Pear Tree Bonanza!

The back yard pear tree has surpassed all expectations this year. But poor old tree, he's about 40 years old and he's hollow right up the middle. He was so loaded with pears that three large branches have broken off and come crashing down, scattering pears everywhere.

The squirrels have been having a field day, and last week the tree was invaded by a huge flock of quarrelling starlings looking for dinner.
We picked two big buckets full of pears from the lower branches, but there's loads of fruit higher up. The fruit was peeled, cut, cooked, layered overnight with sugar, cooked again in the syrup (with a little bit of ginger to add that spicy tang), then sealed in jars.

Twelve pounds of pears made eight jars.

Some summer sunshine to be enjoyed on a winter day.

Luckily we only have one crummy back alley street in this small town, and this is it. This old door is around the corner from here.

The metal plaque on the door is designed to keep the bad guys away.

Perhaps it's not really needed any more.

There's probably nothing left to steal.

Mr C Finds a Friend

Callum says "It's taken me six months to get myself a friend....

.... and now I find he's been here all along!"

Mystery Door

I wonder what happened here... (click to enlarge)

Any suggestions? Give me your version of the story.

You say TomAYto and I say TomAHto...

I planted three tomato plants in the spring... one red, one yellow and one Tiny Tom... the little sweet ones.

So now, it's tomAHtoes with everything!

Or should that be tomAYtoes?

Oh, let's call the whole thing off!

Short Back and Sides, Please!

The only way to get all the mud and spiky little green seeds out of Tessa's coat after last week's mudbath was a complete luxurious (and expensive) makeover at the doggy spa...

.... and now look how pretty she is!

September

In spite of having just enjoyed the warmest weekend of the summer.............

................there's a hint of Autumn in the air.