The Cottage Smallholder

Sorry but i posted elsewhere first!

I am Trevor, 76, heavily retired after a lifetime of working allover the world it seems

Where did all those years disappear to!

I live in a small flat in South Yorkshire having returned here to care for an ageing Dad ( now departed just short of 104 yrs old)

I have spent a couple of months every year in late spring cycle camping round Europe which I suspect had helped me survive as long as this. Actually this year is the first time in very naby years that I haven't toured. Had an op last week ( after waiting for a year – the NHS is failung to cope) which had upped from 1 hernua a year ago to 5 that were found under keyholing me!

But I am well again bow and look forward to being allowed to climb aboard my velo again in 7 weeks time.Then next year bak to Europe if I can find some flatter bits!

I have a very small patch and a back yard where I manage to grow all sorts of things  – 2 apple trees, rhubarb ( 3 different varieties) Red currants ( 1 very prolific bush) 3 gooseberry which will be reduced to 2 this coming autumn  they seem to propagate almost a sfast as brambles, 3 blackcurrant bushes, 2 loganberry brambles. Rosemary, thyme, parsley, chives, broad beans. Runner beans, perpetual spinach and this year I have just harvested my first batch of elephant garlic which are excellent. theother garlics I planted last autumn are disappointing and I shalln't do them again

So my little plot , supplemented by tubs as well does me very well.

I also shop wisely when in season and tend to buy in quantity , prepare as needed and package appropriately and freeze. I suspect tat I could live out of my freezer for months without buying a thing

I make wines, I also,at this time of year use the glut of fruits to prepare my "liqueurs" for next year and I have just put down to macerate

Red currant gin ( 2 litres including fruit)

Gooseberry gin   (  "   "      "   )

Creme de Cassis  ( "     "    ")

Just waiting for the blackberry harvest to kick off to start my Blackberry whisky which needs a good year on the fruit but is delicious

Love cooking and I have cooked professionally late on in life which was fun

I have a fault or two  – one demonstrated here

I do tend to rabbit on and on!!!!!!!!!

I have stopped now.