WHO NEEDS TO GO OUT SEARCHING.....

….. for blackberries when you have beauties like this in the garden?

Our thornless blackberry has been fruiting since about the second week of August, which seems rather strange, as blackberries are normally an autumn fruit and often don’t ripen until September.  Obviously the combination of the warm sunshine in July and then rain at the beginning of August has meant that they have ripened earlier than usual.  Mind you, we aren’t complaining because we now have lots in the freezer to see us through the winter months and we have good friends who have given us some of their apples, so stewed apple and blackberries makes a wonderful dessert with a large dollop of Greek No-fat yoghourt - so very healthy and at least two of our five a day!

It was worth “standing my ground” on Thursday at the hospital as Mr. HCB had a telephone call from the plastic surgeon’s secretary yesterday - they had obviously had a cancellation, so he will be going to Oxford for his day surgery next Wednesday, 2nd September.  

It will be much the same as when we go out for dinner and there is wine to drink - Mr. HCB will drive there and I will drive home!

“Autumn is the mellower season, 
     and what we lose in flowers 
          we more than gain in fruits.” 
Samuel Butler