DO THESE FOOD BUYERS KNOW THEIR VEGETABLES? CERTAINLY THE POTATO BUYER FROM WAITROSE DOES NOT KNOW HIS POTATOES.. THAT IS FOR SURE!

Good evening everyone. WE have eaten the most delicious supper, yes sirree. Spring Lamb chops times three with steamed Asparagus and first of the season, Landcress and Mizuna salad.

SHE is tired beyond belief, worn to a shadow of HER former self, YOU would be too if YOU put the hours in that SHE does at the allotments, with no breaks, no sitting down.

SHE gets there, opens up Shack, gets the tools out, starts working, it makes ME tired just to think how hard SHE works when SHE is there.

So tired tonight that the bus went past HER stop and SHE had to walk back and passed a small Waitrose, which was a good thing as there were no Oat Cakes left and SHE was not going to start making these at past eight of the clock, that was for sure! 

SHE went in, to get to the oat cakes, YOU pass the vegetable selection, WE had run out of tatties, so SHE took a look at what they had and that was when SHE started to giggle. YOU know why? 

Now I know Spain is having a really grim time but who, in their right mind, would ever pick a 'Maris Piper' Potato when it was grossly undersized and pass it off to the 'unsuspecting' public, wait for it.. as a 'new' potato! And WHO would buy them for the shop to sell? 

They're really great for chips, roasting and for mashing but they are NOT and never have been, a 'new' potato. 

Please Lord.. please protect us from these, over paid, under qualified, department buyers in food corporations who do not have the faintest idea of what they are buying. 

All food has a season unless YOU want to eat 'French' Beans grown in Kenya, try following the local food seasons for where YOU live in the world. 

I guarantee the cost of YOUR food bill will shrink and YOUR produce will be much fresher. 

SHE eats Asparagus (admittedly SHE grows it) for eight weeks only, then Beans, summer Cabbage, Spinach, Chard (yum), Artichokes, both Globe and Jerusalem varieties. Tomatoes. 

Winter vegetables are pointed Cabbage, Brussel Sprouts, Parsnips, Turnips, Swedes, Onions, Chard, Perpetual Spinach, Broccoli tops, Squash. Yes, SHE grows most of these, 8,000 sq ft is a lot of space.

One thing SHE has never had luck with are Carrots, that may change. As on Friday SHE is building a very high raised bed, the soil going in will have a lot of sand in it.

OUR baby NEW Potatoes are small, firm and beyond delicious. They are not floury and soft.. they could almost be described as slightly 'waxy'.

Growing for US at the moment, WE have.. Anya, Charlotte, Pentland Javelin, they will keep us out of trouble and OUR tummies very happy. 

Sorry, Dear Readers, too late and WE are tired, bed time for US. I will be back tomorrow with the news of how that Hospital appointment went.. 

GeeGee Parrot.
June 5th, 2013.

VIVAT REGINA..

No, I am not being a clever clogs and speaking Latin again.

Well, yes I am but YOU would have to be from outer space in order NOT to know that phrase.. especially as OUR Queen is celebrating 60 years of being OUR Queen today.

SIXTY years.. of being in the public eye, under a microscope, of being judged, of those 'red' boxes which find HM wherever she is, of always having to be on 'parade'.

HM is 87 years of age.. she has been doing her 'job' since 1952 which was when her father, King George 6th, died. But out of respect for him and in mourning, her coronation was delayed for sixteen months.

SHE was recently at The Tower of London and saw The Coronation Crown.. today, it left the Tower today for the first time in 60 years, in order to meet up with HM to help celebrate her Coronation of June 2nd, 1953. 

Known as either The Coronation Crown or King 
Edwards' Crown, it is largely made up of the Crown that was made for King Charles 2nd, the very dastardly General Fairfax (a Parliamantarian) having sold or melted down all the Crown jewels to pay for the (Roundhead) Army.

HM Queen Elizabeth 2nd is a first cousin 9th times removed from King Charles 1st. Charles 2nd was his son.

Yes, SHE is a Royalist, but apart from HER own reasons, can YOU think of any person, be they President or whatever, who would do HM's job for this length of time.. with no time out for good behaviour? I think not.. 

Yes, WE pay for HM and the immediate members 
of the Royal Family.. but the senior members of it still work for 'the firm' and they are all way past retirement age. Do they earn their 'keep', are they a bringer-in of tourists to this country, undoubtedly.

