a really entertaining blog Sue and Martyn although there are for obvious reasons a dearth of steam trains, glad to see Ruby is getting on and not chasing the geese
Glad you made the most of your day out, and most interested in your analysis of raspberry problem. Our first Victoria plums are just ripening and our Joan J should be starting soon if yours are, but might just refuse to given the cold wet weather currently.
So happy for you that you managed a day out at the home of the Clumber Spaniel. Lovely looking rainbow harvest, and I am off now to click on your recipe links. Always looking for something fresh and different to try.
Our blackberries are often colored like that with tan spots, but I always put it down to the heat or to sunburn. We haven't been on any real outings here in months, except for a trip to the orchard last week to get some already picked peaches.
Yes, Dave I did read that blackberries can suffer from sunburn but it said this happened when the temperature was 32C or 90F and above and the berries were in sun. Apparently only the side of the fruit facing the sun is scalded. We don’t usually get such high temperatures here. We had a couple of days above that this year but it didn’t coincide with the blackberry problem and also affected fruits facing away from the sun,
Actually the problem you're having with blackberries is sunscald. Very often when temperatures are over 28°C blackberries start turning white on the parts where the sun hits them. After they turn white if left drupelets start drying and look exactly as the ones in your photo. You can actually see on the berry in the bottom left corner how it's white from the sunscald. The solution is to harvest them more often. You've probably seen that I harvest my blackberries every 2 days, when the temperatures are over 35°C even every day. The reason is precisely this, if I leave them more than 24h I'll find a bunch of blackberries with white stains or even dried bits.
All three problems look similar Ana but when the problem first occurred we had low temperatures and dull weather. It certainly wasn’t hot enough for sunscald. Also the berries on what would be the shady side if it had been sunny were most affected. We have had warmer weather recently and the blackberries that we are picking now are unaffected.
Your outing sounds wonderful, how delightful it must have been to have a break in the routine. I've been on only one outing in the past 5 months and am feeling a bit cooped up. Now we're in the middle of a heat wave and it's unbearable to be outside for more than a few minutes so I'm feeling even more caged in.
It was quite strange to be out, Michelle as there were so many protocols in place but it made a change. We had a mini heatwave that lasted a cou-le of days.
I am sure your outing was good for all of you. Ruby looks quite excited at seeing the ducks. Having an outing like that makes home seem even more like a haven than a jail. Your harvest looks fabulous and the casserole looks delicious.
Delighted to hear your outing went well for you all, Sue. I can imagine your apprehension, I would have been the same. Sounds like you certainly make the most of your produce. Do you both cook? Thinking its a creative kitchen. Your mini munch cucumber got the thumbs up for taste by one of the presenters on this week's Beechgrove Garden tv programme (not sure you can see that anymore).
We do both cook, Shirley. When we were working, Martyn did just about all the cooking whilst I did my marking and lesson prep, now we both take a turn. We tend to have at least three vegetable based meals a week. We gave up on red meat about three years ago. We do still watch Beechgrove but have a couple of weeks to catch up on.
Last year's new Cobra seed produced weak plants and few beans,whereas this year I pre-sprouted the "old" seed and have strong plants and a mass of beans! Usually the Blackbirds devour my Summer rasberries and leave the Autumn ones for me,but this year it seems to be the other way round.
Cobras done well for us in the two or three years that we have grown it, David. I don;t think the yellow autumn raspberries attract our birds, They must prefer red,
Lovely post, great to hear you had a fab, safe day out and Ruby got to see pastures new, it's good she's ok in the car, Annie was sick for years! Interesting reading the follow up re the blackberries. I just loved that biryani and shepherds pie, I'll be giving those a go, I usually put vegan mince in my shepherds pie, even hubs likes that. Wonderful harvests as always.xxx
Ruby loves riding in the car she can't get in quickly enough, Dina. It's amusing watching her reactions to new things. I use green lentils in my veggie shepherd pie. I was a bit nervous using the quinoa in the biryani but it worked. We're not really vegetarian, although we don't eat any red or processed meat and have at least three veggie meals each week.
Oh that sounds a good trip out Sue. You must be pleased that Ruby travels well. As you say people avoiding is a priority now 😢 We've only had two excursions out since the lockdown as lifted. We took sandwiches and a drink with us on the first but had a cake and coffee on the second in an outdoor area adjoining a cafe. We were the only people sitting there under the shelter of a big parasol whilst the rain fell. Everyone else was indoors in the cafe but we were more relaxed being outdoors. Your shepherd's pie with alternative topping looks most yummy.
The problem seems to be when some people start to let their guard down, Anna. It's easy to momentarily forget and edge closer to people. Strangely we haven't ever had a dog that doesn't like car travel or trains for that matter. Maybe poodles are good travelers.
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment - it is great to hear from you and know that there are people out there actually reading what I write! Come back soon. (By the way any comments just to promote a commercial site, or any comments not directly linked to the theme of my blog, will be deleted) I am getting quite a lot of spam. It is not published and is just deleted. I have stopped sifting through it and just delete any that ends up in my spam folder in one go so I am sorry if one of your messages is deleted accidentally. Comments to posts over five days old are all moderated.
a really entertaining blog Sue and Martyn although there are for obvious reasons a dearth of steam trains, glad to see Ruby is getting on and not chasing the geese
ReplyDeleteThanks, David. Ruby tends to only chase balls.
