Christmas activities

It was the day before Christmas, and to be honest, I was feeling a bit 'Bah Humbug!' I said to myself "Come on Chris! This isn't how you should feel. Do something about it!" So on went Smooth Radio, with all the familiar Christmas songs belting out (at quite a volume too), and a mug of strong coffee on hand, and it wasn't long before I was singing along as I prepared the dining table for the following day. Out came the Christmas table cloth, the silver cutlery was given a dip and wash to remove any tarnish, and after a quick trip around the garden, a rather pretty centrepiece of white, spidery chrysanths, goldheart ivy, silvery foliage, and little silver balls on wires. The theme was - silver and gold. There were no table mats to match, but once I'd covered each one with a paper napkin, stuck down at the back, they looked just right. The surprise was, that the crackers (bought separately) actually matched the patterns on the mats. Down the middle of the table a line of silvery, blue lights. There was something missing - just a dash of colour. It's amazing what you find when you rummage around in the back of a sideboard. I didn't even know I had a packet of tiny, red stars, but that was all it took to make all the difference. If I say so myself, it looked very effective. From then on, things were on the up.

Our youngest son arrived on Christmas Eve, to stay over for a couple of days. Before Mike set off for church on Christmas morning, the three of us exchanged presents, then A and me began the meal preparations. My sous chef prepared the turkey crown, ready to go in the oven, and when Mike returned the bird (or part-bird) went into the hot oven, just as we set off to our eldest son's house, not far away. More present exchanging and fun watching the children, before we left them all to enjoy a well-deserved Christmas meal on their own, and we returned home to continue preparing ours. The verdict, from A, was that it was one of the best Christmas dinners ever. This was followed by snoozing. Perfect.

The following morning, we were all up and about fairly early. I set off at 10.30am to walk to Shenstone as usual, this year on my own. How mild the weather was. There was quite a bit of gorse in flower, and flocks of redwings, tits and goldfinches swooping in and out of the hedges and trees. Strangely, this year, not so many people out and about, but a few cyclists, and a couple of horse-riders said 'hello'. As I reached Little Hay, I expected to meet the usual group of people who walk towards me each year, telling me that I am going in the wrong direction. And every year my response is, that they are walking in the wrong direction, and should be heading for Shenstone to watch the morris dancing and mummers' play. Then we all laugh and walk away from each other. This year, no walkers. On Park Lane I sat on a log to enjoy a couple of clemantines, and soon to be caught up by Mike and A, in A's car. They left me to continue up to the village, via St John's Hill and when I arrived outside the Fox and Hounds, the dancing was in full swing, with the largest crowd I think I have ever seen there on Boxing Day. The mild weather probably played a part. Then the annual reunions with long-standing friends and, after the entertainment, off down the road to The Railway for more dancing, and a bit of audience participation. Back home (no - I don't walk back!) I changed into something more suitable, and we were off again - this time to R & S's, where there was a full house and a lovely fun time with games, excited children, lovely food and some quite impressive sax playing by our d-in-law.

Wednesday evening Mike and I attended the carol service at Sacred Heart, along with members of the other churches in and about Mere Green. Although it wasn't as packed as usual, there was some good singing and harmonising (possibly from the Methodists?) as we stood holding our candles and juggling our hymn books. This was followed by mulled wine (or tea and coffee) and Christmas cake in the church hall.

Last night we were at the Presbytery for our Parish Priest's 'at home' for more mulled wine and cake, and lots more chatter.

Today, my sister and husband, en route from Derbyshire (for the traditional carols at Hathersage, held at The Little John there) are coming down to stay for a couple of nights. So it's more wining, dining and talking.

I can't end without saying how good my home-grown parsnips were, roasted alongside the potatoes (not mine) in goose fat, on Christmas day. There will be more of them, to accompany the roast beef tonight. Pity about my sprouts. I pulled them up some months ago, as they were completely infested with aphids. And what would I do without all those raspberries from the plot? They even went into the trifle.

(The photos, from the top, are 'Christmas Gorse, Shenstone from Park Lane, My first view of the dancers at The Fox and Hounds, Mike in his role as The Doctor (who?), The Musicians, Green Mans' Table, and The Volunteers join in at The Railway)

A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

..........and why a jug of sweet peas? Well, I have just read Hazels Blog and as I am having difficulties coming to terms with what this year has thrown at us, it did me so much good to know that things can only get better once the dark days are behind us. Thanks Hazel! (sorry I can't reply to your Blog as I seem to be having problems - perhaps you can help me out one day). It's good to see the snowdrops are on their way up, and some hellebores already have flower buds too.

We enjoyed a family outing to the Lichfield Garrick yesterday afternoon, to see 'A Christmas Carol'. An excellent production, although I think our little grandson was a bit disappointed that there was no audience participation in this production, unlike the pantomime at Sutton Town Hall where he ended up volunteering to join the cast on the stage and, according to the rest of the family, stole the limelight with his antics. At the Garrick, he kept asking Mike "When's the monster coming on?" He was a bit miffed too when, at the end of the performance, snow only fell on the people in the stalls, and not on us in the circle, but at least in our seats on the front row, we could lean over and see everyone disappearing under a coating of white (and the miserable ones frantically brushing it off as it fell).

Boxing Day - 12 noon onwards at Shenstone (Fox and Hounds first, followed by The Railway) Green Man's Morris perform their annual Mummers Play and dance.

