The hottest day of the summer, they say (how they can know when summer is not done yet, I’m not sure…) and yes.. it was very very hot. So we did the obvious thing, and went out in the midday sun, and harvested: elderflowers, peas, purple podded peas and broad beans. I’m very excited about the broad beans, as this is a first for me. We grew them last year, but they were a disaster. this year we changed variety and success!
We should have picked the beans smaller, but combination of not being entirely sure when they were ready, and barbecues and picnics not being ideal broad bean meals, but we realised we could wait not longer.
Why we were fool enough to pick at midday? well so we could have the afternoon off. So we harvested, then shot into the shade to pod, and they were blanched and stashed in the freezer.
Then we took a picnic – a chicken I had cooked yesterday in readiness, and some French bread and mayonnaise etc, and some truly wicked cupcakes, and hit the beach.. once again arriving late afternoon, as others are leaving, and the sun cope-able.
High tide at 7, the sea was warm enough for a swim, and I did ( my men did not!), and it was magical and lovely, and once beyond the breaking surf, calm and serene. Perfect before settling down in the warm sand for our ‘ Sunday roast’.
colour it green 