Vivat Regina.. Long live the Queen.. OUR Queen.
HM Queen Elizabeth 2nd.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 4th, 2013.

BLACK BEAUTY & COBRA..

Good afternoon Dear Readers.. Fare thee well?

WE be faring very well, old sun obviously got a talking to because he is actually working instead of larking about and playing hide and seek with the northern hemisphere..

Curcurbita pepo ovifera together with Phaseolus vulgaris and lots of Ocimum, who are cousins of Lamiaceae, have been planted this morning.

As HER appointment is in the middle of the afternoon, such a inconvienent time 3.30! SHE and I broke OUR fast very late, WE played silly cuddly games underneath the quilt and then went to YumYum HQ and had an omelette with that scrummydumptious Goaty Curd in it.

I think this is MY favourite way with old egg, well, although I must say that I am very partial to buttered egg as well.. difficult choice, I leave it up to HER to surprise ME.

SHE is awaiting an email from a very helpful shop, some time ago SHE found long bags with a drawstring and a toggle fastener at one end.. they 
are made of fleece and absolutely perfect for slipping over the currant bushes and cherry branches, but as always, when YOU find something wonderful like this, there were two in a pack, YOU don't buy enough of them! 

Whoops.. SHE has remembered SHE has to do something en route to the hospital, I've got to go.

By the way.. YOU should learn Latin.. but very 'special' Latin.. SHE certainly didn't learn HER Horticultural Latin at school.. they taught HER amo, amas, amat and that is a fat lot of use when 
YOU want to order plants or seeds, isn't it?

But in order to save YOU scrabbling about for YOUR Latin dictionary, if YOU have such a thing, 'Black Beauty' Courgettes, 'Cobra' Beans and lots of different varities of Basil are what SHE potted up this morning.

"Ego vobis valedico" = I say goodbye to YOU.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 4th, 2013.. The Glorious Fourth!

THE TEXAS TWO STEP.. OR A LINE DANCE..

Did YOU know that gardeners get things for free?

Today, after going to see those lovely men at the ironmongers' shop in Streatham Hill, SHE jumped from one bus to another and wiggled HER way across London to the allotments.. sadly, I was not on this jaunt.. but it would have been one hell of a bumpy ride, that's for sure! 

There was so much to do.. as SHE had planted all the cauliflowers, cabbages and celery, they had to be caged to prevent those flying thieves, aka pigeons, from stripping them bare.

Along with a sharpener for the hand shears, four rolls of galvanised metal mesh had gone into old wicker, along with some very clever clips. 

The wire was in rolls and wanted to stay rolled.. SHE did not have time to fool around, SHE undid the roll, slapped two planks of wood on it, trod on the planks and that was that, flat wire. 

Then plumbers' pipe was attached to the top and the bottom, four stout sticks were stuck into the ground and these were attached to the four sides, then with plastic mesh over the top.. hey presto.. one pigeon proof cabbage and cauliflower bed. 

The celery was planted in three ditches, it will need to be 'earthed' up and tied up later on, these are amongst the garlic, they grow very happily together but they would just hate to be near any beans.. ugh! 

Whilst SHE was planting the last few celery, SHE un-earthed a huge amount of Centipedes, who all whizzed away at high speed and it made HER laugh as SHE realised they can't dance the dance that SHE was taught by Mister Bill. 

A Texan Two Step is not possible for these little people.. they have a hundred legs, it would have to be a Line Dance! What a lovely, silly thought, just think of lines of Centipedes Line Dancing! 

SHE is off to see the Medical Team tomorrow at the hospital for HER six month appointment and SHE has everything written down so that nothing will be forgotten to be told to them.. there is going to be a lot of 'egg' on a couple of people's faces.. not one drop will be on HERS.

So 'ninny-byes' time it is.. WE had lamb fillet and broccoli for supper.. I am full and SHE is tired.

Oh.. what things do gardeners get for free? Strong muscles and a great suntan! SHE looks as if SHE has been to somewhere very exotic!

GeeGee Parrot.
June 3rd, 2013.

SPANISH.. SI TE GUSTO LOS GATOS.. QUE TENER CUIDADO PORQUE LOS LIVIOS SAN VENENOSAS PARA LOS GATOS..

