Everyone here at Fylde Fields has been working very hard on new products for the shop and markets. Sue especially has been cooking up a storm creating new chutneys, relishes, jams and sauces out of the various crops we have been harvesting.
Since all of the olive oil has sold out and the new crop is not due to be harvested for a couple of months more, my folks have wanted other products to sell at the markets and from the shop.
We have a large range now of familiar and more unusual combinations, all of which we have sampled and enjoyed. The produce is mostly grown in our own garden our sourced locally wherever possible. I personally like the Tomato & Passionfruit Jam, Cucumber & Mint Chutney, Ploughman’s Chutney, and the Diavolo Hot & Spicy Plum Sauce.
Yum yum…
Sunday, February 26, 2006
More of wot I have read...
I have read a couple more of the Diskworld series of books that I am so fond of. These are written much as the all of the others and there are many ‘in jokes’ for the faithful, without distracting from the stand-alone nature of the books. More of the same and just as good as all of them…
Going Postal – by Terry Pratchett
‘Moist von Lipwig is a con artist… …and a fraud and a man faced with a life choice: be hanged, or put Ankh-Morpork’s ailing postal service back on its feet.
It’s a tough decision.
But he’s got to see that the mail gets through, come rain, hail, sleet, dogs, the Post Office Worker’s Friendly and Benevolent Society, the evil chairman of the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company, and a midnight killer.
Getting a date with Adora Bell Dearheart would be nice, too.’
THUD! – by Terry Pratchett
‘It's a game of Trolls and Dwarfs where the player must take both sides to win...
It's the noise a troll club makes when crushing in a dwarf skull, or when a dwarfish axe cleaves a trollish cranium...
It's the unsettling sound of history about to repeat itself ... THUD!’
***
I have been reading many books on history for background research into the Fencible soldiers of New Zealand. All very interesting stuff, but a bit dry at times. Sue got me the next book out from library on a whim, and I found it very entertaining both from a story point of view and from its construction. Very well worth seeking out…
The London Pigeon Wars – by Patrick Neate
‘Gunnersbury claims that the hostilities were commenced at the battle of Trafalgar. But the verity is that Trafalgar was just a skirmish, a starling-tempered flare-up of pointed beaks and posturing. Really, for everybirdy, the war began with its utterance, and that was later, after the murder of Brixton 23 above the Acre Lane Sainsbury’s.
The London pigeons are at war. They’re not sure what they’re fighting about. It could be politics or personality or territory or religion or maybe the ‘unilluminable nik’ called Murray?
Down on the ground, a gang of twentysomethings are facing up to the disappointments of adulthood: while their peers seem ‘so good at London’. These guys… umm… aren’t. The hatmaker can barely sell a hatpin, the IT whiz-kid’s gone bust, and the TV micro-celeb’s continually being stopped in the streets – mistaken for someone else. But then Murray comes into their midst. And he’s different…’
***
I have read this biography for more research and was taken with the sad, desperate story of this little known New Zealand heroine.
Jean Batten the Garbo of the skies – by Ian Mackersey
‘Jean Batten was on of the great aviation megastars of the 1930s. Her spectacular flights ranked with those of Britain’s Amy Johnson and America’s Amelia Earhart. Yet, despite her brilliance as a pilot, she remained the least well known of them all. For the dentist’s daughter from New Zealand built an impregnable wall around her private life – which was dominated, though few ever knew it, by the formidable influence of her mother.
Drawing on secret memoirs found after Jean Batten’s death and on hundreds of interviews with people who knew her, this biography of Jean’s sad and elusive life explodes the enduring myths of happiness and perfection that she created for herself. It also finally solves the mystery of her bizarre and lonely end. The real Jean Batten emerges as a fascinating woman, who combined bravery and ruthlessness with the stunning and seductive beauty she used so effectively to fulfil her great ambitions.’
Going Postal – by Terry Pratchett
‘Moist von Lipwig is a con artist… …and a fraud and a man faced with a life choice: be hanged, or put Ankh-Morpork’s ailing postal service back on its feet.
It’s a tough decision.
But he’s got to see that the mail gets through, come rain, hail, sleet, dogs, the Post Office Worker’s Friendly and Benevolent Society, the evil chairman of the Grand Trunk Semaphore Company, and a midnight killer.
Getting a date with Adora Bell Dearheart would be nice, too.’
THUD! – by Terry Pratchett
‘It's a game of Trolls and Dwarfs where the player must take both sides to win...
It's the noise a troll club makes when crushing in a dwarf skull, or when a dwarfish axe cleaves a trollish cranium...
It's the unsettling sound of history about to repeat itself ... THUD!’
***
I have been reading many books on history for background research into the Fencible soldiers of New Zealand. All very interesting stuff, but a bit dry at times. Sue got me the next book out from library on a whim, and I found it very entertaining both from a story point of view and from its construction. Very well worth seeking out…
The London Pigeon Wars – by Patrick Neate
‘Gunnersbury claims that the hostilities were commenced at the battle of Trafalgar. But the verity is that Trafalgar was just a skirmish, a starling-tempered flare-up of pointed beaks and posturing. Really, for everybirdy, the war began with its utterance, and that was later, after the murder of Brixton 23 above the Acre Lane Sainsbury’s.
The London pigeons are at war. They’re not sure what they’re fighting about. It could be politics or personality or territory or religion or maybe the ‘unilluminable nik’ called Murray?
Down on the ground, a gang of twentysomethings are facing up to the disappointments of adulthood: while their peers seem ‘so good at London’. These guys… umm… aren’t. The hatmaker can barely sell a hatpin, the IT whiz-kid’s gone bust, and the TV micro-celeb’s continually being stopped in the streets – mistaken for someone else. But then Murray comes into their midst. And he’s different…’
***
I have read this biography for more research and was taken with the sad, desperate story of this little known New Zealand heroine.
Jean Batten the Garbo of the skies – by Ian Mackersey
‘Jean Batten was on of the great aviation megastars of the 1930s. Her spectacular flights ranked with those of Britain’s Amy Johnson and America’s Amelia Earhart. Yet, despite her brilliance as a pilot, she remained the least well known of them all. For the dentist’s daughter from New Zealand built an impregnable wall around her private life – which was dominated, though few ever knew it, by the formidable influence of her mother.