A few days away

Just returned from three days in Bristol - a thoroughly enjoyable and much needed (after our pretty grim year, so far) Christmas break. We took advantage of the Thistle winter-warmer offer of half price accommodation, staying at The Grand, on Broad Street, in the heart of the older and more interesting part of the city. Having travelled there by train, we soon settled into our comfortable room, and it wasn't long before we began to explore the surroundings. Just around the corner was the excellent St Nicholas Market (in the old Corn Exchange building), and named as one of the ten best independent markets in the country. At the entrance to the building, on Corn Street, are the nails where deals were settled, and put to use for a display of squashes on Wednesday, when it was the Farmers' Market.

At the rear of the market is a whole lane of ethnic food stalls, with indoor seating and a few tables and chairs outside most of them. We settled down inside an Italian one (it was a bit cold outside at the time), watching life go by, and taking in all the different aromas - African, Moroccan, Indian, Spanish etc, not forgetting good old English pies. The first evening we continued with the Italian theme for our evening meal in a local restaurant.

Each morning we enjoyed a full English breakfast at The Commercial Rooms (Weatherspoons), a former gentlemen's club and meeting place, built in 1811, with an amazing, brightly painted, domed room, and once the haunt of such eminent people as Brunel.
The hearty (and cheap) breakfast set us up for our days of exploring the harbour area, visiting the SS Great Britain, the M Shed (a free museum), the City Museum and Art Gallery, and the Cathedral where pupils of the Cathedral School were rehearsing for their Christmas concert. As we wandered around the magnificent building, we listened to them singing
everything, from an Adele song, Bohemian Rhapsody, carols, and a Scottish love song. We just wished we could have been around to hear the actual concert, as their singing was wonderful. I knew there just had to be at least one Green Man in the Cathedral!

Everything was a great success - the hotel, the interesting city of Bristol (well worth a return visit, but perhaps when it is a bit warmer) and our train journeys .......that is, until, after a return journey to Birmingham, we tried to board a train from New Street to Four Oaks! All trains to our part of the world had been cancelled due to some problem or other, and chaos ruled on Platform 8. Eventually we were told to go to 7, but on reaching that platform we were all turned back. Fortunately we met up with a friend who offered to share a taxi home with us.

I spent some time in the garden yesterday, cutting back, tidying up and trying to keep busy so that I didn't get too cold. There's still plenty to do, but as there is quite a lot of green foliage I am leaving it for a bit. Nature has become rather confused. Things are flowering and shooting when they shouldn't be. At the bottom of the garden, the snowdrops are an inch or so up already. Before I went away I visited the plot, and thanked John for burning my rubbish, before the end of the month deadline. After he had left his plot I continued to cut down the remaining raspberry canes, so now I have another pile to burn - when we are allowed to do so. It will be roast chicken, this evening, so if I feel inclined later (I don't at the moment) I might go down to the plot for some parsnips to go with it.

A ponderous carriage of unusual weight!

I'm back on track, now that I've bought a new camera, and talking of tracks, I just had to include a photo of this notice, seen on a bridge in Repton, when I was out with the walking club last Wednesday. It was good to be out with my friends again. Here are some of them, enjoying their morning coffee break. At the end of the walk we visited the church, and the tiny crypt. Frank, one of our walkers, had done some work on the crypt with his colleagues, but he said they were off pretty smartish when it got dark! It didn't quite have the same atmosphere when in was full of people, but it certainly does when you visit it alone. We finished off our day at the tea rooms, where Molly and I struggled to drink our very large and very hot mugs of hot chocolate as all the others had finished their drinks and were beginning to leave us behind.


And here I am, making a start on Jane Asher's 'last minute Christmas cake' as recommended by my friends D & D. Over the years I've had a go (usually successfully) at various recipes, but I must admit to having had one or two hiccups regarding the timing of Delia Smith's version, which needed far more time in my oven than the recipe stated. However, this year, using the Jane Asher recipe, the cake came out of the oven exactly on the time in the recipe, and looked very good. I was caught unawares on camera as I weighed and measured out the ingredients. Talk about a ponderous carriage of unusual weight!

Last night was the Hill Allotments AGM, with quite a number of serious items on the agenda, including security (we've suffered some vandalism this year) and water consumption, and it turned out to be quite a lively and interesting evening. The cups and trophies, gleaming on the table in front of the committee, were duly handed out to those plotters who had worked so hard during the year, in particular Jason, who had swept the board. Of course, we were all very proud of the fact that Hill Allotments were judged the best in Birmingham this year, and one of our plot holders had the 2nd best plot in Birmingham. Earlier in the year I had suggested that we should have a competition for the best show day photograph, and although there were only 3 of us who entered, there were over 30 photos to be judged, and Greg deservedly won, with his leeks. Now the photos can be kept with the club records, for the future. It seemed to have been a popular item, so perhaps, next year, more people will have a go. There was a good spread of food for us all to enjoy too.

I was out again with the walkers today, on very misty Cannock Chase. Pity it was such a grey day, as the trees were so colourful. The pace was pretty fast, and I arrived home with a very red face.

Sorry - no photos this time

Yes, I do apologise that this blog is photoless, due to a camera malfunction and the necessity to purchase a new one. I've been doing my research and think I know which one it will be. I'm not really into the serious stuff as long as it takes reasonable snaps that I can use for making cards and to illustrate my blog. I think it might be a Panasonic Lumix FS35 (at a good price in Costco).

