It’s funny how the human brain works. An example of that manifested itself this morning whilst walking Nellie. Strolling along a field margin I broke into song, in itself that’s not altogether unusual, I am a serial singer, but why at that moment should I spontaneously sing “I’m a very friendly Lion called Parsley”?  🙂 Here are some of Parsley’s greatest hits, but you need to close the YouTube tab after watching it otherwise you will have never ending clips. https://youtu.be/pvUhDpYGO6M?si=jDP-Zo-dxSv28wPv The Herbs was an animated children’s series dating back to 1968, and one that I fondly remember. At 10 years of age I was not the target audience, but it was on in our house for my younger brother, and one couldn’t fail to be captivated by the charming characters. Until I looked it up for this I hadn’t realised that its creator was Michael Bond, of Paddington fame. There were some terrific programmes for young children back then, others that I remember enjoying were Hector’s House, Camberwick Green, and of course The Magic Roundabout. Going back further still, Tales of the Riverbank and The Woodentops were particular favourites of mine. I still can’t explain why that song should have come to me out of the blue like that.

Well that’s it, the clocks went back last night, so we have dismal long dark evenings to endure for months to come. Sunset is at 4.35 today, but the sky is currently filled in with steel grey rain filled clouds, so it could be dark very early. One thing that registered with me while out this morning was how little autumn colour there was on the trees, it seems to be late coming this year, or have I got it wrong? Harking back to days of yore again, around bonfire night I thought that there were red and yellow leaves lying thick on the ground. Storm Ciaran could blow a few off when it arrives later in the week. What I also saw earlier were campions, dandelions and thistles in full bloom, surely an indication of what a mild autumn it has been.

I have a small gang of pheasants regularly visiting out the back of the greenhouse, stationing themselves under the bird feeder, pecking up the seed that the messy eating tits and finches spill as they feed. I imagine that they were released on the neighbouring farm where they have regular shoots, and have found a safe refuge on the Moyns Park Estate where there is no organised shooting. One pretty pale golden cock bird is very bold, asking me for some seed when I fill the feeder every morning. I really don’t mind them, but they are quite greedy and take the seed that the Robins and other small birds would otherwise consume.

Another visitor is Sid. Sid is a black cat who lives with one of the stud farm workers. He spends a lot of time down in the garden hunting, but he remains very stand offish with me. He does at least come quite close to me now, and even comes into the greenhouse sometimes, but there is no way that he will let me stoke him. I am thinking that bribery with food is the only way to find a way to his heart.

Last week I planted spring greens in the polytunnel and in one of the greenhouse beds. Most of the tomato plants remain in situ, so I really need to make a concerted effort to remove them to make ways for some kale, spinach and pak choi plants that I have grown from seed. I emptied one of the compost bays and spread its contents on a couple of greenhouse beds, so I have a nice new bay to fill with spent crops to begin that magical composting process again. Before doing anything else though I have to finish the apple picking. I must get a batch to the Battisford orchard for pressing, otherwise the juice situation is going to be dire. Stocks of the first lot are diminishing fast.

This week there are some great ‘greens’ options in the shop – Brussels sprouts, purple sprouting broccoli, kale, and Romanesco cauliflower. Crikey I spoil you. Root veg is also featuring heavily now, with beetroot, sweet potatoes, leeks, turnips, carrots, swede and parsnips all available. Butternut and Uchiki Kuri squash would be good in a big old pan of mixed roasted veg. Mini plum tomatoes from the Isle of Wight should continue for another week or two, and the production problems at the mushroom farm appear to be resolved. There are large new season oranges, lemons, limes, and apples are Adam’s Pearmain.

I haven’t posted anything from the Foxearth History Society recently, but this one caught my eye. From the Suffolk Free Press, 28th October, 1869: Henry Ives 14 and Henry Chambers 12 were charged with stealing apples the property of The Rev E. Bull at Pentlow. 2 months in prison. How very Christian of the Rev E Bull. What a very harsh punishment for a pair of scrumping youngsters!

Right, I’m off to do a few jobs before it gets dark. Batten down the hatches – Ciaran is on his way!

Phil