The autumn equinox was yesterday, the time when day and night are of equal length, so it’s all downhill in terms of daylight hours until the winter solstice a few days before Christmas. In the days prior to the equinox the weather had switched quite dramatically to ‘proper’ autumn – strong winds, heavy rainfall, and much cooler nights. I’m still wearing shorts, but on a couple of occasions, particularly early morning, I questioned the wisdom of my wardrobe decision making. It’s warming up again in the week ahead, so the knees will continue to be exposed for a while yet.

We are using the new kitchen now, so when I saw the weather forecast predicting strong winds early last week I hurriedly dismantled the gazebo that had been our makeshift dining room for the best part of 3 weeks. It was that or wave it off as it disappeared in the direction of Clare. The decorator starts tomorrow, so the end really is in sight now. However, we do have a problem. We have a painted wooden fire surround, and a built in dresser in the alcove next to the defunct fireplace. After scouring the paint charts we decided on a colour, and yesterday I bought a can of Farrow & Ball’s finest. This morning I painted a couple of test patches to see how it will look with the colour of the new kitchen units….and it’s not right! There is a definite green tint to the blue paint selected that is not present on the colour depicted on the chart, so now we are back to square one. First world problems I know, but just a little bit annoying.

The strong winds limited my apple picking last week, because I didn’t particularly fancy being atop a ladder in the teeth of a gale. I’m not actually that good on ladders at the best of times, so it doesn’t take much to put me off. My long-standing customers may recall that a collapsing ladder led to a very nasty ankle break many years ago when I was still at Langham; my confidence was not exactly boosted by that experience! However, I have done some picking, but it’s hard work this year because the yield is way below average. Apple juice is going to be in relatively short supply I suspect. One ray of light is that the trees of the later ripening varieties have more fruit on them, so a small victory could be snatched from the jaws of defeat.

I was clearing a bed in the greenhouse last week when I noticed some movement on the ground. On closer inspection I discovered that it was a moth, but not any old moth….it was a socking great moth – hooge! In fact it is the UK’s largest, the Privet Hawk Moth. It was a bit, well moth eaten, and wasn’t the most mobile I have seen, but after picking it up and depositing it on the ground outside I was pleased to see that it had gone when I looked a few minutes later. I took a photo but it doesn’t do it justice in terms of its size or magnificence.

The rain came too late to save the beans or the courgettes, though a few stragglers still remain, but it has perked up some of the brassicas. Next week I hope to cut some Romanesco cauliflowers, but before then there will be cabbages, Kale and chard. There will be leeks, red onions and sweet potatoes. Tomatoes are still producing well, so I reckon there should be plenty to go round this week and next. There will be a very limited supply of sweet peppers, and an unlimited supply of various chilli peppers, including the devilishly hot Habanero. I have harvested Delicata squash, a small type with a reputation for being particularly sweet, and one that you can apparently eat the skin of too, as it doesn’t get hard like most winter squash.  Lettuces are still a little way off. Spuds are Marfona and Charlotte – Marfona is a versatile type, suitable for roasting if that’s what you fancy, and who doesn’t fancy a roast potato now that the nights are drawing in?

I was in a bit of a rush last week so I failed to come clean and inform you that on the 14th I officially became an OAP! Sixty ruddy five! How did that happen? I suppose I can get a bus pass and a senior rail card now, and qualify for concessions at the theatre. If only there were buses, and it’s rare that I can be bothered to go and see a play. Whilst having the stigma of being an old bastard bestowed upon me (whilst still being in my 30’s in my head), I can’t actually get access to my state pension, I’ve got to be older still to lay my bony withered fingers on that – it seems like a lose lose situation. And before you ask, no I have no plans to retire. What would I do, sit in an armchair and watch Bargain Hunt before nodding off in front of the test card? Oh dear, I really am that old!

As if to emphasise my advancing years, my grandson Angus (step-grandson actually, but he’s really my grandson) went off to University in Liverpool last weekend to study architecture. How can that little old boy be so grown up? I hope that he enjoys the whole experience – social and educational. More on higher education in the next blog – no I’m not joining the University of the Third Age!

Ta ta for now (that’s what all the kids say), have a great week.

Phil