Yesterday, we took a bus along my route to work in order to investigate various outlets which I had viewed on my journeys to and from. One of these outlets was a secondhand furniture store, where I found a picnic crockery and cutlery set.
I’d often thought about having such a set for days out. This includes simply having a spoon in my handbag for those occasions when you would have to make use of a single-use plastic one. So, now I have all that for £2 and some more plastic has been saved from landfill.
Back home, I’ve been watching the buds on the bay tree. They first appeared in the winter and I was amazed, though it should be no surprise, considering most plants produce flowers.
Anyway, they have now opened and have become pretty little flowers. I presume that means the tree is happy in the hugel bed, which is its permanent home.*
I’m also saving money at the moment by eating up crops which have overwintered, such as chard and onions. The Brussel sprouts came to nothing but have produced leaves which are pleasant raw or cooked.
* According to the website, flower council holland, mice don’t like bay. However, yesterday I saw a mouse running round the tree. It has possibly found a home in the log pile with a companion and seems quite tame.
Our bay trees self-seed all over the garden – or perhaps it is the birds
I was wondering if the seeds would be viable. It would be nice to have another tree, so we’ll have to see what happens 😊.
🙂
That’s lovely. Do mice eat vine weevils? My bay has been destroyed by these nasties. Hoping it will throw up some new shoots this spring but no sign so far
What devastation the vibe weevils are causing! Was the bay in a pot or the ground?
Should my bay decide to do as Derrick’s appear to and I end up with some babies, I can forward one or two onto you as replacements.
Mice are omnivorous, so they might eat vine weevils. They also seem to like my nettles and wild garlic – so clearly they have wide tastes.
the bay was in a pot and then I moved it into the ground – I suspect it never quite established itself and then the snow finished it off – oh well!
Yes, sounds likely! I had wondered if mine would survive the winter this year.
That picnic set was a good buy!
Indeed, Kathryn!
Our bay tree grew suckers and these were quite easy to separate from the main trunk and grow on. I love your picnic set – so manageable! I remember a holiday in Brittany when our youngest daughter was two years old. I always carried a knife on our days out in those days (if searched I could have been arrested!) so we could always construct filled rolls from food we bought that day. We found a picnic site next to a river and got our bags of food and dumped them on the table. Next to us was a couple with the most wonderful picnic hamper filled with gorgeous food and all the crockery and cutlery you could imagine. ‘Bonjour!’ they trilled and waved at us! They were so friendly but I felt very untidy! My daughter was carrying her bucket she took with her everywhere and I was handing out cheese-filled baguettes and apples.
Thanks for sharing your story, Clare. When I lived in France I used to often just buy a baguette and some cheese when out and about. I can’t remember now if I took a knife with me!
😀
Bay leaves remind me of my mother’s vegetable stew! It’s such a distinct and wonderful scent. I love your tree (and your story-telling) Helen.
Thank you, Alys! I love bay, too – had some tonight in an adapted Libyan recipe 😊.
Nice!
Bay leaves are meant to be good for keeping bugs out of the pantry! And I happen to have a large bay tree .. must give it a go 🙂
Yes, do 😊.