Drawing on secret memoirs found after Jean Batten’s death and on hundreds of interviews with people who knew her, this biography of Jean’s sad and elusive life explodes the enduring myths of happiness and perfection that she created for herself. It also finally solves the mystery of her bizarre and lonely end. The real Jean Batten emerges as a fascinating woman, who combined bravery and ruthlessness with the stunning and seductive beauty she used so effectively to fulfil her great ambitions.’
Island life...
I had never been to Waiheke Island before and so after Sue had been earlier on in the year we decided to take a short break out their with my folks. The island is only an hour away from Auckland if you take the slow, and cheaper, vehicle ferry from Half-moon Bay or 35 minutes from Downtown on the passenger ferry. We took Dubbin, our 1974 VW Kombi with us so that we could tour the island in style. We rented a friends holiday home at Onetangi and we were settled in by midday and down by the beach enjoying lunch and a drink in the sunshine watching the waves gently roll in.
We toured the entire island seeing the Stony Batter rock outcrops and old WWII gun emplacements, visiting Olive Groves and Wineries to sample their wares. We took lunches with is in our van and stopped a many of the glorious and tranquil bays to eat them as we watched the scenery and wildlife. We went and a couple of walks through the bush and Sue and I were delighted to see some of the rarer bird life such as the Morepork owl, the huge Wood Pigeons, Tui songbirds and the charming little Fan-Tails that followed us through the woods chatting to us all the way. We saw some of the art that the island is well known for, attracting as it does a variety of colourful ‘artists’. Dubbin was quite a hit as we pottered around the island.
We had a nice break in the sunshine, eating a drinking too much again. Sue will miss the daily swims in the clear blue water.
We toured the entire island seeing the Stony Batter rock outcrops and old WWII gun emplacements, visiting Olive Groves and Wineries to sample their wares. We took lunches with is in our van and stopped a many of the glorious and tranquil bays to eat them as we watched the scenery and wildlife. We went and a couple of walks through the bush and Sue and I were delighted to see some of the rarer bird life such as the Morepork owl, the huge Wood Pigeons, Tui songbirds and the charming little Fan-Tails that followed us through the woods chatting to us all the way. We saw some of the art that the island is well known for, attracting as it does a variety of colourful ‘artists’. Dubbin was quite a hit as we pottered around the island.
We had a nice break in the sunshine, eating a drinking too much again. Sue will miss the daily swims in the clear blue water.
Taking to the rails...
For my birthday treat this year Sue and I went on a train journey through New Zealand on the Tranz Scenic Rail network. They have three tourist routes through the North and South Islands, each different and spectacular in its own way.
The Overlander took us from near Auckland down the North Island to Wellington and takes in the Raurimu Spiral as it climbs up onto the volcanic plateau through the National Park and past the volcanic cones of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. The scenery changes again as it crosses the Rangitikei River with its deep sided gorges and towering bridges. Later the tracks run beside the coast providing views of Kapiti Island and glimpses of the South Island in the distance before it runs through a long tunnel and into Wellington. Don’t expect the trains to run on schedule. We were delayed for a couple of hours with various problems including a tree on the line.
Wellington is one of our favourite New Zealand cities and although our stay was short we were not disappointed this time either. We stayed in the Shepard’s Arms Hotel on the pretty Tinakori Road not far from the Botanical Gardens. The hotel was reasonable and had all we needed (accept a plug for the bath) and looked quaint, based as it was on the original hotel of the same name that was established in 1870. The next morning we strolled down to the Parliament Buildings and took the very interesting free tour around them before having a quick look at the delightful Old St Paul’s (a weeding practice stopped us from spending more time here). We wandered around the waterfront and had lunch at a rustic food hall at the Wellington Market. We spent a good few hours in the Te Papa museum particularly enjoying the Golden Days, Passports and New Zealand in Bloom exhibitions.
We took the ferry across to the South Island and joined the TranzCoastal train at Picton bound for Christchurch. As the name suggests this route took us mainly down the east coast of the South Island after cutting through the wine-growing region of Marlborough. All of the trains have an exposed viewing area to allow a better opportunity to take photos without the interference of the glass windows in the other carriages. Running so close to the sea was a breezy experience and we had to come back inside for a break and to clean the salt rind off our glasses.
We arrived at Christchurch later in the day and walked to our Best Western Motel in Riccarton, near Hagley Park. We had been given vouchers for this chain of motels and we were very impressed with the facilities and service that we received at the Annabelle Court on Riccarton Road. We had a few of days here in the Garden City, although one of those would be taken up with our TranzAlpine excursion. We explored the beautiful Botanical Gardens as we walked through towards the centre of town. Worcester Boulevard with the tram, entertainers and Arts Centre Weekend Market were lovely, and throughout the small city everything looked enticing. The Cathedral Square with its market, the Avon River and the punts. We ate in New Regent Street looking at the faded glamour of the terraced buildings and pastel colours. We took a bus out to the Mona Vale Gardens, which were nice (though we were put off by constantly stumbling over various wedding parties). I had been given tickets to see a gig that night as a birthday present, so before the event we returned to New Regent Street and ate a fantastic evening meal at the Six Chairs Missing restaurant. The tickets were to see Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy at the Creation club at 8pm. We arrived a little early, but the doors didn’t open until around 9pm and then we had more than an hour until after the support act finished until the main act came on. Needless to say, after a long day walking around the town, we were starting to flag. As we had an early start the next day we left the club before the gig finished. Christchurch at night is a very different place full of drunken yobs, not attractive at all.
We took the day return excursion on the TranzAlpine from Christchurch on the east coast to Greymouth on the west, and back again. On the way the train runs across the wide-open Canterbury Plains before winding its way through the Southern Alps up to Arthur’s Pass over more dramatic river gorges in the shadow of the tallest mountains in the country. Through the 8-kilometre tunnel from the dry and arid plains to the wet rainforest of the west coast, the train journeyed down to Greymouth. After a short break we returned again to Christchurch. All of the way on each train we had most entertaining and informative commentary from the crew pointing out places of interest as we passed them by. Out of all of the trains the TranzApline is the biggest and most popular by far, next was the TranzCoastal and lastly the long Overlander journey.
We returned the way we came with an evening in Wellington where we walked through the Botanical Gardens and took the Cable Car down into town where we ate on the fashionable heart of town.
The journey was very interest and we saw some amazing scenery that you wouldn’t see by flying or driving, even so we were glad to step off the train at the end of it. We still think Wellington is our favourite city, but Christchurch is not too far behind.
