Self-Sufficiency in Style
june 2002 diary
Strawberry Time
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Self-Sufficiency in Style june 2002 diary
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Strawberry Time |
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We were pleased to see our first olive forming. The tree was moved to a
polytunnel after being cosseted all winter in the conservatory. It was
covered in blossom and is starting to produce fruit.
We must be "pushing our luck" in expecting anything worthwhile this far north, but who knows? |
The first olive |
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The raw material for home-made marzipan |
Almonds are often said to be a waste of time, but we have 20 to 30 nuts already
on a very young tree.
We have had worthwhile crops in the south of England before. |
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Peaches can be prolific fruiters too, if you can escape leaf curl.
We have had good peaches in England in the past, but this year here, the peach got badly affected and although it recovered it has no fruit. The related nectarine got the same problem and still looks a mess, as does the Chinese peach for the second year running. |
Recovering and still very sick |
Better than shopping! |
The garden is now producing almost all vegetables. We very rarely go shopping nowadays. We have been eating strawberries for the last couple of weeks and expect to be in full supply by Wimbledon fortnight. |
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The annual sheep shearing has been completed.
Feet were trimmed the day before and close inspection of two of the ewes confirmed that, as expected, they were not in lamb. The ram was a young one, but we are not too worried. We have enough for our purposes. So lambing is over for the year too. |
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Despite appearances... |
Cheese-making continues with great enthusiasm.
The smaller of the two cheeses was bandaged in cheesecloth rather than waxed. The rind went very mouldy and we are still a little uncertain of ourselves, so we tasted; just to see if all was well. Far too early, of course, but it was fine. A good Cheddar taste. We already have three months supply in store and are now moving on to Gouda, Emmenthal and Parmesan styles. Mozzarella and other soft cheeses we will make on an occasional basis. |
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As we move towards midsummer, the long, far from lazy, days, begin. Lunches on the terrace and dinner there too, even breakfast after milking has been completed. The table and kitchen become full of the good things produced here. The range of food increases and we begin a frantic effort to process and store the produce. |
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Dairying is in full flood, occasionally literally.
Butter, of course and cream for the soft fruit. The cheeses begin to mount. |
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Tasted and approved. |
We checked the cheese, by tasting very carefully with a couple of ports as
the traditional accompaniment. It needs to be a little harder and a little more mature, but we are confident enough for the production line to go into full swing. |
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Brewing too is well under way.
The first batch went flat because we had an air-leak in the barrel, but with good advice we rescued this, and it was judged very acceptable by son and best friend. Praise indeed! So, a second batch is brewing now. A good day has to be chosen. Mrs P is not enthusiastic about brewing in the kitchen. To be absolutely honest, she is not too keen on the writer in the kitchen either... |
The "cellar in the barn." |
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...but was bribed with access to the strawberries. She found enough to make herself ill. There are some things that coupled with Jersey cream, no woman can resist. Alas, the writer's brewing is not one of them. |
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The sheer abundance of food and the quality bring daily temptations. Although it is June, thoughts of the TV series "Darling Buds of May" come to mind. Even more so, as it was set in the writer's childhood home of Kent, amongst the hop fields, fruit orchards and oasthouses, at the time when he was growing up there - the fifties. H.E. Bates' book was adapted for television. His many short-stories are a worthwhile read for anyone interested in self-sufficiency and life in the country. Gluttony is now officially banned. Today, the writer got out his long forgotten suits in preparation for a wedding. It was a chastening experience, bringing a big smile to Mrs P's face. Chasing cows and sheep about does wonders for a lass's figure. Home brewing does not bring the same benefits to a man. |
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We have been continuing our attempts to grow fruit and vegetables not
always so common in England.
Some will produce here, given enough effort, others may produce if we are lucky and some, we simply do not know. |
Kiwi fruits are blooming for the first time. |
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The fig by the back door has fruit. |
Figs have been successfully grown in England for hundreds of years... but they like a warm spot. |
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Some are decidedly odd. Okra (or Ladies Fingers) gives an unusual
vegetable.
Kiwano (or Horned African Melon) presents a challenge. |
Kiwano and Okra |
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Kitchen colours. |
As midsummer arrives and passes, the overwhelming feeling is one of
lushness and plenty, of colour and ripeness and of long, long days working
outside, preserving and preparing.
There is little time to write or read or watch television. Hard work, but worth it. |
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Working away at the carelessly named Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner. |
