Posts by Geoff Lealand
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I don't have photos but there are two stout young fellows in our front garden this morning, connecting our house to fibre optic. New technology of course, but it still entails digging trenches, tree pruning and crawling under the house.
I intend, shortly, to send a message around about hosting a PA picnic.
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Capture: Someone, Somewhere, In Summertime, in reply to Hilary Stace,
Kawhia is a rather charming place. Even more so is Aotea Harbour, the next inlet north. It s a sand harbour which empties out at low tide, framed by giant, shimmering sandhills. There is a cluster of old style baches and no retail, except for a summer fish & chip caravan.
Just had a couple of days in Bowentown and Whangamata, visiting cinemas in Whangamata and Thames (the former is for sale, if anyone is interested). The surf was terrific but internet service is crappy on the Coromandel. But we are connecting to fibre on Monday!!
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If you don't harvest the buds, they open to stamens of the most intense blue. Like a giant thistle, which they essentially are
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You could also consult www.simply recipes.com Putting in. ‘How to cook and eat an artichoke’ as it has photos
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Capture: Spring is Like a Perhaps Hand, in reply to BenWilson,
We have been growing these for some years. The buds in your photo are a little past optimum harvesting time but still should be good. Cut them approximate to the nearest lateral, to ensure more buds. You can cut back the quasi-petals, to shape the artichoke more like a cup. Soak them in a very large pot of cold water, to remove various crawlies (there are likely to be earwigs etc); change the water add a good squeeze of lemon juice and bring to the boil. Boil for 20-30 minutes, or until a quasi-leaf pulls off easily.
I prefer to dip the base of each leaf in some soft butter and scrap the pith off the base with my teeth. Progressively move towards the centre of the bud (compost the discarded leafs but don't put them down the waste disposal as they will clog it up). Once the immature interior leaves are reached (too soft and floppy) , discard these and them scoop out the immature stamens with a spoon. What you will be left with the cup-shaped artichoke heart (you could consider it the the ovary of the flower!). Melt some butter in this and eat it entire. Heaven!It is food as work but there is nothing quite like a freshly harvested artichoke.
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For signalling alien spaceships?
I also give up ..... Inventive Ben
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Capture: Someone, Somewhere, In Summertime, in reply to Sofie Bribiesca,
What a coincidence. We have had my mother's Hoya growing in our porch since she died 7 or so years ago. It thrives on inattention (unlike my mother!). We also have her enormous Staghorn Fern clinging to the flowering cherry. Maybe I should get the camera out..
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Hmm...longboat and no life-jacket.
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A birth control device?
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My daughter Catherine Rose in her New Year finery, Ise City. Home in 10 days time, after 10 months of immersion in the Japanese education system.
