Looking forward

We used to arrive at our home with the grass about a metre high; it was a nightmare. It took days with a small mower to tackle it.

These days, we have found someone who is prepared to look after things for us, and we now arrive to nicely mowed lawn and paddock, even Haddock's is given a trim. The battery on 'Rory', our mower, isn't too reliable, but otherwise our man has no problems. Below is a photo he recently sent; all looks OK. 

I'm looking forward to being in the countryside again. As much as I love Brighton, I'm a country boy at heart, and I like nothing more than the peace and quiet of open fields and woodland.

My fingers are crossed that there will also be some mushrooms about, but it's never guaranteed. I shall be keeping an eye on the weather forecast over the next few weeks. Rain means mushrooms.

I have just one project for this year, and that is to put a handrail on the stairs. Two years ago, I came a cropper on the lower steps, which wasn't pleasant. Both of us now need something to hold onto.

Otherwise I shall be sowing some Bok Choi and a few Salads, and hopefully planting a few Peach trees. I also hope to make plenty of JAM. Our supplies ran out too early last year, and we probably need double the amount. We make Plum, Apricot, and Greengage jams. I shall NOT be making more Blackberry jam.... it wasn't good.

The BBQ will be dusted down, Oysters will be bought by the 'box-full', Snails will be eaten, Restaurants will be visited (They're getting better again), and favourite Charcuterie will be devoured in abundance.

We are also thinking of buying a big green 'Garden Bell-Tent' to accommodate excess Gen-Z'ers. Not too sure about it yet!