‘A Time For Giving’ – Yes, I have got Cliff Richard singing in my head…
As we approach the end of the year, it’s a great opportunity to take stock, give thanks and plan to give gifts to both those we hold dear and those less fortunate than ourselves.

As the clocks fall forward, the evenings draw in and we chop wood in preparation for cosy nights in front of the fire, I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s wondering what the next couple of months will bring and how we can hold on to traditions as we continue to navigate current challenges.

Swimming and Sourdough? That’s an unusual combination, but that’s what’s been filling my time this month. September is always busy as it’s harvest time, but this year as well as celebrating Sourdough September, we’ve also celebrated my First Swimversary!

This month we are celebrating our super Brentford bees, now where should we begin? We started keeping bees 10 years ago, with our very first colony collected, on loan, in August 2011. ‘How can you borrow a colony of bees?’ I hear you say…

You know that we love to produce our own food and can’t wait to get busy preserving fruit and vegetables when in season, allowing us to enjoy them all year round. We’ve harvested all our broad beans, many of which are now in the freezer and have just finished the first batch of broad bean & mint hummus – delicious!

I love June. It’s halfway between New Year and Christmas, usually very sunny, and the month of my birthday! As the temperatures continue to soar, let’s see how we can all handle the heat and, with a little bit of planning, keep our cool…