The door has blown off the small shed. As the roof is made of asbestos (I recently discovered) I wanted to be rid of it anyway but I am anxious about getting the top off safely. 

The "usual" view from the main thoroughfare. The sycamore still has most of its leaves. 

The super-tall early purp is looking a little sorry for itself. I was going to take the cage down to keep it out of the Winterr weather, but if i do i'm going to have to put something pretty substantial up to support these. 

Some pics of Joanne's Brilliant Brown Bread which may help with what to expect....

The dough after kneading for 5 minutes in the bowl....

....and after the first rising in the airing cupboard. 

Split into two and ready to rise again. 

If the fire isn't too hot I usually use that for the second rising. 

The finished article!!! As you can see the loaves do melt in to one another and have to be torn apart before they cool. I usually cut and eat one of the torn edges while it is still hot - always the best slice... You could always make the bread in loaf tins instead to keep them under control a bit more.

I had a visitor in the greenhouse today. It was rather agitated and flapping at the glass trying to get out. 

It kept quite still as I picked it up from the back of the greenhouse and carried it carefully outside. When I opened my hand it fluttered a few feet to the Artichokes as if nothing had happened. I felt it's heart beating like a little steam engine though - it can't have been a very relaxing experience. Still, all's well that ends well! 

I'd never noticed before what beautiful dark eyes Robins have. A-hem did you see the match last night.... 

The Sweetcorn really need getting rid of soon. I am beginning to feel the Autumn tidy-up is getting away from me fast. 

This looks a lot more sorted. Hopefully the ground cover will keep the weeds in check in Spring when they would normally get a head start before I've noticed. 

The one that got away! 

From this.... 

....to this! 

The 'usual' view on a foggy November morning. Brrr! 

Lots of tidying up I should be getting on with. 

Is there any place on earth as cold and wet as a cold wet allotment in Winter?  

I broke up all the shed that had been mouldering behind the big shed for the last year or so.  

Here is a closer look! (Re below) 

Joanne's Brilliant Brown Bread Recipe

Ingredients:
1 lb Strong Brown Bread Flour (I use Wholemeal)
2 lb Strong White bread Flour
1 tbs Salt
Toasted Sesame Oil
1 tbs Black Treacle
Hand Hot Water (About one and a half pints)
2 sachets dried yeast

Method:
Sieve flours and salt together in a large bowl.
Add a dollop of toasted sesame oil.
Mix in the yeast.
Add treacle to the water and mix in.
Knead for 5 minutes. (I do it in the bowl)
Leave to rise in a warm place for one hour until doubled in size. (Covered with a clean tea towel)
Knock back, quick knead & shape into 2 loaves.
Place on a greased baking sheet.
Leave to rise 20 - 30 minutes.
Bake 230 degrees (Gas mark 8) for 35 - 40 mins.
Cool on a rack.

This may seem like a bit of a faff but actually it's dead easy as all the mixing & kneading etc I do in the bowl itself so there's hardly any mess. The sesame oil and the treacle smell fantastic, and the only real problem is if you are trying to lose a few pounds as I am at the moment (well OK then a stone or so) the bread is very tempting. On the plus side though it is satisfying and filling so I find I'm not so tempted by chocolate and the like in between.

Darren : "What in blue blazes am I doing sitting on a flagstone down the allotment having my picture taken when I could be snug and warm in front of the fire reading Computeractive?"

"Oh well I suppose I'd better make myself useful.... Sue's tea had better be worth it!" (Note from Mike: If you see anyone else picking beans in pristine black leather gloves please let me know!)

Didn't he do well!!!