Well.. mouth knew how to say it.. but old brain had to have a little help as to how to spell a couple of the words.. But here it is in Spanish and SHE is much pleased as SHE has not spoken any Spanish for the longest of longest times.

Maria La Gorda would be very shocked to know this.. as they used to chuckle, discuss and share the local 'gossip' about who, what, when, where and how in the market..

Be very careful with Lilies and Cats.. the toxic pollen and leaves can kill or maim a cat. This also applies to Lilies in the garden, pollen on a furry coat will be licked off, not good for feline person.

SHE slept SO badly.. HER brain was just like a wheel.. round and round, up and down the garden paths it went.. so boring and so very tiring to fall asleep at four of the clock, only to have to get up at half past eight of the clock. SHE certainly feels a bit 'bashed' about the head.

So I am doing MY best.. which consists of a very gentle special head massage.. and a quiet tuneful tune.. to ease pain in old head and to make smile appear, for life is better with smile on face, don't YOU agree?

There, that's much better. SHE stroked and tickled MY nape and called ME one of those special but very cheeky endearments that SHE calls ME.. so sorry Dear Readers, I wouldn't dream of telling YOU what it was, certainly not, family knowledge only.

The day has to start, I am off to pole.. pippip.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 3rd, 2013.

FRENCH.. SI VOUS AIMEZ LES CHATS.. ETRE PRUDENT CAR LIS SONT TOXIQUES POUR LES CHATS

Dear Readers... 

WE will be posting this information in as many languages as SHE can remember how to write in.

It has been brought to HER attention that Lilies, although beautiful, are highly toxic for cats. And, it is not only the pollen that is poisonous for them, it is also the leaves.

There are several other beautiful flowers that ARE poisonous.. Lilies of the Valley are another for instance. The glorious Poinsettia is known to be 'not too good' for birds.. this means that WE never ever have them in OUR home in the winter.

WE will be updating this list of poisonous flowers and plants and posting this warning in other languages.. 

Bed time.. yawn.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 2nd, 2013.

JOLLY JAPES IN JUNE.. Part Two.

Now.. where was I? Oh yes, cheese and grapes on the table and Otto came in.. when he saw ME on HER head.. his jaw dropped and his eyes, already very large, opened wider. 

He almost shook his head.. but decided, that if he sniffed the very beautiful dark crimson peonies that were on the dining table, the next time he looked at HER, that very strange animated 'hat' that SHE was wearing would have disappeared.

It hard to explain the look of total disbelief on his handsome feline face when he looked back, for I was still there and now, haha, fully aware of the situation and playing to MY audience, with a little stretch here and a big stretch there, with a waggle there and a wiggle here. 

Oh dear, poor Otto, he simply didn't know whether Christmas, Easter or another Bank Holiday was coming next. 

WE left this happy but slightly confused family at ten of the clock, for it takes a 'good' hour to get home and walking to the bus stop, WE sniffed the night air, ahhh, it was deliciously warm and there was a Wisteria growing nearby, such a beautiful fragrance.. the air had the promise for a fine day tomorrow.

And today was a glorious sunny day, a perfect English early summers' day. SHE went to meet our Goaty mama Debbie at the Farmer's Market at Parson's Green.. oh yum.. big tub of Goaty Curd, two bottles of fresh raw Goaty Milk and a bag of the silkiest straw for the strawberries. 

SHE was very happy to be able to give a large bag of asparagus to Debbie to say "thank YOU" on behalf of the strawberries.

Oh.. SHE got a compliment today! Debbie said she liked HER crystallised ginger so much, that she would like HER to make her some! So this week SHE has to go and get several kilos of fresh ginger root and Billingtons' raw granulated sugar.. the best to use for this very edibubble treat.

And.. WE are going on a summer holiday.. lots of work for HER to do.. I will loaf in the sun and watch HER for a day or two.. We, or rather SHE, is going to make Debbie a vegetable garden.

So I am going on a train again! "Wagons roll down to Faversham".. how about that! WE will go when SHE has finished all HER planting.. 

But that is then but now, it is the dreaded b-e-d time, which has to happen, SHE has a huge, just enormous amount of 'stuff' to do tomorrow.. so it is "good night" from US both.. have a happy week.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 2nd, 2013.

JOLLY JAPES IN JUNE.. Part One.

Yes japes, Dear Readers, such a good but very underused word.. how often do YOU meet a Parrot when travelling on a bus? 

