Ooh what a lovely pair !!

Dont worry, I haven't decided to start writing the type of blog favoured by my chilli loving followers . I am referring to another of my very successful summer plants. Beef tomatoes. I had picked a couple of smaller ones but finally theses two whoppers were ripe. 

I was curious how heavy they actually were so out came the scales.

For those of you that don't do metric, the individuals were both around 12oz and the combined weight was 1lb 8oz. Not bad for two tomatoes and they were as delicious as they look, very ripe and sweet. I shall definitely be growing them again. 

The other varieties are also now in full swing. 

I am waiting for this whole truss to be ripe so I can roast them on the vine. These are Sungold. and the Alicante are as good as ever. Here is one of each so you can see the size differences. I think I got a good mix this year and shall use the same again next. Sungold in the smallest. 

The Aubergines in the greenhouse are starting to come under attack from something. They have perfect little holes bored into some of them. three of the plants were also starting to look unhealthy.

I did overcrowd them a bit and they have spent all summer attacking me with the spines on the underside of the leaves. trying to water the tomatoes behind has become a bit of an issue, so as they were looking a bit grotty , I decided it was time for them to go. I harvested the edible fruits from the two worst. 

and then decapitated the plants. 

It has made life a whole lot easier. Next summer, I will have to rethink my planting in the greenhouse. 

As I now had tomato and Aubergine  obviously I was going to make ratatouille, so in another and I think the final "First" of the summer I picked some of my peppers. Purple and Green. 

Along with a few Habanero's and another monster courgette, it made a huge pot. delicious. 

I know you have been waiting with bated breath for another update on the Trailing Courgette, Veg Spaghetti, Pumpkin debacle!! well the news is, the tower is still standing  I had to add a few more supporting struts and guide ropes to stop it blowing over, but the three now rather large pumpkins are still happily growing 5 feet above the ground. In fact they are ripening rather nicely. 

As you can see the leaves are starting to die off, they all have mould, as do all the other squash, but its not affecting the fruits so I am not concerned. 

The flower patch is bravely trying to carry on in this lovely late summer sunshine, but its time is pretty much over. I have already started to clear some of the worst plants as I am going to sow more seeds this week ready for early flowers in the spring. 

The only things still thriving are the Bells of Ireland and the Asters, which are late flowering plants anyway, and are just beautiful. 

I have started clearing the beds ready for replanting. Heres a full barrow full of lovely home made compost from one of the Daleks. This went into the empty potatoes bed before I planted a few rows of Spring Greens. 

The hens are enjoying themselves as they are now getting lots of fresh bits from the patch. Here they are enjoying some rhubarb leaves. 

And finally another triumph. Not for us this time but our neighbour. He has spent many years patiently fishing off our beach in the hope of one day catching a Sea bass. Sadly it had never happened, and then on tuesday, there was excited knocking of the door and there he stood with the biggest smile I have ever seen. Success. A beautiful shiny Sea bass and it was a very good size.

and not only that, he had caught a Mackerel as well

Well thats about all, once again its the Bournemouth Airshow, we are not going in to watch it from the beach this year, but we are getting a very nice display in our own garden as they fly along the coast  too, or from the display. I was treated to a beautiful low flying Lancaster Bomber, amongst others yesterday, as I was digging a bed. Today is the Vulcan Bomber. Hopefully we will see that as well but we will certainly hear it. The Vulcan is flown solely by public donation. They are currently having to raise the money for fuel before each flight. If you want to find out more about the vulcan or donate to keep this amazing aircraft flying click here Vulcan to the Sky

Right time to get on, we are off to visit Jim Stokes Workshops in Waterlooville, Hampshire today. They are an amazing company that restore very very expensive Classic cars. Its should be a great morning out. 

Enjoy whats left of your weekend, we shall.