Thanks Colin, it's now in my favourites. I love new dishes to try, and I cook a lot of Indian ones.

You can get it for about £1.99 in Smiths. It's only a small paperback.

Tigger I am SO jealous! Do tell what it's like. For restaurant style curries I'm on my third copy of "The Curry Secret" by Kris Dhillon. They aren't proper home style Indian curries but are extremely good. You can make curry sauce to freeze and haul it out of the freezer to make a comparat...

I third that. Every year I try a new variety, (as well as not instead of) just to check, but nothing's come close.

I know what you mean Johnboy. I get a really sharp sad pang when they go. But in the Spring....there is usually an excited phone call from O/H to me or vice versa to say Hey! One's back! Come and see!

Oooh thanks!

I picked some wild fruit yesterday but have no idea what it is. It looked like a small plum, in fact it looked exactly like a sungold tomato, but tasted more like an apricot. Any ideas?

We have. I've been a bit worried as they are still feeding a late brood, still not fledged. They are usually thinking of going round about now, and it seems very late this year.

Are these the six foot dwarf beans I was reading about?

I'll have to find out the particular variety I think.

Is there any difference between dwarf beans and french beans? MOH grew some lovely french ones this year, but I've only seen seeds labelled dwarf in our local seed shop.

I don't like those fat ones called bobby beans they sell in the shops so I don't want to get the wrong ones.

I'm glad to hear you're all right Submariner. I've seen roe deer jump a wall onto a 50mph road and thought how dangerous it would be if anyone was passing at the same time. Commiserations (sp)? on the cost of repair though.

Weed that is very impressive. Tell me how many hours per week does it take you to keep it all looking that good?

Thanks all, I'll ring up about one next week. I know there are a few untended but that doesn't mean they are up for grabs. I could do a few hours a week, and you don't have to cultivate it all at once do you? Vicki what a good idea sharing the work and produce with someone. I would ask my O/H but he...

That sounds lovely Chantal, thanks. I'll have a go at that. I love chilli relish especially to go with cheese. The one I do is completely different, apples and dried chillies.

Thanks for the welcomes. You sound a bit of a barking assorted bunch - I think I'll like it here! I have a garden and am debating about taking on half an allotment as well. I ought to just go for it before they're all taken I think even if I can't give it all the time I'd like right now. Maybe those...