Extracts

9th September

The hills covered with gorse, yellow as the sun itself; the blackberries full and luscious. Time to lift some of the potatoes: they are a trifle rusty, but only a fraction has been visited by slugs. This is success by my standards, and the garlic harvest is magnificent. The tonnage is not huge but the bulbs will give flavour to many a winter meal: reasons to be cheerful, today.

In spite of all the setbacks the runner beans have continued to produce abundant flowers with a good yield of beans. The beans are tender and stringless; as delicious raw as they are cooked. It is a triumphant moment to ferret amongst the leaves, selecting only those which are in perfect condition for this evening's meal, and leaving alone those which will sweeten for tomorrow's supper. Such a pleasure to top-and-tail them, slice them, cook them moments; to analyze their flavour and texture, and feel full to bursting with the satisfaction of one's own effort come to fruition. Not for a moment is such a feast taken for granted.