJeI7VZ7VwNM_I3AlhKAFLylyFjMH_apYe4BHL5S4mel1W1zyfKAQuGvvTLAhDbmBVLlJpVDumYLgvgCxY/s1848/DSCF0029.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1386" data-original-width="1848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5ArKFbANB4Ws6VUsqqPtG2XOEy17ltT5aoinZmPXAsH7HrFLVVF89VxDWBfhhK5Eavl08ByBcrJCmHiC_EnsFNxpllGSxqdZxZ2-tfDN2iJeI7VZ7VwNM_I3AlhKAFLylyFjMH_apYe4BHL5S4mel1W1zyfKAQuGvvTLAhDbmBVLlJpVDumYLgvgCxY/w640-h480/DSCF0029.JPG" title="Snapdragons and nasturtium flowers" width="640" /></a></div><div><div>We are at the end of July and it’s raining, as it has been for much of this month. But the growth is amazing! This is the <i>Jack Be Little </i>pumpkins and the <i>Incredible </i>sweetcorn.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ImJnM1yfm0akrB0TbQHduhY7gok68IetOWZdMxZQncGn91MBnbJG9eL2aY9fjkNmgtnXOF78lHyPsoScoxR--qLzvdyRY35eeZFuZkutipIGFnFGI6R94fPAz98JSsAAFEU0ODmS1Sld1r3fyPgWhgDsYP7gTJm8sfTuPER_XcsxylzxammrQwZcc6s/s4000/20230730_105419.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ImJnM1yfm0akrB0TbQHduhY7gok68IetOWZdMxZQncGn91MBnbJG9eL2aY9fjkNmgtnXOF78lHyPsoScoxR--qLzvdyRY35eeZFuZkutipIGFnFGI6R94fPAz98JSsAAFEU0ODmS1Sld1r3fyPgWhgDsYP7gTJm8sfTuPER_XcsxylzxammrQwZcc6s/w640-h480/20230730_105419.jpg" title="Mini pumpkins and sweetcorn" width="640" /></a></div>The <i>Cornell’s Delicata </i>that I sowed is clearly not the bush variety that I’d planned the space for! It’s a Winter squash and I’m pleased to see some fruits now appearing. I’ll try to encourage the plant to grow over the mangetout frame rather than over the path…<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Bz9XKVrhwtEx1TBKPdHOGqK2H2nHzf72jIK9CEYrujIi0Pw_5NHUpW4EIc2ia7CEewY4yWKEO7bsK5hEOuilLkR4ycJ98B1xXsD05l4HKW97T4jfuGDXRyNLRF4EgoKoG44faiC6G3gDLZoZ02hg83epwylJYZR5G7r3SWARcHHDmkdUcNK5eTDn-p4/s4000/20230730_105346.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Bz9XKVrhwtEx1TBKPdHOGqK2H2nHzf72jIK9CEYrujIi0Pw_5NHUpW4EIc2ia7CEewY4yWKEO7bsK5hEOuilLkR4ycJ98B1xXsD05l4HKW97T4jfuGDXRyNLRF4EgoKoG44faiC6G3gDLZoZ02hg83epwylJYZR5G7r3SWARcHHDmkdUcNK5eTDn-p4/w240-h320/20230730_105346.jpg" title="Cornell’s Delicata squash" width="240" /></a></div>Meanwhile our sunflowers have peaked too soon - the measuring is 4 weeks away so we didn’t want them to flower yet. But they do look good and it’s so nice to see them all around site and the bees love them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVR3VrBBjTCEOpFfP8fe9BI1h5ljX7NxI4vN4BI8ibq-PiQsZ4iaj6FemIVp7AURaUfaiDk4sh-NusmxoZE4vi5kRslfeE9Q-5PQlMhVi-ouZk8fPHocKSXBv-2Atfaekf2DxcIne2ZcPhG62WyR-wCCuQojHIWMxtP1vRKq36dhP2xPa9TLFmbJDTWY/s4000/20230730_104327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFVR3VrBBjTCEOpFfP8fe9BI1h5ljX7NxI4vN4BI8ibq-PiQsZ4iaj6FemIVp7AURaUfaiDk4sh-NusmxoZE4vi5kRslfeE9Q-5PQlMhVi-ouZk8fPHocKSXBv-2Atfaekf2DxcIne2ZcPhG62WyR-wCCuQojHIWMxtP1vRKq36dhP2xPa9TLFmbJDTWY/w640-h480/20230730_104327.jpg" title="Sunflowers" width="640" /></a></div><div>This really is perfect growing weather at the moment and it’s a nice temperature for working in - though the HAHA Work on Saturday morning was exhausting - clearing a mass of stingers and brambles from against the site fence near the wildlife plot - my arms were tingling all evening after so much stinging!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w3rQM5M4yWM" width="320" youtube-src-id="w3rQM5M4yWM"></iframe></div>Here’s a Timelapse of the lovely bubbling clouds yesterday. We left before the rain started, with a trug full of veggies.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJXjM2Byckcg6an8aY52t9uJ-TEcdHbLUBpOl6j5U2pHiADIT21anFZe6Sg34ebJy1gUF1abTY1QNExkouE5D0fxeFUIsoB-NwiBSAUD5dWLnYK29-xy6jeergl5Mf6xhvlEG2df71lAdArR0V7r-vnjiIEk40B1lJgicDy9Qdqxl6GdlxD__qwKuOPs/s4000/20230730_105326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuJXjM2Byckcg6an8aY52t9uJ-TEcdHbLUBpOl6j5U2pHiADIT21anFZe6Sg34ebJy1gUF1abTY1QNExkouE5D0fxeFUIsoB-NwiBSAUD5dWLnYK29-xy6jeergl5Mf6xhvlEG2df71lAdArR0V7r-vnjiIEk40B1lJgicDy9Qdqxl6GdlxD__qwKuOPs/w640-h480/20230730_105326.jpg" title="A trug of veg" width="640" /></a></div>I was eating separately from Jamie so could have chard and fennel which he doesn’t like, oh yes, and asparagus peas 😃 and I used a few baby leeks as spring onions. The courgette had to be picked, but will have to wait a day.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO02Y0L_L5Hvgp4-fCWKYZRNCSCX17PKag9CneWdUUEwlr-kFd3x6gueJ2UIZyRPc6FoYwADr7VQ8cw0QHxsVV-Mh1-GRJALbsZ5_apcIVN-RUsMrGjSsI0UU3KK6C3sKrSFiIrmO1s35eujwA_Nd38l5UU1iVbcL96EfWxWQL3ncjHZzw7QDNcc9HFg/s4000/20230730_180940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO02Y0L_L5Hvgp4-fCWKYZRNCSCX17PKag9CneWdUUEwlr-kFd3x6gueJ2UIZyRPc6FoYwADr7VQ8cw0QHxsVV-Mh1-GRJALbsZ5_apcIVN-RUsMrGjSsI0UU3KK6C3sKrSFiIrmO1s35eujwA_Nd38l5UU1iVbcL96EfWxWQL3ncjHZzw7QDNcc9HFg/w400-h300/20230730_180940.jpg" title="Carrot, fennel, leek mixture" width="400" /></a></div>I realise it looks like I was frying coleslaw! This is the mixture of grated carrot, grated fennel, chopped leeks, cornflour and a bit of seasoning. I should have chopped the fennel, or maybe added some of the foliage as the flavour didn’t really come through, but after frying for about 5minutes on each side, then 10minutes in the oven these fritters were very tasty with a satisfying crunch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjeI_Rci0xmnq4Wcjk3dqYllbTq9SVGrFcoLap80L4ja0QwBJHa_5lWta2-1xOdpBI3dsQHsWc_MhURBs9Y0DR8KNssN5LqHlxzGWq_l3eiHwmvdKhjKPgGfALhErf4Ar1_2jYlGguaNnRSj2AyxNnReeHItA53enlEuIt-KpWV8wIoLgChyNcJfgL2M/s2947/20230730_183650.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="2947" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwjeI_Rci0xmnq4Wcjk3dqYllbTq9SVGrFcoLap80L4ja0QwBJHa_5lWta2-1xOdpBI3dsQHsWc_MhURBs9Y0DR8KNssN5LqHlxzGWq_l3eiHwmvdKhjKPgGfALhErf4Ar1_2jYlGguaNnRSj2AyxNnReeHItA53enlEuIt-KpWV8wIoLgChyNcJfgL2M/w640-h406/20230730_183650.jpg" title="Carrot fritters" width="640" /></a></div><div>This was a teriyaki tofu and courgette meal we had the other night - I found it delicious. No home-grown tomatoes yet but they’re coming on in the polytunnel along with peppers and aubergines.<br /><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M7-xJh_J500Epk5LT10D5NhS5aOiR9KBdZdrTsM-YwXOyw_n2D76KAVwWdVoqiJ_VO85sbzm8w1V8zobKoVyMmkm9f-hwUfxq49ZnQTd3OGwGFMN-8mzNHhFAoO6j8tTg4oCiCS0HaSG-WCaru7_q8tx_wFR6WRdy_5mimfJeYxhMiUQkgXZjqGonTg/s4000/20230728_182035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M7-xJh_J500Epk5LT10D5NhS5aOiR9KBdZdrTsM-YwXOyw_n2D76KAVwWdVoqiJ_VO85sbzm8w1V8zobKoVyMmkm9f-hwUfxq49ZnQTd3OGwGFMN-8mzNHhFAoO6j8tTg4oCiCS0HaSG-WCaru7_q8tx_wFR6WRdy_5mimfJeYxhMiUQkgXZjqGonTg/w640-h480/20230728_182035.jpg" title="Teriyaki tofu and courgette" width="640" /></a></div>The French and Borlotti beans are flowering and growing over the old polytunnel frame so we should have some beans to add to our meals in a few weeks…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1QVdnoRUjEi5DOXyEqE8x963OLIbqCc-A5eeQ6W7Ec_7RyaTJoV2d29uh73Mr3RrBPUEsMnu65i9DBzAPR0Vj_pROFdlkT9NIOec_5Hg6CndPk8ezGq12q48HkDVmj7KYWO0FX4KFNHcWqttF74lhYCeQeDaXGqC7U9qnF_v_0fOQpWrBoF7Q9MecDM/s2048/P7290021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1QVdnoRUjEi5DOXyEqE8x963OLIbqCc-A5eeQ6W7Ec_7RyaTJoV2d29uh73Mr3RrBPUEsMnu65i9DBzAPR0Vj_pROFdlkT9NIOec_5Hg6CndPk8ezGq12q48HkDVmj7KYWO0FX4KFNHcWqttF74lhYCeQeDaXGqC7U9qnF_v_0fOQpWrBoF7Q9MecDM/w400-h225/P7290021.JPG" title="Climbing beans" width="400" /></a></div><div>I’m into my second week of leave (feels like I’ve been work-free for ages) so don’t want to wish the weeks away! We’re enjoying watching England win their matches in the Women’s World Cup - supported by my new gnome 😀 - though the matches are tighter than expected!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCfTXt9C0qMWh62WYeFh84KkIR0BoiPvK3VQlFTwzGp5G2SAypTtjuSVbKpjUZQC6L15OP5XMujXB6qL-432Q5_KXzcH842wGcsQPPHIp9cMi3qe7Ad20b56SLwOUFX38iERnrqTU6b6ujPe-YDK_zKFtuKeK5G7RfXLPoepjEBMDwbrb3uJcSCDuZEU/s1772/DSCF0019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1772" data-original-width="1486" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyCfTXt9C0qMWh62WYeFh84KkIR0BoiPvK3VQlFTwzGp5G2SAypTtjuSVbKpjUZQC6L15OP5XMujXB6qL-432Q5_KXzcH842wGcsQPPHIp9cMi3qe7Ad20b56SLwOUFX38iERnrqTU6b6ujPe-YDK_zKFtuKeK5G7RfXLPoepjEBMDwbrb3uJcSCDuZEU/w335-h400/DSCF0019.JPG" title="England football gnome" width="335" /></a></div>Song title provided by Kate Bush - I was amazed to see that I haven’t used this title before. What a great song - but the Cloudbusting can stop now - we’ve had enough rain for the timebeing…</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pllRW9wETzw" width="320" youtube-src-id="pllRW9wETzw"></iframe></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-10307667375539046622023-07-27T09:02:00.002+01:002023-07-27T09:02:41.019+01:00The Importance of Being Idle<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP4vAZ8zrWwUa8e8p2DeLqftC-UsC5E9bSUrDKvhkgL8FFEpUMgd6w6Qkqxp_ciU-Vb6uWcHIU7gY_h-_RAB1JRZsg7YObQL3oxKoMxOAr9PreFCG8S1F2QpJeejFd-e9DihqAW5KFRmt637XrJn_l9hF7twI78Um1ExKbvwoRdakCW-_7F9GBx1qs4c/s2048/DSCF0016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP4vAZ8zrWwUa8e8p2DeLqftC-UsC5E9bSUrDKvhkgL8FFEpUMgd6w6Qkqxp_ciU-Vb6uWcHIU7gY_h-_RAB1JRZsg7YObQL3oxKoMxOAr9PreFCG8S1F2QpJeejFd-e9DihqAW5KFRmt637XrJn_l9hF7twI78Um1ExKbvwoRdakCW-_7F9GBx1qs4c/w640-h360/DSCF0016.JPG" title="Echinacea" width="640" /></a></div>I was pleased when it was sunnier than expected yesterday morning and we had a lovely few hours on the plot. The clouds started developing while we were digging the area for the leeks. That’s where the broad beans were.