Whilst time is moving on, we are managing to maintain some kind of task completion list
despite the restrictions and unpredictable weather that has been causing delays and problems with planting out. Above is our first picking of Asparagus has been a highlight this year, and it is still early.
Although April was sunny and dry, it was also cold and frosty which brought its own problems for gardeners throughout the country. Loraine struggled with the cold start to the year and worked hard to keep everything on track and with her great efforts, we have not suffered too much in either delays or failures. Now it has become warmer, although wetter, we have caught up with the gardening tasks for the coming summer season.
We had already had a few pickings of our Asparagus crowns and they were certainly worth the wait! Although we are limited to how many we pick this year we can take a good few to enjoy their sublime flavour and we are enjoying them immensely. Here is a photo of one crop we took to enjoy with the salmon dish we put together. I’m sure you will agree that they look delicious. Asparagus is best eaten as soon as possible once picked which is what we did. We look forward to many years of cropping.
Also coming in now and looking very promising are our pickings of strawberries that are turning ripe even without the sun being present much. These too are absolutely delicious and juicy with a taste that is bar-none! And we have many pickings of these wonderful fruits to come over the next month or so.
Strawberries at their best, ripe and juicy with masses of flavour! NO shop can beat this offering.
Paul has been busy with the building of the Hut and it has come on leaps and bounds with the dry weather allowing him to steam ahead and complete it before time.
This view is of the South side of the hut to the left and the East side to the right.
Here the wooden floor has been laid and the cladding is being done to make it more weatherproof. The roof has already
been completed with plywood and has its rubber skin to make it water-tight.
From these photos you can appreciate the speed at which the hut is taking shape and as each task is completed it gives us a bolt-hole if the weather turns less clement, which out here in Cornwall, is quite often. The electrics are now completed with 6 double plug sockets and two LED strip lights for those dull and cloudy days. Later on when the windows have been glazed fully when Paul makes the frames that will complete the weatherproof aspect and the Internet cable and telephone can be connected and used as if we were sitting indoors in the house.
Here the North (left) and West aspects show how the hut is sitting on a block base to make it more rodent-proof and the
cladding gives good all-round weather protection. The plastic on the windows is just temporary until the windows are completed.
Eastside of the hut with double doors that can be left open during warm weather. These windows too have
temporary plastic on them to make them waterproof.
Outside of the entrance will be a 5-6 foot veranda built from the now-defunct fence posts that are being cut down and re-purposed. These will provide a solid platform as they are 4×6 inches and should last for many years. We hope to be able to put out chairs and tables during the summer months where we can sit and enjoy the lovely views of the Cornish Alps in their splendour.
Eventually, Paul will run a water feed up to the hut so we can make refreshments and wash our hands, etc, on-site without having to go to the house. This is the stuff dreams are made of……..
As work starts on the inside of the hut we come nearer to completion and have a great shelter from the elements – can’t wait…..
The internal boarding is now done and it is taking shape with completion but a grasp away!
We shall post again real soon to show the finished hut in all its glory, which should not be too long now, but before we go, here is a ‘NEWS FLASH’.
We were invaded by a mob of sheep and their offspring which came from Jason and Claire’s farm which is just North of us. Fortunately, they did not cause any damage and we got a chance to see the lambs which were great. Herding them up to get them back, however, was a little more trying than you would think!
The wayward sheep inspecting our fruit area which they fortunately ignored for the most part.
Got to admit though, those lamb”s are kinda cute, do you think?