Newsletter w/c 20th August 2012

The usual noise and uproar has returned to my life again, as the boys and Lynda are back from 10 days in France. I managed to use my time profitably and have half the tall posts concreted into place for the log store, all the hard graft is done in the garden, it’s just a bit of raking out and topsoiling to do now, the unused areas of the field have been dunged and ploughed, 4 holiday let changeovers plus my normal delivery runs. It’s been non-stop. I also managed to get over to Kilmarnock twice, once on Tuesday for the Rowallan Rosebowl race and then again on Sunday for the Club Championships which tied in nicely with my Dad’s birthday and so went to birthday tea at night. My next running outing will be the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow, a half-marathon, on the 2^nd September. I’m not really ready for it yet but it’ll give me an idea how far off the pace I am.

The boys arrived back at 9am this morning (Monday) after 24 hrs on the road and looked as if they hadn’t slept much of it. They start school on Tuesday morning so were in bed and asleep by 6.30 tonight. I’m going to have to do a really early shift tomorrow ( Tuesday) so no-one will probably be prepared for me arriving. When we were in Underbarrow on holiday we bought a Lab pup from the owners of the Local Pub. It has just got to the age it can leave its mum now so I’m going down to pick it up and try and be back for the boys coming back from school. It’ll mean me delivering the veg through the early hours of the morning and then pick Lynda up once the boys are off to school, drive down to Underbarrow, pick up the pup and whizz back again. Easy!!! Not really. When we went to Crail on holiday, we brought back a little model yacht as a memento, now that was easy.

During the school holidays I’ve been delivering the Friday bags on Thursdays due to the fact that so many customers were on holiday themselves and also the fact that it gave me an extra day to spend some time with the boys. I think I’ll keep this going for the time being. If it’s been causing any problems or inconvenience please let me know and I’ll sort a better delivery time for you.

Here’s a list of whats in the Standard bags this week. Substitutions may occur.

Potato Solanum tuberosum. We’re onto our own new potatoes now. The variety is Valor. They are very easy to prepare when they’re as fresh as this and really only need a wash and a scrub. Potatoes are the only commonly available source of B3 and Iodine. Excellent source of Vitamin C and also Vitamin B6, Potassium and fibre.

Onion Allium cepa. Used in stews, pasta dishes, soups. Source of Vitamins A and C, Iron, Calcium and Potassium .

Carrot Daucus carota Carrots are eaten fresh in salads or cooked in just about any way you like. They are an excellent source of Vitamin A and also contain significant amounts of Vitamins B, C, D, E and K. and Potassium.

Tomato Lycopersicon esculentum. Tomatoes are a good source of Vitamins A and C, potassium and iron. This is the first of the British organic tomatoes for this year. They are eaten in many different ways, both fresh or cooked.

Mixed salad various –Excellent source of phytochemicals and a good source of Vitamins A, B and C, calcium, fibre and potassium. The ground was pretty wet when we picked the salad so some grit may be mixed in. Rinse it well. To store, it is best to rehydrate the lettuce. Rinse well, two or three times, renewing the water with each rinse, then drain thoroughly in a colander or salad spinner. Store in the fridge and you should get it to last all week

Leek Alliun porrum Use in soups to give a lovely creamy texture. Wash thoroughly after chopping as soil gets caught in the leaf axils while they’re growng in the field.

Cucumber Cucumis sativus. (1/2 head) Good source of vitamin C and A. Also, a good source of potassium. Wash thoroughly, dry, then slice up to use in salads. Occasionally used in soups.