If you are reading this Rob I had hoped to reply to your comment but I seem to be having trouble in that area. I was going to agree with you regarding the vast and empty space that was once the walled garden at Calke Abbey - just crying out to be filled with fruit and veg. Before leaving, for £2, I filled a bag with three different varieties of their heritage apples, and managed to scribble down their names on a scrap of paper as I layered them up although, by now, they are rather mixed up in the bag. Lovely names - 'Winter Quarrendon' (eater), 'Dumelows Seedling' (cooker) and 'Malster' (both).

The other day, after a session of clearing and tidying up the plot, I was just about to leave and had locked up the shed, when a long-awaited delivery of horse much arrived, so I barrowed a number of bags down the hill, taking care not to slip on the very mossy path, and dumped them on the front of the plot which I'd recently cleared of its flowers. It all looks very empty down there now - just a few leeks, parsnips and chard. In the greenhouse, back at home, I've pushed three different types of garlic cloves into trays of potting compost. They've taken root and are just showing shoots, so when this much needed and very wet weather has cleared up a bit, I'll take them down to the plot and get them in.

The latest preserve making session was to produce some grape jelly. There are still some big bunches on the vine, but I'll just collect and freeze them, for later use. Today I opened one of my jars of lemon and lime marmalade, and very good it was too - lovely and refreshing.

Last Tuesday we said 'goodbye' to our car. Mike will not be able to drive for two years now, and it would have only deteriorated on the drive, so we made the rather hard decision to part with it. The new owner came up from Hertfordshire on the train, so that he could drive it home, where it will become a taxi. One or two people have suggested that I should learn to drive, but I didn't think that was a very good idea! Anyway, now the drive is empty apart from the rowan berries. They look lovely on the tree, and the blackbirds love them, but they do tread in on our shoes, unless I keep up with the brushing. Now we are dependant upon public transport and the kindness of friends and family.

On Wednesday, for the first time in six months, I joined my walking friends for a 9 miler, setting off from Stramshall, near Uttoxeter. Molly kindly picked me up and brought me home. After such a long break I managed to keep up the pace, and although I did feel rather tired and stiff the following day, I soon recovefred. There were some good views, and the ruins of Croxden Abbey were very interesting. When I got home I had to hose my boots, inside and out, and put my trousers and socks in the washer on their own. Talk about mud and smelly slurry!

The next day we were at the hospital to find out about Mike's latest scan. Not good news, I'm afraid. His current medication is no longer working as it should (it was given 11 months and he has now been on it for 5 1/2 years so we can't really complain) so he will have to switch to anothr drug. We came away with a print-out of the side effects. I'll just leave it at that as it is all rather worrying, but we have no other option I am afraid.

Birthday bash and pumpkin paradise

The old girl enjoyed yet another birthday at the weekend. On Friday, along with R & S, Mike and I were in the Guildhall, Lichfield, enjoying the fairwell tour of The Hamsters, a band we first went to see many years ago, but in far less salubrious surroundings. In those days the sound levels were higher, the floor sticky with beer, and no one ever sat down. But, like the band, we have all grown older, and the majority of heads were now either white or bald. Mike did join the sitters for the second half, leaving the rest of us (well, perhaps not R who always remains very still) to bob about to Hendrix and ZZ Top. Mike even won one of the raffle prizes (two cans of lager).

The following day my sister and husband came down from County Durham to spend the weekend with us, and to join the rest of the family for a birthday meal at a local hostelry. There was lots to chat about. Our youngest son was back from Brazil, but I still haven't heard all about it, as he was down the far end of the table. We'll catch up when he shows us his photos. On Sunday, the actual day, the family turned up again with presents and cards and Mike appeared with the most enormous chocolate cake with a firework type candle. We all remarked on the smell of singed beard! During the morning I'd walked up to the Hill with K & A, but there was nothing much to see on my plot as I'm in the process of clearing it for the winter. Still, on other plots there is still plenty of colour from the chrysanths and dahlias, and remaining squashes and pumpkins.

During the past week, I've been busy clearing out the greenhouse, giving it a good clean and filling it up again, with trays of little pansy plants and some of the more tender pot plants. I've sown some winter lettuce, popped a few garlice cloves into compost to encourage them to shoot before I take them down to the plot, and potted up the red tulip bulbs I brought back from Heligan as they are already shooting. The standard olive is now in place in the conservatory, along with the aeonium I bought at The Eden Project. It has certainly grown, and I'm hoping it will survive the winter, unlike all the others that I lost over the last freezing winter. The next job is to pick the grapes, but I need to make a bit of space in the freezer first. I'm hoping to make some grape jelly for Christmas, but will freeze the rest. So, it looks like I'll have to make some more raspberry jam. We have used up or given away all the previous batch anyway.

On Wednesday my friend Molly, from the walking club, took Mike and I to Calke Abbey for the day. I have really missed my days out with the club - it's been about six months now since I was with them. Unfortunately, too, we rejoined the National Trust before we set off for Cornwall in May, and only used our cards once when we were there, as there weren't many NT properties in our area. We had been to Calke in the past, and I've walked in the area with the club, quite a few times, but it was good to make use of our membership again. In any case, things have been moved around in the house since the last visit, and it all looked quite different. I love the rather sad and tatty atmosphere of Calke - much better than the usual neat and tidy NT properties. Of course, guess what I like the most? The kitchen gardens, and their wonderful outbuildings full of old mowers, clay pots and all manner of useful items. Here too, the gardeners were busy tidying away the summer, and filling up the beds with wallflowers and bulbs. And, to me, the highlight of the gardens were the mounds of colourful squashes. Let the pictures tell the story.

