Thinking of a new title for my blog ... and a week of al fresco dining

No longer a diary about allotment life
I think I may have to change the title of my blog as I seem to be posting about anything but my allotment at the moment, everything is ticking over nicely but I have been working non-stop so I have spent very little time on the plot in the past couple of weeks.

No longer a blog about my allotment!

I did pay a visit yesterday before I went to work so that I could pick some beetroot, I've cooked it and I am going to put it in some vinegar, and if this weather stays with us for the week as forecast then I would imagine the beetroot will be gone by Friday! Why? because the cover is off the BBQ for the first time this summer, and I think a week of al fresco dining is on the cards in the Simpson household. That means lots of healthy eating as well so I will be raiding the allotment every day for some fresh produce!

We're sat outside now as I write this blog, enjoying the sunshine and listening to Absolute 80's, with a nice bottle of wine cooling in the fridge, and the BBQ ready to be lit. There's a nice breeze, you can smell sun cream and charcoal in the air, and for the first time this year it really feels like summer! I hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine, but remember to get your sun cream on and have plenty of fluids ... do I sound like my mum?

I worked yesterday for Farmers Fayre over at Mary Arden's Farm in Stratford upon Avon as there was a production of Macbeth during the evening by Oddsocks, I didn't think I was going to enjoy it but it was a comedy version and it was very funny. We did a BBQ with Pimm's, and there were lots of families there with deck chairs and picnics, it was a long day as I started at 11am and didn't arrive home until well past 11pm, but I must say it was quite enjoyable.

I think I deserve a day off today and I am signing off now so that I can enjoy the afternoon in the garden.

Cindy xx

Check out this blog by Richard Maggs, who is the AGA Cookery Doctor

Richard Maggs is the AGA Cookery Doctor and he has just posted this blog on the AGA website as AGA had a stand at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells this week. Food was cooked on two live AGA cookers, one of which was the new AGA Total Control, hope you enjoy this blog - The Royal Welsh Show 2011 by Richard Maggs

Cindy xx

Cherry season ... but where have all the cherries gone?



Where have all the cherries gone?

Cherry shortage hits Cubbington
Well, am I the only one fed up with all of this rain? How gloomy was it today, it was like a late autumn day, and very hard to believe that we are slap bang in the middle of summer! At least the rain has been good for the fruit and veg on the plot, and the water butt is full to the brim, also, the new chickens have settled in well, and are eating everything that they are given - and the eggs are still coming thick and fast.

I went to pick some cherries on Sunday morning ... but I couldn't find any! The birds have eaten the ones at the top of the trees, and I'm sure that my dad hasn't eaten the rest so I'm at a loss to explain where they have gone. I was going to bake a couple of nice cherry pies on my day off tomorrow but I'll have to think of something else now!

I'll be spending a few hours on the plot, and I'm going to pick some more spuds, some peas (eating them as I go), and some carrots, then I'll have to see what I can rustle up for tea. I brought an apple home yesterday and asked David to try it, it looked nice but he took one bite and the look on his face told me it was a cooker ... very funny!

I'm off for an early night now but I will post an update tomorrow, along with the recipe for whatever I delight I manage to come up with.

Cindy xx