We’re Only Half Way There

The year has tipped, half gone. But that half has seemed a year in itself: two months of non-stop water; two months of non-stop drought; and now the timeless background of living in our self-contained little world in even greater immersion than we normally do.

When the flora starts fruiting

we know that they see their year as over.

And as the days start shortening

we know what they mean.

This wren

like other birds, is filling up its last brood

ready to leave the nest

and the Jay

has time on her hands to clear the feeders.

After a shaky start the rabbit breeding plan is taking off

and has led us to grow things never before cultivated here

provisions for rabbit salad

not to be confused with ours

we argue over the fennel

Our crops seem to take longer to come to fruition, courgettes beginning to form

the first aubergine flowers

cucumbers climbing

beetroot almost ready

beans on the rise

leeks ready in the winter

We have been enjoying the peas

and the cherries

plus the wine making apparatus is being dusted down

So, come rain

or shine

we enter the downward slope of the year in good spirits.