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViBxTs8hekYeUUq1rvkvMIcbTRCCAOWvWKqXO4Z5gN8Yt3hf-2C0obdu_XRVTQy_m2WefGLatCi5aecrobdYpytW_7XiDx3xBjN1a_43fSfsf3BMF4EJV4Scy8RI7VU4Y5vm4MjA5u1HY-Ww4R0lRdZLGUBOOVQEMe7-YUTVDa1W6xV25giema9WzPzM/s2048/DSCF0012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViBxTs8hekYeUUq1rvkvMIcbTRCCAOWvWKqXO4Z5gN8Yt3hf-2C0obdu_XRVTQy_m2WefGLatCi5aecrobdYpytW_7XiDx3xBjN1a_43fSfsf3BMF4EJV4Scy8RI7VU4Y5vm4MjA5u1HY-Ww4R0lRdZLGUBOOVQEMe7-YUTVDa1W6xV25giema9WzPzM/w400-h225/DSCF0012.JPG" title="Dug ready for leeks" width="400" /></a></div>The leeks were sown en masse at the end of that patch - the whole packet. That method has worked for Neal in the past, so we followed his example and the little leeks look pretty good and ready to be planted on. There should be plenty left over for sharing once we’ve planted ours - I don’t think we’ve ever planted them so early.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LgpRzN6_vU6Mh7Ow3g2bcWqrPOVJKtWTa0AvS24iPncuQtWmiw2DY7BX9xoAOCSMspM4Te4_iXRf3a5Ok7BtOWe9qU8kNu3c3UojtOX3YATcR6Rv6-F6MBESNAh5BYDy6sZrsq34NwkOH4F-rU2ZUc3Wvijxj-UBXrYsK6KGRWl--kIghmVc9KrODQY/s2048/DSCF0011.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LgpRzN6_vU6Mh7Ow3g2bcWqrPOVJKtWTa0AvS24iPncuQtWmiw2DY7BX9xoAOCSMspM4Te4_iXRf3a5Ok7BtOWe9qU8kNu3c3UojtOX3YATcR6Rv6-F6MBESNAh5BYDy6sZrsq34NwkOH4F-rU2ZUc3Wvijxj-UBXrYsK6KGRWl--kIghmVc9KrODQY/w640-h360/DSCF0011.JPG" title="Leeks" width="640" /></a></div><div>Apart from that bit of digging I’ve had a relaxing few days pottering around on the plots. We’ve been watching juvenile robins and bullfinches in the hedge, it’s been lovely. The bullfinch father seems to be pointing out the various locations for food by whistling for his young ones to follow.<br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ8rCgGbk7biFp5RLyF3eV4FLe_QefGiDdzkuImy0nJg69rmOmSo3VK3Ap4zMH-ISxp-FQgX73y_YJ6AJ1_Fc4iD2cwD_7IFwt__lwA7eSEN8xhVyg6miys62pUUYpXfBig5cGwbn39BshzJqIMlRe610xead1UjBj-pm_6VQ1O9k4eF2YASvg4v1Jo8/s4000/20230724_162746.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisJ8rCgGbk7biFp5RLyF3eV4FLe_QefGiDdzkuImy0nJg69rmOmSo3VK3Ap4zMH-ISxp-FQgX73y_YJ6AJ1_Fc4iD2cwD_7IFwt__lwA7eSEN8xhVyg6miys62pUUYpXfBig5cGwbn39BshzJqIMlRe610xead1UjBj-pm_6VQ1O9k4eF2YASvg4v1Jo8/w400-h300/20230724_162746.jpg" title="Harvest of spuds" width="400" /></a></div>We pulled a <i>Nicola </i>potato from one of the bags; probably enough for three or four meals. We had all the tiny ones as part of a salad containing 7 other home-grown veggies.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yMAfrQL0X0QPKO6Jm92FseMe0x0sWGZYR72gzQnMC4YkP_3ijZ5Hmr-S-00pKndA12OL9g5c7Rjmyzo9bpRspZVA_3GPKcCEUny94jQ9zz6bWWThHBtrmSQLSNqwGegzrWJrViz-_1y2G8iI8OJHUuy-MV7Uox9bUThnthNbmJl8FdvZdFwVjLfhPgw/s4000/20230725_190730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yMAfrQL0X0QPKO6Jm92FseMe0x0sWGZYR72gzQnMC4YkP_3ijZ5Hmr-S-00pKndA12OL9g5c7Rjmyzo9bpRspZVA_3GPKcCEUny94jQ9zz6bWWThHBtrmSQLSNqwGegzrWJrViz-_1y2G8iI8OJHUuy-MV7Uox9bUThnthNbmJl8FdvZdFwVjLfhPgw/w640-h480/20230725_190730.jpg" title="Home-grown salad" width="640" /></a></div><div>And this is the ice cream dessert with the gooseberry and blackcurrant sauces from Ivan’s fruit. What a treat!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh-XsxCAdxuobBJuN6aT5dP1zLFr0i_ynVkGbTbIOP8IIc-oRj7_Ov4dm_frYOG_dvX_6KkNu7tFH82qLr1Cdll_aOdRM36GsdWBbmR3OA5iuxrCPJ09Va6YobH_lHKgtKoI9HP1opgUPBMT_EhyXUaPN2U1gyMhjwntbWDy8RGtQ589rsHMJSeczmFc/s3000/20230724_190522.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2999" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh-XsxCAdxuobBJuN6aT5dP1zLFr0i_ynVkGbTbIOP8IIc-oRj7_Ov4dm_frYOG_dvX_6KkNu7tFH82qLr1Cdll_aOdRM36GsdWBbmR3OA5iuxrCPJ09Va6YobH_lHKgtKoI9HP1opgUPBMT_EhyXUaPN2U1gyMhjwntbWDy8RGtQ589rsHMJSeczmFc/w320-h320/20230724_190522.jpg" title="Fruit sauces on ice cream" width="320" /></a></div><div>I should have, but didn’t, do the Big Butterfly Count; there’s still another week or so. This brimstone butterfly (I suppose it may not be the same one) has been hanging round Kate’s runner beans for two days now. Our beans are nowhere near this stage! Lots of people are already picking beans and we don’t even have flowers 😖</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4BN6IOshWE_zOQ_UmmhpWzushtqILP17C3g5cFj8JFUfAdF60TYWFNGh6XGA3IG52jvpzxlJirg_wf2oe_ZhWrTeZ_rGONGepnslrrNFO5a14uaBUWUUxqLKAn-5pRTLOrQ_86hmyMtVaYIx6FBtzLYCpXotfBpgds63xrud8sm4jG3bScOI6byRAeU/s2048/DSCF0001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Big yellow butterfly" border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4BN6IOshWE_zOQ_UmmhpWzushtqILP17C3g5cFj8JFUfAdF60TYWFNGh6XGA3IG52jvpzxlJirg_wf2oe_ZhWrTeZ_rGONGepnslrrNFO5a14uaBUWUUxqLKAn-5pRTLOrQ_86hmyMtVaYIx6FBtzLYCpXotfBpgds63xrud8sm4jG3bScOI6byRAeU/w640-h360/DSCF0001.JPG" title="Brimstone butterfly" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We do have beans on our <i>Yin Yang </i>dwarf beans though. I was considering eating the pods but it seems that they are best grown as shelled beans even if not dried, so they have quite a bit more growing to do. These are the fab looking black and white <i>Orca</i> beans that were grown from our last year’s collected seed - also known as <i>Calypso </i>beans. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7VWw3MFxx685FZr6ZWdysAe93zlga6E-mEWTIQa9vH8PO203BO_4EThcd5NzUNhSbH7DcnTzjSUF8FMRMJzRU3rhzxk6yvJ2DJIkSyigA-D7pPsl0pZjcfimsVS-XV6mqiWoSAnDznsX5gTYJdkEeFIgGPIRGHbYjyxrETqI8aMwqX7zYLc6GhAkmRg/s4000/20230724_160026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7VWw3MFxx685FZr6ZWdysAe93zlga6E-mEWTIQa9vH8PO203BO_4EThcd5NzUNhSbH7DcnTzjSUF8FMRMJzRU3rhzxk6yvJ2DJIkSyigA-D7pPsl0pZjcfimsVS-XV6mqiWoSAnDznsX5gTYJdkEeFIgGPIRGHbYjyxrETqI8aMwqX7zYLc6GhAkmRg/w300-h400/20230724_160026.jpg" title="Yin Yang beans" width="300" /></a></div>I mentioned in my last post that the asparagus peas are doing well this year. I let some pods grow a bit bigger and they were very tasty - I boiled them for about 10minutes then cooled them before adding to this Beetroot and Quorn roast salad lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqrI4Cgm5YOTgbETsJhgMPUQGY-VG7ztVcHfLB5IuGbQuiIKJkTuzelGz4IkYmylA4WM82rr8k5Quv4ISFZR4XjArPymN1A_0X1xh9eNVutrix7cJpBoSEH4b7-jPNtBVQYUAbBxW2bmFQxPJEchvI3iJQngveBVJLZyXao7x-0TuYs_Hs01iHZeqOW8/s4000/20230726_131947.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqrI4Cgm5YOTgbETsJhgMPUQGY-VG7ztVcHfLB5IuGbQuiIKJkTuzelGz4IkYmylA4WM82rr8k5Quv4ISFZR4XjArPymN1A_0X1xh9eNVutrix7cJpBoSEH4b7-jPNtBVQYUAbBxW2bmFQxPJEchvI3iJQngveBVJLZyXao7x-0TuYs_Hs01iHZeqOW8/w400-h300/20230726_131947.jpg" title="Asparagus pea salad" width="400" /></a></div>Courgettes are still part of every evening meal and were good with this fried gnocchi in a tomato and garlic sauce. Mmm, I do so enjoy this time of year and I even don’t mind doing a bit more of the cooking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZIJmqBdIV_dfKA-piIKJ9RTFInYNw7sxQFOWrfEaYtZi2Gyts5soTGwXvXA5V5AfVHuyHawTb9cRljaWIKFkxXG1RL3NYynIY-hQ8hbj4FbxHJxZMWu7SBd1XaK_FXsbIvjm_A_YJEPIp8GQSfrcLj1vRZBv1UQo8AGEQa4EO1QBYoCdXV46aIJ-BkU/s3419/20230724_183347.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2722" data-original-width="3419" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZIJmqBdIV_dfKA-piIKJ9RTFInYNw7sxQFOWrfEaYtZi2Gyts5soTGwXvXA5V5AfVHuyHawTb9cRljaWIKFkxXG1RL3NYynIY-hQ8hbj4FbxHJxZMWu7SBd1XaK_FXsbIvjm_A_YJEPIp8GQSfrcLj1vRZBv1UQo8AGEQa4EO1QBYoCdXV46aIJ-BkU/w400-h319/20230724_183347.jpg" title="Courgettes with fried gnocchi" width="400" /></a></div>I did a bit of clearing by the pond - we really need to tackle the bindweed. This scabious is enjoying a bit more light now I’ve cleared some of the Nigella seedheads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQkBRXgyBTlqpoKJ2Y3OlIq9Dk9N4TJSiNwdKbn2maZTs7oqf6SHfJmAEPwE6Z9CrgGMfXphLPj2ESy0A-N3IfV9mAlmdY5GPeIqiv7cBZtA2GsgIKSS2GW3RYC76MrKIqjOo1TwAPodOnB7hygjvF6mWeBHpaxJYfuZ0x7ebZZMpbAjqa3p1-J56OQY/s4000/20230725_120117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQkBRXgyBTlqpoKJ2Y3OlIq9Dk9N4TJSiNwdKbn2maZTs7oqf6SHfJmAEPwE6Z9CrgGMfXphLPj2ESy0A-N3IfV9mAlmdY5GPeIqiv7cBZtA2GsgIKSS2GW3RYC76MrKIqjOo1TwAPodOnB7hygjvF6mWeBHpaxJYfuZ0x7ebZZMpbAjqa3p1-J56OQY/w640-h480/20230725_120117.jpg" title="Scabious in the flower plot" width="640" /></a></div><div>And, having cleared some weed from the pond, a froggy appeared! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjHNUmDgx5HC8fnrxEDw2iRTQeec1tNp1Q6xoZRU30RJdMYUSwGUWbHUnQhcIHTTleeNogacHrmeV4ZpwzS5qc2Gi3Av_r7pJ49EUorH4PucLp_4ahp8QDreuj-29ijt_BgJNgl-dqHlb0Az9nrTUCGr3ZnVcC1-fq-t44uwxCToxYDstAUfmsbtbHBU/s2777/F341AAB5-81A7-4954-987C-0B8D92D06F26.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2635" data-original-width="2777" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmjHNUmDgx5HC8fnrxEDw2iRTQeec1tNp1Q6xoZRU30RJdMYUSwGUWbHUnQhcIHTTleeNogacHrmeV4ZpwzS5qc2Gi3Av_r7pJ49EUorH4PucLp_4ahp8QDreuj-29ijt_BgJNgl-dqHlb0Az9nrTUCGr3ZnVcC1-fq-t44uwxCToxYDstAUfmsbtbHBU/w640-h608/F341AAB5-81A7-4954-987C-0B8D92D06F26.jpeg" title="Frog!" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am enjoying my time off work and I’m pretty sure my cold is thinking about moving on which is why I’m taking it easy 🙂 Great song and video by Oasis - enjoy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jySfU10IQu4" width="320" youtube-src-id="jySfU10IQu4"></iframe></div><div><div><div><p></p></div></div></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-47225611937767630432023-07-24T10:36:00.000+01:002023-07-24T10:36:02.089+01:00Blowin in the WindThis beauty was on our butterfly bush at home along with two others, a white and a couple of peacocks! I’ll be lucky to see that many when I do my Big Butterfly Count on the allotment later this week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4SCdRi0Mx2sDyrGMLqJBErylYbF8yitYgocMzaDeG9YYIb6IeVZjKCnU3I-XYPu86nlzASvsKecvsbh9HUz5phrmhziMut4vKJOZpNZI-SaDrOt1oCFxXmz-PcyF_w_I2rzoZ1sntFcKVF8P7FZcMGIsAS5qvf-woOsgQ9BomHZQf48C1B-XGNf9-6Q/s2048/DSCF8008.