Avalon is supposed to be all about an apple tree... BUT at the moment, the plum tree is what my life is all about. first of all, chasing the birds away from eating the fruit. I don't mind sharing but these birds are wasteful - taking a nibble here and nibble there, dropping the discarded fruit onto the ground for the fruit fly and european wasps to discover and cause havoc. so then I net, poking myself in the eye with wayward twigs or bumping my head on the thick branches... and of course, there is the constant picking up of said discarded fruit and disposing of properly so the fruit fly and wasps won't be able to build up numbers in the future. this goes on, day after day after day ..
then there is what to do with the abundance of fruit that this one little old plum tree has produced this year
stewed fruit for breakfast
baskets given to friendsNow I am thinking freezing the stewed fruit for the coming winter months.
plum friands? plum & chicken tagine. plum cake. plum clafoutis.
yes.. all about plums
so, other than plums? it has been raining incessantly & not much is being done in the garden. between downpours, Joe has built me a chook-pen and we have three bantam hens.. waiting to be given a name. I have planted some mint along the footpath in keeping with the Cittaslow ethos: a vegie patch in every backyard. I have been working on my family tree and a few weeks ago, discovered that one branch goes way back to William the Conqueror times. Part of my family may also come from Ireland.
other things? well, I was outside this morning and heard the church bells ringing for Mass.. can you believe that? yes. tolling away - I felt as if I were in Heaven! living in Katoomba and bells tolling. perfect.
oh and best of all: I have started to plan our trip to Cornwall. we are going in October sometime, flying to Holland first, for about 5 days [Joe wants to visit the land of his birth] and then onto the UK - spending Christmas and New Year [and my 55th birthday!] in Cornwall.. a big trip, with lots of planning - so I need to start early.. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am!
11 comments:
oh those plums - wow what a harvest!
lucky you and cornwall! I would love to go again some day! cant wait to hear all your plans!
Sounds as if the land of plenty physically and emotionally is banging on your door. How about plum wine?
Just remember in all this wonderful excitment....breathe!
Oh I'm so excited for you, your trip will be fabulous, Cornwall at Christmas and all those celebrations, can't wait to see you!
Sue x
What a fabulous trip that's going to be! Happy belated Australia Day, by the way.
I'm excited for you and a little envious too, a real trip of a lifetime.
Fantastic Plum harvest. My bet is you will find some great recipes for them. Love the comforting sounds of church bells ringing. Ahhh!Life is good.
Yay! You are going to Cornwell. I am so excited for you Robyn.
Love you
xxx
Wish I had your plum tree. We have 2 fig trees and Jamie and the birds would fight every year. Them dang birds seem to just taste and destroy each fig and boy would she get mad at them.XOXOXO
We have the same problem with our fruit trees.
I can only imagine how excited you are about the trip to Cornwall. I know you'll have a great time.
Dear Robyn, thank you for visiting! That is an excellent idea and one that I have been working with for a few years now. Have a look at my post on my old book and the story of the White Dove. I am now altering the book into a shadow box and it is a wonderful therapy to put memories and feelings into perspective and to channel them into creativity rather than turning them inward. Your trip sounds awesome - make sure that you visit Avalon!! blessings
Plums, yum. Superb jam (& v easy, because the pectin content is so high).
Hetienne is right - make sure you visit Glastonbury! It won't be too crowded with tourists in midwinter and I think it's a place that might speak to you... Tennyson called it Avilion: here's the dying King, in the Morte D'Arthur:
"The old order changeth, yielding place to new,
And God fulfils Himself in many ways,
Lest one good custom should corrupt the world.
Comfort thyself: what comfort is in me?
I have lived my life, and that which I have done
May He within Himself make pure! but thou,
If thou shouldst never see my face again,
Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day...
But now farewell. I am going a long way
With these thou seëst--if indeed I go--
(For all my mind is clouded with a doubt)
To the island-valley of Avilion;
Where falls not hail, or rain, or any snow,
Nor ever wind blows loudly; but it lies
Deep-meadow'd, happy, fair with orchard-lawns
And bowery hollows crown'd with summer sea,
Where I will heal me of my grievous wound."
delicious post!
my darling sweet girl. and your hens? precious. how i long for hens but sadly they are not allowed in our historic neighborhood, IMAGINE!
you would LOVE the church bells in san miguel. and the ancient churches they call out from. how i want to light candles and sit beside you lost in the peace that resides in such timeless places of worship.
i love you in and out of the garden.
xoxoxoxoxoox
Post a Comment