Broccoli from Trafalgar Square, anyone?

Really excellent to hear about this idea from Clitheroe in Lancashire. I've been wondering for a while why the open space surrounding the estates of East London are not better used to service areas which are sometimes recognised as food deserts. So good to see someone finally putting it into practice...

I've been thinking for a while that this would be a particularly beneficial way of re-engaging the community in areas of socio-economic deprivation. One such project already in existence is the 'friends of arnold circus', where they have taken control of council-owned areas in the estate to grow food and veg. Find out more about volunteering.

In the meantime, I'll be keeping a close eye on this project. It could work well as a model for other areas of the country.

Thanks Lynn for the link.

The Real Seed Catalogue

You may have heard of these chaps before, I hadn't. Anyhoo... have been turning my mind to thinking about what I'm going to grow in the garden this year. Last year was a bit of a warm-up, we only really got here at the beginning of August, and I'd misplaced my best gardening book (which, I can't recommend enough, by the way). So, I've listed out all of the seeds that I've bought and collected over the years, which seemed to be a lot more than I'd thought, but had some real holes in it, as I've recently discovered. Plentiful are the summer sunshine-loving regulars such as tomatoes, peppers and herbs; non-existent are the winter stalwarts such as broccoli or cabbage. How on earth I thought we'd survive on a couple of mizuna and rocket plants, I have no idea, but next (read: this) year we should now be able to look forward to a more productive year - all year.

Sadly then, I just came across the Real Seed Catalogue this morning, having ordered all other things last night (via Garden Organic and Suffolk Herbs). Based in Wales, they have been collecting rare and heirloom varieties of vegetables and herbs since 1990, and actively promote the saving of your own seeds - supplying a 'how to' with each packet of seeds bought. Don't know about you, but I quite fancy trying some of their chilli peppers...

Sorry about size of pic above by the way... all their pics are tiny.

I made you a beard

Love this shop: I made you a beard

Wish I'd known about it when hunting for my outfit for George's recent party, although I think the one I scored was pretty rad :)

Fire & Knives

Love the look of this new foodie mag Fire & Knives. A subscription would make a great present for Christmas (ahem!)

When in Flushing...

stop off here and have a beer. It's lovely.

ps - the food's pretty good too.

A good race and the best oysters known to humanity

or at least David and I at any rate. Last Thursday we took part in the final race of the season on board Moon (pictured above). I've been racing on her all summer, and can honestly say it's been a complete joy. God only knows what I'm going to do over the next 6 months until racing resumes.

Anyway, I digress... The last race is called the Silver Oyster race, and has two classes - one for the normal racing working boats, and the other for the actual dredging boats. I am happy to say that we won, although with only one other boat in our class and a super racing mastermind on-board it was a somewhat hollow victory. Racing commenced at 10 in the morning, and with this now out of the way we swiftly got on with the order of the day - drinking. Luckily empty stomachs were abated with a delivery of hot pasties and a cool box full of fresh Falmouth oysters, courtesy of Ranger.

I can honestly say (and I'm not alone here) that they were the best oysters I've ever eaten. Natives, rather than Pacific oysters are definitely my faves, and these did not disappoint. They tasted absolutely of the sea, and were a perfect accompaniment to the day's celebration. Please support Ranger by visiting his site. All oysters are dredged, cleaned and delivered all by him and his crew, from the last wild oyster beds in Cornwall.

Today I Saw

This is simply lovely.