Saturday 25 April 2015

First and Last


These forced rhubarb stalks are the first produce of the season, whereas these Broccoli Sprouts are the last crop from last year's sowing.  That's what I call bridging the hungry gap.



The rhubard is about 2 ft long, the broccoli 4 inches. 

The leeks are still going strong too.

For some reason I've been a bit remiss about sowing things this year, but all my potatoes are planted. For the record that's

Duke of York (Red)
Charlotte
Rooster
Pink Fir Apple

I meant to sow Epicure but failed to find any!

Tuesday 7 April 2015

Fortification - Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle
We visited Bamburgh Castle on the NE Coast of England  this Easter Monday.  The fortifications go back to Napoleonic times and beyond (although its present form owes most to the Victorian age).
 
 
 
 
I made some fortified bread for Easter.  Brioche.  Rather rich and traditionally made with crenellations:
 
 

It didn't last long.

 

Warding off invasion from the sea.

Saturday 4 April 2015

Вызов всех россиян.

Почему Вы заинтересованы в Эдинбурге Ассигнования?

Виклик всіх українців. Чому Ви зацікавлені в Единбурзі Асигнування?

This reads: "Why are you interested in Edinburgh Allotments? " in Russian and Ukranian.

Why?- In recent days over 90% of traffic has been from Russia and Ukraine. There must be a reason.  Should I be worried?

p.s. First serious allotment visit of the year this morning.  Planted new potatoes, onion sets,  Jerusalem artichokes and sowed broad beans!  Yipee!

Friday 3 April 2015

Easter Bunnies - Spring Intentions

I've been somewhat sporadic recently about updating my blog. It's been winter, I've been experimenting with a new camera (a Digital SLR - only to revert to my handy compact which I find easier to master).  Blogger hasn't helped by going through a rough patch where it was virtually impossible to upload pictures.  This seems to have improved with the latest Windows updates. Work has been... busy. Now the clocks have gone forward, the evenings are light for longer,  the four day Easter Weekend has arrived and its time to honour the tradition of making hot cross buns - and posting the proof:
 
HXBs
 
 
Intentions? Rather rashly I have decided to replace my temporary plastic growhouse with something more permanent.  This was supposed to be ready for spring.  Below is the current state of play.  I've excavated the trench for the foundations and filled it ith rubble. That's all so far.  What are bank holiday weekends for?

 
 
Building Project
I might even plant some spuds, jerusalem artechokes and sow some parsnips and broad beans too! Wonders never cease.