The little fella has been at The House of Commons with his mum today (permission sought and given from school) on an unofficial take your child to work day. I believe he shouted “order, order” in the chamber but as it was early in the morning no one took any notice!

I returned from lunch with mum – which is always fun – to find a little chick had hatched. More to come we hope.

J and I spent a pleasant half an hour sorting out the harvested shallots – some to use for planting in October, some to string and hang in the onion barn and some to use now and possibly pickle.

White currants with a pale pink skin.

Glossy blackcurrants

Red currants on the turn

The little quail was found outside the barn run today. She had probably found a gap in the netting and inadvertently left her comfort zone. She didn’t run away but waited patiently to be picked up and put back inside. I have reinforced the netting and hope that she will stay safe. Click below

An interesting distraction as I try to learn Spanish (absolute beginners class – lesson one) with the U3A

To pick from the hanging baskets under the pergola

The magnificent Victorian buildings in the centre of Bradford attest to a time when the city was the wool capital of Britain, with thriving mills and high rates of employment. One of my late mother in law’s cousins was a latter day mill owner who once lived well on the proceeds of the old industry.

Nowadays, with a population of over half a million, it is Britain’s seventh largest city but one where nearly 50 per cent of its children live in poverty. It was an eye opener to leave The South East bubble and travel north. The Bradford Literary Festival is an attempt to inject culture and debate into a city crying out for investment and opportunities. Good luck.

Waze says 30 minutes to Bradford Town Hall – lets go!

To hear daughter talk at the Bradford Literary Festival

Why are there NO benches on the St Neots platform?

Peterborough is busy but train is arriving soon, then it’s on to Leeds and the final change.