The Overlander took us from near Auckland down the North Island to Wellington and takes in the Raurimu Spiral as it climbs up onto the volcanic plateau through the National Park and past the volcanic cones of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. The scenery changes again as it crosses the Rangitikei River with its deep sided gorges and towering bridges. Later the tracks run beside the coast providing views of Kapiti Island and glimpses of the South Island in the distance before it runs through a long tunnel and into Wellington. Don’t expect the trains to run on schedule. We were delayed for a couple of hours with various problems including a tree on the line.
Wellington is one of our favourite New Zealand cities and although our stay was short we were not disappointed this time either. We stayed in the Shepard’s Arms Hotel on the pretty Tinakori Road not far from the Botanical Gardens. The hotel was reasonable and had all we needed (accept a plug for the bath) and looked quaint, based as it was on the original hotel of the same name that was established in 1870. The next morning we strolled down to the Parliament Buildings and took the very interesting free tour around them before having a quick look at the delightful Old St Paul’s (a weeding practice stopped us from spending more time here). We wandered around the waterfront and had lunch at a rustic food hall at the Wellington Market. We spent a good few hours in the Te Papa museum particularly enjoying the Golden Days, Passports and New Zealand in Bloom exhibitions.
We took the ferry across to the South Island and joined the TranzCoastal train at Picton bound for Christchurch. As the name suggests this route took us mainly down the east coast of the South Island after cutting through the wine-growing region of Marlborough. All of the trains have an exposed viewing area to allow a better opportunity to take photos without the interference of the glass windows in the other carriages. Running so close to the sea was a breezy experience and we had to come back inside for a break and to clean the salt rind off our glasses.
We arrived at Christchurch later in the day and walked to our Best Western Motel in Riccarton, near Hagley Park. We had been given vouchers for this chain of motels and we were very impressed with the facilities and service that we received at the Annabelle Court on Riccarton Road. We had a few of days here in the Garden City, although one of those would be taken up with our TranzAlpine excursion. We explored the beautiful Botanical Gardens as we walked through towards the centre of town. Worcester Boulevard with the tram, entertainers and Arts Centre Weekend Market were lovely, and throughout the small city everything looked enticing. The Cathedral Square with its market, the Avon River and the punts. We ate in New Regent Street looking at the faded glamour of the terraced buildings and pastel colours. We took a bus out to the Mona Vale Gardens, which were nice (though we were put off by constantly stumbling over various wedding parties). I had been given tickets to see a gig that night as a birthday present, so before the event we returned to New Regent Street and ate a fantastic evening meal at the Six Chairs Missing restaurant. The tickets were to see Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy at the Creation club at 8pm. We arrived a little early, but the doors didn’t open until around 9pm and then we had more than an hour until after the support act finished until the main act came on. Needless to say, after a long day walking around the town, we were starting to flag. As we had an early start the next day we left the club before the gig finished. Christchurch at night is a very different place full of drunken yobs, not attractive at all.
We took the day return excursion on the TranzAlpine from Christchurch on the east coast to Greymouth on the west, and back again. On the way the train runs across the wide-open Canterbury Plains before winding its way through the Southern Alps up to Arthur’s Pass over more dramatic river gorges in the shadow of the tallest mountains in the country. Through the 8-kilometre tunnel from the dry and arid plains to the wet rainforest of the west coast, the train journeyed down to Greymouth. After a short break we returned again to Christchurch. All of the way on each train we had most entertaining and informative commentary from the crew pointing out places of interest as we passed them by. Out of all of the trains the TranzApline is the biggest and most popular by far, next was the TranzCoastal and lastly the long Overlander journey.
We returned the way we came with an evening in Wellington where we walked through the Botanical Gardens and took the Cable Car down into town where we ate on the fashionable heart of town.
The journey was very interest and we saw some amazing scenery that you wouldn’t see by flying or driving, even so we were glad to step off the train at the end of it. We still think Wellington is our favourite city, but Christchurch is not too far behind.
Writer's cramp...
Although the Blog has not been updated as frequently as it used to be I have still been writing. I have actually finnished my first novel to a stage where I have been happy to send it off to several publishers for their comments. So fingers crossed.
Monday, December 19, 2005
The Far North...
Our first ‘holiday’ away in NZ was to northland for a few days. We travelled up in our camper van, Dubbin, and stayed in Kamo (the campsites are virtually empty in spring and so we had no trouble with space or facilities).
The next day we travelled up to the Bay of Islands where we stopped at Paihia and took the ferry across to Russel, the first capital of New Zealand. Here we had a look around the lovely small town and stopped for lunch looking out across the bay. When we returned we travelled the short distance north to Waitangi, the site of the Treaty between the native Maori people and the English government.
The weather started to become more unsettled as we travelled on to Keri-Keri, where some of the country’s oldest standing buildings are to be found. The Stone Store and Kemp House are part of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, which allows free access to National Trust members from the UK (as long as you remember to take your card).
We continued on up the coast until we teach Kaitia where we contacted Nick and got directions to their place. Nick is an old friend from when I went to school here in NZ, and he lives in an old converted country farmhouse with Carol and their eight children, the youngest having been born only a few months earlier.
We spent the weekend here and joined in with the family activities around the home, walked up into the hills and bush, played football, and fished for eels in the river. They have a wonderful family atmosphere and everyone pulls together sharing chores and responsibilities. Carol is a superb home keeper and teacher and Nick can make just about anything with his hands. We had a lovely time and we arranged to visit them again as soon as we could.
After leaving our friends we travelled down to the beautiful Hokianga harbour where we paused to admire the stunning scenery. From there we entered the primeval Waipoua forest to camp the night at the DOC site. The next day we walked to visit some of the magnificent Kauri trees before continuing on our way.
Our last stop was at a coastal campsite at the Mangawhai Heads where there a large spectacular surf beaches.
We had a great break, even if it was too short.
The next day we travelled up to the Bay of Islands where we stopped at Paihia and took the ferry across to Russel, the first capital of New Zealand. Here we had a look around the lovely small town and stopped for lunch looking out across the bay. When we returned we travelled the short distance north to Waitangi, the site of the Treaty between the native Maori people and the English government.
The weather started to become more unsettled as we travelled on to Keri-Keri, where some of the country’s oldest standing buildings are to be found. The Stone Store and Kemp House are part of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, which allows free access to National Trust members from the UK (as long as you remember to take your card).
