Community Orchard

In February I contacted the local group running the community orchard in the village to say that Andy and I would like to donate a tree.  Unfortunately we'd just missed the late winter planting so were told we'd need to wait until November before we could plant a tree - and today was the day we did that!  

It was a bright and crisp morning, perfect for being outside.  There were more people than we expected, in total around 20.  They ranged from the very young - a one year old who had a birthday today and was having a tree planted to celebrate - to those of much older generations.  

We got an excellent introduction to the orchard - apparently there are nearly 66 apple, cherry and pear trees planted - all funded by local people - and all heritage varieties.  The apple tree we have planted is an Ashmead's Kernel.  According to the label, it's a dessert apple which is nearly 300 years old and regarded as one of the best late dessert apples.  It should be picked in mid October and the fruit store well.  I'm looking forward to watching it grow and eventually eating some of its fruit.

After lunch I spent a couple of hours at the allotment to finish digging the third and final vegetable bed that I plan to create this year.  I've now three, five metre by two metre strips of soil in which to plant come the spring. 

As it is Saturday night, it was curry night!  Tonight it was a fiery Goan curry - which was not as hot as we imagined it might be - a good thing we thought!  

Wishing you an enjoyable Saturday evening.