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4SCdRi0Mx2sDyrGMLqJBErylYbF8yitYgocMzaDeG9YYIb6IeVZjKCnU3I-XYPu86nlzASvsKecvsbh9HUz5phrmhziMut4vKJOZpNZI-SaDrOt1oCFxXmz-PcyF_w_I2rzoZ1sntFcKVF8P7FZcMGIsAS5qvf-woOsgQ9BomHZQf48C1B-XGNf9-6Q/w640-h360/DSCF8008.JPG" title="Red Admiral butterfly" width="640" /></a></div><p>It’s late July but the weather really isn’t playing fair! It’s been extremely windy and wet, so it’s not great for gardening but it’s good growing weather. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0tFUBjY9BTOA4Rg4YWJP_SVDzeM1pZN1Nv-lQWHBoS43is9uqPFPU_7hNsuluqRyK4pEzOlLm4g2rBtjiFlHgFIqkvTbi9nzrAfayvGMDBz_LHTY_4XvD_votGYsPE9570YvQdCZLiTn3iRgyBF58SRMkUf9cKYxHBNM2ZlDJ9BevlNFBeAGVSc6dFg/s4000/20230722_141513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0tFUBjY9BTOA4Rg4YWJP_SVDzeM1pZN1Nv-lQWHBoS43is9uqPFPU_7hNsuluqRyK4pEzOlLm4g2rBtjiFlHgFIqkvTbi9nzrAfayvGMDBz_LHTY_4XvD_votGYsPE9570YvQdCZLiTn3iRgyBF58SRMkUf9cKYxHBNM2ZlDJ9BevlNFBeAGVSc6dFg/w400-h300/20230722_141513.jpg" title="Rainy July" width="400" /></a></div><p>I’m pleased to report that the only victims of the wind were a nasturtium and part of a bean plant - amazed (and relieved) that our sunflowers were still standing. Luckily most of the <i>Yin-Yang </i>dwarf beans are protected and I’ve secured them with string now that the beans are developing.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpA4cbA66V6ZpRwbpIhvIyz5X-a0jhY5dyuOAsPz8BozDmkZuYghdvqOuVxdP8DfPyfN6x1YWIUn3AKoOGyFkeAqrlM_1tVdofqczuZhf_1FY_XFZzkGtoxiINLh1miuU8JX3dBBqrgwzy6AvsEhQbI7qNHq8jYIvLOhmM394bhzNGjeSw4Ovl1gaCds/s4000/20230722_151334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkpA4cbA66V6ZpRwbpIhvIyz5X-a0jhY5dyuOAsPz8BozDmkZuYghdvqOuVxdP8DfPyfN6x1YWIUn3AKoOGyFkeAqrlM_1tVdofqczuZhf_1FY_XFZzkGtoxiINLh1miuU8JX3dBBqrgwzy6AvsEhQbI7qNHq8jYIvLOhmM394bhzNGjeSw4Ovl1gaCds/w640-h480/20230722_151334.jpg" title="Yin-Yang dwarf beans" width="640" /></a></div>The courgettes are coming thick and fast now. They’re featuring in most meals - mainly just sliced and fried in chilli oil. They’re delicious eaten hot or cold. I may get the spiraliser out for our gnocchi meal this evening.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje15uG4h_UO4HIctRQU388zmXAVslafX9iTFbwPwDVQCkimvNcQaINmrsb5XRL7Uh-IWYtvQwBu_jdmhjoTPuSH6a2w38IwqRZ85dq1pFqT6Ji2v3LGJg0xIqnNHK-mqcBWvRUV9NGeZf2w_a2OGj0nus0QuP9Rx763b2FqxZHMpRkNXtTSGk18UbG7VU/s4000/20230722_150233.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje15uG4h_UO4HIctRQU388zmXAVslafX9iTFbwPwDVQCkimvNcQaINmrsb5XRL7Uh-IWYtvQwBu_jdmhjoTPuSH6a2w38IwqRZ85dq1pFqT6Ji2v3LGJg0xIqnNHK-mqcBWvRUV9NGeZf2w_a2OGj0nus0QuP9Rx763b2FqxZHMpRkNXtTSGk18UbG7VU/w300-h400/20230722_150233.jpg" title="Courgettes" width="300" /></a></div>We had left a couple to get a bit bigger (honestly, it was a plan!) for stuffed courgettes with grated carrot, nuts, garlic and mature cheddar cheese yesterday - so delicious. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4OUvxN1UNtIjOzKRvYiefOUzwp07QcAROnAzrouskgnIajnPAms9ow0LKnIAWvfLW8XCIFenq1w8rSaIX49zWTzYz3SsP3c3yLLC_bATvNas6OHr7aan0AGvM79OKYvK0lMhzhuE1jtu9rnLSWTEpOGWO4BfiANAmjSye7fmNarqrseLks0Vz5jrdJo/s4000/20230722_150806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4OUvxN1UNtIjOzKRvYiefOUzwp07QcAROnAzrouskgnIajnPAms9ow0LKnIAWvfLW8XCIFenq1w8rSaIX49zWTzYz3SsP3c3yLLC_bATvNas6OHr7aan0AGvM79OKYvK0lMhzhuE1jtu9rnLSWTEpOGWO4BfiANAmjSye7fmNarqrseLks0Vz5jrdJo/w400-h300/20230722_150806.jpg" title="chantenay carrots" width="400" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The chantenay carrots have grown well. The mangetout and asparagus peas accompany nearly every meal even sandwiches for most of this month! They’ve been prolific this year. The asparagus pea are a pretty plant. The Cornell’s squash (I thought it was a bush variety) is going to swamp them soon though.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUMtK2qwFaoeMyCPsC88Q5q72f00jOxwjiSZfwz0tcvHGkVECkTYAF_LkKfJ3SXfYoIq_Onc_uT-1kKvXBnILRcmRTCad-q6ABelt24DyXokjRWFOrW5t33lVZwZVp1L6IdBAcIeqTO-OqH732ofEewv_qOQdelgYTMY2BOayE7DZQVkQvtMhh3OOs00/s4000/20230722_145338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Winged peas" border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUMtK2qwFaoeMyCPsC88Q5q72f00jOxwjiSZfwz0tcvHGkVECkTYAF_LkKfJ3SXfYoIq_Onc_uT-1kKvXBnILRcmRTCad-q6ABelt24DyXokjRWFOrW5t33lVZwZVp1L6IdBAcIeqTO-OqH732ofEewv_qOQdelgYTMY2BOayE7DZQVkQvtMhh3OOs00/w480-h640/20230722_145338.jpg" title="Asparagus pea" width="480" /></a></div>I’ve started harvesting the Florence fennel. I’ve kept it under netting in an attempt to stop it going to seed but some of the bulbs are beginning to elongate rather than bulb more.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoyKkynmDre2J5Tq4ibMpG40rGsMLpgfxM0pRqC8bJlNQPBhf5-LrVyUQcNuUAgsX_mPuImRHIAyO0e0HWutGDIU0k9tFNLa3byoWtKyALYl8gC5b80a60WJAEEDSjucvsamGMQOgFj97sCHqIWjLRJzwHdB6DNdtfJIBGOFtr_texqCx0fmIgltmf3A/s4000/20230722_145841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoyKkynmDre2J5Tq4ibMpG40rGsMLpgfxM0pRqC8bJlNQPBhf5-LrVyUQcNuUAgsX_mPuImRHIAyO0e0HWutGDIU0k9tFNLa3byoWtKyALYl8gC5b80a60WJAEEDSjucvsamGMQOgFj97sCHqIWjLRJzwHdB6DNdtfJIBGOFtr_texqCx0fmIgltmf3A/w640-h480/20230722_145841.jpg" title="Florence fennel" width="640" /></a></div>They’re so tasty and the smell -mmm, delicious! I made this meal from a trugful of goodies the other night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayCuWfsfyK66zU2j3hGXMFsM7-NWHRMAi7QLV6xlEqbSJE18uRAqXioQY66uabPtMpK5nR-9TbN9y9Fsp176nzXgG_W2t1pvkWJgnVFHjR4nQyHpBjm2KMTAFEfflniGNZxgHYHIvEdX_kzxEC8AtV_QgBzmqvznpFs-HwBesmdlo-aj1Fm0aZWXRS3o/s3465/45D3B99F-0A87-46A1-8EEC-AB4073457FCA.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="3465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayCuWfsfyK66zU2j3hGXMFsM7-NWHRMAi7QLV6xlEqbSJE18uRAqXioQY66uabPtMpK5nR-9TbN9y9Fsp176nzXgG_W2t1pvkWJgnVFHjR4nQyHpBjm2KMTAFEfflniGNZxgHYHIvEdX_kzxEC8AtV_QgBzmqvznpFs-HwBesmdlo-aj1Fm0aZWXRS3o/w640-h640/45D3B99F-0A87-46A1-8EEC-AB4073457FCA.jpeg" title="From plot to plate" width="640" /></a></div><div>Frying the courgette chopped tiny like that was a nice addition and the courgette was almost hidden in the passata sauce 🤭</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA7J_JoEyQ4nsEpO3Zj2Lt6YjS8TM4JJvvzH92XM36uwdWMD3sIdNKZhH4QwEzdBakz45CsHjwbpC4KNNS3KTHtQzNLQ9yrPROQZvYFBvinenjcBrPPhGHbn_sU5cpWDp5_Me_V9gNJk2R5GA7FyWkZcZKP6DMu5iT9jvLDN8Wpfy9zHUzNM30Vz0jzA/s4000/20230716_154815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwA7J_JoEyQ4nsEpO3Zj2Lt6YjS8TM4JJvvzH92XM36uwdWMD3sIdNKZhH4QwEzdBakz45CsHjwbpC4KNNS3KTHtQzNLQ9yrPROQZvYFBvinenjcBrPPhGHbn_sU5cpWDp5_Me_V9gNJk2R5GA7FyWkZcZKP6DMu5iT9jvLDN8Wpfy9zHUzNM30Vz0jzA/w640-h480/20230716_154815.jpg" title="Plots 8 & 7" width="640" /></a></div><div>Not satisfied with just our own veg, we’ve also enjoyed some of plot neighbour, Neal’s. The turnips are a lovely peppery addition fried, roasted or raw. I may sow a row myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIQh26qK4d79tIkuOspZpTaU6xLqtjnas4c7luAE4Qy3k2VHt3f6SiE8feLnpVrhRkEzN45an16LYyKpqCOertFbgqAdNN8w76UGzoAJqDO6Ha2QzuQUBQXZKzoh4vXhfD99lEUn7GIF1zfM8n9vLCoxSQLbZ2B8TSWSDNdcBAl8S6fJ_UDDsGBWi0i8/s4000/20230708_185512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYIQh26qK4d79tIkuOspZpTaU6xLqtjnas4c7luAE4Qy3k2VHt3f6SiE8feLnpVrhRkEzN45an16LYyKpqCOertFbgqAdNN8w76UGzoAJqDO6Ha2QzuQUBQXZKzoh4vXhfD99lEUn7GIF1zfM8n9vLCoxSQLbZ2B8TSWSDNdcBAl8S6fJ_UDDsGBWi0i8/w400-h300/20230708_185512.jpg" title="Fried courgettes and turnips" width="400" /></a></div><div>And Ivan’s fruit bushes have given me a little job to do this morning, until the rain stops.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauqJHQY-2ueDEPccbBXD2kmdvPcQp8en0yybxtzbNUrLtZTrqx2efzi1AljMdv871f5LiYndch7CEE2926sU0xel17RFbYhNP1OeS4y8jebXThNuVM6duH8IWMDgwXwRXVgE013x5cipJtAbsi9A34me8ApQ_kRZxDZ7IplX8UEiw77tA01t5bZyB1ko/s4000/20230723_164647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgauqJHQY-2ueDEPccbBXD2kmdvPcQp8en0yybxtzbNUrLtZTrqx2efzi1AljMdv871f5LiYndch7CEE2926sU0xel17RFbYhNP1OeS4y8jebXThNuVM6duH8IWMDgwXwRXVgE013x5cipJtAbsi9A34me8ApQ_kRZxDZ7IplX8UEiw77tA01t5bZyB1ko/w640-h480/20230723_164647.jpg" title="Redcurrants, blackcurrants and Gooseberries" width="640" /></a></div><div>The song title is brought to us by Peter, Paul and Mary - a blast from the past.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ld6fAO4idaI" width="320" youtube-src-id="Ld6fAO4idaI"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-18134071571123446152023-07-08T10:04:00.001+01:002023-07-08T10:11:42.164+01:00What’s Going On?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I’m a bit out of date, I haven’t posted in nearly 3 weeks. Well, it’s been a busy time and I have a rotten cough/throat infection which is hanging round too long. But, apart from that whinge, it’s a great time of year - look, fresh veg for lunches and dinners!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvLK7ImXM6mDaUsjpIigX7MkLNE5H3vOMe3BEUdohOYeTcRzh7KM5pohOHNurODudGfEbHzZ7KNJAks-QIUBmjfeQr-63ZNskrAEl-jjlmbVnZSf5GKwWIMmmnQ2wrR2r9S9EIhcnGMtecMs3s9pv5LqonvZ-F8jFLLz-Je1O01P_Q9xd9Q_ejLtScCk/s4000/20230701_124231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvLK7ImXM6mDaUsjpIigX7MkLNE5H3vOMe3BEUdohOYeTcRzh7KM5pohOHNurODudGfEbHzZ7KNJAks-QIUBmjfeQr-63ZNskrAEl-jjlmbVnZSf5GKwWIMmmnQ2wrR2r9S9EIhcnGMtecMs3s9pv5LqonvZ-F8jFLLz-Je1O01P_Q9xd9Q_ejLtScCk/w640-h480/20230701_124231.jpg" title="Trug of grub" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We enjoyed quite a few strawberries, but not as many as we'd hoped. One of the peat-free compost bags was clearly a bit dodgy as the plants were not at all happy.