General Chat

On Sunday, in glorious sunshine, we went to a Garden Show, one of the Aztec ones that are quite good. I got two free tickets from the newspaper so was pleased we didn't have to pay as we got there late as usual, and some of the stalls were actually packing up. Seems the first two days of the show were good but with such nice weather yesterday I think families went to the coast instead as the stall holders were saying they hadn't done very well. Several last minute bargains to be had if you wanted, we saw some wonderful Scandinavian wooden winter huts and bamboo garden rooms without walls, etc, all for those with big gardens and healthy bank balances but interesting nevertheless. I would have no problem spending a good win on the lottery once I had the house and large garden sorted out, lol, at one of these shows.
There was a stall selling strawberries and cream and while I was looking round a craft tent, the lad came in and was giving away plastic cups of strawberries topped with cream to the stall holders, he thought I was one too and gave me some lol I tried to refuse, honest, but he said Oh take them anyway I can't sell all these now so might as well give them away. Later on I walked past his stall and he said did you enjoy the strawberries, would you like some more, and he gave me a whole punnet full lol
Not bad eh, free entry to the show, free strawberries, and o.h. got a new watering can for £4 to replace the one he fell on and crushed the other day, hurting his knee in the process !
I have eaten more strawberries this year than I have for a long time, these ones were really tiny ones and very tasty. They taste even better cos they were free!
Lizx

Thats the way to have a nice day, Liz. I too love stawberries,

I have just sent you a P.M.

love Jean x

Purple, glad you had such a good time. If the strawberries were the tiny ones, chances are they were the Alpine Strawberry. I had some plants of these given to me about four years ago, and I planted them a hanging basket, on the top, and in pockets around the side, the same as you would any plant. They have come to life every year since, and I usually pick a few as I am watering them and the tomatoes next to them. They are delicious, arn't they.
Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Julia in Derbyshire

My wife and I have just been for a walk in the Derbyshire countryside and returned with two ice cream containers full of blackberries. This is a great time of the year. Going to put some in a pie or crumble with a bramley apple, the rest we will freeze.

Hope you all enjoy this reasonable spell of weather and manage to get out in the fresh air.

Bernie

Bernie my Boy, My OH has just gone down to the allotment to pick some wild ones for me. I shall be doing the same as you with mine. Have made a pan of Leek and Potatoe Soup this morning with left -over leeks from yesterday's dinner, grown by OH. We will have some tonight, as we like a meatless meal on a Monday, and freeze the rest. Afters are a fresh baked Egg Custard Tart, with some fresh berry and peaches fruit salad I have made. I do not know where I would be without both my deep freezers.
Hope both you and your wife enjoyed your walk in this fair county of mine.
Julia in Derbyshire

You must try Staffordshire sometime. Its not all potteries and the black country. After all, one half of Dovedale is in Staffs.

Enjoy your Leek and potato soup.

Julia, I think they were the same as the Alpine strawberries, very tasty tho

I felt very peckish when I read about all your lovely foodstuffs, I do have some potatoes growing in a couple of pots, they grew on their own from bits of potato peel in the compost lol

Lizx