Friday 30 July 2021

Friday

 Morning, everyone.  How are you all?  Well, I hope.
I've woken to rain.  It seems to be clearing now but showers are forecast later which could mean anything from a few drops to a real downpour.  No need to water the allotment, anyway, so that's good.




Yesterday morning's mini harvest from the garden.  One of the cucumbers and all the tomatoes are now gone and I'm umming and ahing about the chillies.  Maybe a spicy burger?






Chris and I got our chat after a debate as to whether it was a bit chilly.  We decided to give it a go and settled in my back garden where the stiff breeze died down and there was real warmth in the sun.

Strawberry picking was a lovely experience.  They've developed the place since I was last there and now have loads of parking available.  The need to book is working well in that they are now not inundated with pickers in great long queues to have their containers weighed, nor at the end to pay.  I took a reasonable sized plastic container and managed to fill it without too much trouble.  There was a reasonable walk to the far field where the strawberries are this year (they also have a nearer field which has not been used this time) which was perfect for exercising my calves and ankles.
The strawberries themselves are in long grow bags on trestles so there's no need to squat down to pick but some berries hang down so they are accessible to children.  Definitely a back saver!

When I got home I sorted them out into some for Beth, some for Chris, some (any slightly damaged ones) sliced and frozen for strawberry gin or vodka, some whole for the freezer and the rest for scoffing in the next few days.  There were loads and loads still to ripen so I may go back again next week for more - they taste divine.
I forgot to take photos.  Maybe next time.

Later on, I drove round to Beth's to drop off the berries and then to the allotment.  No need to water but I got all the old broad bean plants out and on the compost heap and gave that patch a proper weeding and forking over so it's ready for when the new seeds come.  I came home with the very last of the broad beans (hardly any), the first of the baby corn and a nice bunch of sweet peas.  Once picked, they don't last all that long but they don't have to because a couple of days later there are loads more to cut.

Today starts with Slimming World and continues with my lash half hour of personal training.  Lindsey has been so very good about splitting my session into two half hours while I've been injured, but it's time to get back to normal again.

After that, I need to tidy things away a bit ready for the cleaners and while they are here I will scoot down to guess where to dig a few potatoes for Beth and Alex and do some more endless weeding.  If the seeds have arrived, I might do some sowing too, we will see.  The grass needs another haircut so I've put that on tomorrow's list of Things To Do.

It's very nice that things have normalised again and the routine re-established.  I like regularity and it helps.
Hoping you have a lovely day with not too much rain or wind.  xx

11 comments:

  1. It is nice to get back to a bit of normality and how lovely to pick your own produce.

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  2. I'm having a lovely day but sadly also lots of rain and wind!

    Glad you had a successful trip to the PYO farm. Your mention of PYO prompted me to search to see exactly what was a available near me and I've found one about 30 miles away. The attraction is no need to book a time plus, and this was the thing that tipped the scales, there is a nature trail and bird hide as well. Hoping to go in a couple of weeks time, weather dependent of course, so thank you for putting the idea in my head.

    Glad you're slipping back into a comfortable routine. I'm with you on liking regularity and agree that it does help. xx

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    1. I think PYOs have had to widen their range to attract people. The one you have found sounds lovely.
      Lathcoats has a very good Farm Shop and a cafe called the Beehive, plus various other nature things. Children are well catered for there. It's always in use and when I went there was a queue at the take away counter.
      xx

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  3. Replies
    1. Me too - and it makes the diversions more exciting! :-)
      xx

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  4. Remembering the last time I picked strawberries at a PYO farm...ended up with a bright red rash working its way up both my arms past my elbows. That was about 35 years ago--haven't tried that again! Allergies have a way of limiting one's experiences at times. :)

    Good to hear you are finding your routine rhythm again. Soothing, yes?

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    Replies
    1. Oh, no, that sounds very unpleasant. Was it the strawberries or something they were sprayed in, I wonder. I don't blame you for not risking it again; I wouldn't either.
      Yes, very soothing, really nice.
      xx

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  5. I think those cucumbers and tomatoes would say to me "Gazpacho" and very chilled! Unbelievably good in summer. Ahh so you will be making strawberry gin and vodka. I have never been keen on gin but strawberry gin and home-made. I think I would give that a try! Getting back into a routine so helps- Take care Amanda x

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    Replies
    1. You know what - I've never made Gazpacho. I will look up a recipe, thanks.
      strawberry gin is lovely but the taste of gin is pretty distinctive. You could use vodka instead, that is also delicious.
      xx

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  6. It really is, yes, it's very grounding.
    xx

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