We continued on up the coast until we teach Kaitia where we contacted Nick and got directions to their place. Nick is an old friend from when I went to school here in NZ, and he lives in an old converted country farmhouse with Carol and their eight children, the youngest having been born only a few months earlier.
We spent the weekend here and joined in with the family activities around the home, walked up into the hills and bush, played football, and fished for eels in the river. They have a wonderful family atmosphere and everyone pulls together sharing chores and responsibilities. Carol is a superb home keeper and teacher and Nick can make just about anything with his hands. We had a lovely time and we arranged to visit them again as soon as we could.
After leaving our friends we travelled down to the beautiful Hokianga harbour where we paused to admire the stunning scenery. From there we entered the primeval Waipoua forest to camp the night at the DOC site. The next day we walked to visit some of the magnificent Kauri trees before continuing on our way.
Our last stop was at a coastal campsite at the Mangawhai Heads where there a large spectacular surf beaches.
We had a great break, even if it was too short.
Kombi heaven...
We have been enjoying the ups and downs of owning a 30-year-old vehicle.
I have always fancied a Volkswagen Kombi, and we had one in the UK for a while. So when I was looking for a car to purchase for the time we were over in NZ, I was drawn to a 1974 white Kombi that was on an Internet auction site. We were still in the UK at the time but my folks managed to contact the vendor and checked it out for us. It looked pretty good for an old vehicle and several days later we were the proud owners of Dubbin.
The first time we saw Dubbin ‘in the flesh’ was when we were picked up in her as we arrived in the country.
It has its quirks and is not perfect, but we can live with the idiosyncrasies for the fun a pleasure driving around in it gives us. It costs way more than we needed to spend for an ‘ordinary’ car and we have spent even more to keep it going, but as long as there are no major problems it should retain its value.
My brother and father are both good with their hands and both have experience with cars. Dad built my first car, a kitset Lotus Super Seven replica. So they have proved invaluable in the general maintenance of the old girl.
We took her away for our first holiday recently and we found the whole experience very enjoyable. We are looking forward to more trips in the future.
I have always fancied a Volkswagen Kombi, and we had one in the UK for a while. So when I was looking for a car to purchase for the time we were over in NZ, I was drawn to a 1974 white Kombi that was on an Internet auction site. We were still in the UK at the time but my folks managed to contact the vendor and checked it out for us. It looked pretty good for an old vehicle and several days later we were the proud owners of Dubbin.
The first time we saw Dubbin ‘in the flesh’ was when we were picked up in her as we arrived in the country.
It has its quirks and is not perfect, but we can live with the idiosyncrasies for the fun a pleasure driving around in it gives us. It costs way more than we needed to spend for an ‘ordinary’ car and we have spent even more to keep it going, but as long as there are no major problems it should retain its value.
My brother and father are both good with their hands and both have experience with cars. Dad built my first car, a kitset Lotus Super Seven replica. So they have proved invaluable in the general maintenance of the old girl.
We took her away for our first holiday recently and we found the whole experience very enjoyable. We are looking forward to more trips in the future.
Keeping busy...
We have been keeping ourselves busy while we are in New Zealand with a few projects.
Around Mark’s Mum and Dad’s place we spent a good few weeks when we first arrived tidying the land in preparation for a local community Garden Ramble. This entailed extensive weeding until Sue lost the sensation in her fingers, weed eating using a serious metal-bladed, petrol-driven cutter. Mowing everywhere using both of the ride-on mowers, and planting out seedlings. The weekend event went off well and plenty of people came around to see the gardens and the selection of classic minis that Gary had organised to be on display.
We were also busy preparing and planting the vegetable garden. Digging over the earth by hand (Mark broke the rotary-hoe in the first 5 minutes). Sowing seeds in the ground or in seed trays, and planting out seedlings as soon as they were ready. Much of the land is given over to those plants that could be used to make produce in Mum and Dad’s preparation shed to sell at market. We have planted loads of tomatoes, plum varieties for sun drying and beefsteak varieties for sauces. We have planted lots of cucumbers, a small variety that can be used for pickled gherkins. We also have a large number of chillies, courgettes, beetroot and basil along with variety of other vegetables for day-to-day eating. We are now starting to reap our rewards with bowls of courgettes and cucumbers and plums ready to be turned into preserves, pickles and chutneys.
Mark has been working away on his children’s novel and has now completed the first draft. At 39,000 words and approximately 200 pages, it will need more work. But for now family and friends are reviewing it before we send it off to publishers for their comments. At the moment is going by the title of Specific Gravity.
The two tea-chest boxes we sent on ahead finally turned up, but not before we had to pay extra money we had not accounted for them to clear customs. It was a very frustrating time and we would not recommend sending unaccompanied baggage to NZ without thoroughly checking out if there are no other alternatives.
In the boxes were some of Mark’s painting equipment and so he has finally started on a couple of pieces. A small area in the garage acts as the temporary studio.
We are still trying to get our glass-working project off the ground. We borrowed an old kiln from a family friend and have had it installed, but the controller seems not to be working. We have also discovered that raw materials are hard to get hold of and are expensive. We are going to see if we can use recycled glass, as there is always a ready supply of that at our place.
Around Mark’s Mum and Dad’s place we spent a good few weeks when we first arrived tidying the land in preparation for a local community Garden Ramble. This entailed extensive weeding until Sue lost the sensation in her fingers, weed eating using a serious metal-bladed, petrol-driven cutter. Mowing everywhere using both of the ride-on mowers, and planting out seedlings. The weekend event went off well and plenty of people came around to see the gardens and the selection of classic minis that Gary had organised to be on display.
We were also busy preparing and planting the vegetable garden. Digging over the earth by hand (Mark broke the rotary-hoe in the first 5 minutes). Sowing seeds in the ground or in seed trays, and planting out seedlings as soon as they were ready. Much of the land is given over to those plants that could be used to make produce in Mum and Dad’s preparation shed to sell at market. We have planted loads of tomatoes, plum varieties for sun drying and beefsteak varieties for sauces. We have planted lots of cucumbers, a small variety that can be used for pickled gherkins. We also have a large number of chillies, courgettes, beetroot and basil along with variety of other vegetables for day-to-day eating. We are now starting to reap our rewards with bowls of courgettes and cucumbers and plums ready to be turned into preserves, pickles and chutneys.
