Windmill was a hive of activity today, with lots of happy volunteers, and some young visitors who also worked like mad. The aim of the day was to make sure we harvested all the crops that are ready, sowed some final root crops and got the potato bed ready for another go around with Autumn crops. We also hoped to do some tidying up in the shed, but the forecast suggested rain in the afternoon, so we settled for clearing up the area around the keyhole bed. We'll need to bite the bullet and sort out the shed soon though - it looks as if there was an explosion in there!
At the moment, the fruit cage seems to be doubling as the local ant disco, but Dean was wearing heavy boots and tight trousers, so he dived in and did a great job collecting the lovely ripe fruit that was waiting. Guy elected to pick strawberries, undeterred by the possible presence of the frog that was patrolling the bed on Monday, and which surprised Komal!
 |
Dean braves the fruit cage, currently home to
the national collection of ants. |
Meanwhile, Brian was inducted into the select group that can use the scythe. He quickly got the hang of it, clearing the grass around the keyhole bed and the benches in strimmer-quick time. Joyce brought along her son Finlay to help out too, and he did a grand job moving Brian's clearings to the various compost piles.
Finlay also helped Guy with the watering, and they made a quick job of it. Just as well, since the blazing sun quickly made the polytunnel more like a sauna. Hassan tackled the potato bed job, so we now have a beautifully weeded and fertilised patch ready for the new spuds to go in.
 |
Guy and Finlay after they survived
watering duty. |
Dean had to leave early, but we made sure he took a good selection of fruit and veg. He's looking forward to his Mum making something delicious with it. We're looking forward to teaching him more recipes to so he can give her a night off next time.
 |
| Dean with his harvest |
We planned a meal of Pakoras, so we were delighted when Komala arrived to help us harvest the Nepali Saag that she brought the seed for, and to show us how to cook it. She came with her two boys (off school due to the teachers' strike), and they quickly got involved.
 |
| Komala gets garlic ready to go in the Saag |
 |
| A lesson in slicing cucumber from big brother |
We also got some fresh chutneys. Komal brought a Pakistani touch to her mint chutney, and Komala's eldest made sure we had a cucumber and cumin version. It all made for a really good meal that was much enjoyed by everyone. The Saag was simply cooked with garlic and tasted wonderful. Sitting in the sun enjoying tasty food. It's a hard life at Windmill!
 |
| Komal chops mint for a fresh chutney |
 |
| Enjoying lunch! |
No comments:
Post a Comment