Autumn

We've now eaten our way through the entire crop from the small pear tree on the allotment. I am never too sure when is the right time to pick pears, they need to be gathered before they ripen on the tree If you leave it too late the texture and taste is no good. Too early and they never ripen. I thought for a while that I had done the latter as the fruits felt hard, but, no, after a while they ripened up and tasted delicious. I've top dressed the tree with a well-rotted bag of horse manure by way of a thank you.

We've had a delivery of wood and it is stacked in the garage ready for the cold months ahead. It feels quite cold today, the stove is lit!

I had a quick visit to the allotment to harvest some beetroot and the last of the tomatoes.I need to get to work and tidy the place up, it is looking shambolic. I'm not alone, there are many plots in need of attention. I think people found the long drought very discouraging. The ground is still dry. Do I plant some broad beens now in case we have a gentle winter or do I just wait until next spring? While I dither I'm waiting for a delivery of tulips to plant up in large pots, Just the thought of them makes me happy. The sun is low in the sky now and small shafts spotlight random objects in the rooms. The oak leaves are falling and I sweep them up each day to add to the compost. I like these quiet days. It is a gentle slide into the winter months.