Mark has been working away on his children’s novel and has now completed the first draft. At 39,000 words and approximately 200 pages, it will need more work. But for now family and friends are reviewing it before we send it off to publishers for their comments. At the moment is going by the title of Specific Gravity.
The two tea-chest boxes we sent on ahead finally turned up, but not before we had to pay extra money we had not accounted for them to clear customs. It was a very frustrating time and we would not recommend sending unaccompanied baggage to NZ without thoroughly checking out if there are no other alternatives.
In the boxes were some of Mark’s painting equipment and so he has finally started on a couple of pieces. A small area in the garage acts as the temporary studio.
We are still trying to get our glass-working project off the ground. We borrowed an old kiln from a family friend and have had it installed, but the controller seems not to be working. We have also discovered that raw materials are hard to get hold of and are expensive. We are going to see if we can use recycled glass, as there is always a ready supply of that at our place.
Monday, December 12, 2005
The migration south…
I have finaly got around to putting a few words together about what we have been upto over the last few months.
To start with with travelled half way around the world, stopping breifly in Malysia. After our previous visit here we were so emamoured with the place we decided to have a longer visit (I didn’t hurt that Malaysia Airlines had the cheapest flights – though thay have lost our reward points for the last visit).
We booked everything over the Internet this time and were a bit nervous about how successful we might have been, but we needn’t have been as everything turned out fine.
We stopped in Kuala Lumpur at the Le Meridien. Picked for its location at the Sentral Station (We stayed in the neighbouring Hilton last time – prices in Malaysia are so cheap). The best way to transfer from the airport To KL is via the supurb KLIA Express train. (When you leave, the station also allows you to check-in before you even get to the airport)
The next day we took the Malaysia rail from KL to Singapore. It takes longer than be road, and even in First Class it lacks some sophistication, but it nevertheless is very cheap and offers a different view of the countryside.
In Singapore we styed in the heart of Chinatown at the sweet boutique Hotel 1929. The rooms were small but perfectly formed and the décor was delightful. We had two days in Singapore and enjoyed it immensely. We took a trip down the river on a ‘bum-boat’, had a drink at Raffles, walked all over Chinatown and the historic centre and had a lovely walk around the botanical gardens.
We took another train from Singapore back to KL where we changed to an overnight train to Butterworth where we took the ferry across to Penang Island and to our favourite hotel of the trip. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) This place is a stunning historical treasure. From here we explored the small city of Georgetown, took the funicular railway to Penang Hill, had tea at the Eastern & Orient Hotel and walked around the botanical gardens here too.
We took the overnight train back to KL where we took the bus (this was the only part of our journey we couldn’t pre-book, and we had to go by bus as the train didn’t run there) to Malaka (The busses are great and even cheaper than the train - everybody uses them). We stayed here at the lovely Hotel Puri and we walked around the delightfully quaint and hippy town.
This was our last night on our all too short trip to Malaysia and Singapore and the next day we flew on to a happy reunion with my family in New Zealand.
Malaysia is a beautiful country, and the people are lovely too. Since it was once a British protectorate it is easy for us Brits to navigate our way around (they drive on the left, most of the signs are in English, and nearly everybody speaks English too). It is a very cheap country, which at times just brings home the crushing poverty that some of the people are subject to here.
To start with with travelled half way around the world, stopping breifly in Malysia. After our previous visit here we were so emamoured with the place we decided to have a longer visit (I didn’t hurt that Malaysia Airlines had the cheapest flights – though thay have lost our reward points for the last visit).
We booked everything over the Internet this time and were a bit nervous about how successful we might have been, but we needn’t have been as everything turned out fine.
We stopped in Kuala Lumpur at the Le Meridien. Picked for its location at the Sentral Station (We stayed in the neighbouring Hilton last time – prices in Malaysia are so cheap). The best way to transfer from the airport To KL is via the supurb KLIA Express train. (When you leave, the station also allows you to check-in before you even get to the airport)
The next day we took the Malaysia rail from KL to Singapore. It takes longer than be road, and even in First Class it lacks some sophistication, but it nevertheless is very cheap and offers a different view of the countryside.
In Singapore we styed in the heart of Chinatown at the sweet boutique Hotel 1929. The rooms were small but perfectly formed and the décor was delightful. We had two days in Singapore and enjoyed it immensely. We took a trip down the river on a ‘bum-boat’, had a drink at Raffles, walked all over Chinatown and the historic centre and had a lovely walk around the botanical gardens.
We took another train from Singapore back to KL where we changed to an overnight train to Butterworth where we took the ferry across to Penang Island and to our favourite hotel of the trip. The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion) This place is a stunning historical treasure. From here we explored the small city of Georgetown, took the funicular railway to Penang Hill, had tea at the Eastern & Orient Hotel and walked around the botanical gardens here too.
We took the overnight train back to KL where we took the bus (this was the only part of our journey we couldn’t pre-book, and we had to go by bus as the train didn’t run there) to Malaka (The busses are great and even cheaper than the train - everybody uses them). We stayed here at the lovely Hotel Puri and we walked around the delightfully quaint and hippy town.
This was our last night on our all too short trip to Malaysia and Singapore and the next day we flew on to a happy reunion with my family in New Zealand.
Malaysia is a beautiful country, and the people are lovely too. Since it was once a British protectorate it is easy for us Brits to navigate our way around (they drive on the left, most of the signs are in English, and nearly everybody speaks English too). It is a very cheap country, which at times just brings home the crushing poverty that some of the people are subject to here.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Ready for take off…
We are now eager to be on our way now. All this build up and anticipation is getting too much. It is bit like when as kids you see the first signs of Christmas during October.
We have been catching up with as many people as we can before we go and have had some lovely evenings with friends and family with more yet to come.
Sue spent a lovely weekend with the girls shopping, eating, drinking and generally cavorting around.
I, in turn, spent the weekend with a couple of buddies playing RPGs and getting set up for playing our games via the internet. We tried a couple of VOIP systems and found that, while Google Talk was easy to use it only seemed to allow you to talk to one person at a time. We also tried the Gizmo Project, which although it was a little more complicated it did seem to allow party line conversations quite successfully. We now have to see if it will work as well from one side of the world to the other.
This is our last week at work now, so we are focusing on the important things, such as our leaving ‘do’s.
We are planning to have most things organised at home by the weekend. This will mean that from then on until we settle in down under in mid October, that we will be without our computer and possibly incommunicado.
