Monday

 Good morning!  Well, we are back to damp and dreary today after some rain yesterday afternoon and overnight.  I did water at the allotment because the still-growing plants looked a bit parched but I won't need to worry today.  

We did have some very nice sun yesterday morning so no complaints there.
The first think I did was make the apple and sultana chutney.  I did half quantities and used Thermione because that way I don't have to keep going back and stirring.  It worked fine and now I have two small jars of chutney.  I offered one to Chris but she and Steve don't really use chutney (what a lot they miss) and I forgot to give one to Beth yesterday - so she will get it later on in the week.   It's a nice chutney, nothing special and I did add a few chilli flakes.  If I make it again, I will double the spice, I think.

Once that was done and cleared, it was breakfast and then I drove down to the allotment.  Suddenly, there's quite a lot to do down there with a lot of stuff more or less finished and looking tatty.
I set to and pulled out all the baby corn, forked over the space, gave it all a good weeding and bashed out the clods.  Later on, I will take the tiller down to break them up more but not until I have more cleared earth so I can do it all together.
I decided that it would be best to take just one thing at a time and get that done - a bit how I tackle the spring work too.  If I look at everything that needs doing, it's more than a bit daunting, but one thing at a time is manageable.
So that was yesterday's bit.  The other significant things this week are clearing the sweet peas, the runner beans and mowing and strimming (won't have to do that last all that much longer until spring).  I've organised tree pruning with Jeff for late November.
Then I really do have to cut and dig the new beds before it gets too damp or cold.

There are four things that are still growing and/or producing nicely apart from the fruit trees.
The autumn cropping broad beans are starting to flower - yay.
The dwarf French beans have lots of babies - well, toddlers now!
The yellow courgettes are really getting into their stride.
The raspberry canes are still fruiting merrily - I popped another small bagful in the freezer yesterday.

Once home, I had lunch and then Beth, Alex and Dave came round for a family chat about stuff.  It was lovely to see them all.  Beth is 'matron of honour' at her best friend's wedding next Saturday and needed to turn up the outfit she is wearing (it's not a posh wedding) so she did that while we chatted, after Dave and Alex left.  Alex and I are invited too so that will be lovely.  I'm the designated driver so that will keep me on the straight and narrow, for sure.

So it was a lovely day yesterday.

Today there's two things in the diary.  Circuit training at midday and then tuition (must NOT forget) after school.
I have a whole load of washing to deal with this morning so I expect there won't be any allotment work done today but that's OK, there's time to spare, isn't there.
Have a super day and I hope the weather is kind to you.  xx