.....a busy few weeks enjoying the summer, and I felt like a bit of a break from my blog. But it's got to the point where if I don't make an effort and get back in the swing I know that I simply wont bother. My I-Pad is just so quick and convenient to grab that I have become very lazy about turning on the laptop, and taking regular pics. In the last few days I have felt a gentle change in the air, summer is drawing to a close so my favourite time of the year is just around the corner....
I have a greenhouse full of so slow to ripen tomatoes, I think we have eaten about 6 so far this year. They were rather soft and not very juicy, but mixed with a little oil, Balsamic vinegar and a bit of chopped Basil-which has done so well this year-they were really delicous. The skins are very thin and easily damaged I expected thay would make them quick to ripen...but not so.
It all seems so silent this year, there are hardly any bees or wasps, no butterflies or Lace-wings and certainly no Lady-birds. Considering how many Ladybirds were around at Spring, Where have they all gone?
This big green beetle was on my vine and I've been meaning to look up just what sort he is...
As for this....
.....Joe dug him up from under the apple tree, I think he is a Lime Hawk moth caterpillar, but I am not too sure. Joe was picking him up in his teeth and throwing up in the air. I put him in the flower bed hoping my big fluffy hunter (and me) wouldn't find him again.
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Joe was mega-excited last night, charging into the greenhouse wagging his tail wildly. I heard a few bangs and crashes and I raced after him. We have been watching a mamma blackbird rear a very late brood of 4 youngsters and 1 of them had got into the greenhouse. Joe thought his day had come....he has been watching those young birds a keenly as us. The bird escaped unhurt without Joe realising it was gone, but he spent a very enthusiastic 30 minutes turning over every pot and leaf just in case. This morning some of my butter-nut squashes were just that SQUASHED.
Due to eating 2 large greasy meals yesterday, Darsh thought it might be a good idea to come with us for our walk this morning-what with him planning to be fit, trim and sexy for the wedding in November. I was very pleased he did, cos I fell down a rabbit hole-never even saw the darn thing and fell straight over, very Alice in Wonderland-not. I have a strange, large lumpy ankle that is rather sore to say the least. Joe was miffed cos his walk was cut short, and Darsh came home and scoffed a plate full of bacon-butties.
I am sat, as I have been for all day, my rack of ironing is in front of me, still waiting to be done, all I have achieved today is slicing a pot of peaches and nectarines ready for the freezer. Joe is looking pointedly at me, he knows automatically when it is approaching his dinner time. Darsh is out under the camper van doing the brakes-we have yet to use that vehicle this year and are planning to sell it. But I think we will have a good Autumn and plan to get away during September. However now that Sara has GOT HERSELF THAT JOB, we will just have to wait and see...