After the weekend we have almost a week to pack and sort those last minute details out before we fly on Friday the 7th Oct. We have a few days in Malaysia and Singapore before we land in New Zealand on the following weekend.
For all of you we leave behind, farewell and we will be back before you know it. For all of you we are about to meet, put the white wine in the fridge and have the glasses ready…
We have been catching up with as many people as we can before we go and have had some lovely evenings with friends and family with more yet to come.
Sue spent a lovely weekend with the girls shopping, eating, drinking and generally cavorting around.
I, in turn, spent the weekend with a couple of buddies playing RPGs and getting set up for playing our games via the internet. We tried a couple of VOIP systems and found that, while Google Talk was easy to use it only seemed to allow you to talk to one person at a time. We also tried the Gizmo Project, which although it was a little more complicated it did seem to allow party line conversations quite successfully. We now have to see if it will work as well from one side of the world to the other.
This is our last week at work now, so we are focusing on the important things, such as our leaving ‘do’s.
We are planning to have most things organised at home by the weekend. This will mean that from then on until we settle in down under in mid October, that we will be without our computer and possibly incommunicado.
After the weekend we have almost a week to pack and sort those last minute details out before we fly on Friday the 7th Oct. We have a few days in Malaysia and Singapore before we land in New Zealand on the following weekend.
For all of you we leave behind, farewell and we will be back before you know it. For all of you we are about to meet, put the white wine in the fridge and have the glasses ready…
More of wot I have read…
Recently I have read a couple of books by Ken Follett, the Hornet Flight and the Night Over Water. These books were given to us and had been lingering on the shelves for a while, so I thought I’d give them a go.
Both books are set in the time of the Second World War and involve a boys-own style adventure that includes airplanes.
Hornet Flight by Ken Follett
This is an interesting story for the setting and background as I was not aware of the situation that Denmark and its citizens found itself in during the war.
It is June 1941, and the low point of the war. England throws wave after wave of bombers across the Channel, but somehow the Lufwaffe is able to shoot them down at will. The skies – indeed the war itself – seem to belong to Hitler.
But on a small Danish island across the North Sea, Harald Olufsen, a bright eighteen-year-old with a talent for engineering, stumbles across a secret German installation. Its machinery is like nothing he has ever seen before and he knows he must tell someone – if he can only figure out who.
With England preparing its largest aerial assault ever, what Harald has discovered may turn the course of the war – but the race to convey the information could have terrible consequences for everyone close to him.
For his older brother Arne, a pilot in the grounded Danish Air Force and already under suspicion of the authorities. For Arne’s fiancee, Hermia, an MI6 intelligence analyst desperate to resurrect the foundering Danish resistance. And most of all for Harald himself – because as the hour of the assault approaches, it will all fall to him and his friend Karen to get the word to England.
And the only means available to them is a derelict Hornet Moth biplane abandoned in a ruined church, a plane so decrepit that it is unlikely ever to get off the ground.
Pursued by the enemy; hunted by collaborators; with almost no training, limited fuel, and no way of knowing if they will survive the six-hundred mile flight, the two will carry with them England's best — perhaps only — hope of avoiding disaster.
Night Over Water by Ken Follett
I found the most interesting character in this story to by the flying boat. I would have loved to have flown in one of them.
In 1939, with war just declared, a group of privileged people board the most luxurious airliner ever – the Pan American Clipper, bound for New York: an English aristocrat, a German scientist, a murderer under escort, a young wife escaping her husband and a charming, unscrupulous thief. For thirty hours, there is no escape from the flying palace. Over the Atlantic, tension mounts and finally explodes in a dramatic and dangerous climax.
Both books are set in the time of the Second World War and involve a boys-own style adventure that includes airplanes.
Hornet Flight by Ken Follett
This is an interesting story for the setting and background as I was not aware of the situation that Denmark and its citizens found itself in during the war.
It is June 1941, and the low point of the war. England throws wave after wave of bombers across the Channel, but somehow the Lufwaffe is able to shoot them down at will. The skies – indeed the war itself – seem to belong to Hitler.
But on a small Danish island across the North Sea, Harald Olufsen, a bright eighteen-year-old with a talent for engineering, stumbles across a secret German installation. Its machinery is like nothing he has ever seen before and he knows he must tell someone – if he can only figure out who.
With England preparing its largest aerial assault ever, what Harald has discovered may turn the course of the war – but the race to convey the information could have terrible consequences for everyone close to him.
For his older brother Arne, a pilot in the grounded Danish Air Force and already under suspicion of the authorities. For Arne’s fiancee, Hermia, an MI6 intelligence analyst desperate to resurrect the foundering Danish resistance. And most of all for Harald himself – because as the hour of the assault approaches, it will all fall to him and his friend Karen to get the word to England.
And the only means available to them is a derelict Hornet Moth biplane abandoned in a ruined church, a plane so decrepit that it is unlikely ever to get off the ground.
Pursued by the enemy; hunted by collaborators; with almost no training, limited fuel, and no way of knowing if they will survive the six-hundred mile flight, the two will carry with them England's best — perhaps only — hope of avoiding disaster.
Night Over Water by Ken Follett
I found the most interesting character in this story to by the flying boat. I would have loved to have flown in one of them.
In 1939, with war just declared, a group of privileged people board the most luxurious airliner ever – the Pan American Clipper, bound for New York: an English aristocrat, a German scientist, a murderer under escort, a young wife escaping her husband and a charming, unscrupulous thief. For thirty hours, there is no escape from the flying palace. Over the Atlantic, tension mounts and finally explodes in a dramatic and dangerous climax.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The end of one summer…
All signs are that the UK is in transition from summer to autumn. The nights are drawing in, the temperatures are cooling down and it is picking time in the kitchen garden.
Several other signs confirm this change too; England beats Australia at cricket in the Ashes series, and Harvest Festivals are happening in villages throughout the countryside.
We have been very busy on our run up to our departure. The allotment has an abundance of produce which we are gorging on, clearing areas in preparation for the fallow winter time. We have been packing items for storage, selling unwanted items at a local boot-sale, and delivering unsold items to charity shops. Before we leave we are trying to meet up with as many friends and family as possible that necessitates much eating and drinking – it’s a chore, but someone has to do it.
