COX APPLES: FIRST HARVEST (2013)

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We are gradually restoring a very overgrown garden in Dorset. Part of the work has involved uncovering old walls that were smothered in rampant ivy, in places to a depth of nearly 2 feet; and the beds hidden underneath. This was followed by some approximate repointing ‘à la rustique’. The next stage was to remove the ‘dead’ soil and replace it with fresh topsoil mixed with compost; then to begin the planting. Here is part of the project, in May, showing a new espalier Cox apple tree on the south-facing side of the wall. The wire compound is to keep rabbits out – mostly successfully. The COX’S ORANGE PIPPIN, a classic eating apple, was first grown in 1826 as a hybrid of the Ribstone Pippin. This variety is small, crisp and juicy, with a slightly sharp tang. Completely delicious, in fact.

Cox Apples 2013 6

The tree luckily took to its situation and in due course began to produce some promising-looking fruit. Cox’s ripen in October, and should only be picked if the pips rattle when the fruit is shaken. We were amazed to have grown two dozen apples (there were also a couple of outliers that had been eaten, apparently by ants). A few on the lower branches are still not ready to pick – they were rather shaded by plants that grew during the summer. Some we have eaten straight off the tree. Here are a few that we harvested a couple of days ago.

Cox Apples 2013 1

Testing for the ‘pick me now’ rattleCox Apples 2013 2

First Harvest. Next year we will train a third row near the top of the wall. More apples.Cox Apples 2013 3

PORTLAND, DORSET (1) THE LIGHTHOUSE AT PORTLAND BILL

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Portland is a ‘tied  island’ at the southernmost point of Dorset, linked to the mainland by a 5 mile strip of steeply banked stones and pebbles called the Chesil Beach (or to the older among us, Chesil Bank) that runs northwest towards Abbotsbury and West Bay. There is now a road, of course. The bank’s formation is known as a ‘tombolo’, where a spit joins to land at both ends,  creating a tied island and often a lagoon (here known as the Fleet).

Portland MapPortland Lighthouse 2

I’ll be posting about Chesil Beach and other aspects of Portland in due course. Meanwhile, I’ll focus on the southern tip of Portland, known as Portland Bill. There are 3 lighthouses there. Two were operationally replaced in 1906 by a classic red-and-white striped edifice, and are now, respectively, holiday apartments; and a bird observatory. The ‘new’ lighthouse stands guard over a strong tidal race caused by the underwater continuation of the Portland rock ‘shelf’ and the Shambles sandbank further offshore. 

Portland Lighthouse 3The LanternPortland Lighthouse 4

Portland is one of the ‘Sea Areas’ familiar from UK shipping forecasts, located between Wight and Plymouth. The lighthouse, 115 ft high, is a prominent navigational landmark for the English Channel.

Portland Lighthouse 1

Since 1514, Trinity House has been the organisation with responsibility for lighthouses and the safety of UK shipping generally since the grant of a Royal Charter by Henry VIII. The Portland light bears the Trinity House arms.

Portland Lighthouse 6

It also bears a substantial foghorn, essential to warn of the coastal rocks as well as the strong current from the tidal race

Portland Lighthouse 5

As ships are warned by the foghorn, so humans are warned of the foghorn…Portland Lighthouse 7

At the cliff edge is a stout obelisk of portland stone erected by Trinity House in 1844 (before the present lighthouse existed) as a daylight warning to passing ships of the dangers of the offshore race.

Portland Lighthouse 8 Portland Lighthouse 9

HARRIS HAWK, DORSET

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This hawk is a bird of the Americas, but they are found in Europe – in particular in Britain – as the result of escapes from captivity. They are popular hawks for falconry, being relatively easy to train. However, when released they don’t always return to their owner. The large feral pigeon population of London’s Trafalgar Square is controlled by the tactical deployment of Harris Hawks at dawn.

I was recently able to get quite close to one at an Oak Fair  in Dorset, where watery sunshine brought out the wonderfully rich colouring of the bird. I only has a snapping camera with me, but these photos give a pretty good idea of the bird and its plumage. I’ve included a shot of its characteristic white-tipped tail.

Harris's Hawk Dorset 1 Harris's Hawk Dorset 3 Harris's Hawk Dorset 4

A POPULAR POPPY WITH SMALL BEES Romneya coulteri

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Small Bees at Oxburgh 1

TREE POPPY Romneya coulteri

This plant at Oxburgh Hall, Norfolk was a magnet for small bees. We watched them come and go, filling up their little saddlebags. Photos of bees in flight don’t often work well. These are no exception. Still, they do catch the general bizzyness of the proceedings. The plant was lovely, not one we knew. Another new bee plant find for the year, along with Hyssop.

Small Bees at Oxburgh 2 Small Bees at Oxburgh 3 Small Bees at Oxburgh 4 Small Bees at Oxburgh 5 Small Bees at Oxburgh 6 Small Bees at Oxburgh 7White Poppy with Bees 7

THE GRAPE HARVEST

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GRAPE HARVEST

As summer gives way to autumn, the vine leaves start to turn rusty red
Grape Harvest, London 12Grape Harvest, London 11

Grapes that have been green all summer gradually turn deep red, almost blackGrape Harvest, London 10Grape Harvest, London 13

This year the grapes have been more prolific than for many yearsGrape Harvest, London 2Grape Harvest, London 5

The bunches are larger, juicier and sweeter than ever beforeGrape Harvest, London 4Grape Harvest, London 3

Today was the Vendemmia, the annual grape harvest
Grape Harvest, London 6Grape Harvest, London 7

About 25% of the harvest filled a traditional blue grape-picking receptacle
Grape Harvest, London 8Grape Harvest, London 9And this happened today in… West London

“HONEY RUSH” – LAST ORDERS IN THE SEASON’S FLORAL SALOON

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The bees are working overtime as a chill spreads over September and winter downtime looms for them. So busy are they that there is competition for individual flowers  – even though there are more than enough to go round. Bumbles were out in force yesterday, and there are still butterflies around, mainly tiny Small Coppers and Whites of different sizes.

We’ve done a quick assessment of plant popularity this spring and summer that produces this league table:

  1. Hyssop – the runaway winner for bees of many types, ditto butterflies and (new entry) moths. Planted for the first time in May, and has effortlessly thrived (throve? thriven?) to become Nectar Central.
  2. Lavender – perennial success with bees and butterflies. More planted this spring and very well visited.
  3. Cosmos – new to the garden this year, a fast and easy grower, and hugely popular with bees, especially bumbles. Also visited by honey bees and butterflies, but only on their way the the hyssop.

Bees in Dorset Summer's End 1 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 2 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 3 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 4 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 5 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 6 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 8 Bees in Dorset Summer's End 9Blurry, I know, but the intruder arrived from nowhere as I pressed the button… Why it didn’t land on one of several vacant flowers next to this one, I have no idea. Maybe fighting drunk on pollen?Bees in Dorset Summer's End 7

EAGLE OWL: STOCK OAK FAIR, DORSET

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Eagle Owl 7Eagle Owl 6Eagle Owl 5Eagle Owl 4Eagle Owl 3Eagle Owl 2Eagle Owl 1

This fine bird was part of a display at an Oak Fair in Dorset (see also BARN OWL). I only had a ‘family day out snapping camera’ with me, so the close-ups are a little ‘soft’. Never mind, the feather patterns have come out reasonably well…