Fortunately, we were able to access the off lead area so Ruby worked off some energy chasing her ball.
The recent rain had been ideal growing conditions for fungi which Ruby was kept well away from.
Rain clouds loomed during our walk but fortunately it stayed dry.
Martyn decided that November 5 would be the best day for having a fire at the allotment. Being Bonfire Night it shouldn't upset people living in houses nearby.
He mainly wanted to burn some old twigs that had been used as pea sticks for a couple of years and were now too brittle to be of any use. Once cleared the area where they had been piled could be used for the new prunings that will result once Martyn coppiced our hazels.
Before starting to build up the bonfire we harvested a few things for use the following week.
 |
| 5 November - Leeks - Below Zero, Cabbage - Cabbice, Savoy cabbage - Cordessa, Strawberries - Albion and some mixed dahlias and chrysanthemums. |
Surprisingly despite the very low temperatures, the dahlias as still green and producing flowers.
Whilst, Martyn was busy with his fire, I did more tidying, I cleared another bed but also cut the tayberry completely to the ground. This obviously will mean no fruit next year but the canes had become really untidy. The fence which it was trained along needs some renovation work and the area around the base of the canes needs clearing. The canes are very prickly so working alongside them isn't very pleasant. I'm contemplating repeating this process every other year to try and keep the plants more manageable. As new canes grow next year, I will tie in a few of the strongest growing ones which will fruit the following year.
By the time, Martyn's fire had died down it was dark so it was a good job that we had brought a torch.
Ruby is quite a little poser and seems to know when she is being photographed. Pictured here at Nostell she hasn't a care in the world.
She was a very different dog on Bonfire Night. She usually takes the noise from fireworks in her stride and just barks at them but on Bonfire Night there was an horrendous bang that shook the house windows. I have been told that this was likely to be a firework aptly named the bomb. Whatever, it was reduced, Ruby to a quivering wreck - she was terrified and didn't calm down for the rest of the night. We're just hoping that this experience doesn't affect her long term as we had really thought the fireworks weren't going to be a problem for her. Fireworks do seem to be getting louder and I really don't understand the appeal of ones that just make a loud bang. I thought at one stage there were moves to make fireworks quieter. The problem is that fireworks are no longer confined to 5th November but continue for days. It's no fun for the animals who really don't understand what is going on.
Finally, as well as being served as side dishes, our vegetables formed a starring role in some of last week's meals.
I made a spicy vegetable and quinoa dish that incorporated an onion and our frozen peas, sweetcorn, cauliflower and green beans. It was based on this recipe but I used tikka masala paste rather than madras. Carrots, onion, potatoes and frozen peas went into a chicken stew.
I used onion, carrots, garlic and cabbage with minced turkey to make another stew - it's that time of year. It was based on this recipe.
Until next time, I hope that you have a good week and stay safe and well.
This week I am once again joining in with Dave’s Harvest Monday collection of posts over at Our Happy Acres 
Posts
Sue, Martin and you had a booster vaccination, well done. All the same, it's so calmer because there is no end to this pandemic. My family and I also had a booster in October. Although we only have the Sputnik vaccine.
ReplyDeleteI read on the wiki about Guy Fawkes Day, a very traditional and noisy holiday. Poor Ruby, I hope she will soon forget about the fireworks.
Ruby is Ok now, Nadezda - she seems to bounce back after upsetting things quite quickly. It wouldn't be so bad if it was just one night but it seems to go on for a week nowadays.
DeletePoor Ruby, I absolutely loathe fireworks, they are dreadful for animals and wildlife. At WWT Slimbridge, the lake where they feed the wild birds every day is almost empty on New Year's Day because the birds have been scared away by fireworks. The effect is ongoing, not just for half an hour. Dahlias still flowering here as well, for now. I am hoping to have my booster at the local Health Centre, which is a one-minute walk away - there and back in 15 mins the first two times. My eldest had his at a much bigger venue and it took considerably longer. As you say, it seems madness to combine walk-ins with appointments.
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of sounding like a moaning oldie, CJ - when I was a child Bonfire night was only permitted on 5 November unless this fell on a Sunday and then it was moved to either Saturday or Monday and then the focus was on the visual not the noise! I understood that they were trying to make fireworks quieter.
DeleteSame thing here in southern California - first two vaccinations in and out within ten minutes, booster shot took over an hour because walk-ins were allowed with appts like me.
ReplyDeleteSeems poor organisation all round Jane.
DeleteSorry poor Ruby had such a shock. I think we forget their hearing is a lot more sensitive too, so it might have continued to reverberate.
ReplyDeleteI have heard our local booster centre isn't so slick either. At least you've had it done.
Your right, Deborah Ruby picks up on the slightest sounds. Sometimes things we can't hear.
DeleteSorry to hear it was so difficult to get your vaccinations. I am thinking it may be a regular thing for some time to come, much like flu shots.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in the country I used to build a bonfire to get rid of garden stuff as well as other twigs and such from around the farm. Once I built one so big the local fire brigade showed up! I had it totally under control though, so they quickly left me to it.
It was more time consuming than difficult, Dave. I think you're right about it becoming an annual thing.
DeleteI smiled at the fire brigade episode.
Snap Sue - well almost! I went for my booster on Saturday afternoon back to the pharmacy where I had my second vaccination appointment which ran like clockwoork. Mine was also an appointment but I still waited for 25 minutes in strong winds and heavy rain which was not ideal. Afterwards I was asked to wait in a small mobile where I had noticed one or two people who were not wearing the requested for the occasion masks properly or not at all 😠I politely declined to do so and explained why so was allowed out as long as I waited for at least ten minutes in the car park which I did. Still it is done and on balance I think that we must be so grateful that we live in a rich country where we have the privilege of being able to have vaccinations. I wish that fireworks were silent. I knew that you would still be picking dahlias 😄
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people are so against wearing a mask, Anna it's such a simple thing to do for the sake of other people.
DeleteThe dahlias don't seem to last indoors as long now - maybe the contrast on outdoor and indoor temperatures.
I suspect we are not allowed to burn our garden refuse here in the city. Surely it would be called in and we'd be told to put the garden debris in our green bin. And the dahlias continue.
ReplyDeleteThere are fires everywhere on Bonfire Night, Sue Ours was tiny and over very quickly in comparison. We compost everything that we can and use our green bin at home or shred twigs for a mulch. Neither option is available at the allotment. Even if it was we would have needed dozens of green bins.
DeleteI’m amazed to see people still picking dahlias. The ones on our site collapsed during the couple of cold nights we had here.
ReplyDeleteSorry the vaccine didn’t go too well, but could to have had it. I had mine last week, haven’t had any reaction to it but hopefully it’s doing its job..
Poor Ruby. Sorry about the problems getting your jab. The fires do look atmospheric. P.s my previous comment hasn't shown here....maybe they are going in your spam? Snowbird.xxx
ReplyDelete