Mum, my brother Michael and I are grateful for the support of friends and family (and comments on the blog) over the course of the last week.
We have celebrated dad’s life, which was lived to the full, and he will live on in our many wonderful memories.

Now I am home at the Gables and so much has changed in little over a week. There are ripe damsons on the tree by the side gate

The bright red flowers of the bean plants are turning into tiny runner beans that will soon be ready to eat or to make into our favourite chutney.

Inside the polytunnel the first peppers have appeared

The aubergines are flowering

The oranges are setting

And tomatoes are ripening

We made a mercy mission just now to Lower Staughton for stock nuts, sheep mix and bird seed. The animals have noticed that I am home but mostly because they saw the sacks of food and hope that they will be fed tonight!
I too hope that I can eat the plethora of produce that is sitting on the counter in the kitchen. Courgettes, broad beans, cucumbers, shallots and French beans. I think I had better roll up my sleeves and get cooking.