DeleteGlad you made the most of your day out, and most interested in your analysis of raspberry problem. Our first Victoria plums are just ripening and our Joan J should be starting soon if yours are, but might just refuse to given the cold wet weather currently.
ReplyDeleteDon’t forget to cut the plums in half before eating, Mal🤢
DeleteSo happy for you that you managed a day out at the home of the Clumber Spaniel. Lovely looking rainbow harvest, and I am off now to click on your recipe links. Always looking for something fresh and different to try.
ReplyDeleteI use the BBC Good Food site a lot, Deborah. I collect the recipes that I like and copy them to a darabase on my iPad.
DeleteOur blackberries are often colored like that with tan spots, but I always put it down to the heat or to sunburn. We haven't been on any real outings here in months, except for a trip to the orchard last week to get some already picked peaches.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dave I did read that blackberries can suffer from sunburn but it said this happened when the temperature was 32C or 90F and above and the berries were in sun. Apparently only the side of the fruit facing the sun is scalded. We don’t usually get such high temperatures here. We had a couple of days above that this year but it didn’t coincide with the blackberry problem and also affected fruits facing away from the sun,
DeleteActually the problem you're having with blackberries is sunscald. Very often when temperatures are over 28°C blackberries start turning white on the parts where the sun hits them. After they turn white if left drupelets start drying and look exactly as the ones in your photo. You can actually see on the berry in the bottom left corner how it's white from the sunscald. The solution is to harvest them more often. You've probably seen that I harvest my blackberries every 2 days, when the temperatures are over 35°C even every day. The reason is precisely this, if I leave them more than 24h I'll find a bunch of blackberries with white stains or even dried bits.
ReplyDeleteAll three problems look similar Ana but when the problem first occurred we had low temperatures and dull weather. It certainly wasn’t hot enough for sunscald. Also the berries on what would be the shady side if it had been sunny were most affected. We have had warmer weather recently and the blackberries that we are picking now are unaffected.
DeleteYour outing sounds wonderful, how delightful it must have been to have a break in the routine. I've been on only one outing in the past 5 months and am feeling a bit cooped up. Now we're in the middle of a heat wave and it's unbearable to be outside for more than a few minutes so I'm feeling even more caged in.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite strange to be out, Michelle as there were so many protocols in place but it made a change. We had a mini heatwave that lasted a cou-le of days.
DeleteI am sure your outing was good for all of you. Ruby looks quite excited at seeing the ducks. Having an outing like that makes home seem even more like a haven than a jail. Your harvest looks fabulous and the casserole looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteRuby is permanently excited, Lisa. At least we have been getting out to go to the allotment.
DeleteDelighted to hear your outing went well for you all, Sue. I can imagine your apprehension, I would have been the same. Sounds like you certainly make the most of your produce. Do you both cook? Thinking its a creative kitchen. Your mini munch cucumber got the thumbs up for taste by one of the presenters on this week's Beechgrove Garden tv programme (not sure you can see that anymore).
ReplyDeleteWe do both cook, Shirley. When we were working, Martyn did just about all the cooking whilst I did my marking and lesson prep, now we both take a turn. We tend to have at least three vegetable based meals a week. We gave up on red meat about three years ago. We do still watch Beechgrove but have a couple of weeks to catch up on.
DeleteThank you for the information about the blackberries. I wonder if this could be a contributing factor for our problems with marionberries.
ReplyDeleteIt seems similar problem affect all the drupe family Sue
DeleteLast year's new Cobra seed produced weak plants and few beans,whereas this year I pre-sprouted the "old" seed and have strong plants and a mass of beans! Usually the Blackbirds devour my Summer rasberries and leave the Autumn ones for me,but this year it seems to be the other way round.
ReplyDeleteCobras done well for us in the two or three years that we have grown it, David. I don;t think the yellow autumn raspberries attract our birds, They must prefer red,
DeleteLovely post, great to hear you had a fab, safe day out and Ruby got to see pastures new, it's good she's ok in the car, Annie was sick for years! Interesting reading the follow up re the blackberries. I just loved that biryani and shepherds pie, I'll be giving those a go, I usually put vegan mince in my shepherds pie, even hubs likes that. Wonderful harvests as always.xxx
ReplyDeleteRuby loves riding in the car she can't get in quickly enough, Dina. It's amusing watching her reactions to new things. I use green lentils in my veggie shepherd pie. I was a bit nervous using the quinoa in the biryani but it worked. We're not really vegetarian, although we don't eat any red or processed meat and have at least three veggie meals each week.
DeleteOh that sounds a good trip out Sue. You must be pleased that Ruby travels well. As you say people avoiding is a priority now 😢 We've only had two excursions out since the lockdown as lifted. We took sandwiches and a drink with us on the first but had a cake and coffee on the second in an outdoor area adjoining a cafe. We were the only people sitting there under the shelter of a big parasol whilst the rain fell. Everyone else was indoors in the cafe but we were more relaxed being outdoors. Your shepherd's pie with alternative topping looks most yummy.
ReplyDeleteThe problem seems to be when some people start to let their guard down, Anna. It's easy to momentarily forget and edge closer to people. Strangely we haven't ever had a dog that doesn't like car travel or trains for that matter. Maybe poodles are good travelers.
Delete