A Mixed Week

Well this last week has been very mixed. We have had lovely Autumnal sunshine making the leaves on the trees sparkle with hues of rich beautiful colours. Then some days there has been a thick mist which has stayed with us until mid-day showing up many spiders that have tight walked webs of fine intricate artwork. Heavy and almost torrential downpours of rain with dark skies that look almost like its night-time only to suddenly have the sun appear with fantastic colourful rainbows and massive puddles that tempt you to put your wellies on and splish splosh in the shiny mirrors.(Is splish a word)?

Sadly I lost two of my sweet little baby bantams that had hatched earlier in the year, one was found dead in the hen house and the other nowhere to be found. We suspect a hungry buzzard had been and taken it as they have been flying and screeching overhead this week. The rest of the chickens have been very much on their guard with distress calls, when the fruit and acorns drop with heavy thuds from the gusts of wind. They also hate the heavy rain.

More chutney and stewed apples and pears to be put in the freezer have been made with the windfalls. Friends that have come to the door have gone home with carrier bags full. We have been having apples sometimes for breakfast, dinner and tea in different forms one way or another. The house smells pleasantly of apples and pears (and smells better than any scented candle), that are being stored and will hopefully last until next April.

The Weekend

Saturday, a spur of the moment decision  to go to London was made, looking around Covent Garden which was buzzing with street acts, lots of tourist and plenty to see in the city despite the rain.

Then having a tasty Chinese meal in China town with brightly coloured lanterns, good luck symbols, fortune and charms. But its always good to return here to the orchard to be greeted by Shadow, Mittens, Sooty and Daisy and just relax in our little part of the world.
Sunday morning the rain held off just enough time to dig up my exhausted tomato plants and clean up the greenhouse - a job that always marks the end of summer. All that is left in there now are my little sweet pea seedlings and a few lavender plants and a few plants that have already gone to sleep.

A tasty pork roast dinner marinated in cider and apples was cooked by our son, it was very yummy with all the trimmings and a good bottle of wine to go with it. Then to relax watching a film and then later the wonderful  Downton Abbey.

Well I hope you have a good week.

Sarah  xx