AUTUMN HARVEST

Making the most of another beautiful day pottering about outside. I moved this Begonia outside where it continues to flower happily, sheltered with just enough sun and out of the wind. It was a gift from Margaret and Russell when they called in to see us a few weeks ago on their way to spend a couple of days with family in Whakatane. Time had got by and it had been a good while since we last caught up. It was so lovely to see them.

Time for lunch before picking more ripening tomatoes. There's little freezer space left to cram more in so I will take out a bag of plums and make more jam.

A few jars at a time and with citrus coming on, marmalade to follow. It is good to have a regular supply of home grown fruit and vegetables which even the smallest section will produce.

Our first year apples are ready for picking now. Sweet navel orange to the left and pumpkins wandering about merrily. Shooting up trees and over fences, their presence is felt everywhere.

Well, the new passion fruit is taking its time clambering up. Needless to say, we are not expecting anything this time. Funnily enough, since buying the plant, I have come across lots of little seedlings springing up all over the place. I'm sure they will find new homes somewhere.... but not here....

A Crown pumpkin snakes its way along without so much as a by-your-leave. Both Crown and Buttercups are travelling at speed in some sort of crazy race to prove a point....  Are they really this competitive?

Ripening grapes are a sight to behold. This black grape is about a month away I think. Other years, we have been picking the green variety by now. For some reason, it's slow this year.

Looking out across the estuary is luring me away from the computer, but there are things to be getting on with, so I will stay put.... for now.

So much for another blissful day in Tauranga. What more could anyone wish for..........