We noticed a strange apparition whilst driving through the local village of Carshalton. Many brightly coloured and strangely clothed individuals were playing music and cavorting around a whirling haystack outside a local hostelry. Intrigued we returned to investigate and found that it was a harvest celebration called Straw Jack. This was the events second year (and so it was now a tradition) where a group of musicians (largely very enthusiastic drummers) and dancers escorted Straw Jack around all of the local pubs from 11am until 7pm where up Straw Jack was put to the torch. It was a very entertaining spectacle that I hope is continued for many years to come.
Several other signs confirm this change too; England beats Australia at cricket in the Ashes series, and Harvest Festivals are happening in villages throughout the countryside.
We have been very busy on our run up to our departure. The allotment has an abundance of produce which we are gorging on, clearing areas in preparation for the fallow winter time. We have been packing items for storage, selling unwanted items at a local boot-sale, and delivering unsold items to charity shops. Before we leave we are trying to meet up with as many friends and family as possible that necessitates much eating and drinking – it’s a chore, but someone has to do it.
We noticed a strange apparition whilst driving through the local village of Carshalton. Many brightly coloured and strangely clothed individuals were playing music and cavorting around a whirling haystack outside a local hostelry. Intrigued we returned to investigate and found that it was a harvest celebration called Straw Jack. This was the events second year (and so it was now a tradition) where a group of musicians (largely very enthusiastic drummers) and dancers escorted Straw Jack around all of the local pubs from 11am until 7pm where up Straw Jack was put to the torch. It was a very entertaining spectacle that I hope is continued for many years to come.
Thursday, September 08, 2005
More of wot I have read...
Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson
This is a ‘big’ book in both size and in the subject matter it tries to cover. It is obvious when reading this book that the author knows his subject very well and that he has done some very detailed research to ensure that the book is both accurate and detailed. Unfortunately, unless you are an avid political geek, all that detail might just get in the way and slow down any building tension. It is another one of those books that appears to be more about the message than the story. The author does develop interesting and believable characters and writes very good dialogue and character interaction. It is worth the effort if you can dedicate time to wade through the convoluted Machiavellian machinations to the pay-off.
“An epic story that moves with force, passion, and authority, Balance of Power begins when President Kerry Kilcannon and television journalist Lara Costello at last decide to marry. But the momentous occasion is followed by an unspeakable tragedy—a massacre of innocents by gunfire—that ignites a high-stakes game of politics and legal maneuvering in the Senate, the courtroom, and across the country, which the charismatic but untested young President is determined to win at any cost. But in the incendiary clash over gun violence and gun rights, the cost to both Kilcannons may be even higher than he imagined.“
This is a ‘big’ book in both size and in the subject matter it tries to cover. It is obvious when reading this book that the author knows his subject very well and that he has done some very detailed research to ensure that the book is both accurate and detailed. Unfortunately, unless you are an avid political geek, all that detail might just get in the way and slow down any building tension. It is another one of those books that appears to be more about the message than the story. The author does develop interesting and believable characters and writes very good dialogue and character interaction. It is worth the effort if you can dedicate time to wade through the convoluted Machiavellian machinations to the pay-off.
“An epic story that moves with force, passion, and authority, Balance of Power begins when President Kerry Kilcannon and television journalist Lara Costello at last decide to marry. But the momentous occasion is followed by an unspeakable tragedy—a massacre of innocents by gunfire—that ignites a high-stakes game of politics and legal maneuvering in the Senate, the courtroom, and across the country, which the charismatic but untested young President is determined to win at any cost. But in the incendiary clash over gun violence and gun rights, the cost to both Kilcannons may be even higher than he imagined.“
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Countdown…
We are counting down the days now until we migrate south for the winter and set up nest in New Zealand for their summer. Everything is pretty much organised now except for the packing up and the last one or two small details.
We are excited and nervous in equal measures, but everyone is very supportive and keeps telling us that we are doing the right thing, which I’m sure we are.
We are excited and nervous in equal measures, but everyone is very supportive and keeps telling us that we are doing the right thing, which I’m sure we are.
Environmental Flair…
On the last Bank Holiday in August we went down to the local Environmental Fair with our neighbours and friends, Deb, Dave and young Tom. Unusually for a bank holiday the weather was great and we had a nice time sitting out in the sun listening to the music, eating the fine food, and drinking the occasional cold one.
This fair is a nice relaxed affair rather than the full hectic extravaganza that is the Notting Hill Carnival that was also on over the weekend.
This fair is a nice relaxed affair rather than the full hectic extravaganza that is the Notting Hill Carnival that was also on over the weekend.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Real RPG online…
Most weeks I get together with a couple of friends to play paper based role play games. We have been looking at the possibility of continuing this over the internet using a sweet little package called Fantasy Grounds
This provides a virtual table top to play on. Check out the demo, the dice are so cool! We will need to use some voice messenger package to be able to talk together, but this should enable us to carry on playing in some form or other. We are looking at the possibility of inviting other players into the group to extend it beyond just the three of us.
At the moment Kevin is working up a game based on the D20 Darwin’s World and a campaign called Metropolis Rho, a particularly violent apocalyptic vision of the future.
To support this Kevin has also been looking at a particularly snazzy map drawing package called Dundjinni. Check out some of the pretty pictures at the gallery.
This provides a virtual table top to play on. Check out the demo, the dice are so cool! We will need to use some voice messenger package to be able to talk together, but this should enable us to carry on playing in some form or other. We are looking at the possibility of inviting other players into the group to extend it beyond just the three of us.
At the moment Kevin is working up a game based on the D20 Darwin’s World and a campaign called Metropolis Rho, a particularly violent apocalyptic vision of the future.
To support this Kevin has also been looking at a particularly snazzy map drawing package called Dundjinni. Check out some of the pretty pictures at the gallery.
Kombi Heaven…
Part of my recent obsession with the old Volkswagen Kombi van led me to peruse various auctions sites and last week I found a 1974 camper van on a New Zealand site. Knowing that we were going to be spending nearly six months there I had been looking a car prices when I found this old ‘bay-window’ Kombi, and since the price was much cheaper than in the UK, I asked my family what they thought of it. My brother arranged with the owner to have a look at and thought it was fine so now we are the new proud owners. Sue wants a large sunflower decal on the side and I fancy a windsurfer in the back.
Can’t wait to bowl up to the beach in it and watch the sun go down.
Can’t wait to bowl up to the beach in it and watch the sun go down.
