Young pheasants making a run for it!October has arrived and the fields nearby have been ploughed and tilled. The earth in the raised beds of the allotment is cracked and open awaiting the first nourishing drops of rain. Friday evening ended with the arrival of strong winds and on Saturday every gust of wind pressed and accelerated passed the allotment. This sudden change did not bring any precipitation. Instead by the evening a large full moon rose on a clear and bright horizon, illuminating the sky, before it rose further above the thin layers of mixed cloud cover. In the last few days the sun's light has changed dramatically and the air temperature during the day is no longer holds its warmth.
With most of the beds dug and prepared for the Winter we settled upon collecting hazelnuts from a small line of trees nearby. The wind had blown many of the nuts from their branches while others clung tightly, safe in a haven under broad leafy cover. Taking the clusters of nuts from the trees we twisted them easily in their dried fleshy coat, releasing the mahogany coloured nuts.
While the ground looks dry it is still extremely productive. In particular the raspberry canes continue to produce a significant number of fruit; much more than last year. It is a constant surprise to arrive and always finding another supply of deep cerise red berries ready to pick. Elsewhere the sorrel and spinach continue to grow and we are chopping back the parsley borders freezing cubes of parsley with a little water to use in sauces over the Winter. Pumpkins and turnips continue to grow well but one can only wonder what their growth rate will be like when it begins to rain once again.
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