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqKFoWdl67WJLeLWShAwTOeKcEtpvyV1Z3_8kUf--TgKaXr0BhBlQDzttlUdNRdZtioI3pXCNZJbKfAht7YFMc81AisibmaZlwlzeoIGmFBnGjfN5plqqv4-gHsXpV5w7G5CN77-rji-AxK7o13bnP_CzouCIHVPX1QMDW-8kOeQkTPckOygERgcleAI/s3196/660013B8-6EEC-4335-ACC2-3F22AEF8810E-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqKFoWdl67WJLeLWShAwTOeKcEtpvyV1Z3_8kUf--TgKaXr0BhBlQDzttlUdNRdZtioI3pXCNZJbKfAht7YFMc81AisibmaZlwlzeoIGmFBnGjfN5plqqv4-gHsXpV5w7G5CN77-rji-AxK7o13bnP_CzouCIHVPX1QMDW-8kOeQkTPckOygERgcleAI/w480-h640/660013B8-6EEC-4335-ACC2-3F22AEF8810E-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Fresh veg for lunch" width="480" /></a></div>We’ve been living on broad beans for a while now, so many different ways to enjoy them but they’re just about finished as we’ll be moving on to courgettes. The leeks will go in the ground once the broad bean stalks go to the compost bin.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewdcAXWaQaSYUZGFG81EwssyQuFEGIqyKPrMTOhkZx2crwl4FKld-HJrZg65ZcTmVo9K0mB3QU9NcZbN-xhCy_-f9i_lIu4wFLyeWCV7E8iJu8xL7q1pODOjLswPLUKslfl0ONdqEbmsM8HXmUN6_WlkXpmF-vFqStSOTofG3iQ-e-4O0b9qFpKo_IE4/s4000/20230707_172336.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewdcAXWaQaSYUZGFG81EwssyQuFEGIqyKPrMTOhkZx2crwl4FKld-HJrZg65ZcTmVo9K0mB3QU9NcZbN-xhCy_-f9i_lIu4wFLyeWCV7E8iJu8xL7q1pODOjLswPLUKslfl0ONdqEbmsM8HXmUN6_WlkXpmF-vFqStSOTofG3iQ-e-4O0b9qFpKo_IE4/w640-h480/20230707_172336.jpg" title="Broad beans in the foreground" width="640" /></a></div><p>We had our Open Day on one of the hottest days of the year, it was a great success with plenty of visitors and lots of chit-chat. So exhausting organising and setting up on a sweltering day but there were plenty of volunteers and it’s always fun running the tombola.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uC7fkSOI0CfGfGKpTRecU4TuhpFwaevQd1lcO8XwV7Xb3NFzcNx6RPqBxEWJbjIG38vh2UytOuAyK9_62LLtlUGs7vvJSmGRMg2Us5lppLrFZZJW0ZeJKL2fzSBZn8WUss59_aOHaRupweyhzcMtO7OvVaOjwH-L5cINhaD0_uIS4cOFR0ddBQDkr_c/s2048/IMG_1177.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-uC7fkSOI0CfGfGKpTRecU4TuhpFwaevQd1lcO8XwV7Xb3NFzcNx6RPqBxEWJbjIG38vh2UytOuAyK9_62LLtlUGs7vvJSmGRMg2Us5lppLrFZZJW0ZeJKL2fzSBZn8WUss59_aOHaRupweyhzcMtO7OvVaOjwH-L5cINhaD0_uIS4cOFR0ddBQDkr_c/w400-h300/IMG_1177.JPG" title="Open Day" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Photo courtesy of Forbes</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p>And the after-party was good fun too, with Ivan’s wine followed by a game of horseshoes - definitely need more practice!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPP9ZCE69QT_OQFf5h1VzMnL_sbYDoq98C_IKWGiZIhIKnjT4kfhEc-eRdAxddzzZEU2h5eh-5q7tL3w4BKgSZ78IkiHw_kp7HLlXx4Fk02Lwqwd-Ev2Z1EVq6Of-KAmzcRMog7KW-2DNTEjX4Ur5hUP3ke4JIKQ9QBGEdhOP_t05gUWBCtEqjWnqNkU/s3453/20230625_174416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2237" data-original-width="3453" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEPP9ZCE69QT_OQFf5h1VzMnL_sbYDoq98C_IKWGiZIhIKnjT4kfhEc-eRdAxddzzZEU2h5eh-5q7tL3w4BKgSZ78IkiHw_kp7HLlXx4Fk02Lwqwd-Ev2Z1EVq6Of-KAmzcRMog7KW-2DNTEjX4Ur5hUP3ke4JIKQ9QBGEdhOP_t05gUWBCtEqjWnqNkU/w400-h259/20230625_174416.jpg" title="After-party" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Open Day was the day after the Hungerford in Bloom allotment judging, so the plots were looking their best. Plot7 was included so we had a LOT of weeding to do beforehand. It did look tidier than ever and I even cleared and weeded behind the polytunnel. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHDNTaf8Q3SzoT5OV9CxtUoVys9ENcmVTM2WQTMqyutNngNIYAhHMMAcNN_3ptCsZ7PRw4GJXSRio8VqZrCam5o9lGlvk469uctzJ-UB8U-zFj520FDBDaiSBN5gOIS7Fr896VZ2JJOb1-SgpCx25d9rWtnCsK0rmviG4sSU2zqTUgiGGYk50A1uXeBg/s4000/20230623_181521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHDNTaf8Q3SzoT5OV9CxtUoVys9ENcmVTM2WQTMqyutNngNIYAhHMMAcNN_3ptCsZ7PRw4GJXSRio8VqZrCam5o9lGlvk469uctzJ-UB8U-zFj520FDBDaiSBN5gOIS7Fr896VZ2JJOb1-SgpCx25d9rWtnCsK0rmviG4sSU2zqTUgiGGYk50A1uXeBg/w640-h480/20230623_181521.jpg" title="Plot7" width="640" /></a></div><p>We got 3rd place in our class 😊 mostly I think because there are quite a variety of different items growing on that plot. The plot looks better now after a couple more weeks with some heavy showers between sunshine but still much more growing to do to cover all that bare earth - otherwise a weed will find it! I’ve been filling gaps with lettuce seedlings.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Kw1rMF1vzgX4_0w9YZyu4AwVKcA7kkPjdphzz1XV4hl7_jFK6R3Ou6xtpXw4rED3NfoEdF5ZJmDrrzKTLUI4RccE2cP7HMjAkNfB_RvqHcEFyAi3hGF88LaNT3HZGfXxgXMPFooDQDdpJZFdIaQno2dBGHCcTIFxQSTpHpdycWrDtwDAgOmiIoK2g1w/s4000/20230707_172422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Kw1rMF1vzgX4_0w9YZyu4AwVKcA7kkPjdphzz1XV4hl7_jFK6R3Ou6xtpXw4rED3NfoEdF5ZJmDrrzKTLUI4RccE2cP7HMjAkNfB_RvqHcEFyAi3hGF88LaNT3HZGfXxgXMPFooDQDdpJZFdIaQno2dBGHCcTIFxQSTpHpdycWrDtwDAgOmiIoK2g1w/w640-h480/20230707_172422.jpg" title="Plot 7, 2 weeks later" width="640" /></a></div><p>The <i>Incredible </i>sweetcorn that Nia gave us is growing at a pace. I had to stomp the earth around them as they’ve had some really strong winds to contend with. The four tiny plants are the <i>Lark</i> variety that we managed to germinate - they shouldn’t be affected by cross-pollination apparently.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPgXCd6mmvZHcpL5GB_rkUZnYkxMVi9EFXWq0gh0W3LT_twRncgx8gyGSV0BTnDB0vWS5Psd5YW6lCCecCy2OU-uLOmaxyGrWMwN7rgI2psG_06I6GwRyoEr90VdFQRjiyHY5ReXOEsY4chh1ELMnxSBbG9qcOV9y-Mv1I6trKukZ_QEXzH4ogN5gm44/s4000/20230702_143206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPgXCd6mmvZHcpL5GB_rkUZnYkxMVi9EFXWq0gh0W3LT_twRncgx8gyGSV0BTnDB0vWS5Psd5YW6lCCecCy2OU-uLOmaxyGrWMwN7rgI2psG_06I6GwRyoEr90VdFQRjiyHY5ReXOEsY4chh1ELMnxSBbG9qcOV9y-Mv1I6trKukZ_QEXzH4ogN5gm44/w640-h480/20230702_143206.jpg" title="Sweetcorn" width="640" /></a></div><div>A few more flowers are appearing but our plots are definitely looking mostly green at the moment. The larkspur and nasturtium are the brightest spots for the many hoverflies and bees that have arrived with the warmth. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInMq3zcCLG4siauaUZYtX7t1GiRaP4xx5CdfeGJyH0Tfuj2WFL1DWEQ8UAZEEJ_DJ6Ep1o0cJCNGYIViWwehEWCDf92bKgMBod7Yi1rHjeiqLbJJMGoWB1F2N3ahDCX9ctUCeAa4ReqcaY65ggDfWqs_6eeRC7UPTlo3z-8iGBqvDU3U3NwJ5fQdvvrM/s2048/P7020024.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInMq3zcCLG4siauaUZYtX7t1GiRaP4xx5CdfeGJyH0Tfuj2WFL1DWEQ8UAZEEJ_DJ6Ep1o0cJCNGYIViWwehEWCDf92bKgMBod7Yi1rHjeiqLbJJMGoWB1F2N3ahDCX9ctUCeAa4ReqcaY65ggDfWqs_6eeRC7UPTlo3z-8iGBqvDU3U3NwJ5fQdvvrM/w400-h268/P7020024.JPG" title="Nasturtium flower" width="400" /></a></div><div>And I’m pleased to have noticed a lot of ladybirds over the last week. The HAHA Wildlife plot has plenty of colour for the butterflies that have turned up too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR85rPH0MazQT03S5RYWIh26XG4LZJzQVdsVFFGUT5PxkaUQJmH4vOEyU8yzTiD6HDH66DyVg1FJDxf23TGf8qPT41-JyJzWl35EIV6NsRMSwTX2x1Jbx7m9zuQp0CMNwgm4SamDHNy8S9Qgc2GxPnor8CupDdlDUeDum8asnY8Pr_244N_U-fsHT9m5c/s4000/20230621_090806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR85rPH0MazQT03S5RYWIh26XG4LZJzQVdsVFFGUT5PxkaUQJmH4vOEyU8yzTiD6HDH66DyVg1FJDxf23TGf8qPT41-JyJzWl35EIV6NsRMSwTX2x1Jbx7m9zuQp0CMNwgm4SamDHNy8S9Qgc2GxPnor8CupDdlDUeDum8asnY8Pr_244N_U-fsHT9m5c/w400-h300/20230621_090806.jpg" title="HAHA Wildlife Plot" width="400" /></a></div><div>So, as new veg is emerging, the earlier planted items are giving way. The radish are all eaten, but the radish rats tails provide a spicy addition to salads, along with the delicious peppery nasturtium, which caterpillars haven’t found yet. We ate the scapes from our garlic a couple of weeks ago. They were a very tasty mild-garlic addition to a halloumi meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi2bqzzfqZxXBtQrpCjrxAHJICFPbDjMOK2AmX0d70SyIZr91iCUDhQJ-kwF4b-YQ_FD4IdEisWdHqp-yiPvfrE0FmnmxJCnfj0kLaglUDb5kX-fr4Rw1tWhW2ucv1eH9RNzgHcFuGl89s0Xi8nh0uPtx0YQtb05bsyi9SLB4rxmeV9oeAfuq_jNFZ1A/s4000/20230621_090245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSi2bqzzfqZxXBtQrpCjrxAHJICFPbDjMOK2AmX0d70SyIZr91iCUDhQJ-kwF4b-YQ_FD4IdEisWdHqp-yiPvfrE0FmnmxJCnfj0kLaglUDb5kX-fr4Rw1tWhW2ucv1eH9RNzgHcFuGl89s0Xi8nh0uPtx0YQtb05bsyi9SLB4rxmeV9oeAfuq_jNFZ1A/w300-h400/20230621_090245.jpg" title="Garlic scapes" width="300" /></a></div><div>And, I gave the garlic a couple more weeks in the ground but not long enough for the bulbs to properly form into cloves because the foliage was looking so dead and rust- covered. As a result we’ll have to eat it as ‘wet garlic’ and it won’t store for long which is a shame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxtI8CbL8-IYZ9TpWI_kbJYIcckHJmXnIGA_pacrCykfEB__ODoa6y8gdN6_rFBNUjkJlBKJtGgXtGKTGzrTLUSL7hGLb0_YA_Ky9zUGVRmlA76Hz0hNYybMdUFo9_0lGk4hZzaqad0EQyp628h2Ql-IQO4TYulIksZ3EBSUjqOT3_3ZCSSY2ZX9sTxc/s4000/20230702_163612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxtI8CbL8-IYZ9TpWI_kbJYIcckHJmXnIGA_pacrCykfEB__ODoa6y8gdN6_rFBNUjkJlBKJtGgXtGKTGzrTLUSL7hGLb0_YA_Ky9zUGVRmlA76Hz0hNYybMdUFo9_0lGk4hZzaqad0EQyp628h2Ql-IQO4TYulIksZ3EBSUjqOT3_3ZCSSY2ZX9sTxc/w640-h480/20230702_163612.jpg" title="Garlic" width="640" /></a></div><div><p>Oh, I finished my <b><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bestfootforward2023" target="_blank">Best Foot Forward challenge</a></b> for the National Kidney Federation - Thankyou if you sponsored me! I managed over 176,000 steps in June - a lot of watering was involved in those steps! So much watering!