Bright Lights - could be the sun!

I've taken a bit of a liberty with my title, as my chard plants are all 'Ruby' and not 'Bright Lights', but they certainly bring a splash of colour to the rather drab plot, at the moment. As for the sun - well, I was rather disappointed when I saw how wet it was this morning, as I had planned to do some clearing up on my allotment. Still, after a boiled egg and a cuppa, the sun is now trying to break through and it just might clear up enough to encourage me outside. I seem to have spent hours in the kitchen lately. In fact, I almost entitled my blog 'Preserving the Past' but I hadn't had time to take a photo of all the jars of jam I had been producing. The latest batch was rhubarb and ginger. So, as I free up some space in the freezer by using some of the past year's fruit to make the jams, I am quickly filling up what little room I have in my pantry, with the results. I'll probably take a break from the sweet stuff, as the plan is to start on pickles. I haven't had to buy any vegetables for months, but I'll be needing some good pickling onions asap.

It's been a rather difficult decision, but we are reluctantly going to have to sell the car. Mike is now nearly three months into his two year 'sentence' and there's no point having it sitting on the drive for all that time. We are beginning to get used to using public transport, even if the bus doesn't always turn up, as happened at the beginning of the week. The plan was to go into Lichfield, but even my patience was strained as we stood in the bus shelter for nearly an hour. So, we set off walking to the train station and, guess what, the very late bus passed us before we could reach the next stop. So many people have offered to help out with lifts and I am now becoming less reluctant to take them up on their offers, instead of trying to be so independent and struggling home with too much heavy shopping.

Our youngest son is, at the moment, working in Brazil. He'll be meeting up for a coffee (there's an awful lot of it about in that country!) with Mike's cousin Tony, who lives not far from Sao Paulo where A is spending his first few days. Then he'll be off to Rio, for a few more days, staying opposite the beach at Ipanema. I still find it amazing how I can use Google Street View to look around where he will be staying. Hopefully he'll have a little time to take in his surroundings, between his long working days. His next trip, which he is really looking forward to, will be to South Korea and Japan.

After a busy day in the kitchen, our eldest son and family called to see us. Then Mike and I settled down to yet another meal that included veg from the plot and, if I am not mistaken, the very last picking of the Autumn Bliss raspberries, with home made scones and cream.

The sun's coming out!

Gourd thing I picked them yesterday!

I believe we are to dust off our BBQ's, or so we were told in the papers. Oh yes! Well, this morning the rain is hammering down and it looks like there is plenty more to come. And here was I thinking I was going to spend a leisurely day soaking up the last of the Autumn sun. Still, it might improve later ......hopefully.

Down on the plot, yesterday, I started on the great autumn clear up, tidying away the netting I'd discarded near the compost bins and, at the front of my plot, taking down the wigwams that had supported the morning glories and ornamental gourds. I've saved quite a few morning glory seeds, but plenty more have fallen to the ground, so if they germinate I will have the same problem I have with the nasturtiums which keep popping up all over the place. It's not such a problem really, as I just pull up those I don't wish to keep, but it appears that I will be forever challenged in my efforts to plan a particular colour scheme. Still, as I mentioned in an earlier blog, it was never meant to be that I should go all 'good taste' this year, with my pale greens and whites. It would not have looked half as good without the rogue nasturtiums. So, back to the drawing board for next year. Although I've had a bumper crop of ornamental gourds, which did bring a little more colour to the flower bed, I intend to give them a miss next year. So, it was just as well I harvested them all in the dry yesterday. Half of them are still in my shed, as I'd never have managed to carry them all, due to the weight, but the other half are now on the conservatory floor, where I hope we'll get enough sun and warmth to dry them out. Once dried out and arranged in a large bowl or basket, they look good as a table decoration. Are they edible? Well, according to what I've read 'no' as they can be very hard and rather bitter. I've also learned that they can cross-pollinate with edible gourds (squash), making them bitter too. I'm hoping this hasn't happened to my Blue Hubbards!

Although I'm still bringing home the last of the courgettes, I greedily accepted an overgrown one from Grant, as he didn't want it. Last night we enjoyed a mini stuffed marrow - just big enough for two of us, and very tasty it was too. This was followed by apple and raspberry crumble. I think the raspberry production is gradually slowing down, but what a wonderful year we've had with them, and for all the other fruit too. It will be a scone making session this morning, the results to be enjoyed with lots of home made raspberry jam and plenty of cream. Delicious! Our youngest son is coming for lunch, so I'd better get cracking, otherwise he wont be sampling any.

Seems to be brightening up, so I'd better get on with the baking.

Highs and Lows

On Sunday we returned from six happy days away in our caravan, on a site near Bridgnorth. As Mike has been told that he can't drive for two years (and I don't) our eldest son, driving our car, towed the caravan to the site and back. We were ready for a relaxing break and after considering various options I decided, in the end, that 'there's no place like home' and the thought of spending a few days away in the comfort of our own mini home turned out to be the best thing we could have done. Bridgnorth is only an hour's drive away, and the caravan park at Stanmore Hall provided excellent facilities in attractive surroundings.

We travelled and arrived in some pretty windy conditions, and decided that we'd leave the erection of the awning until the following day, under the circumstances. Then, despite the rather gloomy weather forecasts, we actually enjoyed some bright and sunny days. Unlike our previous holiday in Cornwall, when we spent most of the time trying to keep warm, this time we were able to sit outside the caravan, and without jackets.

