In Spring, during first lockdown, I planted some seeds from a supermarket cherry tomato.
They grew well initially, then had a bit of a hard life when I allowed them to get smothered in weeds. Once allowed to see the sun and breath again after some weeding they did pretty well, so I have saved some seeds in the hope of creating my own tomato strain that thrives on neglect!
First lockdown we spent plenty of clearing up trees and mowing.
So far second lock down has some similarities!
Here is Daisy ‘helping’ me tidy up branches by standing so it is impossible to out them on the wheel barrow. Thanks Daisy!
Jew’s ear (or jelly ear or wood ear)
Tends to grow on dead elder trees. Is edible but not exciting (apparently, we can’t fancy trying it!)
It is growing in the chicken enclosure.
France has decided the only way to tackle the increasing COVID cases is a renewal of the lockdown/confinement. 4 weeks initially with fortnightly reviews. There are some changes from Spring with more people being able to work, young children going to school and a few other things, but essentially the same. Rental accommodation is not allowed.
We feel sad and helpless. But in a better place than many.
Storm Barbara blew though with a LOT of wind but no rain. We didn’t get much sleep with it whistling and banging round the house.
Yet more trees have been splatted, a couple on the drive, one by the stables and one on the road at the bottom. Fortunately (for us anyway) the neighbors cleared the one off the road so cars can pass, but we will have to go tomorrow and move what we can of the rest of it. The biggish root ball we might need to rely on either the mairie or the kind services of the neighbors again.
These on the drive are not very wide but quite tall. You can kind if make out that Doug is cutting the tops here.
Fortunately these missed the stables. Doug had taken off various branches in the year, so that helped.
I was SO excited when I read in the paper the other day that the bush tea is made from will grow fine in the UK, meaning that presumably it would here too. I had always assumed it was a hot climate plant, but apparently they are good down to -10°C
We are starting off with just one until we see how it goes, but would like to get a few more in the fulness of time if it pans out. Not all plants thrive under our care 😳
I’ve cleared a space for it, but the weeds are jostling to come rushing back in.
I enjoy hatching and raising them, I enjoy eating them, I don’t enjoy the part that comes between so much... but it has to be done...
I have done 9 and there will be a similar number more to do in about a month - though something has been slowly picking them off so it could be a few fewer. I saw a sparrow hawk get one, so I suspect it is that.
Bless her ❤️
We had a period of rain, now we are having a nice autumnal sunny spell.
We spend some time mowing, strimming, weeding and generally preparing for winter, but also some time enjoying the nice weather.
Beautiful light soon after sunrise (which is not too early at this time of year)
Tired Poppy after a walk
It is later this year than last that we got a good haul of mushrooms up the mountain (can’t tell you where!! Too secret!)
I always mean to plant broad beans and peas in October, but generally don’t get round to it (due to the potager being lost in a jungle if weeds generally) I did once and the deer ate them. The theory is good but there can be issues in the implementation.
This year I am trying again.
There is a lovely lovely view from the potager while I am doing it because Doug has done lots of work behind the house to tidy up all the trees. Many benefits including the clearer view, fewer leaves in the gutters as well as removing the chance of them smuching the house during a wind storm.
