Tatnam Organic Patch

We had a modest bonfire this year, partly because we are saving wood to create some woodchip for the paths.

TOP Bonfire 2012

Gary brought a warming pumpkin soup, there was Parkin from Kim and Alec. As tradition dictates, Jan baked an Apple Crumble, with TOP apples rushed home that afternoon, Clare made a Dorset Apple cake  that disappeared swiftly (apples from her garden), and Brendan and Tat brought sausages along. I’ve forgotten the rest, it was pretty dark by the time we came to eat.

Lillian enjoyed  sparklers, but was as mesmirised by the sparks flying up from the fire. It was more difficult to see whether Esther in her cot was enjoying it, she was looking wide eyed at the fire, and at everything else.

Ken had been busy talking companies into parting with some unwanted pallets, and Brendan arrived with a couple of tree roots growing on the top of his car. John had been down earlier in the day dropping off some pine that he didn’t need, and whilst Kim whistfully mused that they would burn nicely at home if they only had a grate, Andy was able to sort them a grate that had been kicking around his porch for too long. Such is the power of community.

As further tradition dictates Ron and Ken were the main firestarters, whilst Mark and Gary sat and drank beer. It was good to see familiar faces. Somewhat after the others, Andrew turned up, a welcome friend but unfamiliar visitor to the patch. Sadly he walked through the pond on his way to the fire, up to his knees. So he gently steamed his feet dry whilst being plyed with cake.

Earlier in the day Kim and Alex had been clearing out the greenhouse of tomato pots, Gary fed the compost heap with wet straw and much greenstuff that Harriet and others had been cutting down. Having helped to build it, Dante wanted to stay for the bonfire, but had a firework display to go and see. And Andy arrived in time for a couple of minutes work before dark, another broken pane in the greenhouse to mend, and the gutters to clear.