It has been very hot so it’s enough to have just enjoyed the dog days of summer reading old classics by Henry James and Scott Fitzgerald. Beachcombing in the evening is better as it is cooler and all the visitors have gone. Down in the old Tudor harbour, some of the locals have tied up their boats and gone in for tea. It’s all very peaceful here and you have space to think.  

In the veggie garden, the harvest has come a bit early as the intense heat has stimulated the growth hormones to go early. The result is a summer bounty of fresh veggies. The grapevines have recovered, and we’ve got some grapes, albeit they are on the small side; the garlic is out and drying in the sun; and the statuesque artichokes are ready for the cut and the pot.

And the remedial work is going ok despite the drought. The olive tree is sprouting from its pollarded stump; and the fuchsia is recovering well from being cut to the ground following an infection. As for the Rosa, it gets its cutback after the hips have had their time in the sun, and we have a pop of vibrant candy colours in the flowering gladdys.  

There is progress on the new Book. We have just about settled on a title. The one I wanted has been used by a famous writer, so I’ve had to switch ideas. And the brief for the cover’s artwork is now ready. You will have a preview in a few months as we gear up for the production run. Just got to get the content finished over the summer…

Come back next time to find out what’s happening as August and the last of the summer turns to herald the autumn, and the new book take shape.