September!A New School Year!

A new school year has begun and and the children have settled in very well. It was great to welcome Tom,Nixie,Kingston,Lorenzo and Luke back as my chief helpers.!We are taking full advantage of the magnificent Indian Summer and spending much time outdoors. Last week we picked damsons in the garden and on Friday we weighed and prepared the fruit for jam.We shall put it in pots to bring home so all the family can savour a tasty ,old fashioned jam.The apple trees in the orchard are laden with fruit.We juiced some apples and all enjoyed the drink..The children just love the orchard especially as the trees are so low that they can climb them and have such fun!The vegetables are thriving and we gathered beans,peas,tomatoes,kale,lettuce,beetroot and spinach..a great way to introduce vegetables and talk about healthy food. All were eager to bring them home to cook for dinner.!!The highlight of last week were picnics down the field and the discovery of newly cut hay!!We made old fashioned hay cocks,played hide and seek.and took turns being “LITTLE BOY BLUE” as everyone circled around and sang the nursery rhyme! What fun! Hay in September is a rarity and very, very special!It really makes one stop and cherish the moment!We watched the swallows circle overhead and just enjoyed these special days of blue skies and sunshine.