Fennel Seeds

Of all the herbs I grew this year fennel was one of the most successful. It was covered with blossom which in turn became seed heads. I wanted to harvest the seeds as fennel seeds are so useful in cooking. However the spider’s had other thoughts. They wove their webs into the flower heads and set up their larders. I have tried to show this by taking photographs but the light wasn’t good and the pictures arn’t clear. But here is one which I think shows what I’m talking about. Not to be deterred I picked those heads that hadn’t been despoiled and put them in a paper bag to dry and drop their seeds. I’m hoping that I shall have a fair number.  I went out and bought dinky little pots to put seeds in and hope I won’t be disappointed. I managed to collect some from the coriander but not in any great quantity. The kitchen now smells of liquorice from the fennel.

A Walk to the Beach

Today the sun shone, the lawns were mown and I walked to the beach. It only takes 7 minutes to walk down the hill to Swanpool. The sun on the water was lovely and the sea was like a mill pond. It is definitely autumn with seeds and berries everywhere and the leaves with their autumn colours. I was amazed at how many flowers were still showing their face. I found periwinkle, self sown sweet peas, vetch, Monbretia which always shrieks Cornwall to me, ragwort which the Victorians introduced to this country and is so poisonous to cattle, and also some campion still blooming. There were blackberries galore but too high up in the hedge to pick more’s the pity!

I love the ferns that grow at the side of the road in profusion. I am never able to work out the difference between a fern and bracken though the slipper ferns are obvious.

The going back was harder as it is quite a steep hill but I stopped and spoke to the ponies and caught glimpses of the pool which gives Swanpool it’s name. It is now part of a nature reserve and there are still swans as well as many other water birds.

Some of the trees had lovely red leaves and there were oak galls and acorns on the oaks plus hawthorne berries in profusion. Columbine was everywhere! The ivy was full of flowers which were attracting the wasps and the lacy cascades of Old Man’s Beard was over everything.

All in all a lovely walk, although it was longer on the way back,   and lots to look at and remind me of why I love Autumn!

Another Quilt Show!

I have just spent a delightful morning at a quilt show run by Kerenza Quilters, a local quilting group, which was held in Kea Church. This is a most delightful venue and although the church isn’t all that old; the date on the porch is 1837; it is a delightful church and full of charm.

The quilts on show were delightful and the setting of the church really showcased their charms.

I particularly liked the way the hessian shopping bags had been enlivened with applique. The fabric journal covers also stood out as worthy of note as did several other smaller items including this cat.

Here are a few of the other exhibits  which caught my eye which I found quite inspiring. I loved the numerous and varied postcards. 

And so as not to be totally off topic there was a lovely arrangement of flowers in the entrance porch and vistas of trees behind the graveyard. The church itself was worthy of note so here are a few pictures. All in all it was a good morning which we much enjoyed. Especially the coffee and cake!

And to end with a quilt on topic!

Over the Top!

You can imagine what these tiny birds are saying. They are all ground feeders and like to peck about under the bird table for spilt seeds. Not today though!Now the conversation would go like this.

Bird on roof: Come on chaps. Be brave. We can make it.

Bird 1 in house: Not likely! We’d be lost in all that foliage or get stuck in the mud and then what would become of us!

Bird 2 in house: That’s right. Who knows what is lurking under those giant acanthus leaves. Could be the CAT!

Bird 1 in house: Don’t say that word! This is a cat free garden. I hope!

Bird on roof: Oh you are such wimps. I can see loads of seeds just lying there in amongst the grass. I’m going to make a dive for it! If you won’t come just cover my back!

Birds 1 & 2 together: Don’t be such a fool. No one has tackled this part of the garden for weeks. It is officially now a jungle. We are too small. It needs a bigger bird!

Just then down swooped a bigger bird and put an end to the conversation by pushing them all out of the bird house!

Drat those pesky pigeons, could be heard floating back on the breeze!