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwFp6EZX5Mg4zXmV6MRWREOSsgOkjnXJDvDUrE8cce7BPMROuRbiGOVu-Ivg4bY9OXm18lngzNBmwUJJSjnqA-_OZa6IAkOOEr04VkJ7wz1qD0er9g3RNzjQpkRih5bya1zsH5iRvozpzEz3bC-P6fWCrBN-j-NU779gwr3M1x3EhE--TCBTLfMUluVM/s2448/IMG_1176.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2447" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwFp6EZX5Mg4zXmV6MRWREOSsgOkjnXJDvDUrE8cce7BPMROuRbiGOVu-Ivg4bY9OXm18lngzNBmwUJJSjnqA-_OZa6IAkOOEr04VkJ7wz1qD0er9g3RNzjQpkRih5bya1zsH5iRvozpzEz3bC-P6fWCrBN-j-NU779gwr3M1x3EhE--TCBTLfMUluVM/s320/IMG_1176.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p>Alfie very kindly gave us a <a href="https://www.reducereuserecycle.co.uk/greenproducts/bokashi_kitchen_compost_bucket.php" target="_blank">Bokashi Composting</a> kit. It literally ferments the green waste, rather than composting, and as it ferments we can use the ‘tea’ as a plant food. Seems interesting and all our broad bean waste has been going in there over the last few weeks - the Bokashi bran needs adding for the process to work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7eTh9CbfMbDnSuWKM9doLc5sfgPnuZM0u6lRZ5VFdVIg5Tr7i0Ebsxl-2BNSjhRK1Oe_gPyclNzdmaQtU1FYfyl2CYAWUX7zlk7c8qdZ7CPwEZIRCwijvEgDI67jd6K5VSAIeym59drC4zILm2RGG_4DxLkjKH79fYmziIipK73ePGnVDYEJKw7HC1Y/s3196/2DCBD65C-7EE9-4BD5-8F81-0B256B160AC9-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="3196" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7eTh9CbfMbDnSuWKM9doLc5sfgPnuZM0u6lRZ5VFdVIg5Tr7i0Ebsxl-2BNSjhRK1Oe_gPyclNzdmaQtU1FYfyl2CYAWUX7zlk7c8qdZ7CPwEZIRCwijvEgDI67jd6K5VSAIeym59drC4zILm2RGG_4DxLkjKH79fYmziIipK73ePGnVDYEJKw7HC1Y/w640-h480/2DCBD65C-7EE9-4BD5-8F81-0B256B160AC9-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Bokashi composting" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Apart from the lovely plot visits I’ve been working (obviously) and prepping some documents for the <b>BIG HAHA SUMMER SHOW</b>. It’s our first year of running the show ourselves and it’s going to be in the Town Hall, so we really hope there’s a big turnout. I’m not involved in the organisation, but you know me, I do enjoy doing the posters, etc ☺️</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodf0Hqrsnlk84hIsduCEIbjob3Edgq_zxsE9VZN7Jmbkz2-886kJfLJIhZ6STgBLRs3y_Jnfr28KdgLilo3KlHAlmehhq85zJQPEybNQlmbGkH-l3E8YXnp1b1isXaxQetb-8ooyFdPAlMtFX5BU55tK6UMj3_TAmDyMzbadUwLVPoSiC0PjAvf6o_yQ/s1563/IMG_1180.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="1" data-original-height="1563" data-original-width="1084" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodf0Hqrsnlk84hIsduCEIbjob3Edgq_zxsE9VZN7Jmbkz2-886kJfLJIhZ6STgBLRs3y_Jnfr28KdgLilo3KlHAlmehhq85zJQPEybNQlmbGkH-l3E8YXnp1b1isXaxQetb-8ooyFdPAlMtFX5BU55tK6UMj3_TAmDyMzbadUwLVPoSiC0PjAvf6o_yQ/w444-h640/IMG_1180.PNG" title="HAHA Summer Show" width="444" /></a></div><a href="http://www.haha-hungerford.org.uk/docs/HAHA%20Show%202023/HAHA%20Summer%20Show%20Schedule%202023.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Full schedule is available on the website</b> </a>if you’re local. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, that’s me caught up. We’re hoping for a thunderstorm this morning then we can go to the plot this afternoon. Song title and sadly relevant question, provided by Marvin Gaye.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o5TmORitlKk" width="320" youtube-src-id="o5TmORitlKk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-91333811209807049172023-06-19T13:21:00.001+01:002023-06-19T13:21:05.364+01:00Start!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi30QLC3sr1BPeV2y4GiK-oIhyn-N4HCIMkPwjvjSa_ovlOy7dEpSAhtldGuvjGA-iPlWUMeHO2TseNWw-zlmYBcrTazKdqlpUAgR66JIo4Oj0Op6OXNNdWNxqHuLM5sqpsr5IdefROhkNSjXiEjFloxyW6jI_F0c5fIeNh7iZvDt0uFKJQ65eT6FR/s4000/20230618_124820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Desiree" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi30QLC3sr1BPeV2y4GiK-oIhyn-N4HCIMkPwjvjSa_ovlOy7dEpSAhtldGuvjGA-iPlWUMeHO2TseNWw-zlmYBcrTazKdqlpUAgR66JIo4Oj0Op6OXNNdWNxqHuLM5sqpsr5IdefROhkNSjXiEjFloxyW6jI_F0c5fIeNh7iZvDt0uFKJQ65eT6FR/w640-h480/20230618_124820.jpg" title="Potato flowers" width="640" /></a></div>It’s been a very, very hot week. And dry; showers have passed us by and we’ve literally been able to count the raindrops! That’s not very helpful rain at this time of year so we’ve been watering and watering - backwards and forwards from the troughs. So much walking in fact that I've already exceeded the <a href="https://www.kidney.org.uk/best-foot-forward-2023" target="_blank">68,000 steps for Kidney patients </a>so I need to think about a new target...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVVz0C92jPOZcsl2QKlwL-nFzzblxq2LdqDiQRyQK2rvQBbLsPdPo5iuHUg4PL20Ab6ukIJ_-4ZTS5iPyFQCA0uHlFbUXKJC6fnmKlNXxBnnM6idcXYQ27P3P_K79y-XAXEyQsrELEPEEpB5ub6t66O-UU3pNJ6--gGCxL2pKc3gsg1WSLO27Q85d/s4000/20230616_171705.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVVz0C92jPOZcsl2QKlwL-nFzzblxq2LdqDiQRyQK2rvQBbLsPdPo5iuHUg4PL20Ab6ukIJ_-4ZTS5iPyFQCA0uHlFbUXKJC6fnmKlNXxBnnM6idcXYQ27P3P_K79y-XAXEyQsrELEPEEpB5ub6t66O-UU3pNJ6--gGCxL2pKc3gsg1WSLO27Q85d/w400-h300/20230616_171705.jpg" title="Flagging rudbeckia" width="400" /></a></div><div>This potted <i>rudbeckia fulgida</i> was looking how we felt, but (like us) perked up after a long refreshing drink. Over the weekend we planted up most of the remaining seedlings - I've added a row of rainbow chard and french marigolds to that plot - each plant getting a good splosh of water, but they really want some decent rainfall. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm2eMxK1jEvh8job1Rakk0VsjWdQ8sZHrN61niTOfflrHaeT1dCN6cXm4mxGEP_OjP8g6m_kHlZgdG6M_O50KNvXFEuKoC1iWEsggOdUDXuB--yWUOe8PzNthjNwNP7QQLFW11m7Mp8v35X6t6bnhiMrfWb1dHrg3SQjolDA-FnIDUbyEw7y7-qYm/s2048/P6180015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmm2eMxK1jEvh8job1Rakk0VsjWdQ8sZHrN61niTOfflrHaeT1dCN6cXm4mxGEP_OjP8g6m_kHlZgdG6M_O50KNvXFEuKoC1iWEsggOdUDXuB--yWUOe8PzNthjNwNP7QQLFW11m7Mp8v35X6t6bnhiMrfWb1dHrg3SQjolDA-FnIDUbyEw7y7-qYm/w640-h360/P6180015.JPG" title="Plot7" width="640" /></a></div><p>We've planted the two aubergines from the HAHA Plant Swap into the polytunnel - I'm not really keen on aubergine but will eat them if they're home-grown and they are such a lovely looking fruit (yes, like tomatoes they're a fruit not a vegetable - I had to look it up).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcflA9e98dHMze0X-saOA2C7WGqytxC27G0PE3H5cG3CQQ5RUh-WHG7eS3pTjyhPO_uGwFL3xw0PzI_KQ4L3hNH4WBD9_sEABBqGZcbAlhMYVCFzsxwP1G1UYVWTxaHga_c4w1svecfOZP3-6woeKZ0jh_kB4d82tMYwRCSYCgd-TvsgnIVjbNkgK6ls/s1931/P6180017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1931" data-original-width="1152" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcflA9e98dHMze0X-saOA2C7WGqytxC27G0PE3H5cG3CQQ5RUh-WHG7eS3pTjyhPO_uGwFL3xw0PzI_KQ4L3hNH4WBD9_sEABBqGZcbAlhMYVCFzsxwP1G1UYVWTxaHga_c4w1svecfOZP3-6woeKZ0jh_kB4d82tMYwRCSYCgd-TvsgnIVjbNkgK6ls/w382-h640/P6180017.JPG" title="Inside the polytunnel" width="382" /></a></div><p>I've planted up two flower troughs for HAHA - I'm rather ambitiously hoping that they fill out a bit ahead of next weekend's Open Day, but I think that's rather unlikely!! Oh well, they should look cheerful in July and August.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjU7hHPPCNMQunxZ3ymR9GdiMmEVoGCxh_bpP1Un2soP_MZ08U1Vwk53ISinETJSaDWDEAFRFfNu5bagP1YnhUvFdCn_FIJeBDbJbPBQM-sE__3OA2vDFgcB2nUKWplI4nDemVInZuRnRfsnE_ilLVFOfnqyDEjDsnrFi4jorsCn627mvOw8Xw-HWhsU/s1024/Open%20Afternoon.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjU7hHPPCNMQunxZ3ymR9GdiMmEVoGCxh_bpP1Un2soP_MZ08U1Vwk53ISinETJSaDWDEAFRFfNu5bagP1YnhUvFdCn_FIJeBDbJbPBQM-sE__3OA2vDFgcB2nUKWplI4nDemVInZuRnRfsnE_ilLVFOfnqyDEjDsnrFi4jorsCn627mvOw8Xw-HWhsU/w320-h240/Open%20Afternoon.jpg" title="HAHA Open Day poster" width="320" /></a></div><p>I'm pleased to say that the mangetout are finally being harvested - a few being chomped on the allotment and others being added to various meals. Even if they don't make it into a meal I pick them to keep them producing so they don't run to seed. On the other hand, I'm pleased to see that these have run to seed. These are the Radish Rats Tails, which should produce long pods for adding to salads, stir fries or for pickling. I'm looking forward to seeing them form.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKOSLWIo9pPZ8GLdjR5jdasPUUaTA0qR-yjEB72-37BIMAvfgke7iC15K4dEKkOmRIOkd8OzwJA2NxEtP0sTPDeDEILbwwY03Qlpg8wxc_DMI_tVPb7dgx3GeuvZ1Kyxbl07tyEPV5ZZ0DjrfKJwyZ3r1bmt-7ggCHc6PtgUcuHHWPEU1KeibvY9vZ30/s4000/20230618_125205.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKOSLWIo9pPZ8GLdjR5jdasPUUaTA0qR-yjEB72-37BIMAvfgke7iC15K4dEKkOmRIOkd8OzwJA2NxEtP0sTPDeDEILbwwY03Qlpg8wxc_DMI_tVPb7dgx3GeuvZ1Kyxbl07tyEPV5ZZ0DjrfKJwyZ3r1bmt-7ggCHc6PtgUcuHHWPEU1KeibvY9vZ30/w300-h400/20230618_125205.jpg" title="Radish Rats Tails" width="300" /></a></div><p>In the background of that photo you can see the sunflowers and the two mini cucumbers which have been planted up into pots. The <i>mangomel</i> melon is on Plot3 too and is planted into the ground with weed suppressant surrounding it. You can, just about, see it in the background of this sunflowers photo - all 3 plants are surrounded by netting at the moment to give them a fighting chance against everything that may try to stop them growing (which includes the weather).