Mike is now fit enough to do some gentle walking so it wasn't much problem for us to catch the bus (10 mins walk away) into Bridgnorth (10 mins ride away). We went in twice - once to explore the town (which we've never done before), including a trip on the clifftop railway from High Town to Low Town, and on the second occasion to take a journey to Kidderminster on the Severn Valley Railway. What a great day that turned out to be. The weather couldn't have been better and the countryside looked stunning as the train clickety-clicked its way past fishermen sitting on the river banks, and families waving at us as they walked beside the river. Unfortunately there'd been a burst water main at Highley, so our plan to alight and visit the engine house there was scuppered. However, we stayed on the train to Kidderminster, where we enjoyed some good old-fashioned doorstep sandwiches in the restaurant on the station. We went out by steam and returned by diesel, this time sitting in an 1950's corridor carriage, where we had our own compartment. I felt quite inappropriately dressed for the occasion. A tweed suit, little hat and brogues would have been more the thing, and carrying a brown leather case perhaps. There was a beer festival taking place at Bridgnorth station, but as the tent was heaving with people, we opted for a pint in the garden of the White Lion, where we'd enjoyed our lunch a few days earlier.

The caravan is the Wendy house I never had as a child, so cooking meals 'onboard' is quite a pleasure. We took along plenty of our homegrown fruit and veg, including pre-cooked fruit and fruit crumble. It was so much better than having to get up at a set time for breakfast, and instead of having to dress up we could loll about in our PJ's or trackies for as long as we liked. For the first time for ages I actually felt quite relaxed. Perfect.

I called down at the plot yesterday and found that no one had taken up my offer to pick the raspberries over the past week. During our time away the courgettes were on the way to being mini-marrows too. I returned home with two heavily laden trugs of fruit and veg. The very ripe raspberries have gone into the freezer for the time being, until I get around to making yet more jam, and our meal of salmon steaks was accompanied by, as they would say in a posh eatery 'a trio of freshly picked beans' (shelled borlotti, French and runner). As daft as it sounds, this year I actually only grew the borlottis because I think the flowers and pods are so pretty. The first time I grew them, I waited until the beans had fully formed, dried them carefully (so I thought) and put them in sealed containers. However, when I came to use them, some had developed moulds, so they were all thrown away. This time, we are eating them as they come out of the pods, and really enjoying their floury texture and taste. Next year I will grow more of them, and plan to freeze some for the winter months, as the dried ones were not a success for me (any tips?).

Another problem I've had concerns my bottled plums. The first batch is fermenting in the jars. As I'm sure they'd give us upset stomachs I will probably, reluctantly, throw the contents of the two large jars away. If I had the inclination, I suppose I could make some wine with them. But I don't! However, the second batch is fine. Due to my concern, we actually opened a jar and tested them last night, instead of keeping them for Christmas as planned. I'm wondering if the fact that the first batch still had their stones in, may have made a difference - the contents certainly smells of almonds. Still, there are plenty more that I've lightly stewed with sugar, then frozen.

Back to the plot - which is now looking a rather end of the year mess. There wasn't much time to do anything yesterday, but I took off quite a few downy-mildewed squash leaves, and tied up my chrysanths. Oh - and that's another thing. They have brown rust! Both those in my greenhouse at home, and those on the plot..... and the smaller cuttings which I took when pinching out. What a disappointment. All the plants were looking very healthy too - except when I turned over the leaves. I can only think that it came in on the plants when I received them, as I've never grown chrysanths before. The advice is, not to take any cuttings from these infected plants. Sorry Cath!

Back to work, doing all those things you have to do when you return from a holiday, and possibly some more jam making too.

As big as duck eggs!

In its second year, my mystery plum tree has produced 60 large (3"), heavy (3-4oz) and perfectly formed fruits, but I still don't know what variety it is. The colour is deep purple and the flesh is golden and very sweet. In my haste to contact Dobies about their mistake in sending me the wrong tree, I forgot to include any photos, but I will do so next. In the meantime, any ideas?

If no one can help, then I will just have to invent a name. It is far too distinguished just to be called 'the plum tree'.

Before leaving the plot, I just put down the trug of plums by my shed, and this one bloom of clematis 'Crystal Fountain' (another excellent plant) hung down over the fruit. Honestly, I didn't arrange it so, but what a perfect composition.

September days

The first sight that greets a visitor to our allotments (The Best in Brum!) is the front of Wendy and Carl's delightful and colourful plot, with its little fence, stile and post. It's still looking very lush and floriferous and is a real credit to them both.

Walking down to my own plot, I pass this beautiful vibrant blue bedding plant which I think, if I am correct, is Felicia. I've been thinking about the front of my own plot. I went for pale colours this year, rather than the usual brights, and I'm not sure it was entirely successful. The lime green nicotiana is unusual and OK, but it really needed a contrast instead of the white (and a few rogue red) gladioli, and little white chrysanths. Even though the ornamental gourds on their little wigwams are adding a little orange and yellow, most of them are green and white. Unfortunately the few stems of verbena bonariensis are swamped by all the other foliage and flowers. So, it will be away with the calm and cool and back to the brights for next year.

The sweetpea stems have all been cleared from their canes. Mine flowered early and very well, and the perfume was wonderful, but another change of plan is due. I am thinking of staggering the seed sowing next time, so that I can enjoy them for a longer period.

