We have pea-pods!

I've been meaning to provide some photographic evidence to prove we have some little pods on the peas.  And here they are:

These are actually the plants that the grandchildren started off in jam-jars.  We're very excited by the appearance of these pods, as we've not tried growing peas before.  We will wait with fingers crossed for some peas to form.

We've been cropping lettuce for some time now, together with rocket, which has a lovely peppery taste to perk up a green salad, but another few weeks should bring in a few more goodies.

We always seem to do quite well with courgettes, and we have a few forming already.  We usually freeze most of them for use through the winter in veg stews and curries.

Two cucumber plants on the go, both with fruit forming.  I really should look up the variety; that's something I'm not very good with.

Some of the tomato plants in the greenhouse, we also have some cherry tomatos growing in the garden.  A little early for these to be fruiting, but we look forward to a good crop.  Again, we freeze quite a lot of tomatoes for winter use.

The boiler requires a second visit.  Not good news, although we are able to use the shower again.  It turned out not to be anything to do with limescale or hard water, but some of the filters have got gunged-up and despite the engineer cleaning bits out yesterday, the boiler is still struggling (and making some rather inappropriate noises, too - never good).  Apparently it requires a 'power-flush' to clear it properly.  N has been shown how to clean one of the filters, so we can add that to the maintenance list.  The hot water heater was turned down a few degrees to ease the pressure on the boiler when it heats the water, and as the water temperature seems quite acceptable with this change, we'll keep it turned down and save a bit on the gas.  It may need turning up in the winter, but we'll monitor it and see how we go.

It was a lovely evening yesterday and we went for a walk to the Abbey to see the pigs again.  It really was such a pleasant stroll, and sitting watching the pigs - parents and 11 piglets of varying colours - was very peaceful.  

Three of the piglets being lazy in the dappled sunlight - it's a tough life!

The sunset last night was one of the best for quite some time.

The photo doesn't really do the colours justice, but it was quite dramatic (although I think Orkney sunsets take the prize!)

The forecast for the rest of the week is rain, which will save watering the garden if nothing else!