Rhubarb

I just had to find out: Rhubarb is a native of Siberia. Two species were grown for medicinal purposes in Europe before the 18C.  In the following century it was grown as a vegetable in England and Scandanavia.  The first rhubarb of the season in England is grown and has been grown within the Rhubarb Triangle in West Yorkshire in darkened forcing sheds lit by candlelight as this produces the sweetest flavour.  In Victorian times a special fast train ran from Ardsley Station every night to transport the ripened crop to London during the period from Christmas to Easter.  This continued until the early 1960's and as more exciting fruits became available rhubarb diminished in popularity: it seems not many young people are keen to eat it these days and I am forever giving it away to friends.

Lunch with the family and then we all went into the garden for some fresh air. The children love the swing and the trampoline.  We also found an old birds nest in the hedge and watched the crows flying to the top of a tall tree. (See extra photo)