I put John the fishmonger on his backside at Wyken yesterday! When I arrive at the market I drive my van up between the stalls to unload my wares, I then reverse out to allow Mossy and Megan from Highways Farm to do the same. Well yesterday I told Mossy that I was ready to move my van, so he manoeuvred his vehicle out of the way so that I could back up to let him in. Unbeknown to me John was stood directly behind my van engrossed in the latest betting odds on his phone screen, oblivious to the fact that I had started my engine and had begun inching backwards. The next thing that I was aware of was John shouting for me to stop. On doing so I discovered him on the ground ferreting around on the ground in search of his glasses, which had parted company with his head when he hit the deck! I recovered them for him and helped him to his feet. He was a bit shaken but unhurt – very fortunately, poor old John. Needless to say we will both be much more cautious in future. We had a good laugh about it afterwards, but it could have been nasty.
Last week I suggested that there could well be climbing beans by now. Well there are….but not for you! There are enough for personal consumption but nothing like enough to add them to the shop. I don’t quite understand why they are not producing more pods, the vines are festooned with blossom, I have seen insects pollinating them, there is plenty of moisture in the soil, yet still they are reluctant to bear fruit. I’m not a gambling man (unlike John) but on this occasion I am prepared to put my neck on the line, place all my chips on red, spin the roulette wheel and wait for the croupier to slide those stacks of chips in my direction. Yes, I am boldly predicting plentiful beans by this time next week. Between now and then I will be gorging myself on them….I love ’em.
This spell of unsettled weather looks like continuing throughout the week ahead and into the following one. July hasn’t been very good at all, although it has provided pretty good growing conditions. I reckon that we were pretty fortunate to have had such a fine week in Devon. I would like more sunshine to hasten the ripening of the tomatoes, but otherwise I am not too unhappy with the conditions. I do however feel for the agriculture boys who desperately want some good settled weather to get the grain, rape and field bean harvests in. I’m not sure how the large acreage of Borage around here that I previously mentioned will fare, I hope that it’s not a disaster for the farmers.
The current batch of cabbages has now finished, so I need to get on with clearing those beds ready for replanting. There will be cauliflowers this week, along with kale and chard. There is plenty of summer squash – courgettes, patty pan, marrows and spaghetti squash. I will be pulling turnips and green onions. Cucumbers in the greenhouse are really slowing down, but we should be alright this week – I must remember to do a later sowing next year because they really don’t fruit for very long. The green chilli peppers this week will be lemon drop, which as the name suggests turns yellow as they ripen. They are quite hot and are really quite fragrant. There will also be Padron peppers.
Don’t you just hate the short termism of our politics? I do. The Tories are reversing faster than a white van hitting a fishmonger over ‘green’ policies, just because of the result of the Uxbridge byelection where there was a backlash against the widening of the ULEZ scheme in London. The fact that the climate crisis appears to be out of control like a runaway train, with natural disasters and extreme weather events becoming commonplace, appears to be less important than securing a few more grubby votes. A large section of the electorate is equally to blame, sticking its fingers in its ears whilst yelling “can’t hear can’t hear” as we trash the planet, though if asked individually about becoming greener they would be all for it….but not here, not now. It’s all just a bit depressing. If only we had consensus politics….dream on.
We haven’t had one of these for a while. From the Suffolk Free Press of July 28th 1886. Sarah Jackson the wife of Joseph Jackson an engine driver from Foxearth appeared in court with a baby in her arms, she was charged with assaulting Henry Kemp at Foxearth, the complainant said he was 10 years old and was playing with Mrs Jackson’s son aged 8, they were playing touch when they got to grumbling and Mrs Jackson’s son threw stones at him, the defendant came out and knocked his head against a wall, he bled a good deal and he went to Mrs Maxim who dressed his head. Fined 2s 6d and 17s costs.
Right, on that cheerful note I am going to leave it there. Do have a good week.
Phil