Yesterday I made my first ever pot of borscht using garlic, onion, beetroot and red cabbage with a dash of red wine.  On the internet I found more variations of this eastern european dish than I can remember for most other recipes – some contained meat, some carrots and potatoes and many more ingredients.  In my usual (lazy) style I simplified and adapted the list to include what was to hand and just before eating I placed a dollop of soured cream on top of the soup.  So tonight, waiting for a later supper, I decided to eat my share of what remained whilst Jeremy set to work cooking the baby aubergines that he has grown in the polytunnel.

Mother duck seemed very keen to get out of her run today so I opened the gate and she took her four ducklings for a stroll in the garden.  They are now back, safe and sound, in the duck house and hope to be allowed out tomorrow.

After we had put the poultry away for the evening I called mum.  She had been playing “duplicate bridge” in a charity event to raise money for two cancer charities that give parents respite care and the children a chance for holidays with medical care.  Mum, at nearly 89, is a good player and she and her lovely partner Wendy came 8th out of 35 pairs.  Well done mum and Wendy – and the charities are £8000 better off as a result of their day out with other card players.  Roll on next year and maybe you will come 1st!