Note

It is very important to make a note of the crops that you are happy with as you go along so that you remember what you like in the winter when it is time to seed order. The three stars in the garden for me so far are, Pea ‘Green Arrow’ the seed was from Natural Gardening Company, I will grow only this pea next year. The other two stars are both Lettuce, one is “Jericho, the seed is also from Natural Gardening Company and the other is ‘Devils tongue, this seed was from The real seed catalogue’ they are in Wales. The photo is of the L. ‘Devils tongue’.

Mexico

We have a line of Amaranthus in the ground again this year. I planted the seed just before I went off on my holiday and I have come back to it up and looking very good. The seed was sent to me from Jonny’s Mother who is part of an exchange with Mexico. This year we have three different varieties, two red and green. The seedlings are going to need thinning out, I will wait till they are a little bigger to do it so that I can eat them in salad. I need to find a better way of using the seed this autumn, I have time to look into it. 

Guide

Not everyone has a friend like I do, Lee Hallman. Lee made our trip so special and part of this was down to a book Lee had with her. I wanted to introduce you to this set of books that Lee finds to be useful. The title is ‘City Secrets’ edited by Robert Kahn. The books are also a very good size to carry around. Thank you Lee. Perry and Juliet for a great city break.

 

Tomatoes

The Tomatoes have had the second tie on now. It is very important to keep them going up and supported at this stage will stop them bending. I have also taken off the lower leaves and all laterals so that the plants will put their growth into the flower shoots and the top growth. I will let the plants get to about five foot tall at that point the top growth will be taken off. We will also keep the lower leaves off so that there is a big gap between the growth and the soil. The plants need good light on the flower shoots. 

Home

It is always great to get home and to be in ones own bed again, and of course to see my two little dogs who did seem happy to see me but looked very well and cared for by Simon and Adele. I had a good look in the garden when I got home and things looked great, Matt and Ellie did a great job of keeping on top of things. It does seem that the crop that had grown most are the potatoes, they are so tall now. There may be some P. ‘Charlotte’s’ ready to eat and with a symposium next week here it will be perfect. Happy Birthday to my Mother, she would be 61 today.

 

Muse Vaticani

The last day in Rome was very special, we booked a ticket to go in the Vatican Museum first thing and I have to say it was the best way to see it without all those people that you get later. What a place the Sistine Chapel is, the whole thing is hard to put into words, a must see. After the Chapel we enjoyed the Museum, once again Lee lead us on this. We also went out into the heat, 41 today to look at the Colosseum. The last thing on the city tour was a very interesting Chapel that is so old but also two floors underground, it was a good place to get out of the heat. Now going for a local meal.

Romantic

There is something very romantic about the whole of Italy, I think there is something in the olive oil, I have had as much as I can. I had always said that I would not come to Rome till I was in love and since I do not think it is going to happen I am so happy to be here and today to go and see one of the most romantic gardens in the world, Ninfa was a dream come true. It is the perfect mix of Medieval and Roman. One of the most important and special things is the water running through the garden, it gives such a special movement to it as I whole. The buildings have just the right amount of growth on them. It is one of the hardest things so do, control in a way that it does not look controlled.

Pope

Our first stop today was The Vatican, I was a little worried when I saw all the people and the que that we would have to get in to see St Peter’s Basilica but I have to say why come to Rome if you are not going to see some of these things, Lee is the perfect person to travel with, she tells us about what we are looking at. We then moved around the city to see a lot more. By the time we got to Palazzo Doria Pamphilj and I found this painting I felt I found a painting that summed up how I felt, I just need a young manservant to rub my legs down. Off on a garden visit tomorrow.

The Pantheon

It is very hard to know what to write about such a city as Rome. It is very hard to put in words all the beauty that you see around you, the architecture is mind blowing  and there is a beauty and style of the people that makes you want to hide in a dark room. But nothing prepared me for the Pantheon, you have to see the place for yourself. I am not sure there is anything else in the world like it. I would love to come back to see it in winter while rain comes in through the hole on the centre of the dome and if there was snow, mind blowing.

Rome

We have made it over to Rome, and I have to say I did get us all rather lost but we have now made it to the apartment which will be home for the next five days. We are all happy with it so far. We went to a local place for our first meal, they had a great house wine which we enjoyed a little too much. We have a great view over the city from the apartment onto the hills, it is like something out of a Robert Frost poem. I now look forward to getting to know this city. In the morning our dear friend Lee will get here and the fun will begin, she is our tour guild for this trip.