With the assistance of my little grandson, we cleared the stems from the remaining pea wigwam. Next year I intend to grow more of the climbing 'Alderman' peas, but again, perhaps stagger their sowing. I'm pleased that I only grew one wigwam of runner beans this year, as there are more than enough for us, and all our friends, and plenty more to come. Why anyone would want a wall of beans across their plot beats me. Are they supplying the local shops? One thing I do regret is that I didn't plant enough French beans, although there is a slow and steady supply at the moment. As for the borlotties (or is it 'borlottis'?) I am waiting for the beans to fatten up inside the pods before picking them. We enjoyed the first of the small squashes last week, roasted alongside a chicken. The Blue Hubbards continue to grow, but I must admit that I forget to feed them, so I'm not expecting monsters at the end of the season. My assistant soon discovered that picking raspberries was a rather prickly occupation, and left me to it, so he could concentrate on forking over my first empty patch. Well, he doesn't even like raspberries anyway. I'm afraid, apart from the apples, which he picked for me, he doesn't like anything I am growing Perhaps he'll develop a taste for some of my fruit and veg as he gets older. Mike sat and read the paper outside the shed, as I answered all the many and varied questions that a five year old could throw at me. In between, we inspected worms, ladybirds, beas and all manner of flying insects, not forgetting a robin on the fence.

Yesterday afternoon it was another raspberry jam making session, filling the kitchen with that delicious aroma. Then the self-satisfying results of a tray of filled pots, awaiting their labels, before they join the plum jam in the pantry. Bottles of sloe gin, colouring up nicely, will soon follow the jam pots, to be stored away until (dare I say it yet?) .....'Christmas'. So what's next? Well, perhaps some different jams, or maybe chutney, but definitely pickled onions (but unfortunately, this year, not my onions). I'm hoping the tomatoes will be enjoyed in their red and yellow ripe stage, otherwise they will become part of the chutney making session.

Our garden is filling up with the late summer/autumn colours - rudbekias, echinops, sedums, perennial asters, etc and even the foliage plants are beginning to change colour, as the seasons seem ahead of themselves this year. I was delighted to see that two of my decimated, and later chopped to the ground, home-grown bottle brushes, had sent out new shoots from ground level. Perhaps they will need a bit of winter protection until they become larger. Did I say 'winter'? Better sign off now!

Name that plum!

What a prolific year. Apart from potatoes, which we have just finished (I haven't enough space to grow too many), and onions (my one failure this year - I took them up quite early as they were looking so miserable) we have been, and will continue to be for some time, enjoying all our lovely fresh fruit and vegetables. I'm having to come up with a variety of ways to use the courgettes, as usual. We've sampled a very good courgette and pasta dish twice now, and it's been a big hit. The other evening I grated two courgettes, squeezed the liquid out in a t-towel, added a finely chopped onion and fried it all in a bit of oil, in a heavy frying pan, turning over the crispy bits now and then. If there had been less of the mixture it would have been a bit like rosti, but it turned out to be a big, crunchy courgette/potato cake. Last night, I browned off some minced beef with onion, garlic and chilli (one of our own but still green and rather mild for my taste, so I added some hot paprika), then added some of the above potato and courgette mix before frying in the same way. Even better. The next recipe to try is a cake, which includes courgette. I'll report on the results when I get around to making one. I've had to have a serious re-organisation of the freezer, so that I can include even more fruit and veg. The pantry now has a section for bottled fruit and jam. Ithink we are going to be OK for most of the winter months.

Looking around my plot, there's still plenty more to come. I've hung back from collecting the mini squashes, chard, and cabbages, and there will still be parsnips to come. Hopefully, the winter squashes 'Blue Hubbard' will continue to grow, so that we can enjoy some more delicious soup at Christmas. In the greenhouse the tomatoes are now ripening. It's taken some time, but I came up with an old trick. I found some forgotten and rather ripe bananas in my vegetable rack. They were bound for my compost heap but, instead, I placed them at the base of the tomato plants, where they fill the greenhouse with a rather strong, ripe banana 'perfume' and do attract a few little flies, but it seems to be doing the trick - the toms are suddendly ripening well.

As far as fruit goes, the raspberries in particular are doing very well this year. One of my neighbouring plotholders has kindly allowed me to collect some plums from his heavily laden trees, hence the jam-making and bottling. Other friends have promised apples, when they are ready. I have a small Queen Cox apple on my plot, bearing a few good looking fruits, which I am looking forward to eating.

Looking at my plum tree, last week, with its wonderful, large, deep purple and perfectly formed fruits, it suddenly dawned on me that something was wrong. Call me slow, and despite having a handful of plums from it last year too, I began to ask myself "shouldn't they be golden and not purple?" So, I checked up. Yes, indeed, 'Thames Cross' bears golden fruits. Then I found the original label - 'Thames Cross' it read, and included the code numbers. I sent an email to Dobies regarding the confusion and was pleased to have a reply, by return, apologising for sending me the wrong tree, and offering to refund me. A letter followed, giving details of the refund. Well done Dobies - what excellent service! Unfortunately, despite my description (I forgot to include a photo) they couldn't positively identify my purple fruiting tree, which I'm very happy with. So, here are some photos, in case anyone can help. I suspect it is a new variety. If it helps, the fruit is still very hard and if I can remember from last year, tasted very sweet when it was fully ripe.