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ33CEQfScu_4DxBEgO_NnTPOqua_VbadLhHw3MDpFgz9u9I2QALzEULBDBjE-VWGW3ZIEO4yD64k6N3nM7HwTxhBE7x4FwJa1oHI2nfj-6xRqqWJJR3aIgw_BbvJoByTxGsmdBWQLYNRbxASGCkESRczmZOb-ic1geLbtVXzKYSO3cHXiY89iaRCGzo/s3383/20230617_182309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3383" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ33CEQfScu_4DxBEgO_NnTPOqua_VbadLhHw3MDpFgz9u9I2QALzEULBDBjE-VWGW3ZIEO4yD64k6N3nM7HwTxhBE7x4FwJa1oHI2nfj-6xRqqWJJR3aIgw_BbvJoByTxGsmdBWQLYNRbxASGCkESRczmZOb-ic1geLbtVXzKYSO3cHXiY89iaRCGzo/s320/20230617_182309.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><p>I'm pleased to see that the <i>Paris Silverskin</i> onions that I sowed about a week ago have germinated. I like onion seedlings with their little bent stems. It makes them easy to spot amongst the weeds. These are sown into the raised bed but in recent years have been purely slug food - would be nice to have a few to ourselves this year....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNrKzWGHXjUFzDcU1A-UbFM-g0JzivKdmjy01tbrl3Vd1pO24DkVxAzIUNqrM-epRZEEdO1a4_A2S4JMH39kSXbDGViROI7uyE2M3SQ8hpknukGkSgUwYnXLHPITP9V4VlEte9aflZ3AeSE9tX61O3JjNKto3kQeklt19PWk6fP22cDNnxHj8aIJzsU/s2048/P6180020.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Onion seedlings" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfNrKzWGHXjUFzDcU1A-UbFM-g0JzivKdmjy01tbrl3Vd1pO24DkVxAzIUNqrM-epRZEEdO1a4_A2S4JMH39kSXbDGViROI7uyE2M3SQ8hpknukGkSgUwYnXLHPITP9V4VlEte9aflZ3AeSE9tX61O3JjNKto3kQeklt19PWk6fP22cDNnxHj8aIJzsU/w268-h400/P6180020.JPG" title="Silverskin onions" width="268" /></a></div><p>I was looking at our garlic on Saturday as I was expecting it to be time for them to be pulled however they are still one bulb rather than broken into cloves. The Winter frost is meant to aid the cloves forming. Ivan advised that I should just leave them and in a few more weeks they may well separate into cloves. If they don't it seems that they can still be eaten as 'wet garlic' - they just don't store well.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI34lJ4XjcucXevoM0ZHsme-oLC62HXZ9F8JhBtfXEtpTRbAMl96PeN2git-n1HOmlmwcaI6ry1fC3OpLuUX5wpzMmSFbiXtmUTED0t6MUJPe6JVK8qsV9Csd9ZqU8qTdA9-aNqbsSoBQ0QrsuZFV1aQ1RWZIKY-RVVQiJTrPMEp3kRXyqEFqIuir7W4g/s4000/20230618_125234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI34lJ4XjcucXevoM0ZHsme-oLC62HXZ9F8JhBtfXEtpTRbAMl96PeN2git-n1HOmlmwcaI6ry1fC3OpLuUX5wpzMmSFbiXtmUTED0t6MUJPe6JVK8qsV9Csd9ZqU8qTdA9-aNqbsSoBQ0QrsuZFV1aQ1RWZIKY-RVVQiJTrPMEp3kRXyqEFqIuir7W4g/w640-h480/20230618_125234.jpg" title="Garlic - looking ready for harvest" width="640" /></a></div>They look ready, but the bulbs are showing that they're not.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitiVeoCD-c5AxV6ynSr-4jtio7EhJwnNjiDbxQCZc_e3DJL3t3n5obAOWsHbNOV2J3qz7l9dJc2Z6FyZwSqeboNCDuXB-NpziG_gJspkEiWqj5_rpvRhon6Q2eB6V5XGkKieuNVeB_DAC1jDORjBWJUXrPAb6gJghobHgRyb4aWCEtQ7Acvpwd1MPAaw/s4000/20230618_125244.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitiVeoCD-c5AxV6ynSr-4jtio7EhJwnNjiDbxQCZc_e3DJL3t3n5obAOWsHbNOV2J3qz7l9dJc2Z6FyZwSqeboNCDuXB-NpziG_gJspkEiWqj5_rpvRhon6Q2eB6V5XGkKieuNVeB_DAC1jDORjBWJUXrPAb6gJghobHgRyb4aWCEtQ7Acvpwd1MPAaw/w300-h400/20230618_125244.jpg" title="Garlic, not yet ready" width="300" /></a></div><p>The broad beans are providing us with regular harvests, they are so delicious. We've had several meals including a broad bean curry, broad beans in parsley sauce with souflettes, broad beans in a tomato sauce and in this stir fry with <a href="https://tofutasty.com/" target="_blank">tofu knots </a>(really tasty!) and radish (a nice colourful addition). The tofu knots are dried so I soaked them overnight prior to frying - we had 6 each and there are lots left over so that's a handy stash to keep in the cupboard.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJaK3imbyh0_wGhaGCdLSlvyEvHL6VH1pkboMMDGriz1gvL5yiti383tnskYHZSGEkfniIqD--cu1fqlWVLpJWoOJXU4r9x31dET3DULtxCkbIAtjU9ebJt3Uur86OvDy-5ndU2IOrLyc11DpzZ1JtxabIW4jFWuWTQXVnnEqH9qawlg7ezco4viG3ro/s3196/9D7AF346-9F42-4B65-A78C-69737D3AF8DA-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3196" data-original-width="2400" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJaK3imbyh0_wGhaGCdLSlvyEvHL6VH1pkboMMDGriz1gvL5yiti383tnskYHZSGEkfniIqD--cu1fqlWVLpJWoOJXU4r9x31dET3DULtxCkbIAtjU9ebJt3Uur86OvDy-5ndU2IOrLyc11DpzZ1JtxabIW4jFWuWTQXVnnEqH9qawlg7ezco4viG3ro/w480-h640/9D7AF346-9F42-4B65-A78C-69737D3AF8DA-COLLAGE.jpg" title="Tofu knots stir fry with radish and broad beans" width="480" /></a></div><p>Ivan gave us a plant (I thought it was a weed) that had appeared amongst his irises. It's now flowered and what a beauty! It's a <i>Siberian Larkspur</i> (<i>Delphinium Grandiflorum)</i> and is such a beautiful colour on its tall flower spikes. It's an annual delphinium apparently but will hopefully self-seed in the flower patch. Look at at that colour - it's like ultraviolet in the sunshine.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7ohcupElh6LZQ625Lk-LGGhG5TD5LHdFfvoI9wmHr5lfSGG9o1uLqEQ39_PyRWI81yn_XCfvQuSMZRpiFCQX5XMrlBqTnRx7IgaXrB9HJ83cyLJ8R9FURZ4BOrwix-Ozlxxa3jFVN49XWaezbSqjzvvMPz5OmXTJEwRgyY6ONzZLPbrZncPpVup-wxs/s2576/20230617_183112.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What a colour!" border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7ohcupElh6LZQ625Lk-LGGhG5TD5LHdFfvoI9wmHr5lfSGG9o1uLqEQ39_PyRWI81yn_XCfvQuSMZRpiFCQX5XMrlBqTnRx7IgaXrB9HJ83cyLJ8R9FURZ4BOrwix-Ozlxxa3jFVN49XWaezbSqjzvvMPz5OmXTJEwRgyY6ONzZLPbrZncPpVup-wxs/w300-h400/20230617_183112.jpg" title="Siberian larkspur" width="300" /></a></div><p>And Ivan gets another mention as he let me pick some gooseberries - payback was a bit of weeding. I used the nice simple recipe from the <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/gooseberry-crumble" target="_blank">BBC Good Food website</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLA0pvLN9jhNde2aQllWAJsxz7bRtNQkJsxTwWxAsCtwenTqjSp0gdFtqzIF3dUG3dWS9R8msuY3MnqullfuDF9wEysG5U0YTMwRbUFYtkcM5x2FCucXIUSrjk1CrVsSbKaJ0cwNBkMjtVetQVCK1EuCWI8wcA2BCtAj7rNOyMjG8CnLM3vKNclbgubg/s3465/AD234C38-F633-44BB-B3DF-79A4CCF41D4F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3465" data-original-width="3465" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLA0pvLN9jhNde2aQllWAJsxz7bRtNQkJsxTwWxAsCtwenTqjSp0gdFtqzIF3dUG3dWS9R8msuY3MnqullfuDF9wEysG5U0YTMwRbUFYtkcM5x2FCucXIUSrjk1CrVsSbKaJ0cwNBkMjtVetQVCK1EuCWI8wcA2BCtAj7rNOyMjG8CnLM3vKNclbgubg/w640-h640/AD234C38-F633-44BB-B3DF-79A4CCF41D4F.jpeg" title="Gooseberry Crumble" width="640" /></a></div><p>The song title provided by The Jam is in reference to our first courgette of the year - I'm sure there will be many more to follow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzTGJdxh_0vg0obWL4akbu3E0FKqRdUTYRX9ejTcufU73kGnGuZWknFOaMhHz_dtc0CZJpGdA3Fo-wwZ350xvPpYKZaamWWoW3F-AVAvcKWE0M8vS3YERYJEiUjV_f7pqY-mvxfWOjuvmr4WkaZ4rvbtKKsoKS3jkqsW32tS5I9a1LSLZ6lTzxE2MvAA/s2989/20230613_083559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="First of the year" border="0" data-original-height="2733" data-original-width="2989" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzTGJdxh_0vg0obWL4akbu3E0FKqRdUTYRX9ejTcufU73kGnGuZWknFOaMhHz_dtc0CZJpGdA3Fo-wwZ350xvPpYKZaamWWoW3F-AVAvcKWE0M8vS3YERYJEiUjV_f7pqY-mvxfWOjuvmr4WkaZ4rvbtKKsoKS3jkqsW32tS5I9a1LSLZ6lTzxE2MvAA/w400-h366/20230613_083559.jpg" title="Courgette Flower" width="400" /></a></div><p> The flower was huge; the courgette tiny 😊 And, I've taken so long writing this that we've had rain - a perfect overnight drenching and some drizzle this morning before the Sun came back out - perfect. Will see this evening what difference it's made to the plots - perhaps the HAHA flower troughs will be full of flowers 😒 </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vI8AOkbfgNE" width="320" youtube-src-id="vI8AOkbfgNE"></iframe></div><p></p>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-38183015867162552122023-06-12T08:24:00.001+01:002023-06-12T08:26:16.979+01:00Last Nite<p>Petrichor - that's the word of the day after we eventually had some rainfall last night. Aah, the smell of earth after rain - it really is a feel-good smell. And rain is so much better at watering than we are - having said that, the watering regime has certainly helped me keep my steps up this month so far!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqRGg_Q9hdOx3PJzwrTc57uMugwLI1yz6r4flVAkymn4XzDo6645Q3dzKkiEkv2f7WZGdsxKtto7f8WHRG3uRb3M8d71wrC-VWwjiqIxW-mz9qo8SNcOgT7dS1kyP-CPsb67bMgCopudLRUWMfLGLbx0RKSN-4wjhoJR0VSeiTneTe4cQsv0V2Hqk/s4000/20230610_130049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="4000" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqRGg_Q9hdOx3PJzwrTc57uMugwLI1yz6r4flVAkymn4XzDo6645Q3dzKkiEkv2f7WZGdsxKtto7f8WHRG3uRb3M8d71wrC-VWwjiqIxW-mz9qo8SNcOgT7dS1kyP-CPsb67bMgCopudLRUWMfLGLbx0RKSN-4wjhoJR0VSeiTneTe4cQsv0V2Hqk/w640-h394/20230610_130049.jpg" title="HAHA Plant Swap & Picnic" width="640" /></a></div>This photo was taken at the HAHA Plant Swap & Picnic on Saturday. Not many people turned up as it was extremely hot and clashed with various other events in town. Having said that, those of us who stayed for the picnic were over the moon to be drinking Ivan's wine - there, on the table in the demijohn. Made from grapes from his Marsh Lane grapevine - it is delicious and rare to have a red grape wine made in England. It was a lot of fun but the walk home was quite a struggle!