Don’t get too excited, but we have had a temporary stay of execution. There will be mushrooms for at least this week. Clearly the wind-down in production at the farm does not have a clean cut-off as there will be batches of fungi growing at different rates, and fortunately for us there are some late developers, so you can have your mushrooms on toast, or risotto, or stroganoff, or you can even make your Christmas stuffing in advance and freeze it. I had to take what was available last week, which is why the cup mushrooms were white. I have ordered chestnut cups and portobello for this week and have added them to the shop, but we’ll have to see what is allocated to me. I have made more enquiries with other potential growers but have had no success thus far – the search continues, but at this rate I’ve got more chance of bumping into Lord Lucan in the street.

Hands up if you hate Darragh as much as I do. I don’t mean that affable Irish comedian and science buff from off the telly (I know his spelling is different), no, the hateful storm that visited us over the weekend. Now I know that we got off lightly compared to other parts of the British Isles, but it was hateful nonetheless. At the time of writing the wind has subsided quite considerably and it would seem that the worst of the rain has passed, and good riddance to it! I made a visit to the garden earlier today to check that the polytunnel had not lost its cover; it is getting towards the end of its life, so is vulnerable to damage. Happily everything appeared to be well. It was only last week that I put new door hinges on it after Storm Bert twisted and buckled the previous ones a couple of weeks ago. At home we lost a trellis panel, but I think that’s about it. At least it put paid to most of the remaining leaves off the trees, they can now be dealt with for the last time this year.

So who’s not going to be placing a Christmas order? It will help me so much if I have an idea of who is and isn’t going to, so by all means tell me if you will be. Remember, I won’t be delivering on Thursday 19th or Friday 20th, all deliveries will be made on Monday 23rd. I will still want to receive your order by Tuesday night 17th at the latest. I will be at Wyken farmers’ market on Saturday 21st.

I had a lovely day off last Monday. We had originally planned to take Esther our visitor from Spain to Cambridge to solve a mystery puzzle from clues placed strategically around the city. However, the day dawned grey, chilly and miserable so we decided against that because of the projected 3 hours to complete the task. Instead we went to Saffron Walden for a wander around, a nice lunch, another wander, followed far too quickly by afternoon tea and cake. We waddled back to the car feeling slightly nauseous from an overdose of buttercream and sugar. I drove Esther to Stansted later that evening for her return flight, her visit was a delight as always.

This week in the shop you will find Pak Choi. I have a limited number to cut from the greenhouse. There may be a hole or two in some of the outer leaves, but that’s not going to put you off. There are winter (spring) greens again with nice dark leaves that you just know are full of goodness, and also brussels sprout tops as well as sprouts themselves. Purple sprouting broccoli and red cabbage complete the ‘greens’ offering. Otherwise it’s mostly root vegetables, plus mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. Potatoes this week are red Cara and Marfona. Oranges are back, alongside Clementines, lemons and limes. Apples are Adams Pearmain again. I’m thinking of trying Avocados, let me know if they would be of interest to you.

It was a sad day last week when the last of the horses from Moyns Park Stud were sold at Tattershall’s auction in Newmarket. The stud has been shut down, and whilst I am not a great horse racing supporter it will be strange not to see horses on the estate, I have always enjoyed petting the magnificent beasts, and who can resist a foal? Some of the paddocks are already being grazed by sheep, and I believe that some cattle may also be employed as lawn mowers from time to time.

I’ve got to go now, I promised to prepare the Brussels sprouts for this evening’s dinner. Have a good week – it should be safe to leave the safety of your houses tomorrow. Come along to the market on Saturday, we have carol singers and mulled wine (I think) to get you into the festive spirit.

Phil