Just pics

The first gives a hint of the ravages done by one cat, three Cabbage Whites and myriad flea beetles:

The second is of one of the hastily-bought tomato plants.

Pic three shows the number of strawberry and cream teas I will be enjoying this year divided by one.

Number four is of the glossy aubergine I will be harvesting tomorrow for one of my favourite starters*

Five shows some of the baby Giuliettas growing in the Christmas hamper.

Pics six and seven are to show that it's not all bad - trailing geraniums flourish and the Jasmine is winding its way up the porch support.  This strain of jasmine may be slow-growing but it smells delicious and is worth the planting.

When I moved in it was poor timing for gardening so I'm amazed that anything has grown at all to be honest but it's been a good test to see what grows best where and who the pests are.  I definitely need some sort of greenhouse because I don't think my kitchen window cill and a couple of plastic grow-houses will cut it. Given that everything is paved and has little sun I'm still trying to work out what should go where.

P, the builder, has coped heroically: everything he and his team has done has been up to scratch and an added bonus is that nicer people you couldn't wish to meet: C was a Devonshire gem.  It will be carpets for me next week and then I'll finally be able to unpack the boxes of books if I can reach them and risk crow-barring them down to the floor.  I still haven't found my china so ... oh, who cares? Eating off plastic picnic plates since May 2nd is no big deal, and I can always pretend I'm at Glastonbury or Henley.

It's been a fraught year, no doubt about it.

*Slice aubergines, salt, rinse, pat dry then soak in milk. (Time means nothing to aubergines). Coat in wholemeal flour, fry quickly at high heat, transfer to ovenproof dish(es) and cover with the Provencal sauce you've already made and have waiting.  Top with slices of mozzarella/whichever cheese you prefer and shove under the grill until cheese is melted.  Eat with whatever you want.  I like it with a green salad and a hot, buttered wholemeal roll as a main meal but it's best as a starter for those with an appetite.