It didn’t start well. On Monday I had to have a new tyre on the van. I was hoping that if I kept on pumping it up it would heal itself, but alas no. Then I felt the first signs of a cold, which worsened day by day, developing into proper man flu later in the week. On Thursday morning the Estate Manager paid me a visit in the potting shed, he was not feeling too well, and when he described his symptoms I insisted that he call 111 immediately, which he did. 45 minutes later an ambulance arrived and took him off to Addenbrookes, a suspected stroke was the opinion of the ambulance crew. I believe that he is still in hospital. Then on Friday…..well, more on that later.

The photograph above was taken this afternoon at Moyns Park, it shows a golden carpet of fallen leaves beneath an ornamental cherry tree. The beech trees look beautiful at the moment, but lots of other species still haven’t coloured up that much.

Nature notes. On Wednesday evening as I was leaving work, up by the top pond I caught some movement in my headlights. I slowed down to a crawl whereupon a large buck Fallow deer with a magnificent set of antlers trotted out in front of me and headed off across the drive into the open parkland. I suspect that he missed out in the recent rut, and will have to try again next year. On our walk this morning we spotted some interesting birds. Down in the meadows by the river there were 3 Cormorants, and later on a lone Egret, and then as we were walking up the side of a wood a Woodcock broke cover and zoomed off across the field at low altitude and at high velocity, always a treat.

I sowed some more rocket last week, in between the rows of spring cabbage in one of the greenhouse beds. And in the polytunnel I interplanted the cabbages with Pak Choi. Both of those crops are fast growing, relative to the cabbages, so they will have matured before their bed partners need the space. I’ve got spinach and kale to transplant as soon I’ve freed up some more room.

Apples this week are Herefordshire Russet – it’s apparently a russet with an aromatic cox like flavour….it will be interesting to see. Lemons are now coming from Italy, well Sicily to be precise. There are oranges and limes again. The rest of the shop’s contents is largely unchanged this week, though a new addition are Pink Fir Apple salad potatoes. Tomatoes from the Isle of Wight will be cherry ones on the vine.

So, back to my bad week, and Friday. Friday was a very bad day.

This is Wilfred. Wilfred lost his life on the road late on Friday, less than 100 metres from home. Wilfred was a loveable fluffy screwball, funny and eccentric. Wilfred gave us six years of joy and happiness. Wilfred was loved, and our hearts are aching at his loss – not only ours, but Stanley’s too, they were the closest of buddies. Rest well Wilfred.

Phil