On the bright side we have managed to make lots of jams and pickles: apricot jam, spiced apricots, apricot, apple and cardamom chutney, bottled apricots; plum jam, spiced plums; courgette chutney and pickle – from the potager courgettes; pickled gherkins. The fruit here is so fresh and unadulterated that we have to work fast and the end product is delicious. We are also planning to do pickled walnuts from our own trees but the weather has made shinning up ladders impossible to do safely so we hope this weekend will give us a break so we can collect some green walnuts.
For the last few weeks Liz has been watching a butterfly in the top of one of the hazelnut stands. It took ages but eventually she identified it as a Lesser Purple Emperor. This week one came into the house, a male sadly he had oviously mated and his time was up. So beautiful, in certain lights the purple iridescent wings seem to glow. Sad though it is it gave us the opportunity to identify him properly and it turns out he is a male Lesser Purple Emperor, form clytie (Apatura Ilia f. clytie; Fr: Petit mars changeant).
Next week is supposed to improve a bit; this cold wet weather is very unusual at this time of year and has caused more than the normal havoc with our internet connection. So we are looking forward to next week![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=”custom” accent_color=”#deead0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Perhaps you would like to know…
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Hi I’m sure it will reap its reward for all your hard work and patience , I’m so pleased you are happy margie you so deserve it, look forward to reading the next blog happy days xxxxx
Hi margie Gosh I can’t believe how much you have achieved in such a short time, it all looks wonderful but I’m sure it’s jolly hard work I am really enjoying reading your blog and the pics take care xx
Hi Diana, yes, it is a lot of work but we love it. And, as you know, everything here takes such a long time but we are learning to be patient. Mx