Mabel was hiding, quietly, under the table and Nigel made himself scarce!

It was Heather who suggested that we put two goose eggs under two broody bantams just as her father used to do when Heather was a child. It seems that old country ways work best.

The girls also had cuddles with some of the chicks and picked some plums.

But Nigel does. Indeed he does.

Plenty of jam making this week

Last year I heard a radio programme where a participant talked about the prolific Tromboncino squash plant. Jeremy sourced and ordered some seeds and grew these amazing plants. Huge green leaves cover and spread out, vine like, in the area where they are planted and underneath the squash begins to grow.

At first small, they quickly grow and can reach three foot long. We pick them at about a foot in length and cook them in dishes that recommend courgettes.

I like the texture of the tromboncino and it’s delicate taste and when I make courgette soup I use a mixture of both squashes. It is a native of Italy and thrives in hot weather but is happy in rain as well. Buon appetito!

I don’t think so but your photos of

rubbish in the streets of North London did make me laugh. Sending them each morning to your patient wife is not a great romantic gesture!. Lucky that she has a sense of humour.