Fruit and Flowers

The raspberry crop is still fantastic but we have now found a supply of blackberries to go with them. Today's crumble has a lovely sharpness to it as the two complement each other beautifully.



The James Grieves Apple is getting bigger and bigger and we are approaching the time when the decision has to be made to pick it. After all the effort of growing it to this size, it will be such a shame if it drops from the tree and is bruised.





Something new at the allotment this year is flowers. I hear you say 'but you can't eat them', and you would be right, but in such a disasterous year for vegetable growing, it is lovely to have something to show off. The gladioli are magnificent and there is a lovely selection of dahlias (to follow next time) and we have actually
been complimented on our sweet peas at Old Basing (also to follow as I keep forgetting to take the camera when I go there).

Whatever happened to Emily

After her period of being broody, Emily went into moult. This is another period when ducks don't lay well but the moult has now finished so we are hoping for laying to start soon.

Something very strange has happened though, she has lost her soft honey beige and has become one of the brown ducks. Now, I don't know if this happens naturally and she will pale down with time, or she wants to be one of the gang.

The picture is a before and after.

The first decent harvest

A big picking day today, starting with the usual one egg and followed by, a cucumber, celery, various beans, lettuce, tomato, carrots, chard, spinich, herbs, garlic, raspberries and chillies.