Tatnam Organic Patch

A wet morning, and a shower just after lunch, when the weathermen told us it would be dry, did make for an interesting session building the bonfire this year. A good turnout as dark approached, and various bits of old furniture, mostly wood-wormed and well worn, appeared, heading for the heap. Some was squirrelled away into the compound, to become cornerposts for the next iteration of the compost heap.

Scoffing in the greenhouse

Ken and Mark stoked the flames, and everyone else just gathered – moths to a flame, to enjoy the warmth and convivial chatter. I will get in trouble for forgetting some of the lovely food, but Mark brought along a great sausage casserole, Gary made spicy pumpkin soup, Kate brought dhal, Manuella made pasta salad, and Harriet brought bread.

50 year old stepladder

Jan made a customary crumble, due to a lack of apples, it was mostly with blackberries, and delicious for that. Clare made a delicious pumpkin pie, using one of the Crown Prince squashes from the patch, and Sonya created a wicked chocolate and orange cake, with a whole chocolate orange in the middle and still warm from the oven.

After some years of sterling service, the picnic bench broke as two people sat together on it, so it was ceremonially dumped onto the fire.

Picnic bench hotseat

Mateo especially enjoyed the cake, even more when Bernard had lowered it to the bench so that he could help himself !

Mateo finds the chocolate orange cake