Annual Show 2011

Since taking on my plot this would have been, under normal circumstances, my third show. However, since I've had other things on my mind over the past few months, I wasn't really in the right frame of mind to participate this year. This time I just went along to fully appreciate everyone else's hard work. Perhaps the numbers were down a little, but there were plenty of good entries to admire, despite it having been rather a strange growing year (or do we always say that?). A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes to set up a show like this, so well done to everyone involved.

Mike and I walked up to the club house, then down to my plot, and back up to the clubhouse and, eventually, back home. I think he was cream crackered to say the least, so I let him off his daily walk the following day. He's continuing to make very good progress, but 'Matron' as he referred to me, on the envelope of my Wedding Anniversary card, is determined to get him moving (if slowly) after his recent op. In fact, we spent most of our anniversary at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, for Mike's usual check up. Fortunately things improved when our eldest son and family met us at the station, and we all went for a meal at a local hostelry.

I'm always coming up with (hopefully) good ideas. This gets me into trouble. Although I'm not on the allotments committee (nor do I intend to be), I did suggest that we should hold a competition for the best show day photograph, and a later display of the best photos to be displayed on the evening of the next AGM. I'm looking forward to seeing the entries - I do hope quite a few people will take part. I don't suppose, as an organiser, I should join in, so I'll probably include some more of my efforts in my next Blog.On show day I took this shot of the 'Thames Cross' plums on my plot. They are still quite hard, but the most wonderful deep, velvety purple. I'm collecting autumn raspberries about every other day now, and have just about enough room in the freezer for a couple more bags of them. Then it will have to be a jam making session to preserve the rest. I don't think my freezer has ever been so full of fruit and veg for the winter months, and we are still enjoying all the fresh stuff, and have plenty to share with friends and neighbours. So far, it's been quite a successful growing year.

A week or so ago, one of my fellow plotters, Mary, told me that our local, favourite blackberrying spot had been decimated. Today Mike and I went to have a look, armed with a box just in case there were a few left. But no - the bushes had all been hacked down to ground level, and just before the blackberrying season too. What a shame - and for what reason we wondered. We have been collecting fruit from these bushes since our sons were at the local primary school. I've spent many a happy hour or more listening to the birds , watching the butterflies, chatting to friendly dog walkers, and filling my boxes with ripe, juicy fruit for wine, jam and pies.
The bushes were a haven for wildlife. It will take a long time for them to grow back - if they are ever allowed to do so.

Good news! Good news! So good I said it twice!

The first good news is that Michael is making a very good recovery. If you couldn' t see the shaved section of his hair (a bit like the opposite to a Mohican, as it is almost central) and the very faint scar from his op, you would never know what he has just gone through. He looks fit, sleeping well, is now eating his usual man-sized meals, and is back to being his usual self, if a little sleepy during the day. But then, that is to be expected and his naps are all part of the healing process. On Saturday he walked across the green with me, to fetch the paper. On Sunday he went to church, and got his friend to drop him down at my plot, where he sat in the sun and watched me at my work, before we walked slowly back home. Yesterday he missed out on a walk, but I'm sure we'll be off across the green again today.

The second good news is that Hill Allotments have won the title of 'Best Allotments in Birmingham'! Well done to all of us! The mix of knowledgeable old timers and enthusiastic newcomers has resulted in a wide variety of plot layouts, a good mix of vegetables, fruits and flowers and, most of all, a friendly bunch of plotters. I have to admit that I rarely venture 'up the hill' but as far as everyone 'down the hill' is concerned, we all seem to get on well with each other and swopping tips and produce is the norm. Once again, I have to thank Wendy and Carl for the colourful welcome as we enter the site - their plot is an absolute delight. During some of my more difficult moments over the past few months, my plot has been a real sanctuary.

Why the sunset photo? Well, what's a blog without a picture, so it's just a pretty picture of a sunset, as seen from our window! Pity the digital change-over is resulting in some TV reception problems.

Back to my Blog

The marigolds fronting Ted's plot are so bright and cheerful, even on the dullest day.

I'm never quite sure if there's anyone out there who reads this Blog but it is, in the first instance, intended as a personal diary. The fact that I do get the occasional contact is a real bonus. I suppose I could add one of those counter things - but then, I could be very disappointed by the results. It appears that my last entry was about three weeks ago. A lot has happened during this period, and very little of it would have been very interesting to anyone but my close family. As regards the plot, well I did make the occasional visit to check it out, and bring home the harvest, and now and then I met some of my fellow plotters down there. Here's a shot of Eric, my neighbouring plotholder. Whilst digging up his immense Epicure potatoes he found this spud had grown through an old metal bolt.

The update is, that Mike has had his surgery to remove a tumour from his brain. He is now home and making a good recovery. He's rather sleepy and hasn't regained his usual robust appetite yet, but apart from this, he's almost back to the 'old' Mike. This morning he made me a Full English Breakfast! He has just corrected me "No it wasn't a FEB - there was no black pudding and sausage". Thanks to all our friends and family for their support, and in particular his surgeon and team.

