At the top of the house the apples are laid in rows,And the skylight lets the moonlight in, and thoseApples are deep-sea apples of green. Moonlit Apples: John Drinkwater 1917 How romantic! In our largely treeless, wind swept Outer Isles the concept of the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness” eulogisedby the romantics poets is
Day 11: Green Fingers and Fairy Dust I have never lost the sense of wonder and excitement that is generated when I plant seeds. From opening the packet, to placing the seeds in the earth, the gentle application of water and then the growing sense of anticipation as I watch and wait for the seeds
A succession of Atlantic depressions with accompanying heavy grey skies, squalls and westerly gales have done little to enlighten the short days of November. So I have had to admit defeat, cut down the tomato vines and gather the remaining crop of hard green fruits. Although I usually produce a good crop of tomatoes, some
What comes first the title or the photograph? Sometimes when out and about in the garden a plant or an insect will catch my eye and a line of poetry, quotation or a phrase will come to mind. On other days it will be the light shining through a leaf, the form or colour of
Baking with Bach, Beethoven or Brubeck is the perfect way to spend a bleak January afternoon. The croft kitchen is a refuge from a raw westerly wind and I’m wrapped in warmth, light and music, drenched by the aroma of spices, dark molasses sugar and ginger. However, let us not get carried away by too