Well, that was a week of proper winter! Unpleasant at times….sometimes dangerous, but somehow reassuring that it’s old fashioned seasonal weather. And when it wasn’t unpleasant it was beautiful. None more so than today when this morning everything was dusted in icing sugar, until you looked closely and saw the sharp ice crystals that stood proud from everything that they were adhered to, reminiscent of iron filings attracted to a horseshoe magnet – only white. It really was a winter wonderland. Our dog walk this morning was a real treat, with rock hard earth beneath our feet, a beautiful blue sky, and the sun lighting up the hoar frost spectacularly.

A Kingfisher whooshed along the river, as straight and as fast as an arrow as we stood admiring a pair of snow white swans serenely going about their business, submerging their heads under water for lengthy periods of time as they harvested weed from the bed of the stream. It prompted the question, how come they don’t get brain freeze from the icy cold water? As we approached the water meadows we could see a large gathering of Canada Geese on the bank – well over a hundred of them. And in the skeletal branches of a tree on the far side of the river were perched six Cormorants, one of which had it’s wings fully extended to dry off its feathers. After emerging from the wooded path we headed back towards the road along the farm track. A hundred metres ahead of us a fox came into view, trotting down the hill on the field margin. It leapt the ditch and crossed the track before heading down into a scrubby area. We were still marvelling at this encounter when a second fox appeared, following the same route, but upon seeing us it turned 180° and ran back up the hill before darting through the hedgerow and across the road. Both animals were in magnificent condition, with plush deep red coats and fine brushes. The thing that was concerning was that we were only a quarter of a mile from home, it being located at the top of the hill that we were at the bottom of, and in our garden were two hens and two ducks. The fact that the foxes were about in broad daylight suggested that they might be hungry, and if so it is then that they are most likely to take risks to fill their bellies. On arriving home I called the register and all heads were present and correct, which was a relief, but we will have to be vigilant.

Whilst I am on the subject of wildlife, I was delighted to see the Nuthatches back on my feeder at Moyns Park last week. I hadn’t seen them for some time so their regular visits were a welcome sight.

A farmers’ market customer asked me to take him a bag of Seville oranges. I presented them to him yesterday, whereupon he told me that they would be used to make marmalade that he would be entering in to the World Marmalade Awards that is held annually in Cumbria. Intrigued by this I did an internet search, only to discover that it is quite an event! There were more than 3000 entries last year, with contributors from all over the world, including Austria, Monaco, Slovenia, Mexico, South Korea, as well from all parts of the UK. There are even sister competitions held in Australia and Japan each year. The winner last year was Stephen Snead with his orange, lime and chilli marmalade. Entries close on 3rd February for this year’s event, so you’ve got time to have a go yourself.

Last week I conducted an audit of what seeds I have in stock and made a list of everything that I needed to order. Later in the week I made my purchase and eagerly await their arrival. I will not start sowing anything but onions before the end of the month, however itchy my fingers become. Starting too early results in plants ready for transplanting before the soil has warmed up enough to receive them. I ordered seed potatoes before Christmas and requested delivery in February so that I can chit them before planting them in early spring. Outside the garlic has all come up and is looking well, and it will benefit from this cold spell of weather. in the greenhouse there is spinach, chard and spring greens coming on, but all will have been checked by the low temperatures. My citrus trees overwinter in the greenhouse and will not be enjoying the current cold snap, because an unheated glasshouse really doesn’t offer them very much protection.

When the avocados arrived last week they were not as large as I was expecting, so this week I have reduced the price. Since then I had a look in Sainsbury’s and discovered that its organic packs of two had fruit of a similar size, and are selling for £2.60, so I am now charging slightly less than them. I tried one of my avocados and was pleased with its ripeness and flavour.

I was less happy with last week’s cabbages and had to discard quite a few of them. This week they are coming from a different grower and I am assured that they will be of a much higher quality. There will be purple sprouting broccoli again and some spinach. I am now introducing the Blue Kuri squash, as the butternuts have just about finished now. They are very similar to the Uchiki Kuri, but with blue/grey skin. Spartan apples are back, there are mandarins from Italy, and Cara potatoes make a return. I have taken Jerusalem Artichokes out of the shop because the ground is too hard to dig them at the moment.

The forecast for the week ahead is a little less cold, though still chilly. It could be that I won’t have to have quite as many layers of clothes on at next Saturday’s market – yesterday I could hardly move, closely resembling the Michelin Man.

Stay warm and be careful if it’s icy.

Phil