WE met such a nice woman yesterday, her name is Rena and she thought I was pretty snappy.. not her exact words but as she is going to come and have supper, she must have thought it!

I must say.. It was very 'snappy' to be at the garden again as it was a lovely day and this time, instead of being in the big cage by the shed, I stayed in the travelling cage and was beside HER the time.

Goodness ME, SHE does come across the most extraordinary folk whilst gardening, very strange wriggly people of all different colours, shapes and sizes! 

One person was tiny but he had a hundred legs, it was like watching a column of Roman Centurions marching as he was extremely speedy! 

WE have found out who it is that is 'lodging' in the little house on the front wall of the Shack.. it is a Blue Tit! SHE thought Jenny might have come back but no, she is a new friend and she wears the prettiest coloured clothes.

SHE weeded and de-stoned the square raised bed and planted lots of baby Cauliflowers, they are now amongst Onions.

This bed has very soft but good soil and most of these sweet Onions, which were planted as sets very early last October, are of a size good enough to pick. Sweet green leaves.. tasty in an omelette! 

SHE is off to see Debbie at the Farmer's Market at Parson's Green this morning and will then come back here, as SHE cannot go to the allotment with OUR precious Goaty produce! SHE has Rosemary for Goaty folk and Asparagus for Debbie. 

Supper last night in Kew was delicious.. give that man a chef's hat.. immediately, if not sooner! 

He grilled the Asparagus that WE took, laid it on fried bread and topped it off with a poached egg and a little sauce.. hello! YUM. 

Then came minced lamb, rolled in grilled slices of aubergine, with pine nuts and a hint of cinnamon, then roasted in the oven in a tomato sauce.. full marks Ossie.. 

Not a sign of either of the two resident Feline folk, aka Phoebe and Otto, it wasn't until the cheese appeared that Otto came into view. 

He didn't see ME on HER head for the longest time. And then he did.. oh dear, poor Otto. He has met HER many time but SHE has never worn an animated hat before!

Blogspot being norty.. more later.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 2nd, 2013.

JUST BACK FROM KEW.. TOO LATE NOW TO TELL OF STRANGE & SURPRISING THINGS.. COME BACK TOMORROW..

WE have such Tales to tell YOU but it is far too late now. 

Don't worry, Dear Readers, WE will not forget the silly things that WE have to report to YOU.. NOR the very important thing either.. which is of a very dangerous danger to cats from a certain flower.

Read all about it.. Read about Peony sniffing cats and animated hats, yes folks, roll up, roll up and read all the news that is fit to Blog on MY Blog.. tomorrow June 2nd, 2013.

Now to bed.. it is way past MY bewitching hour.

GeeGee Parrot.
June 1st, 2013.

AND WITH A LOONEY TUNE.. IT'S THE FIRST OF JUNE!

Dear Readers, may I be the first to say "White Rabbits" to YOU because it is the first of the month and all that.. 

And 'all that' in this house means that WE go and have a look at Stats to see how many people read MY Blog in the last month.. goodness gracious US!

A huge increase of Dear Readers read about OUR antics and the allotment / garden last month.. there was an increase of over 60%!

I know there were more posts than usual, SHE was here to tap out MY every whim and wish because Spring was so grim and grizzly but even still.. sixty percent is a huge increase.

       "Thank YOU for reading MY Blog".

To the title.. does a loony tune ever get 'stuck' in YOUR head? It is a good thing WE are seeing Debbie Goat aka Ellie's Dairy tomorrow at the Farmers Market at Parson's Green, as she knows the scientific word for this, which she told HER a couple of weeks ago but it went out of other ear.. 

SHE certainly has this happen and I get to listen to these odd snatches of songs, so it is no wonder I don't know all of the tunes, let alone the words! 

But one word I do know is Fast and the tradition of the breaking it and now off I go because I know what is on the menu this morning.

Eggies! Slurp-the-durp! Oh, such yummy things. And WE are having some Salmon with them too. Then later WE will go to the allotment, SHE will pick Asparagus and things for salad and WE will go to Kew, just down the road, to have supper with Lee and Ossie.

Grey out there, not bright and sunny like yesterday so WE will not go until mid afternoon as it looks as if it is going to rain.. "Come on Weather Team up there.. enough of these grey skies, tell old sun to put a new battery into his torch or something.. for today.. is the first day of summer!"

GeeGee Parrot.

June 1st, 2013.