Snow on Canagou- Winter’s here

Woke this morning to a heavy dew, a frost on the field and a white cap on Canagou- Winter is definitely on it’s way. Here’s hoping for a good short and sharp one- not the non seasons we have had this year, no real Winter no Spring, a pathetic summer, followed by an Indian Summer. With no frosts the snails and slugs have had a field day, mosquitoes in February, and clouds of fruit flies everywhere. When we are in the heart of a good winter, trapped in by snow, with the pipes frozen and the fire barely able to cope with the wind it is sometimes hard to remember that Winter is an important and necessary part of the growing year. Frost kills diseases and limits pest, while short days means that annual herbs that in summer rush to flower in Summer have the space to grow to their full glory- Coriander and Parsley produce big bushes of delicious leaves. So it is goodbye to tomato, mozzarella, and basil salads, hello to chickpea tagines with fresh coriander garnish, curries, and parsely omelettes. Already had our first Tartiflette last week, and eat a lovely Beef Bourguignon at Mike and Paule’s yesterday- with all the physical work we do it is great to have absolutely no feelings of guilt as huge amounts of calories, and cholesterol get shovelled down. Roll on Winter- we are ready for you.