<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2FK8jrER7owCyKgIUYEY-l6lWFH_Qs1Iog35QqF-ireAz4CS5MPfcDFaZS8sAKnw3VBGRGT8u2zRpJwEV37k9-ox4Dugec-FKvXo3IYUT5FG2IBZQWAGFXj8DfKsbU2xmeL_-oScSf4j7wgGNkGm4n369FL_XHCPErg2j74DBeNTGPS_eKbZ3v1g/s2046/20230610_130126-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2FK8jrER7owCyKgIUYEY-l6lWFH_Qs1Iog35QqF-ireAz4CS5MPfcDFaZS8sAKnw3VBGRGT8u2zRpJwEV37k9-ox4Dugec-FKvXo3IYUT5FG2IBZQWAGFXj8DfKsbU2xmeL_-oScSf4j7wgGNkGm4n369FL_XHCPErg2j74DBeNTGPS_eKbZ3v1g/w480-h640/20230610_130126-COLLAGE.jpg" title="HAHA Picnic" width="480" /></a></div>The Plant Swap was more of a success, even if people didn't stay for the picnic. I couldn't resist taking a pink jasmine climber (probably <i>Jasminum beesianum</i>), which I've planted at the end of the polytunnel; a couple of <i>Heavenly Blue</i> morning glory, which I have seen on other plots before and it's so beautiful, some spinach and two aubergine plants. I spent Sunday planting out the flowers and also planting the <i>Nicotiana</i> and <i>Verbena Bonariensis </i>that I've grown from seed. Hoping the flower bed will burst into colour quite soon...at the moment it's still looking rather bare..Slightly concerned that the rain will have brought out the slugs and snails to polish off my seedlings.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwq7upbpP1nWBPhT9wl8c1NG5iXs6pFPUriKNs58x_DJT-0eIdaEie2Pu4DX4RsZ1AAlRr-GPxiefJoF3YMmXCrtYJ1L5NVHxjrumv2r2yVxMhtVpiOYH0oGiGHt9fD_ZR5E1yinC0PWMCv9ZttcfN8Ax2E_XUJOYHLr2Fxgo5Qa4jn-tSopDzYrX/s3264/20230611_174456.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwq7upbpP1nWBPhT9wl8c1NG5iXs6pFPUriKNs58x_DJT-0eIdaEie2Pu4DX4RsZ1AAlRr-GPxiefJoF3YMmXCrtYJ1L5NVHxjrumv2r2yVxMhtVpiOYH0oGiGHt9fD_ZR5E1yinC0PWMCv9ZttcfN8Ax2E_XUJOYHLr2Fxgo5Qa4jn-tSopDzYrX/w400-h300/20230611_174456.jpg" title="Flower patch on Plot8" width="400" /></a></div>The HAHA Wildlife plot is looking much more flowery with lots of these huge daisies, which bugs really like.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QNKa4GgzMD4yyUt_A2e8Crt5NRsKFLuY6rSHgIB0lEJI6bcMsrIcGUxf5ZpEyA6oIb9KEAu1TG30qCuBABgAjULH2szV9I9WEP_ne4sjxGLO3030UyEYPdOwgisVMPAwpBgDy8mA7XucMHMfmjpMOFFvxklLlTBlEwLcwXsSUeXOIIy-AH6m4-Ug/s2048/P6070015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="HAHA Wildlife Plot" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QNKa4GgzMD4yyUt_A2e8Crt5NRsKFLuY6rSHgIB0lEJI6bcMsrIcGUxf5ZpEyA6oIb9KEAu1TG30qCuBABgAjULH2szV9I9WEP_ne4sjxGLO3030UyEYPdOwgisVMPAwpBgDy8mA7XucMHMfmjpMOFFvxklLlTBlEwLcwXsSUeXOIIy-AH6m4-Ug/w640-h360/P6070015.JPG" title="Daisies" width="640" /></a></div><p>I'm pleased that my mangetout have finally developed some flowers. We've all debated it and are convinced that the cold nights have been the cause of slow growth this year - but they're on their way now. And this week we're working out different ways to enjoy broad beans. I do have quite a few recipes that I know we've enjoyed before and I love them cold in salads.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlZFwuIJVLu3hvYVxzLeZF764hUwKW3mti9ilhPEvWJ4Qr9-ZlhOT2wRRmAat0CwKLsnqteBjT7pHqBFDD5XlBqXe2WZ4hXxOsPGrRWW5-jSKeqZzj_fL74DnqK9ZSJErZEoEqBmKwSDSXPDnTTjLJjTMF_rEqdQMi7rnTEbn83PnHvLiewSk8dfZ/s4000/20230611_173926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlZFwuIJVLu3hvYVxzLeZF764hUwKW3mti9ilhPEvWJ4Qr9-ZlhOT2wRRmAat0CwKLsnqteBjT7pHqBFDD5XlBqXe2WZ4hXxOsPGrRWW5-jSKeqZzj_fL74DnqK9ZSJErZEoEqBmKwSDSXPDnTTjLJjTMF_rEqdQMi7rnTEbn83PnHvLiewSk8dfZ/w400-h300/20230611_173926.jpg" title="Mangetout" width="400" /></a></div><p>I've transplanted some lettuces from their grow tray into the ground and we've started eating our radishes - I wanted them to get big enough to roast them, but I may need to wait for the <i>Chinese Dragon </i>radishes for that meal. You can see that the pollen beetles are making a mess of the leaves as usual.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwXwyfo0Lg6E8Kyf6bENqf-7Lk3VW37WSiPS54MuShvkiWLCRysawyMSvP5Gt-4gB56XfnLbKatKYebu1dvxwF---EUwv2h4W_q0a8SSbG6K_E4qBuO8jls21wZH_tFdvDopDC8YXk5zZklDfBizixjZj9TtR915g2ZOMUzP77DnG7us2DFbXuTim/s3264/20230611_174437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwXwyfo0Lg6E8Kyf6bENqf-7Lk3VW37WSiPS54MuShvkiWLCRysawyMSvP5Gt-4gB56XfnLbKatKYebu1dvxwF---EUwv2h4W_q0a8SSbG6K_E4qBuO8jls21wZH_tFdvDopDC8YXk5zZklDfBizixjZj9TtR915g2ZOMUzP77DnG7us2DFbXuTim/w640-h480/20230611_174437.jpg" title="Radishes" width="640" /></a></div><p>On my final day of annual leave last week we had an engineer come to sort out the site's composting toilet - what a relief (hoho) that it wasn't as big a fault as we thought. Kate and I dug out and prepared a proper soakaway so that the blockage doesn't repeat itself. Jamie and I were wandering the site searching for suitable stones - that's a first :-)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHipRJk8uDSjXPzN8EiJpkAGI5UBNAbZb6OSMontdfmUyaIiT9ZBgqMh6704hXUVYQHIFzfeoihB56fjX8dZnwgQ49FkbOWVV5VY7HnOgpZhFXAwk9ACoGVKWDPgSR1O_F9EunrvHJxt9ZdGp4z4T88aRrip11DHylJsUPvUSoT7BBRNRdJiMBFnj5/s3039/20230606_163150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHipRJk8uDSjXPzN8EiJpkAGI5UBNAbZb6OSMontdfmUyaIiT9ZBgqMh6704hXUVYQHIFzfeoihB56fjX8dZnwgQ49FkbOWVV5VY7HnOgpZhFXAwk9ACoGVKWDPgSR1O_F9EunrvHJxt9ZdGp4z4T88aRrip11DHylJsUPvUSoT7BBRNRdJiMBFnj5/s320/20230606_163150.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p>On Saturday, thunder was rumbling around, the sky went quite dark but we
only felt
about 10 drops of rain but last night (Sunday) we got the rain although
the thunder & lightning was mostly further north and east of
Hungerford - more may be expected today.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRuEqAO1OjZkTEm0dEWlcHGLnBuXLOg24PvKit-Bdl-dH3CJZKwsGX4dPGYDWYBGrYqTizv31qtHNVu3qdS_I3s1E7KMtmdj46Bp_q2w72pc1TQULQlB-1wm2KV-AJ2Di7yxh_qm0fCnRc7D8puB0EPlayClZoXrSgIoHi2o-ek92BNlQHkiZ0GXS/s4000/20230610_164259.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqRuEqAO1OjZkTEm0dEWlcHGLnBuXLOg24PvKit-Bdl-dH3CJZKwsGX4dPGYDWYBGrYqTizv31qtHNVu3qdS_I3s1E7KMtmdj46Bp_q2w72pc1TQULQlB-1wm2KV-AJ2Di7yxh_qm0fCnRc7D8puB0EPlayClZoXrSgIoHi2o-ek92BNlQHkiZ0GXS/w640-h480/20230610_164259.jpg" title="Rain clouds looming" width="640" /></a></div>So, back to work now, looking out at the sunshine and wishing I was on the plot - but we'll have a lunchtime visit today to see how much rain actually fell. Here are The Strokes not singing about last night's rain!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TOypSnKFHrE" width="320" youtube-src-id="TOypSnKFHrE"></iframe></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4869693228690815626.post-29240252398647998342023-06-05T18:43:00.000+01:002023-06-05T18:43:37.017+01:00Step On<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>I’ve been on leave for a week and have a few more days off. I must say that I feel like I’ve been off for a fortnight already - the sunny weather has helped. Although the easterly wind is rather unwelcome, it’s not so noticeable on the allotment site and has even been a relief from the heat at times.</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpHR786MxfCHnz6j6SYCbt_t1KOuO87rOAv2nOSf7pe8gb5Kp22F2gsSGqzW7CVQR4mitZfk2_MgptlqNHfTcznrGaOPsXENpd40KKaUDEkLOJWWbiNxpCwblnLHI2rpwGnu4EeZHx_2s5afRzCOOB8MHDWwUEsmNe9V9IeGXCoFxSUAiaGv8DBnV/s2048/S0286416.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dragonfly" border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTpHR786MxfCHnz6j6SYCbt_t1KOuO87rOAv2nOSf7pe8gb5Kp22F2gsSGqzW7CVQR4mitZfk2_MgptlqNHfTcznrGaOPsXENpd40KKaUDEkLOJWWbiNxpCwblnLHI2rpwGnu4EeZHx_2s5afRzCOOB8MHDWwUEsmNe9V9IeGXCoFxSUAiaGv8DBnV/w640-h360/S0286416.JPG" title="Broad bodied chaser" width="640" /></a></div><p>We’ve spent most of the time on the allotment, obviously. It’s been fabulous. We enjoyed a barbecue one day and plenty of allotment lunches and chats with fellow plotholders.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdjVNqf4DMJmL-MFy2X3qhKtHwz73RXOCnTGFMxUI2w909ZVGe2EIddm-ckJVeF0sQW2zM9BfTcUGEIN0gbH0cztaYljmOey_ZNV32qva9U9IU5pluz25Wi6MplHJK1DjQ4GvgeczHCXGb4uFT-jNpWde7a0VlZFh1IVs3Nl8NGUK_NuZajy_m3XF/s4000/20230604_151540.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Nigella" border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdjVNqf4DMJmL-MFy2X3qhKtHwz73RXOCnTGFMxUI2w909ZVGe2EIddm-ckJVeF0sQW2zM9BfTcUGEIN0gbH0cztaYljmOey_ZNV32qva9U9IU5pluz25Wi6MplHJK1DjQ4GvgeczHCXGb4uFT-jNpWde7a0VlZFh1IVs3Nl8NGUK_NuZajy_m3XF/w640-h480/20230604_151540.jpg" title="Allotment garden flowers" width="640" /></a></div><p>As you can see, the Nigella has flowered and the valerian is filling the air with its lovely vanilla fragrance.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3j_ChJdoTv8MGiozWRSSRJQT5fd-D-qpXQQ4Y3biHP3Z_U-Xw771q52ZTYaidhUUYym2O6W--MK41SgeGY3WhRoBr48mrqOMeuw132lJFCIXulZ-4mOsW4ChnjtS2e7ygDhio2si_ecy5N8e8RmzdNtfy_jyuefundE_JjTB3IHVHn9oKhiHFYE9/s4000/20230604_151324.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3j_ChJdoTv8MGiozWRSSRJQT5fd-D-qpXQQ4Y3biHP3Z_U-Xw771q52ZTYaidhUUYym2O6W--MK41SgeGY3WhRoBr48mrqOMeuw132lJFCIXulZ-4mOsW4ChnjtS2e7ygDhio2si_ecy5N8e8RmzdNtfy_jyuefundE_JjTB3IHVHn9oKhiHFYE9/w300-h400/20230604_151324.jpg" title="Valerian flowers" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Wildlife reports are showing a distinct reduction in numbers of bees and hoverflies which is apparent on site, though we’re beginning to see a few more this month. We have seen a lot more dragon flies and damsel flies this year - including the impressive broad-bodied chaser in the first photo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The robins and blackbirds are enjoying the mealworms we take with us each visit, but we have to stand guard otherwise the magpies sneak in and take the lot in one go. They attempted to break into the pot to help themselves yesterday - they’re always watching!