Last week the weather was varied and often we didn’t really know how conditions would change throughout the day. Mornings often started dull but gradually the sun made an appearance after having had a lie-in. There was frequently an accompanying breeze so the temperature varied depending on whether we were in shade or sunshine. We had some drizzly rain but nothing that would dampen the soil so we had plenty of watering to do.
Other than watering, jobs on the allotment were weeding, strimming and harvesting.
We are trying a new variety of courgette this year – Trombette D’Albenga. It’s a climbing variety, the fruits of which are curved and seedless.
Now that the peas and beans have stepped up production we have to make time to prepare them for the freezer.
The smaller dahlias were grown from seed this year. If we manage to save some tubers, the flowers should be larger next year.
10 August: Climbing French beans – Cobra, courgette – Defender, Peas – Onward. sweet peas, potatoes – Winston, raspberries – Sugana, blackberries – Loch Ness, volunteer potatoes
Martyn lifted more potatoes. The variety Winston is prone to slug damage but still manages to produce a fair number of undamaged tubers.
Video of lifting Orla potatoes
On our visit to Nostell, I was sad to see that a large tree had been felled.
I always thought that it made the view across the lake more interesting.
I suppose they had a good reason for cutting it down but I’ll miss it.
Last week we had a wedding anniversary so instead of working on the allotment, we had a day out at Clumber Park.
Ruby always seems to know when we are arriving at our destination and is up at the window. I don’t know whether she understands the Satnav information or has an inbuilt GPS.
There were queues of cars along the access roads so we were concerned that the outdoor area of the main cafe would be full. We decided to try the small dog-friendly cafe which is a little more difficult to find. We hoped that this would be less packed. As it turned out, at first, we were the only ones there. The cafe was kitted out with dog bowls at the end of the tables which could be filled with fresh water as required. There were also carabiners next to the tables to attach dog leads. Large mounted photos of dogs lined the walls and various doggy events were advertised. It was the most dog centric eating place we have been to.
After a snack, we wandered around the kitchen garden.
We hadn’t visited this area for a while as dogs used not to be allowed. It had certainly improved since our last visit.
One of Clumber Park’s claims to fame is that it holds the National Collection of rhubarb. It has 130 varieties making it the second-largest collection in the world.
After looking around the garden and greenhose we headed for a grassy area where Ruby usually has a game of chase. Unfortunately, being the school holidays, the area was being used as a large play area so we had to find somewhere else for a game.
After the game, we set off on a walk around the lake. We started at the far side of the lake.
It was fairly windy which rippled the water.
We completed our walk in the Pleasure Garden and then sat outside of the main cafe with a cream scone.
Finally, a couple of meals that I made last week again featured courgettes.
I made a chicken pasta dish that used our spring onions along with courgettes.
Courgettes were used in a turkey curry. I also added some French beans and one or two volunteer potatoes found when we were weeding.
That’s all from me for this week so as always until next time stay safe and well.
I am again linking the Harvest Monday on Dave’s Our Happy Acres blog.
Happy Anniversary! The walled garden and those tiny apple trees are excellent, but the prize-winning photo is Ruby looking out the car window!
THanks, Belinda, Ruby loves to watch the workd go by
Congratulations on your anniversary.
Seems odd that the home of the Clumber Spaniel didn’t allow canine visitors! Glad they do now.
They were always allowed them into the park Debbie just not in the walled garden
Clumber Park looks wonderful, and a belated happy anniversary to you both. I like the look of the climbing courgette. I might look out for that one for next year. Lots of fungal disease on leaves here in the West country this year. I’m not that bothered, but there has been lots of leaves falling off. Nice job on the dahlias grown from seeds. I did that once one year when a charity were giving seed away to attract pollinators. Hopefully you’ll have some good tubers.
Courgettes always seem to succumb to mildew eventually CJ. So far the climbing or in some cases sprawling ones seem pretty cleam.
I’m growing the Tromba too (aka Tromboncino), and mine get huge if I leave them too long. I like them best about the size you picked. My vines are quite vigorous too.
Our vines are taking over, Dave