Tatnam Organic Patch

Oh No, disaster.

Mark and Gary aren’t here. It is probably time to panic. Or maybe time to play with fire, as the storm kettle needs someone else to tend it.

Brendan had previously found one of the bird boxes made by Barry’s brother Bill, which had left its perch in a tree by the compound. He resited it at head height in the willow by the main pond, and two blue-tits were busy to-and-fro, presumably with a clutch in the nest, even with a conversation going on nearby.

And our youngest ever visitor, Lilian Picknell at under 10 days old, made her presence felt in the patch, with regular appeal to either or both parents for attention, and to everyone else for curiosity and admiration.

The beeman – Dave ? made a couple of appearances, saying he is concerned that his bees have dysentry. Not sure whether he disappeared for more gear, or for a quieter time to investigate their plight. They seem active to me.

More beans were planted – the ones from two weeks ago seem to be struggling to take off – no Jack in the Beanstalk this year. So more runner beans, and Manuela brought down french beans too.

Kate, Kat and Harriet made further valient attempts to turn the new beds from bindweed nursery to productive garden.

The new Asparagus bed has made it easier to spot the weeds, and produced at least a few spears worth having.

Asparagaus beds seem successful

And me ? well I managed to make 3 pots of tea with the storm kettle, and in Jan’s absence, a passable rhubarb crumble that seemed to disappear fast enough, and the occasional dilemma to decision to support.

Perhaps that should be the motto of TOP – we’ll muddle through !