As for the plot, well as other plotters will agree, we are at the start of a courgette glut and moving into the bean glut. I spent about an hour on the plot yesterday, and struggled home with two heavy baskets filled with round and long courgettes, carrots, runner beans, giant lettuce and even more sweetpeas. I couldn't manage the beetroot as planned. The flower bed fronting the plot is a mass of green nicotiana, flowering dill, red (not what I'd planned but looks good) and white gladioli, agastache and vibernaum, and wigwams of rather over-enthusiastic ornamental gourds, which I have to prune back occasionally, otherwise they'd swamp everything else. I've now lifted all the garlic - the first lot is hanging up in the kitchen, and the second batch is completing its drying out in my mini greenhouse. (Must check that it isn't getting wet again, as it is absolutely pouring today). Mini and winter squash plants are in flower, and beginning to produce their fruits (or are they veg?). The peas are almost over, but the remains of some broad beans have sent out new shoots and flowers, so I could get another small crop. I'm continuing to thin out the carrots which I've grown in containers, and the baby ones are good, with no carrot fly damage - so far. The apples and plums are ripening well, and I came home yesterday with a small container of Autumn Bliss raspberries. As for the rhubarb, well it just keeps producing. I spent some time tidying up the sweetpeas, taking off any seedheads, unnecessary stems, dead foliage etc, then I brought home two large bunches of them. Before leaving I watered just about everything. Then I sat on the bench outside my shed (as seen in the photo) and all was good with the world.

Back at home, we've sampled one or two of our first Sungold toms, and all the tomato, chilli etc plants are burgeoning, so hopefully a good crop this year. I must say I am rather puzzled and upset that my main grape vine is not doing too well. It looks healthy enough, but I did notice how slow it was to flower, and that not many grapes have formed on the bunches. However, the other one, against the garage wall is better than ever. It was from this one, with its rather tart fruit, that I made some delicious grape jelly last year.

We've had a lovely display of lilies (free, just postage from The Telegraph) which are now almost over, the echinops continue to reach skywards, blue and white agapanthus in pots looking good, and now some of the late summer colours beginning to show. Did I say 'late summer'? Gosh, it will be autumn next. Must make the best of it. With my back to the bottom boundary of the allotments (and my plot just over the hedge behind me) this is a view (taken 3 weeks ago) of the ripening wheat, and our house on the hill at the top of the tractor track. By now, the wheat is looking almost ready to harvest.

Roger

This afternoon, Roger, one of my neighbouring plot-holders, will be laid to rest. I think I could safely say that he was not the easiest of men to get on with but, after realising I wasn't quite the novice he may have first taken me for, I have a sneaking suspicion that, eventually, it is possible I had gained his approval, as I cleared my plot, planted up, and began harvesting the first crops. I'm not sure he could quite get to grips with my girlie shed, with its lino floor, curtains, and herb poster but then, when I first took on this plot I was the only femail plotholder in the vicinity. Now, of course, the girls are taking over 'the bottom of the hill'. Who will be his successor? We will have to wait and see - maybe another female!



As the weeds continue to flourish in this wet and warm weather, so do the vegetables, and each evening we are enjoying freshly picked peas, broad beans (second sowing), courgettes, lettuces and (so far) perfect, insect free cabbages (thanks to the fine netting). I'm particularly pleased with the climbing peas which, so far, have escaped the ravages of the pigeons, but I'm sure they'll soon work out how to cling on to the wigwams. The runner beans have reached the top of their wigwams, with the 'St George' in full flower, and the later sown French beans are now on their way. The sweetcorn is growing taller by the day. As for the sweetpeas - I can't pick them fast enough. I'm very impressed with the pastel shades and the wonderful perfume. I've been handing them out to friends and neighbours.



My flower border at the front of the plot is beginning to take shape. I think I've managed to eradicate all the orange and red self-seeders from last year, in order to achieve a rather understated green and white effect, with the lime green nicotiana, dill, white gladioli (yet to flower). Deep red and blue morning glories are adding a splash of colour, and eventually there will be purple/blue/pink tones from the verbena and agastache when they flower. Ornamental gourds, trained up hazel wigwams, will add a bit of height and a little extra colour, once they are fruiting. I still have a plateful of last year's gourds in the middle of my dining table.



We have had our first cucumber, and it looks as if there will be plenty more to come. The greenhouse is really filling up with foliage (and flowers) and the first tomatoes are their way. My new project, the Sarah Raven chrysanths, newly potted up, are making good progress too.



Back to earth with a bump - Mike has his first meeting with the neuro surgeon at the beginning of the week. Then we will know what the future holds, and the next plan of action.

Bloomin' lovely

Just couldn't resist a few early morning photos in my garden.

Campanula lactiflora, a little bowed down after Monday night's heavy rain, Geranium 'Rozanne', the beautiful, apple-blossom scented Rose 'Francis E Lester', and a shot of the main flower bed (sounds very grand, but in fact is quite small by standards, as my garden is quite narrow), showing the phlomis (almost over), geraniums, lilies, and echinops (about to flower). In the foreground, hanging from a very old double trunked bay tree, is an antler. I found this in a ditch in Scotland, when I was 11. About three years ago I hung it in a tree at the bottom of the garden, but the squirrels took delight in gnawing pieces out of it, so it's now nearer the house.





Returned from the plot yesterday, with so many sweetpeas that I shared them with two friends. Tested another pea pod - this time the peas were just the right size, but I'll have to wait a few days before there are enough plump pods to make it worth while collecting a few. My first courgette had gone rotten (probably due to the heavy rain, as mentioned above), but there are plenty more on the way. The day before, I took up John B's offer of a lettuce off his plot (mine are still fairly small). It was such a large specimen that I shared it with my pal D. Lovely and crunchy (that is, the lettuce not D, although Mike and I do think she is quite 'lovely').

It looks like a perfect gardening day, so must get out there.