We've just started harvesting the Raspberries (Autumn Bliss & Allgold) despite the ravages of convolvulus.  

I picked 9lb of mainly purple french beans yesterday, as well as these runner beans (Lady Di) weighing at least as much. 

I picked the first corn of the year yesterday. Tragically we haven't eaten it yet but I picked two more today & we'll have them tomorrow. 

Things are becoming a little clearer today. I cut some of the bits for the beds as well for a quick start next time I'm down there. 

Oops! I don't know how this happened but I seem to be taking up the central path. I have tentatively decided to replace the flags with g'cover & woodchip rather than re-laying them over groundcover. I intend to use the flags at the far end of the plot next to the small shed to make a hard working area. By rights this post should be full of loving shots of Desiree potatoes as I have spent some time during the last couple of days digging and sorting them. The growing under groundcover has been a success so all being well I'll do that with all the potatoes from now on. 

Another sunflower picture. 

That view yet again!! 

We have picked a lot of beans today on the way home from taking the Wedding Cake to Ribby Hall for Juliet & Darren. Had them for tea with Charlotte potatoes and Scallops from the fish market in Fleetwood. Sue did something brilliant with the potatoes and garlic amongst other things. 

This Sunflower has grown very tall! 

This view again!!! 

Can you see the sunflower in the distance? It is closely related to the Jerusalem Artichokes which grow in front of the shed. Also to the daisy. 

Another view. 

It's amazing what a difference mowing the lawn makes. Dad dropped the lawnmower back off from a session at the caravan this afternoon so I cut it in passing, as it were. 

I've started work on the beds to the front right that have fallen to pieces. The idea is to transplant the leeks from the seedbed frame. I'm not sure if these will be ready in time though - they might have to go in elsewhere. Jack gave me some winter cauliflower plants today (sorry no image) which he says will be ready in around March/April. "Everyone else has had some so you may as well." He suggested a piece of rhubarb in the planting hole to ward off clubroot, somethinf I used to do when I first got the allotment but not recently. As it turned out I forgot to do it but I am treating them as just heeled in for the time being as I really want them under groundcover. The advantage with the overwintered cauli seems to be the complete lack of caterpillars whilst the curds are developing. Sounds intriguing! 

This angle probably gives a better view of what needs to be done. 

While we were on holiday in London with Peter and Marcia for the week the weeds grew and grew...but we got a lot of potatoes... 

...and Shallots... 

...and Courgettes (or marrows if you prefer!!!).