Horse Chestnut Photos for Mid August

 Still following the Horse Chestnut  (Aesculus hippocastanum) that's at the village hall where we have the Keep Moving Group.

Last month we were "one step below drought" now we are in "official drought conditions" and the 5th recorded heatwave so it's  surprising to see it still green and not too many falling leaves either. The roots must be good even though it's still a youngish tree.

Often by August these patches of the disease are much bigger, turning the leaves very brown. The dry weather must stop the usually quick spread.

Guignardia Leaf Blotch (Guignardia aesculi): A fungus-driven disease.

• Symptoms: Irregular dull brown or reddish blotches, often surrounded by a conspicuous yellow band, typically concentrated at the leaf tips and edges.

The conkers are growing well - again despite the drought and heat. I guess when stressed all plants strive to produce seed to make sure they survive. 

When these trees were first planted in this country they were often used to line the driveways of large country houses.

In 1699 Sir Christopher Wren was responsible for the mile long Chestnut Avenue at Bushey Park ( now a Royal Park) north of Hampton court which was originally intended as a carriage drive for William III. 

Now a special Chestnut Sunday  is held there in May in alternate years.

Oh! There the chestnuts, summer through,

Beside the river make for you

A tunnel of green gloom,

And sleep deeply above

Rupert Brooke (1716 - 83)

All the photos from each month going back to March  ARE HERE if you want to compare.

The Sun, The Running and The Courgettes

Yes, lots of people guessed right yesterday. It's a cane topper.  I would have loved to have bought a dozen but that would have been rather extravagant............... so just one for a memento and I'll carry on using flower pots on the top of all the other canes.

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There's a partial eclipse of the sun this evening - I no longer have Col's welding mask that we would have used in the almost total eclipse of 1999 except that the cloud over the coast meant we didn't see it properly. It was in the summer holidays so YD was at home and we went outside as the day went grey and felt very weird. I think there have been other partial eclipses since then - can't remember them though. I know I won't be around to see the next total eclipse as it's in 2090!

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What about the guys in the European Championships 100 metres last night -  Gold and Silver medals - how good is that. I've been enjoying watching morning and evening sessions on the BBC (unlike the Commonwealth Games a couple of weeks ago which were only on paid-for TV channels except for an hour each evening)

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As usual at this time of year I've been eating courgettes, as many as I can, every other day - there are so many it's like free food.

No apologies for repeating three of the recipes I use. I think I include them every year.

COURGETTE FRITTERS

For one person I use 1 courgette, grated. Mixed with  a tablespoon of flour, a small egg, small pinch salt and good amount of black pepper and half a teaspoon of curry powder (or not)

Drop spoons full into hot oil in frying pan and press down, turn over when browned and press down again. Drain on kitchen paper. For a different version of most fritter type recipes some grated cheese can be added but I don't and serve up mine with a couple of rashers of bacon and some tomato ketchup.

CRUMBLE TOPPED COURGETTES

COURGETTE and PESTO PASTA SAUCE

Start cooking pasta then heat a little oil in a pan on low heat then add grated courgette, cook until soft. Stir in a spoonful of pesto and then the cooked drained pasta and serve up with grated cheddar and parmesan. (I just use cheddar)

And Finally..................

A while ago Steve at Shadows and Light Blog was mentioning itchy arms after working in the garden. Courgettes leaves are one of those things that really irritate my skin along with the leaves of  beans, cucumber, goosegrass and many other things. I have to hurry in and wash arms quickly.

 

A Celebration of Ceramics

 It was a hot morning last Friday at Pot-Fest - a celebration of  clay - held at Haughley Park near Wetherden - not many miles from home. (Also held in a few other places in the country during the year)

I didn't stay long as the dusty grass made me cough. Just long enough to admire the 100+ potters showing and selling their creations.

Raku firing - we know what it is thanks to The Great Pottery Throw Down which will be back for  series 10 early in 2027. 

The potters come from all around the country with all sorts of different things. There were lots of people looking at everything.. and being in the way of good photos .....  so just a few of some of the things on show.

It would be very easy to spend several £1,000 - no trouble at all! 

Last year I got the bird seed feeder on a stake for the garden and this year I spent even less and bought this below. 

It has a use - can you guess what? It's less than 2 inches tall and wide and I really could use a dozen. But being sensible and still trying to spend less............ saving for a possible home move sometime, just one came home with me.

Answer tomorrow!

And just for comparison this is how green the grass was at the same time  last year at Haughley Park