Just one visit again to the allotment last week. We chose the brightest day but it was also one of the coldest days of autumn so far. The temperature plummeted and although it was a sunny afternoon, our plot was in shade. At this time of year, only plots along one edge of the site enjoy the benefit of any sunshine. The rest of the plots are in the shade of a row of enormous leylandii growing in a neighbouring garden. This means that we don’t benefit from any small amount of warmth that the sun provides and work on the plot is unpleasant, even when wrapped up in multiple layers of clothing.
Our visit was purely to collect some vegetables to use during the following week. As most are underground it was fortunate that the ground wasn’t frozen. 
We lifted a couple of leeks.
We also dug up some parsnips. The first one was rather small so we anticipated that it would be necessary to lift quite a few. Then the next parsnip, to leave the ground, was quite a monster weighing in at just over 1.3kg (just under 3lb). We decided that the two of them would provide plenty of parsnip for the week. 
It just shows how unhelpful it is when recipes call for one parsnip.
We also cut a cabbage. Harvests look very much the same each week at this time of year. It’s just as well that we have plenty of vegetables stored at home..
We posted a videeo here
Moving away from the allotment we still managed to fit some walkies in.
Although some trees are determinedly hanging on to their leaves, it’s beginning to look a lot like winter.
In many areas, the ground is covered by a carpet of leaves which Ruby loves to trot through.
It makes collecting her deposits challenging to say the least.
At the beginning of the week, Ruby wore a lightweight coat to keep her body dry but by the end of the week, she needed her winter coat.
At Nostell, they leave lots of sections of tree trunks on the ground and various plants colonise these. At this time of year, there are plenty of fungi. I’m not very good at identifying fungi but I believe the ones pictured below are bracket fungi,
I think the ones in the top photos are smoky bracket fungi and the ones below are turkey tail fungi. If anyone knows better I am happy to be corrected.
You may have thought that the title of my post refers to the leeks and parsnips that we harvested, but I am happy to report that it refers to the fact that, at last, we spotted both adult swans on the main lake. They were by the waterfall shown in the header photo but are impossible to make out so as proof I zoomed in.
We were concerned that something had happened to at least one of the swans and were really glad to see them both. I’m guessing that all the cygnets have left to join a group of non-breeding swans.
Finally a couple of last week’s meals. I made a chicken, leek and pea ‘cottage’ pie which used some of our potatoes, leeks and some of our frozen peas. I made my own cheese sauce rather than using a packet mix.
t the beginning oF he week I started with a sore throaf that gradually became worse, Now as I type it has become a full blown cold.
Just an aside a couple of Fridays ago, I ordered repeat prescription for Ruby and me. Ruby’s parasite prevention was ready the next day – Saturday. I had to wait a week for my eyedops as I needed to allow four working days.
I hope as always you manage to stay safe and well
Lovely pics. So pleased to hear all is well with the swans. How sweet Ruby looks in her winter coat. Loving the fungi.xxx
Even more swans this week, Dina
En guise de remerciement pour la visite que vous avez rendu à mon blog, je voudrais déposer ici mon avis à la fois sur votre site et sur les lopins de terre que vous cultivez. J’ai parcouru votre blog et j’ai été ravi aussi bien par le paysage exotique que par les variétés de légumes que vous cultivez. Comme je partage moi-même cette passion du jardinage, j’ai été enchanté par la découverte de votre terre. Pardonnez-moi d’écrire en français; je ne sais que quelques mots d’anglais.
Pas de probleme. Nous sommes passes beaucoup de vacances en France dans la compagne et je parle francais un peut. Pas couramment mais asses pour les vacances. Je ne comprends pas parce que je n’ai jamais visite votre blog mais je vous remercie pour votre commentaire.
Qué bueno el frío, hacía años que no celebraba con tantas ganas su llegada (este año en Canarias hemos tenido DEMASIADO calor)
Delicioso tu cachito de tierra, disfrútala mucho!
besitosssss
El verano aquí fue decepcionante.
Es una pena que no podamos compartir el clima para que todos lo tengamos perfecto, lopillas
Good harvest of vegetables, with cold weather it becomes more difficult to harvest.
A brilliant selection of photos showing the progress of autumn.
I’m glad the swans are well
Your meal looks delicious.
I wish you a speedy recovery.
Thank you for your visit Maria. I’m gradually getting better
Thank you Maria I’ve just a bit of s cough noe
What a beautiful place! The cake looks delicious. Greetings
Thank you Carmen
Ugh, sorry you’re feeling poorly.
It’s so cold, really not feeling like moving far.
The waterfall is lovely.
It seems to have been a good year for parsnips.
Stay in, get well soon
bitter here too, and of course we aren’t used to it being this cold so early. Bird bath frozen over for three days now. Everything came in two by two, the leeks, the parsnips and the swans!
Yes, I did think the title of your post related to the leeks and parsnips. Glad that both swans are doing okay. Have you had snow overnight? We’ve had our first sprinkle, it’s so cold today.
The weather has turned cold here too, and only greens are left in the garden. Thankfully the greenhouse lettuce is slowly growing and should be ready to eat soon.