My poor menfolk

It's been a bit of a difficult time for my menfolk. A few days before our return from Cornwall, Mike found himself in some considerable pain, but managed to struggle on until we got home. We did wonder if it could have been a hernia but, eventually, after a couple of visits to the QE, it turned out to have been caused by a blood clot. Once again, I am so relieved that we had not been abroad, as we normally would have been at this time of the year. The previous year we had had a lucky escape, with a DVT diagnosed just before we were due to fly, and the year before that we had experienced an extended 'holiday' on Corfu, as he spent around 10 days in hospital there with his first DVT. Anyway, the good news is that he is now out of pain and feeling a lot better, and has started on a course of blood thinning injections. Last night it was my first experience at giving him his injection. He said I hurt him! But then I was quite nervous and rather hesitant. Tonight I'll just go for it!

Just over a week ago, our eldest son was involved in a car crash (not his fault) and has now been signed off for a second week due to related impact injuries. From his description, he was lucky this was all! Unfortunately, although he'd been in training for some time he was, as a result, unable to take part in the Midlands Fun Run, along with with his younger brother. As for him, well he turned up at our house after the run, with a strained calf muscle. He'd had to stop a few times during the run but somehow managed the same time as the previous year, which he was pleased about. After lunch, a cold compress on his leg, and an anti-inflammatory, he hobbled back to his car, and off home.

The holiday to Cornwall seems as though it was months ago. Whilst it was very enjoyable, it wasn't quite the restful time I had hoped for, and the follow-up has been rather a stressful and tiring. I can honestly say that I really do feel my age at the moment. Thank goodness for my garden and plot, for even the constant weeding (at the moment) can be quite theraputic. The back garden got a bit of attention yesterday and is beginning to look much better. It was time to cut back the big poppies, now that they've finished, to allow some space for the next flush of perennials - phlomis, cranesbills, lilies etc. Both the poppies and the sweet rocket (in the photo) were already in the garden when we moved in, over 30 years ago. I've been leaving some of the sweet rocket to seed itself around each year, it's perfume filling the air, especially in the mornings and evenings. The white flowers are particularly effective during the later part of the evening. As for the poppies - I tried to move them from this part of the border last year, but must have left some of the roots behind (difficult to completely eradicate). I can't complain, as they seem to have fitted into the scheme very well, and have never looked so good. Although we could do with some heavy rain, everything seems to be flourishing in my garden at the moment and, at the moment nothing has flopped or needs staking, for a change. Apart from anything in pots, and the greenhouse, I've not had to water a thing. I'd like to take the credit for my annual mulch of garden compost, but it is really the reliable perennials (especially the hardy geraniums) that come out the winners.

The contents of the greenhouse are also doing well, tomatoes, chillies, peppers, aubergines, and cucumbers. Outside the greenhouse, under the vines (which I had to prune back recently) are more toms in pots. If anyone nearby needs them, I do have a few spare tomato plants.

Thanks to Hazel and John B's advice, we have been enjoying mange-tout broad beans (Aquadulce Claudia and Witkiem Manita) which we'd never tried before. I've always waited until they were ready to pod, but are currently enjoying the bean sliced, then steamed or boiled. Yesterday we had our first potatoes - Vales Emerald, I think. Silly me, during earthing-up I'd buried the labels. Could have been Lady Crystl. Very good whatever they were. Strawberries, redcurrants and the first of the Tayberries followed. I'm now returning from the plot with the first sweetpeas, and their perfume fills the house. Freshly picked salad leaves are readily on the menu, and yesterday I made a big pot of dark green soup from a spring cabbage (donated by Robert), my broad bean tips and some mint. Mike said it tasted like dolmades. There are pods on the Alderman climbing peas, which seem to be romping up their canes. So, I think I can safely say, it we are now enjoying the fruits and veg of my labours.