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25oDRtqFuwm4RDDSXXzrGhlLw1B-NzNpmDAdVczQ9M8BSurdO0ewwsuUpl02Vbg8g7kTC9NxNJAawAUKZF2V6La8BgMsaO1kYi08QZ0QKZi5QNsmWAydQDCyHIYnBL11zR6qMAmhCsDxa2RkBLoNnoi_BEsQ2djFMXo8PjWOkGIK2iH4faEmxG6dE/s2048/S0276414.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Magpie" border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25oDRtqFuwm4RDDSXXzrGhlLw1B-NzNpmDAdVczQ9M8BSurdO0ewwsuUpl02Vbg8g7kTC9NxNJAawAUKZF2V6La8BgMsaO1kYi08QZ0QKZi5QNsmWAydQDCyHIYnBL11zR6qMAmhCsDxa2RkBLoNnoi_BEsQ2djFMXo8PjWOkGIK2iH4faEmxG6dE/w640-h360/S0276414.JPG" title="Magpie watch point" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More excitingly, we have been hearing the bullfinches recently but actually spotted the male yesterday. We’re hoping they’ll bring their young out soon as we’re beginning to hear baby bird sounds from the hedge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp4IXjvDQiT8g6yE4o6MjGdQ4nEN_4ifxyj_Os5yLttuhL0VhI18LElPeEdzFM1fvbtNpMPi28i0kXYtMxyX3rWvz6ENVPTPtYRL9_szQztBEKGsdtSDCA9UtRY7UM1aMUO5QWMv2e16bMx2jJ3yENqQ-gLFL-4Kqv0JigidnC22OaRkQrCP3YzIw/s1151/IMG_1125.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="863" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp4IXjvDQiT8g6yE4o6MjGdQ4nEN_4ifxyj_Os5yLttuhL0VhI18LElPeEdzFM1fvbtNpMPi28i0kXYtMxyX3rWvz6ENVPTPtYRL9_szQztBEKGsdtSDCA9UtRY7UM1aMUO5QWMv2e16bMx2jJ3yENqQ-gLFL-4Kqv0JigidnC22OaRkQrCP3YzIw/w480-h640/IMG_1125.JPG" title="Male bullfinch" width="480" /></a></div>We were disappointed that only 5 of our <i>Lark </i>sweetcorn germinated so I put a message on the allotment’s WhatsApp group and fellow plotholder, Nia, came to the rescue with 20 <i>Incredible </i>plants! THANKYOU NIA! So now our plot is looking less bare. There are two <i>Jack-be-Little </i>small pumpkins in the corners which we hope will scramble between the tall sweetcorn plants (although I’ve planted the corn a bit close together - the blurb says this variety can reach 8ft!).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOLjZ-8cj9ZfAf5AivufEky52uj8nJnEWALoa5NB67tIAu3r35H8oPT0Dbp8CR1xJtuHaPOt6q0mkrAHnaS9cLBKYUoO6dm0BNaU7Wqh-TFYvdOVmmIIc8h1WQrzYwYPKvsqHMDMRU9K4d45PkPPLv2Jkz8RyhWIB5dHYj_gNqpgD4n8Mfrv5QQel/s4000/20230604_151653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOLjZ-8cj9ZfAf5AivufEky52uj8nJnEWALoa5NB67tIAu3r35H8oPT0Dbp8CR1xJtuHaPOt6q0mkrAHnaS9cLBKYUoO6dm0BNaU7Wqh-TFYvdOVmmIIc8h1WQrzYwYPKvsqHMDMRU9K4d45PkPPLv2Jkz8RyhWIB5dHYj_gNqpgD4n8Mfrv5QQel/w640-h480/20230604_151653.jpg" title="Sweetcorn and mini pumpkins" width="640" /></a></div><div>I’ve been planting nasturtium in various patches around our plots - the hot weather has kept the slugs away (so far). My other flower seedlings are still too small to plant out but I’ve sown seeds in the flower bed by the bench. This poppy is self-seeded by the polytunnel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJPALkghM6r1v0iXl-gsa8V3u1FI1oj_wAYeufO0xOzTZyzMOa6CHCVWjd1NoQerM41Q7_ROlL97wFgjFul71J4l08RJ45b5AgGrCXshch4U1vxA4OfTGJr-7eDHDNB0Eqr1_Iy21RWvW7Jw376C_CYgi8kdQJbToI1eafXsBvU9B_lPZc4lnC--Z/s2048/S0216398.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJPALkghM6r1v0iXl-gsa8V3u1FI1oj_wAYeufO0xOzTZyzMOa6CHCVWjd1NoQerM41Q7_ROlL97wFgjFul71J4l08RJ45b5AgGrCXshch4U1vxA4OfTGJr-7eDHDNB0Eqr1_Iy21RWvW7Jw376C_CYgi8kdQJbToI1eafXsBvU9B_lPZc4lnC--Z/w400-h225/S0216398.JPG" title="Self-seeded poppy" width="400" /></a></div>And these irises have been in pots for a few years but I’m not sure I’ve seen the flower before - interesting colour.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WVnadDD5A5AOgmoOZdTpn6_Qq0Z8FjyH4hTgsmzu5lXFqgQ5V7K9FCrP3Y2TiGn-G2kzxK0DDNdggpfDEv3SgcreaPYAP3fTAKZVw8TDUgQ7Uj3f5H4Jc8QFaqKvwMOv_LyMQ1xEFPDmv7mMEj3o0HRWog-TtLbUGMm04fRIPNaAzkHQPwYqnoT8/s2048/S0206395.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3WVnadDD5A5AOgmoOZdTpn6_Qq0Z8FjyH4hTgsmzu5lXFqgQ5V7K9FCrP3Y2TiGn-G2kzxK0DDNdggpfDEv3SgcreaPYAP3fTAKZVw8TDUgQ7Uj3f5H4Jc8QFaqKvwMOv_LyMQ1xEFPDmv7mMEj3o0HRWog-TtLbUGMm04fRIPNaAzkHQPwYqnoT8/w400-h225/S0206395.JPG" title="Iris" width="400" /></a></div>My iris display isn’t as stunning as Ivan’s which all visitors to the site can’t help but stop and look at - so beautiful.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATN3JTwsdTHVFeIi1pHieJHNvpO2kjHVelEmh511c6qYOLMOMvDaK1ujej0eFs_tY9ON4xRSvVV3fmHtVoCkbZO8tfK2_MnvI7P-D4b9QABvbUtiMo2QK2Rxs7Mg9iuH0oylHPLVQoZsPkUJP4fnsF6lCV8PvqRlRF9d-nsPY7VYain70DXWQY4pB/s2048/S0106375.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATN3JTwsdTHVFeIi1pHieJHNvpO2kjHVelEmh511c6qYOLMOMvDaK1ujej0eFs_tY9ON4xRSvVV3fmHtVoCkbZO8tfK2_MnvI7P-D4b9QABvbUtiMo2QK2Rxs7Mg9iuH0oylHPLVQoZsPkUJP4fnsF6lCV8PvqRlRF9d-nsPY7VYain70DXWQY4pB/w640-h360/S0106375.JPG" title="Ivan’s bearded iris display" width="640" /></a></div><div>I’ve now planted out the Florence fennel, Yin-Yang dwarf beans (our seeds from last year) and a globe artichoke, also from Nia. They’re in the plot with the oh-so-slow-growing mangetout, asparagus pea and beetroot (which I’ve had to net again because birds were snipping the leaves). There’s a lot of watering required, but so pleased that the plants are now in the ground and will hopefully start bushing out/growing upward quite soon<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq19LAl8JGvIqTCUEZJ11N8FyQzuW4sCDXm6xAUk4VfGzIcYCSTAxzl1IY7IXOMVIT158MyhgPAmxds-8KEBN4KRb68gCe-TGTsZ_oABFvIBMNmmlXrGVraRMgMnzf2IBJjXZ6yezHQlqtHKYBe8IrRNEf3kaf0bxOrcU0yaWz-BhS8Jemi8LTE4GV/s4000/20230604_151604.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq19LAl8JGvIqTCUEZJ11N8FyQzuW4sCDXm6xAUk4VfGzIcYCSTAxzl1IY7IXOMVIT158MyhgPAmxds-8KEBN4KRb68gCe-TGTsZ_oABFvIBMNmmlXrGVraRMgMnzf2IBJjXZ6yezHQlqtHKYBe8IrRNEf3kaf0bxOrcU0yaWz-BhS8Jemi8LTE4GV/w400-h300/20230604_151604.jpg" title="Plot7 planted up" width="400" /></a></div>The <i>(blue lake) </i>French beans and Borlotti beans are planted in the old polytunnel frame and we’ve direct-sown <i>Scarlet Empire</i> runner beans as the ones in modules didn’t germinate. And Jamie’s planted out our sunflowers <i>Tall Timbers </i>for the Sunflower Competition 😊</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1R9pRmacCLC7HOrfKH9iti_q7Ip7dGqe6Iaz84GC3TDfUsO5E31LkxaE3bJRN4p2tZVWf8LfbYoQdwF58ZAVvtNCcfgCt3dxblUuoUuaRf5F0XZFEMiJf1PcFwG233F3APQ8pu17UAgurUc0hGJABwgLlhY-rAus-qYnLQAXgw0o2Ow2ix3GRN8k-/s4000/20230604_151415.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1R9pRmacCLC7HOrfKH9iti_q7Ip7dGqe6Iaz84GC3TDfUsO5E31LkxaE3bJRN4p2tZVWf8LfbYoQdwF58ZAVvtNCcfgCt3dxblUuoUuaRf5F0XZFEMiJf1PcFwG233F3APQ8pu17UAgurUc0hGJABwgLlhY-rAus-qYnLQAXgw0o2Ow2ix3GRN8k-/s320/20230604_151415.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>Broad beans are imminent, if the wind doesn’t damage the tall plants and we’ve eaten two 🤭 strawberries so far… They’re netted to protect from blackbirds - there’s a lot of protection needed these days!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP0IyTnx7sCn-JR-eHn1mScig1TQaGD8nHCuKxChCsZGqYAvQC87i-II213-AXMo0FjwIISkW5vurDK35anKBSHOoDPmyPd29st5NqVIC1fSZ4NsvPPY7JCPONgjMMRf5ciIMm3R1TptN8s2SeCmof6hykuRdTT4BeAO9DjPrgi6t5XW0bzIj3uYI/s4000/20230604_151517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmP0IyTnx7sCn-JR-eHn1mScig1TQaGD8nHCuKxChCsZGqYAvQC87i-II213-AXMo0FjwIISkW5vurDK35anKBSHOoDPmyPd29st5NqVIC1fSZ4NsvPPY7JCPONgjMMRf5ciIMm3R1TptN8s2SeCmof6hykuRdTT4BeAO9DjPrgi6t5XW0bzIj3uYI/w640-h480/20230604_151517.jpg" title="Plot7 & 8" width="640" /></a></div><div>The potatoes have been earthed up; garlic has been fed with epson salts and soil loosened to assist the bulbs swelling before being pulled later this month. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTniUVWxg-tdLfIouSBDk3cXASp_0_SRTJu0WnaK2edmfVU5S_XW0H70B20CgG37DQJOLDe2k0TSPqtPZfa8sqRmUP0rSPo12jAxiOWYvq3Ur3ThA3ZJpNpmD4DflchAidjFQyentr04xSYYH91UTh3R5E0lKoN8OyFl3QqlXAdTg0woSsrezCQ9x/s4000/20230530_143602.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTniUVWxg-tdLfIouSBDk3cXASp_0_SRTJu0WnaK2edmfVU5S_XW0H70B20CgG37DQJOLDe2k0TSPqtPZfa8sqRmUP0rSPo12jAxiOWYvq3Ur3ThA3ZJpNpmD4DflchAidjFQyentr04xSYYH91UTh3R5E0lKoN8OyFl3QqlXAdTg0woSsrezCQ9x/w400-h300/20230530_143602.jpg" title="Garlic" width="400" /></a></div><div>So that’s most of what we’ve been up to. I’m doing for the <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/page/bel-nkf-68k?utm_source=copyLink&utm_medium=one_page&utm_content=page/bel-nkf-68k&utm_campaign=pfp-share&utm_term=bd7b3849809c4503889325b5487dacfc" target="_blank">National Kidney Federation - 68,000 steps in June</a> to represent the 68,000 kidney patients in the UK. That target won’t be difficult while I’m off work and if nature doesn’t join in with the watering!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NORtQ-L2TW2yfdU37AAQnUz6KX1PXUeY0zcOvvjlGEEWmiFVgAkSkCGMTVsdfV6TfeVqngIzeE2U8ulqHZuJxO6XIXqys0-VR06imNaM1v72t4qjL7nUsLkZlUqQ1hi97dOc_VNIeX3C9bTGEm0urNtQkPzTUKALQ8PLTIxtnVW8D0r7M3C2nG5Y/s1024/IMG_1031.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NKF Best Foot Forward" border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NORtQ-L2TW2yfdU37AAQnUz6KX1PXUeY0zcOvvjlGEEWmiFVgAkSkCGMTVsdfV6TfeVqngIzeE2U8ulqHZuJxO6XIXqys0-VR06imNaM1v72t4qjL7nUsLkZlUqQ1hi97dOc_VNIeX3C9bTGEm0urNtQkPzTUKALQ8PLTIxtnVW8D0r7M3C2nG5Y/w400-h225/IMG_1031.JPG" title="https://www.justgiving.com/page/bel-nkf-68k" width="400" /></a></div>The song title links to this and is provided by the excellent Happy Mondays. You’re twisting my melon man 😊<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mFBQ0PH5rM4" width="320" youtube-src-id="mFBQ0PH5rM4"></iframe></div><div><div><div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Belinda Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07019296108085163049noreply@blogger.com6