We have picked a third of the Bramleys. Now I need to check them over and wrap and store only the perfect specimens

Two of her three great grandchildren

And my brother and sis in law also have a visit from their great niece and nephew

With thanks to the hens – and to the husband (who grew all the vegetables and prepared and served them).

The sweet white wine was pronounced “undrinkable” by husband and son in law (true it was cheap at Tesco three years ago). But I refused to get rid of the bottles and today I have used two of them to make a delicious dish of poached pears in wine syrup.

As are the leeks

And we picked a handful of chillis from the poly tunnel – more chutney later

Honey cakes cooking, apple cakes cooking

I need a cuppa!

Defrosting the house kitchen freezer. But there’s no escaping the layer of ice that needs to be removed. Hot water speeds the process and trays catch the dripping water. Once it’s done I will get on with baking apple cakes and honey cakes and poaching pears in wine. Into the freezer they will go.

Improves the colour of the latest batch of plum jam.

Jeremy had to climb to the top of the ladder to reach the dark skinned fruits. We plan to prune the tree this year so that we can pick more easily next year.

They were slow starters but now the goslings love the water