Sainsbury's.

Sainsbury's has been in the news recently; It must be the oldest supermarket chain that I can remember from my childhood.

We lived in Lingfield in Surrey; just south of London. The village had everything you needed, but none of the big national stores. When my mother was feeling adventurous we would head off to East Grinstead, about 10 miles away, where there was a cinema, swimming pool, hospital, and (best of all) a Sainsbury's.

It was just like the above photo (they all were); a central aisle, with the counters running down either side. The assistants were all dressed like 'chefs', and they sold the most exotic of foods (exotic to us, anyway). There were always convenient chairs for the weary.

I can remember going to the cinema with my sister and buying slices of Pork Pie, and Celery from Sainsbury's, to eat during the film. I suppose we treated it like an early 'takeaway'.

Now Sainsbury's is to join forces with Asda (Associated Dairies) to form the largest UK chain of food stores; bigger even than Tesco. I wish them luck; especially as Lady M is a shareholder.

Seasonal Fare.

I just love it when seasonal produce arrives at market.

This green Asparagus is always eagerly awaited. I don't buy the rubbish Spanish 'indoor' grown spears, as they are almost tasteless. This locally grown vegetable is raised 'outdoors' in good soil, and hopefully in sunshine. It can't be bettered. Whether it comes from just down the road, or from Gloucestershire, or from Scotland; outdoor, naturally grown, Asparagus is without question the best.

The Melon comes from a bit further afield; down in the deep South, I imagine. I 'tolerate'  Melon at this time of year, but I prefer to leave it until the height of Summer, when its flavour is far superior.

This was yesterday's lunch. No dashing to McD's or Subway for us; this is how we poor yokels live!

If you have new season's green Asparagus available, take advantage; it's now that it's at its very best.

Guess the Flower competition.

I'm 99% sure that no-one will know this; but 'bravo' if you do.

No prizes I'm afraid, but extreme 'blog-world kudos' to anyone who guesses correctly.

I shall post the answer later; unless someone finds it beforehand!

Some things NEVER change.

This is worth 3 mins of your time.

I've Been Told Orf.

Lady Magnon took me to task; she said that the small freezer in the studio was a complete mess. She didn't know what was what, or what was where. It was time to de-frost, and she needed to temporarily transfer everything to the other freezer in the kitchen.

In my role as 'Keeper of the Freezer', I received a good telling-off; you'd have thought that I'd committed serious freezer crime. She claimed I needed to keep notes of what was in each drawer, when it was frozen, and by when it should be eaten. Is she kidding; what nonsense!

She even suggested I should label the drawers so that I know what's in them. Of course, I can assure you (and her), that I know exactly what's in them, and how much of it there is, etc.

Anyway, I've relented, and I shall from now on label all the drawers as she suggested.

Here are the new labels; I hope she's satisfied!

Haddock's et al.

It's a start.

The first lot of Tomatoes are in, the red Onions are looking good, and I have planted out those long thin peppers that I love so much.

We still have a copious supply of perpetual Spinach, which I am loth to grub-up, and another row has already been sown. Everyone should grow this stuff; wonderful!

The Cauli' and Calabrese plants haven't grown much (probably because it's so dry), but they'll romp once we have some rain.

The Tayberries are looking very good, and all of my 'scrumped' soft fruit suckers seem to have taken.

There are plenty of flowers about. This mix of Wisteria and Clematis is on the 'tower'.

All in all, I'm happy with the state of play. A lot more still to do, but everything from now on is pure pleasure!

Lizzie.

We found this gal in the water on top of the pool cover; poor thing, she'd got in, but couldn't get out.

I scooped her out with the net, and put her to warm-up on a pile of old tiles. She soon went home, no doubt telling her friends all about her adventure.

She's a European Green Lizard, and isn't she beautiful (the males have much brighter blue under their chins). Including her tail, she was about 14 ins long. They are to found to the south of the Seine, but not in Corsica. Lovely creature.