Summer Sun

What a difference a bit of sun and rain makes - remember sun, that's that bright yellow thing that appeared for a few days last week! The veggie patch is coming along, but I'm really disappointed that my cucumbers haven't come to anything this year. I usually start them off in pots, but being late, yet again, I put the seeds straight into the ground. The seeds have obviously taken exception to this and have refused to grown - I won't be repeating this next year!

Looking around the garden, our walnut trees are absolutely covered this year, we have 5 or 6 together in bunches that look more like grapes, that I've never seen before. I don't know what this is a sign of, but it must be something :0) If anyone knows what, please drop me a comment.

I've alway wanted to make pickled walnuts - too much watching River Cottage I think - but I'm usually too late, this year I got my act together, and with the help of OH we picked 4kg of green walnuts to pickle. I didn't realise it was such a long process, so I hope it is work this it in the end.

"Prick your walnuts all over with a needle - discard any that have shells already forming. Soak in a salted water brine solution for a week, the colour the water turns is disgusting be warned! Rinse thoroughly and repeat for another week, then rinse thoroughly again, and leave out in the sun to dry to black, or in a dry airy place. Make sure you take in overnight. Once they are black and wrinkled they are ready to be pickled." For me they will be another addition to the hampers I hoping to make up for xmas presents.

The Blueberry bushes are starting to fruit, but I don't think they will produce enough to make any jam this year - particularly as No2 son keeps eating the ripe fruit every time he walks past!

The hens are enjoyed the weather as well and it's lovely to see them wandering around the garden 'talking' to each other. They all have their own favourite places to rest, some under the hedges, but these are heading towards the garden swing, where they lie underneath and make an awful fuss if you decide to sit on it ;0)

They are very spoilt and definitely 'rule the roost' if they are walking down the lane, which luckily is private adn goes to a dead end, they walk at their speed and wouldn't even consider moving to the side to let you drive past. I really must teach them the highway code....or does anywhere sell 'beware, chickens walking' signs?!

We have also got some new ducklings, after our previous 3 met a rather sad end at the hands, or should I say mouth, of a fox. They are perfectly happy mooching about in their run, when they are a bit older they will be allowed into the garden with the hens. And of course in the sun they love nothing better than sitting in their pond. Sometimes I wish I could join them!

By for now, and look out for my giveaway with my next posting.