BEST BEFORE

There’s been a great deal of media speculation since the ‘sticky buns’ pandemic first kicked off about best before dates printed on food items as scarcity of some things has forced many of us to dig deep into our larders only to uncover the equivalent of Inca gold in those dark forgotten recesses.

Ah, here’s the strawberry jelly I bought for the Queen’s jubilee! Rummage, rummage.  Ooh look - there’s that jar of stem ginger pieces last used during the Renaissance period and this fabulous 6 year old sachet of satay mix is marinating tomorrow’s chicken skewers.  Who knows what else is awaiting discovery?

2014 - a jolly good year

Heh, heh!  We’re no strangers to eating food that’s well past its sell by or best before date and living proof that it’s OK to do so.  I hate food waste.  My thinking is pretty much along the same lines as the ‘5 second rule’ – if it’s in an airtight can, box or packet that’s never been opened then it’s fair game for the dinner table.  If I’m not online next week, you’ll know what’s happened - Colonel Mustard, satay sauce, kitchen.

For sale!

Meanwhile, property news flash!  We’re online!  Our house is now on Rightmove, Zoopla and all those other property porn sites everyone secretly accesses from their mobile phones whilst in the toilet.  I’m waiting for all those buyers chomping at the bit to bite my hand off with their spectacular offers.  Come on, where are you?  You know you couldn’t bear another 5 minutes in your own squalor-hole during lockdown so why aren’t you booking a viewing?  Say again – what do you mean they’re all down at Durdle Door?  Covidiots!!

Coastguard safety alert - no tombstoning!  Muppets!!

Well while the online viewing diary is filling up with ‘non appointments’, here’s an update on what’s happening behind the hedge at the bottom of the garden.

Fruit and veg are busting out all over. It’s going to be another bumper year for berries or anything else full of home-grown nutritional value by the look of things.

Tomato plants I've grown from seed

One's I bought earlier from Wilko

Unlike the Premiership, peas are already in the back of the net.

Mangetout peas climbing up the net teepee

Has beans?  Yes we are and lots!

Dwarf French runner beans - so tasty

A river of jam is soon to be flowing through Charminster judging by the amount of berries in eyeshot and figs, well they don’t give one but many.

First signs of redcurrants

Explosion of blackberries

Blackcurrant bushes looking bushy

Strawberries and cream - yes please!

I don't give a fig about Covid

If we’re unlucky, we’ll be reaping the bounteous harvest in a few months’ time but if we’re lucky, then the new owners will.