57 varieties

Actually we have 61, I started to make a list (sad, or what!) of everything we have planted this year and to keep a log of what yields we get. Some things are freebies like the asparagus, some self seed like the rocket and others are our neighbours excess fruit like the oranges, lemons and peaches. Some things you just take for granted, having a salad? Go and cut rocket and chives to add some oomph. But I thought it would be interesting, and having made a list of 61 different things - that includes 5 varieties of beans, for eating and drying - I'm beginning to wonder why we ever need to buy any vegetables, and to a lesser extent fruit, ever again! We know we can be self sufficient in wine, even wine from less well known sources....pea and bean pod wine anyone? Honestly, it's out there as a recipe, tastes like a light white German wine, with melon flavours apparently.

So quite soon the buckets will be bubbling, yeasty alcoholic smells in the kitchen as this years brewing season starts up.

And if you're wondering, the sun has got his hat on all day...18 at 8am this morning and lovely blue skies. The pool looked very inviting, but lots of other things on the 'to do' list today...maybe tomorrow.