Hints of Autumn.

Less than two weeks into September and we have already had over half the rainfall of last years Sept, making up for August which was the driest since 2013. We have also had very high winds which have blown down the  runner beans support twice and also the Sweet peas, the beans have been righted without too much damage but the sweet peas support is beyond saving. We will have to do a total rethink on bean and pea support next year.

Early Autumn colour.

Colour is now showing on the trees and the hedgerows are full of blackberries, it's a good year for this free fruit, already we have had six blackberry and apple crumbles,

Last of our apples.

made with our own apples, this is the first year that we have been able to say we have apples! Needless to say we have lost the labels from the trees, but one of them is a russet of some type.

Three weeks old.

The Hubbard chicks are now four weeks old and have been in an outside run for a week, we gave them heat for the first couple of days but as the night time temperatures has remained quite high they now no longer need additional heat. They will be moved into a bigger house and run in a couple of weeks.

The Charlotte seed potatoes that have been planted into large pots have already been earthed up twice, we planted up  four pots and hopefully we should have some new potatoes for Christmas. One thing that didn't get planted this year were turnips, so a late sowing has been made in the tunnel, according to gardening forums we should have turnips ready for use in a couple of months.
We are once again spoilt for  choice vegetable wise,

the late cauliflowers have now formed their curds, French beans are at last producing, as well as the runner beans, and the calabrese has formed side shoots nearly as large as the main heads were.
We have had a couple of trips out in the last week.

Elecampane. (Inula.)

The first one was to Strokestown House walled garden,

A superb crocosmia.

on our last visit we were pleasantly surprised, the garden was full of colour and there were several people, volunteers mainly, restoring the gardens,

Plenty of white phlox.

White Japanese anemone.

this trip however was very disappointing, very little colour, mainly white phlox, lots of bare earth, and piles of weeds just left on the beds.

Bumble bee, robbing nectar from the base of a phlox.

A fine aspersa specimen.

Acanthus mollis

 Just one butterfly in the whole garden, there has been a real lack of them this year.

Just one Tortoiseshell butterfly.

We are quite happy to pay to see well kept gardens, preferably ones with colour, but to pay eighteen euros for gardens that seem once again to be neglected is a rip off.
Our second trip was again into Sligo, we never need an excuse to go to Co. Sligo, it is one of the loveliest counties and the people are full of energy, something that we also find in North Leitrim, yet is sadly lacking in the county in which we now live. This time it was another trip to the 'Crafters Basket', in Cliffoney. To get to Cliffoney you have to pass through Rathcormac, the supposed burial place of W.B Yeats. Also in Rathcormac they have a Craft Village, although we have passed it many times we had never stopped before. What a treat, the very highest standard of crafts that you are likely to find anywhere, and all , in our eyes reasonably priced. Pure Merino wool Aran jumpers for sixty euros, it cost me that much to knit Simons jumper last year. Wonderful hand loomed throws, hand made jewellery, a wonderful wood turner and a superb potter who specialises in Racu work, using moss peat and horse hair, every one of his peices are one offs and very reasonably priced. We have decided that we must go back to buy one of these lovely works of art. For anyone who is into pottery check out his website.
iancartyceramics.blogspot.com  
A trip to the coast always calls for a couple of photos,

one of Classiebawn Castle, built by Lord Palmerston,

and another view of Mullaghmore bay.

We also spotted a very unusual crop growing in a field, a field of blue flax and oats, apparently this is a scheme to provide winter food for the wild birds,

I might be a bit cynical but I would make a bet that there is grant money available for this scheme, unless there is additional money to be had farmers don't do anything voluntarily.
The flower garden is still full of colour, the main gardens full of different colour phlox and heleniums ,

the back garden is mainly pink at this time of year, nice to look out at from the utility room and our bedroom.