A weekend of culture…
Henry IV Part 1…
We visited the National Theatre recently with a few friends to see Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 1. The theatre sits on the south bank of the Thames at Waterloo in London next to the National Film Theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Harward Gallery and the Royal Festival Hall. From the outside this group of buildings evoke mixed feelings regarding their rough concrete architecture, but inside each has wonderful performance spaces that bring out the best in any performance.
Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2 are a little more challenging than many of the better know of Shakespeare’s work, but quality of the performance more than made up for the occasional lack of comprehension in the words. All of the cast was fabulous but, to single out a few, Falstaff: Michael Gambon, Hotspur: David Harewood, and Prince Hal: Matthew Macfadyen were outstanding. We are all looking forward to Part 2 which we will see soon.
Romeo and Juliet…
The next day we drove up to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Tring where we were due to watch an outdoor performance of Romeo and Juliet at the nearby Pendley Manor. As we drove up the heavens opened up and the rain continuing on and off as we ate dinner. Chancing things and taking some wet weather protection we ventured out. Apart from a few spots here and there the rain held off until the crucial moment where Romeo sees Juliet in the tomb, then the two prone figures were lashed with a quick downpour and soaked to the skin before umbrella carrying attendants could rescue them. After a short interlude where the performers and those of us in the audience sort cover, the performance continued and concluded to a rapturous applause. We have seen this company before and they are extremely proficient for an amateur group.
Sunday Lunch…
We stayed over at my Aunt and Uncle’s after the play and met up with several of their friends; work colleagues of my Uncle when they all worked together in architecture and interior design. We had hoped that both Jack and Sue could come along, but unfortunately Sue was ill. We managed to quiz Jack though about some of the things to consider when working with glass and kilns. Together they are Devilish Designs.
Also there was another couple who had also worked together in the interior design industry. John though had a claim to fame that predated this. He was the bass player in a Brit Pop/Rock band in the 60’s called the West Coast Consortium, and they even had a record at number 22 in the charts.
We visited the National Theatre recently with a few friends to see Shakespeare’s Henry IV Part 1. The theatre sits on the south bank of the Thames at Waterloo in London next to the National Film Theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Harward Gallery and the Royal Festival Hall. From the outside this group of buildings evoke mixed feelings regarding their rough concrete architecture, but inside each has wonderful performance spaces that bring out the best in any performance.
Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2 are a little more challenging than many of the better know of Shakespeare’s work, but quality of the performance more than made up for the occasional lack of comprehension in the words. All of the cast was fabulous but, to single out a few, Falstaff: Michael Gambon, Hotspur: David Harewood, and Prince Hal: Matthew Macfadyen were outstanding. We are all looking forward to Part 2 which we will see soon.
Romeo and Juliet…
The next day we drove up to visit my Aunt and Uncle in Tring where we were due to watch an outdoor performance of Romeo and Juliet at the nearby Pendley Manor. As we drove up the heavens opened up and the rain continuing on and off as we ate dinner. Chancing things and taking some wet weather protection we ventured out. Apart from a few spots here and there the rain held off until the crucial moment where Romeo sees Juliet in the tomb, then the two prone figures were lashed with a quick downpour and soaked to the skin before umbrella carrying attendants could rescue them. After a short interlude where the performers and those of us in the audience sort cover, the performance continued and concluded to a rapturous applause. We have seen this company before and they are extremely proficient for an amateur group.
Sunday Lunch…
We stayed over at my Aunt and Uncle’s after the play and met up with several of their friends; work colleagues of my Uncle when they all worked together in architecture and interior design. We had hoped that both Jack and Sue could come along, but unfortunately Sue was ill. We managed to quiz Jack though about some of the things to consider when working with glass and kilns. Together they are Devilish Designs.
Also there was another couple who had also worked together in the interior design industry. John though had a claim to fame that predated this. He was the bass player in a Brit Pop/Rock band in the 60’s called the West Coast Consortium, and they even had a record at number 22 in the charts.
Sunny Side Up…
We are less than a couple months away from starting one of the biggest adventures in our lives. We are about to become truly migratory, following the sun south to give us permanent summer for as long as we can sustain it. Everything is coming together now as we finalise that last details, most importantly finding someone to look after the house (and help with the mortgage). Boxes are being packed to be stored or shipped on ahead, travel arrangements are almost complete and tickets are ready for collection. Just a few more details to sort out and we will be ready (physically if not emotionally).
After a short visit to Malaysia and Singapore we will be down under mid October and looking to spend quality time with family and friends (taking advantage of their generous natures).
Now all we have to do is find some way of sustaining this for as long as we want too by discovering some well hidden talent of making something out of nothing.
Exciting and scary in equal measures; fingers crossed and stomach knotted.
After a short visit to Malaysia and Singapore we will be down under mid October and looking to spend quality time with family and friends (taking advantage of their generous natures).
Now all we have to do is find some way of sustaining this for as long as we want too by discovering some well hidden talent of making something out of nothing.
Exciting and scary in equal measures; fingers crossed and stomach knotted.
Summer Garden…
Now is the time of year where we are reaping what we sowed. We do not need to buy many vegetables at the moment and again Sue is having to be inventive with the seasonal abundance.
We have had a greater success with our berries since we covered the bushes on a net cage to stop the birds enjoying them before we could. We are also expectantly excited at the prospect of the melons swelling in our green house along side the chillies and peppers (again, though, the aubergines are looking disappointing).
We have just started harvesting our butternut squash and they are huge (several times larger than what we have seen in the shops).
Most of what we have decided to grow this year has been summer crops and only a few plants will be in the ground over the winter; leeks and over-wintering Japanese onions.
We will have to be quite determined to eat it all the harvest up before we leave for sunnier climes. Either that or we will have to give it all away.
With our looming extended visit to the southern hemisphere we are looking forward to starting with a whole new batch of crops as soon as we arrive.
We have had a greater success with our berries since we covered the bushes on a net cage to stop the birds enjoying them before we could. We are also expectantly excited at the prospect of the melons swelling in our green house along side the chillies and peppers (again, though, the aubergines are looking disappointing).
We have just started harvesting our butternut squash and they are huge (several times larger than what we have seen in the shops).
Most of what we have decided to grow this year has been summer crops and only a few plants will be in the ground over the winter; leeks and over-wintering Japanese onions.
We will have to be quite determined to eat it all the harvest up before we leave for sunnier climes. Either that or we will have to give it all away.
With our looming extended visit to the southern hemisphere we are looking forward to starting with a whole new batch of crops as soon as we arrive.
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