21/08/2026
September. I have a hint of melancholy about the end of summer. I love the long evenings, the outdoors energy, the food, and the school holidays - but it can't last for ever. The season turns anyhow. There may yet be more weeks of sunshine - or it could all be over for this year - but there is no stopping the harvest now. Summer colours slowly deepen and ripen into the jewel tones of plums and figs. Late summer tomatoes are the sweetest, and corn cobs are fat with sugar. I have a big bag of damsons to deal with tomorrow, and elderberries and sloes which must be picked before the birds get there. There is work to be done - and new menus for a new month.